I was about to pull the trigger to purchase 20 dimmers and a few keypads for a RadioRA 2 system when I saw discounthomeautomation.com has Vizia RF+ VRMX1-1LZ dimmers for $43. This would cut the cost in half assuming it works. I'm skeptical as I keep reading posts about Z-Wave range issues, turn on/off delay issues, and the integration of scenes with the OmniPro controller. Status updates on the keypads is important to me as the ability to call a scene from the OmniPro. Obviously I would rather spend the money on RadioRA 2 if Z-Wave is going to be problematic.
State of Z-Wave Support
- Thread starter rsw686
- Start date
picta said:
I had UPB at the previous house. It worked well, but the HLC layout is limiting for scenes across rooms. If you just use links you loose the status tracking. I liked the double tap feature, but with HAI switches you couldn't set the local dimmer to unused. This means the local switch always had to go to some level on a double tap. The PulseWorx switches have this option, but are $75 per switch. At that price it isn't much more to go RadioRA 2 and I would gain the timeclock features (editable from iPhone) without having to fill the OmniPro with rules. I'm also slightly concerned that when I add a generator UPB might not work correctly.
pete_c
Guru
Here I have a small Z-Wave network and Leviton serial PIM sitting adjacent to metal conduit next to the fuse panel in the basement.
The Z-Wave appliance / light modules connected to this network has always worked for me and they are spread out all over the house; IE: 2nd floor, main floor and some are outdoors.
The Leviton OPII panel Z-Wave network is one of a few that I am running here today.
All of the in wall light switches today are UPB. New ones are all SA while older ones are HAI and PCS. I am not utilizing the HLC layout configuration with my OPII panel at this time.
The Z-Wave appliance / light modules connected to this network has always worked for me and they are spread out all over the house; IE: 2nd floor, main floor and some are outdoors.
The Leviton OPII panel Z-Wave network is one of a few that I am running here today.
All of the in wall light switches today are UPB. New ones are all SA while older ones are HAI and PCS. I am not utilizing the HLC layout configuration with my OPII panel at this time.
I did a quick bench test between a HAI CFL UPB dimmer, RadioRA 2 6CL dimmer, and RadioRA 2 6NA dimmer with an incandescent bulb, the original Cree A19 bulb and the new Cree A19 4Flow bulb. I didn't purchase a Z-Wave dimmer to test as I think you guys are right that the tech isn't as reliable.
HAI CFL UPB dimmer: Both LED bulbs would flicker after pressing the paddle when the UPB pulses are sent out. The original Cree bulb had a slight buzzing noise. All bulbs dimmed to a low light level. I'm still not a fan of the dimming curve as it drops the light level quickly over the 5% then evens out for the rest of the range.
RadioRA 2 6CL: All three bulbs don't dim as low as the other dimmers. The original Cree LED bulb had a slight buzzing to it at any level. The Cree 4Flow bulb works great.
RadioRA 2 6NA: No flickering or buzzing for any of the bulbs. All bulbs dimmed to a low light level.
Since this is an older house, built in the 80s, most of the switches don't have neutrals. I ended up going with RadioRA 2 and purchased mostly 6CL dimmers and only a few of 6NA dimmers.
HAI CFL UPB dimmer: Both LED bulbs would flicker after pressing the paddle when the UPB pulses are sent out. The original Cree bulb had a slight buzzing noise. All bulbs dimmed to a low light level. I'm still not a fan of the dimming curve as it drops the light level quickly over the 5% then evens out for the rest of the range.
RadioRA 2 6CL: All three bulbs don't dim as low as the other dimmers. The original Cree LED bulb had a slight buzzing to it at any level. The Cree 4Flow bulb works great.
RadioRA 2 6NA: No flickering or buzzing for any of the bulbs. All bulbs dimmed to a low light level.
Since this is an older house, built in the 80s, most of the switches don't have neutrals. I ended up going with RadioRA 2 and purchased mostly 6CL dimmers and only a few of 6NA dimmers.
drvnbysound
Senior Member
I have incandescent Zwave dimmers (Leviton and Jasco/GE) that work fine with the Cree LED bulbs. I haven't tried other bulbs. Based on this, I haven't been compelled to buy dedicated CFL/LED dimmers...
