Hello:

I am a frustrated HomeSeer user and would love to make the switch to Indigo BUT my house is full of Z-wave devices which I must say work FLAWLESS and are incredible. Is there any movement with Indigo in that direction?

Steve

I sure wouldn't rule out Z-Wave support within Indigo, but they still are trying to charge several thousand dollars for the PDF spec on how to communicate with the computer interface. At this point, we are investigating other X10 alternatives that are being much more cooperative with developers. I'd really like to support Z-Wave, but I'm not sure I'd see the return on the investment at this point. We'll see... it might happen in a bit (6 mos to a year).

Regards,
Matt

What if I donated the 5 grand for the development?

Then send me an email offline: indigo-support@perceptiveautomation.com.

Regards,
Matt

I would be extremely interested in Z-Wave support as well. I've been using X10 for over 10 years, and I'm completely fed up with it. I've been following Z-Wave's progress, and it looks to be a very promising technology (though I too have heard complaints from other potential developers about their SDK being overpriced).

Have you considered making Z-Wave support an extra-cost option? I think most people who are willing to make the big investment to switch to Z-Wave would not consider it too onerous to pay a little extra for the software.

(I guess the question is, how much is "a little". For me it would be worth a lot, but I have many years of built-up frustration with X10 in me.)

I have, and still am, considering having a pro version of the software. Or maybe add on options for Indigo.

Have you looked at UPB or Insteon technology? It looks like they do (or will in the case of Insteon) solve the reliability problem. It also looks like they are much more willing to support the smaller software developer by not charging for protocol documentation. Given this, I think you'll find UPB and/or Insteon support in Indigo before Z-Wave.

Regards,
Matt

I joined this forum just for this thread.

I would pre-purchase a copy of indigo and pay a premium for Z-Ware support.

I wish these guys understood supporting the development community would drive hardware sales.

I was at EHX in LB this year, and was hanging around the Zwave pavillion and was casually speaking with a Zwave developer. Out of curiosity, I ash him how much his SDK cost, and he replied, "it was about $200."

I didn't probe to see if that included protocol docs, or if it included the SDK source code (I assume it is for Win). If the SDK source is included it should be somewhat simple to convert to Mac. Could it be that they have reduce the cost?

I have the guys name/number if you would like me to ask him some additional questions.

JMO, but I have to agree that in a couple of years, I think Zwave will fall behind the Insteon/Zigbee/UPB products. All of those products are completely open and have a much bigger consortium of companies behind them.

I've talked to ZenSys about this several times, including recently. The SDK used to cost $5000. Now they offer a software-only SDK (protocol specs) for $2500. That is one expensive PDF! All for the privilege of being able to support their hardware... [grrr] If they ever offer the protocol spec for $200, then I'll happily pay. Okay, maybe not happily, but I will.

That said, please email me the contact information for the guy you met. I'll give him an email or call and see if he can help.

Regards,
Matt

Matt,
I fired off a PM to him and I'll let you know his response.

I've had a few conversations with the folks at Zensys and afterwards felt I had made a pretty good case for 1) lowering the software development kit cost to encourage software support for Z-Wave, and 2) building Macintosh support for Z-Wave. They were going to contact Matt directly (which they may or may not have done). This was several months ago. I figured it would be a done deal. Finding out later that they merely lowered the development kit cost from $5000 to $2500 was hardly the breakthrough I had hoped for...

Yet another shortsighted company sabotaging support for their own product with self-created and unnecessary obstacle courses.

Oops, I got a little caught up with the kids and Xmas and forgot to respond...

I got a reply from from the developer, and either he or I was mistaken as the SDK he spoke of for $200 was for Zigbee, not Z-wave. It looks like they finalized the specs for Zigbee and hopefully, this will be the impetus for companies to start developing more Zigbee devices. Read more...
Sorry

Any news on the Z-Wave support yet?

Unfortunately, the cost of the Z-Wave developer's kit (which has the protocol spec I need) has increased. I believe it is $3500 now. Given the other alternatives (Insteon and UPB), I don't see Z-Wave support being added anytime soon unless they decide to offer their developer's kit for a reasonable price.

Regards,
Matt

Insteon developer tools: $99. Z-Wave developer tools: $3500.

Way to go Z-Wave! With market-friendly policies like that, you must have developers knocking down your door to support your hardware!