Wiser 2 v Hamfield & PAC

Hi Guys
Newby here, after some advice, as I'm currently building/installing a system at home and would like to hear the pros and cons against 2 options of having a wiser2 verses a Hamfield/PAC setup.

Thanks in advance.

 

Obviously this is not a question for me to answer

However if you could tell us a bit more about what functionality you want to have, then that might help to highlight the differences.

Cheers

Rohan

 

Thanks for the reply, Rohan.
Really like the idea of mobility App for operation of lights, including scenes, relays with actually time function, Fan relays, MRA, power monitoring, security (Ness D16) and DVR (cameras). Actually already have some of the parts before I start the install come Sept.
Considering the cost for the wiser2 system and a CNI unit, your near the $2k mark. With the hamfield and PAC unit its lower in price and would be easier to programme in the future? Also I have a wifi router and no need for another.

 

Wiser2 you wont need a CNI as its part of the Wiser unit. And Wiser2 is not a WIFI router either, but can connect to your existing wifi network with it.

 

Wiser Translink features.

I can only talk about wiser 1.0 but I sold mine and now have the PAC and Translink solution. I found the wiser unreliable for logic whereas the PAC has never had any problems. The wiser required a reboot every now and then and the logic would stop (this may have be fixed in 2.0). I use my Translink at least 20 times a day on my phone to open doors and garage door and control irrigation and grey water and lights. Simple and reliable. I also use it a lot to check the status of my Tank water level, Battery capacity on UPS, Solar Feed in, Power usage, house temperature as well as arm and disarm the alarm.
The wiser 2 does seem to have improved by removing the router and wireless and adding inbuilt CNI, It also has an inbuilt ripple server for audio, but I have not used one (they were very hard to get) so I cannot comment on their reliability. In terms of active development of the product Translink is bringing out new features all the time. Security app support and HVAC temperature display and the new logging features works with all Measurement types and not just power. Clipsal development and supports has slowed to a stop lately. I have been waiting over 2 years for a fix to the doorbell issue with Multiroom audio and it’s still not fixed. Being a small company Hamfield are very proactive in getting issues fixed, just like Clipsal was before being bought out by Schneider!

The wiser does do the total power usage and Energy trending on board and the interface and graphs are very impressive, but you do have to be careful when changing the configuration as you can wipe this data out very easily. If you don't read the configuration, make the changes and write it back. (I did this may times), you can wipe a year’s history. You also cannot take a long time to make the changes as the power history is lost while you are doing it. (I found this a real pain when you go to a customer’s site get the configuration, take back to the office, make the logic changes and then go back to site a week later and they lose a week’s power recording data).

Presently TransLink only support the APPLE products so you need to be an apple user. Wiser does have the android client, but I do much prefer the Translink intuitive native apple look and feel to the GREEN Schneider wiser interface. The TransLink interface is configured on the apple device by the user, where the wiser is configured in PICED by the installer. I could install either as I have a VAST knowledge of PICED, but for home hobby installers the Translink is very simple to install. Having said that to do the logic on the PAC, you are going to have to learn PICED anyway. Every TransLink user can have a different set of screens on their device. The wiser has the same interface for all users. The TransLink app also allows you to connect to multiple houses all running Translink’s (i.e. the Office, house and holiday house) I have seen wiser owners asking for this feature in the forums for a while now.

Both solutions will do what you want, but each one tackles the problem of C-Bus remote access differently. You need to understand your needs now and in the future what application support you need (Energy monitoring, Security, Multiroom audio etc) and then choose the one that will best address these needs. You could even run both !!!

Just to be open, I was an early adopter of Translink, and have used it since its Beta. For a time I also had a Wiser 1 but not the Wiser 2. The Translink & PAC combination is my preferred solution for the reasons listed above, but remember the 2 options are not exactly equivalent and your requirements may be different.

Charles

 

Thanks for the reply Charles, you have given me very good insight and enlightened me with the info given, thats what I was looking for, being a novice. I have watched the Hamfield youtube video and looks very user friendly way to set up the App. Still to look at the wiser2, but give a friend has one installed only very recent.
My set up is looking like this:
- 12ch Relay
- 8ch Relay
- 4ch Universal Dimmers x3
- 8ch Dimmer
- 4ch Relay 20a to switch same power points
- Fan Control Relay x3
- AUX input
- CMU
- Matrix MRA with 6x Amps
Plus a few sensors
- 2x DLTs
- 2x B&W Mk2 screens
-2x eDLTs
And a number of switches.
Ness D16x C-Bus security system to interface.
Dont think this is to complex, but will need somebody to programme, in and around Spet/Oct in Sydney.