Motorola Homesight Recommendations and Conclusion
Aside from some of the items mentioned previously such as upgraded cameras, off-site FTP'ing of files, better integrated remote access and more flexible Event Logs, there are some items I would love to see included soon. Chief among these are:
- PC-free system with bios/OS on the router itself (with support for Internet dial-in)
- Wireless thermostat
- Garage door sensor
- In-wall lighting control and dimmers (replace typical Decora-style plate switches)
- In-wall power control (replace typical Decora-style outlets)
- Outdoor motion detectors with flood lamps
- Humidity sensor
- Vibration (glass break) sensors
These are just some basic suggestions and do not reflect a deficiency so much as they reflect our desire to see the Motorola homesight system elevate itself to a new level and provide some serious competition to the existing wireless home monitoring solutions on the market. In particular, the addition of a thermostat and in-wall lighting and power controls would take this system into the area where we feel a truly robust home automation system needs to be and make Motorola a force to be reckoned with.
Conclusions
The Motorola homesight system is an effective whole home automation system that has some room to grow. While it excels in many areas (configurability, ease of use and expandability), there are some quality and growth areas that we look forward to seeing improved in future upgrades and iterations. For the price, this system is hard to beat; and to be honest, we could be accused of 'nitpicking' by anyone familiar with any of the competing home automation systems. I can recommend this without reservation to anyone looking to obtain a home security system with some automation capabilities that doesn't want to break the bank or deal with expensive monthly service fees and long drawn out contracts that are difficult to get out of. The Motorola homesight is a simple, expandable solution that doesn't overcomplicate the process of getting a home automation and security system. This is a product line to be watched carefully as it matures in a marketplace that is growing at a considerable rate.
Motorola homesight
http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/
About Motorola
Motorola, Inc. is a global leader in wireless,
broadband and automotive communications technologies that help make
life smarter, safer, simpler, synchronized and fun. Sales in 2003 were
U.S. $27.1 billion. Motorola creates innovative technological solutions
that benefit people at home, at work and on the move. The company also
is a progressive corporate citizen dedicated to operating ethically,
protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which it
does business. For more information:
www.motorola.com.
The Score Card
The scoring below is based on each piece of equipment doing the duty it is designed for. The numbers are weighed heavily with respect to the individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating roughly equal to:
Performance × Price Factor/Value = Rating
Audioholics.com note: The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective testing of the product in question. The rating scale is based on performance/value ratio. If you notice better performing products in future reviews that have lower numbers in certain areas, be aware that the value factor is most likely the culprit. Other Audioholics reviewers may rate products solely based on performance, and each reviewer has his/her own system for ratings.
Audioholics Rating Scale
— Excellent
- — Very Good
- — Good
- — Fair
- — Poor
| Metric | Rating |
|---|---|
| Network Features/Performance | |
| Build Quality | |
| Ergonomics & Usability | |
| Ease of Setup/Programming/Integration | |
| Features | |
| Performance | |
| Value | |
