submission by Stephen Shephard – having your own house automation installation business is a bit like being a youngster in a sweetie shop. You get to play with all kind of great gadgets as well as gizmos.
Well the CM15 is lastly right here in Europe. like lots of things house Automation associated it takes time to filter with from the States. So does it online as much as the hype as well as our expectations, or is it a lame duck as well as nothing a lot more than a CM11/12 with a few go quicker stripes on it.
So what do you get for your money, (we will be selling them soon for 98 Euros including shipping). the box consists of the CM15, ActiveHome pro software, A plastic straw, a long USB cord (about 1.5m) as well as an similarly long mains cable. So the system can be hidden without as well much bother. It likewise includes 2 Velcro pads.
To get started you in shape the straw over the dangly wire, which comes out of the top of the unit, to make the antenna rigid. already somebody has published a tutorial on exactly how to modification the antenna for an F connector, as well as to utilize your own aerial, to enhance range.
Next is to set up the software. This occurs rather swiftly as well as is extremely easy. No requirement to restart the machine. On very first glimpse it has a similar look as well as feel to the older ActiveHome software. Not necessarily a poor thing.
Once the preliminary sprinkle screen has completed you get the assist wizard pop up. For very first time individuals this may be beneficial as it runs with exactly how to set up modules as well as inspect the USB connection to the CM15 is connected. Mind you when you begin the software application you get a alerting letting you understand if the USB cord is unplugged.
Setup Wizard
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General Layout
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The screen is split into 3 primary areas. Rooms, Modules, Timers as well as Macros on the left with a little dustbin just below this. On the ideal is the primary screen screen this area modifications depending upon what is displayed. So click on a space as well as this is displayed in the primary area, then click on modules as well as this gets displayed below the room.
The very first thing you’ll most likely want to do is choose Hardware Configuration from the tools menu. right here you get to select your location, the code you want the system to screen as well as which codes the system will respond to by means of RF. Annoyingly you can only screen one home code. This is for condition tracking as well as utilize as a condition for macros. It would be great to be able to choose a lot more than one home code like you can for the RF.
Hardware Preferences
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Smart Macros
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Adding modules is extremely easy, just click on module type in the left hand side as well as then drag the module you want into the room. likewise the modules are the appropriate European versions which is a excellent enhancement over the old ActiveHome software. when the module is added you can modification the address just by clicking in the address window as well as altering it to what ever you want. If you want to modification the module to one more type then a ideal click as well as choose edit will enable you to do this.
The Macros area is potentially the single greatest enhancement over the old software. Not only do you get a lot more memory, however you get conditional macros that can be downloaded to the unit. When you add a new macro you get the option of utilizing the condition wizard, basic interface (only possible to add one condition), or advanced interface (possible to add lots of conditions).
Like adding modules the interface is drag as well as drop. choose the condition as well as drag it into the condition window. If you want to utilize module condition for a condition then only the modules with the monitored home code can be used. however there is a method round this. So state your monitored home code is C however you want to have a condition that looks at the condition of module A1. You set up a macro to set a flag whenever you switch A1 on as well as remove the flag whenever you switch A1 off. now you set up one more macro which when triggered will look to see if A1 is on or off as well as if it’s on it switches C1 on.
Macros Designer
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Report screen in Browser
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Other conditions can be based on time, date or certain holidays. The holidays are individual defined, from the preferences menu, which is a great touch. one more possibility with the macros is the capability to run other outside programs. So you might set up a macro to run Winamp as well as play a voice statement based on an event for example.
There’s no genuine difference from the method the old software application handles Timers here. when once againyou get the choice to hide the advanced features such as safety settings. A timer can be set for nearly any type of module. On the bottom ideal of the module is a little clock icon just click this as well as the timer window appears in the bottom of the primary window. then click on new as well as set your timer value. Going directly to the advanced view is likewise most likely a great idea. As you can see all your choices as well as there is likewise a repeat function, which is beneficial if you requirement to send a objective important on or off, such as heating.
Timer Designer
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Activity Monitor
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Lastly on the top of the screen there is a plug-ins menu. All that is in there currently is the wise Macros. however I assumption there will be a lot more as time goes on as well as no question there will be third celebration plug-ins too.
The poor – Let’s begin with what I don’t like. You can only send RF commands by means of a macro. It would be much nicer to be able to send them as typical commands. much better safety functions, being able to checked out the actual sensors would be nice, likewise I believe being able to screen a lot more than one home code must be standard.
The great – things I like: being able to utilize conditional macros, setting of flags, sending RF commands (all be it by means of a macro) the larger memory as well as being able to download everything into the controller as well as running it in stand alone mode.
The decision – So would I utilize it? depending upon the application yes. Last year we did an set up for a client, we needed an Ocelot controller, an XM10 as well as a TM13. Which we then housed in one box. The CM15 system would have been suitable in this circumstance as well as much more affordable for the client. The preliminary expense was about 300 Euros as well as a CM15 costs about 98. I believe as a starter for house automation its extremely great value for money. likewise if you have issue areas or out buildings then the RF functions make it extremely appealing. As you can send an RF command to your issue area or out building. So marks out of 10 about a 7.5 – with a “Good, however might do better”.
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