Wiser 2 vs PAC/CNIv2

Hi, tossing up between a wiser 2 and a PAC/CNIv2.

Cost wise it's going to be close enough so I'm leaning towards the Wiser 2.

My main concern is stability. Wife will not be happy when things don't work. Has anyone noticed or have a preference either way?

The way I see it is
Wiser: Slightly more cost, Includes a CNI but allows multiple access, (Don't need the router functions), prettier and easier programming.
PAC/CNI: Less cost, possibly less reboots needed.

Thanks Josh

 

I think you might have the functionality mixed up, as those 2 configurations don't equate.

Specifically the PAC/CNI will not give you mobile device access.

What is the functionality you are actually looking for?

Cheers

Rohan

 

Hello Josh
First things to consider is what you want the device to do.

PICED is the software used to program both of those devices.
In the help files is everything you could ever want to know about using them.
Search PICED help files for "unit differences" and have a read.
Downloading and reading the brochures for each device would also be a good idea.

Wiser has a lot more features than PACA.

PACA is a simple robust device which is going to be useful for scenes, schedules and logic on a CBus network which doesn't already have a device that can do this.

Changes to PACA programming can only made by plugging in via USB.
That is the thing I don't love about using it.
Editing a schedule, scene or logic in PACA is done using PICED.
You have to plug in the USB and transfer it to the PACA every time you want to change it.
But because of that and since it is not connected to a home network that's part of what makes it such a robust device.

PACA USB port can be used as a CBus interface for Toolkit.

If you already have a CBus network interface you could download PICED, create a PACA project and run it in simulation mode.
It's a great way to learn and I think you have 48 hours till the CBus connection times out and disconnects.
While PICED is running and connected to CBus, your project is going to behave just as if you had uploaded the project to a PACA.

Either way.
If you are just starting out.
Keep it simple and good luck trying not to annoy the wife too much

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

I am just starting out and trying to decide on what to get.

With regards to the mobile access, it's a nice to have but not essential. Stability for some of the logic, ie sensor goes off light goes on if dark kind of stuff, is probably the main thing. If the wiser plays up max once year I can live with that for the extra functionality. But I think I've read somewhere some people needing reboots every few months and wife will be more annoyed with that.

My understanding is that with the cni I wouldn't need to plug usb in to program the pac but if I did it's not really a deal breaker, I'll get a usb/ip or leave a vm plugged into it.

Is more about stability for the logic. I suppose it's the wiser 2 stable enough?

BTW wife will always be annoyed, it's just the level of annoyance.....

Thanks Josh

 

Hi Josh
RE the PACA
You can read about the limitations of transferring over CBus vs USB in the PICED help files.
I have never had the patience to try and I don't think it is a practical solution to transfer over CBus.

This is just my opinion and I am sure many people would say go for the Wiser2 but I think Homegate with a CNI is another option you should consider.

Every other device requires you to upload the project to the device.
With Homegate the project runs on the PC and I find that very quick for making changes.

It sounds like you are comfortable setting up PC's and I have found the Homegate software itself very solid.
For remote access, RDP to the PC is the best easiest way with Homegate.

Do you have any CBus interface at all on site?
Once you have a CNI then you can try all this out for free with the only hang up being you won't need the CNI if you choose the Wiser route.

 

Thanks,
Unfortunately nothing on site at the moment, like you mentioned, don't want to pick up a cni if I end up going with a wiser.
It sounds like the wiser is stable enough.
I'll look into the home gate software as well.
Thanks Josh

 

If you don't need mobile access, then you don't want a wiser.

The wiser is a much more complex device, ant the only reason to choose it over a PAC is for mobile access.

Rohan

 

Mobile access isn't essential but it is a nice bonus for not a lot more, hence the choice between the wiser and the PAC. I would give up mobile access for stability though.

Your product didn't look bad except no Android.

Thanks Josh

 

The Wiser 2 has several significant benefits over the PAC.

1. The Wiser 2 has two built-in C-Bus interfaces. The first interface is for the Wiser 2 itself and the second acts like a CNI so you can use it for diagnostics/programming without affecting the operation of the Wiser 2. You're basically getting a CNI for free with the Wiser 2. This only applies to the Wiser 2. The Wiser 1/1.5 doesn't have this ability.

The PAC has a USB socket for programming and usage as a USB PCI but the Logic Engine doesn't run when you're using the USB socket. The PAC only has a single C-Bus interface.

2. The Logic Engine inside the Wiser supports more features than the PAC. It has support for TCP/IP connections, email, matrix audio and power meters. Note: Only the Wiser 2 supports TLS for email. PICED and the Wiser 1 don't support it.

3. The obvious addition of the mobile apps and web UI for remote control.

The Wiser 2 is potentially more unreliable since it is much newer and the PAC is reliable but old technology. That said, I've not had any problems with the Wiser 2 units I've installed. YMMV.