26 Jun
2001
26 Jun
'01
1:40 p.m.
On Wed, 27 Jun 2001, Tony Duell wrote:
This probably explains why X10 is not at all popular
in the UK (and yes,
a 230V version does exist). I seem to remember that last time I looked at
the price of the modules they were all about \pounds 40.00 each. And the
computer [1] interface was about \pounds 90.00. I decided it was going to
be far too expensive for me to use.
Around here (USA), the modules are typically about $15, and occasionally
available cheap.
[1] Wintel, only, alas. Totally useless to me.
But if you go CLASSIC, ...
Radio Shack sold (past tense) a computer interface for TRS-80, and
Coco. IIRC, it connected to the cassette port.
There are also a number of serial port units.
There are also controllers that have an IR port (for use with a remote
control), if you are willing to do a little extra programming.
Some of the first controllers had an ultrasonic remote control!
As to reliability:
Of the couple of dozen modules that I put in 23 years ago, all of the
plug-in lamp modules and most of the plug-in appliance modules have
died. All but one of the wall switch modules (toggle style with
delayed local response) died (although the surviving one is in heavy
usage!). Almost none of the replacements (push button) have died. Some
of the old controllers will not reliably control some of the units
(possibly related to which other ones are on).
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com