Side By Side Comparison

Revision as of 19:41, 4 June 2009

This is meant to be an informative, objective comparison of Vera and the other Z-Wave gateways, not a 1-sided sales pitch. If other Z-Wave gateways have features we have not listed, you can add those features. You can also add other gateways that are not on the list, and correct any mistakes and add notes. This document is a wiki, editable by the public.

NOTE: Schlage has objected to this comparison and sent a cease & desist. To ensure that nobody is misled, we have posted Schlage's objections here: [1] Note that this document, being a wiki, contains data provided by the public and our customers as well as those of our competitors. Mi Casa Verde has not independently verified the features of our competitors' products, and if there are any inaccuracies, anybody is able to correct them.

	Vera	Hawking HRPG1	Schlage LiNK Bridge	Notes
Price
Retail Price	$299	$179	Not sold separately	The Schlage Bridge appears to be available only as part of a bundled kit. The Schlage locks are available without the Schlage Bridge for $100 less.
Monthly charge	Optional	$9.99	$12.99	Schlage requires a monthly subscription or else they block remote access to the lock. Hawking requires a monthly subscription of $9.99 for cell phone access. Vera's monthly service is optional for hosted certain services with all in-home features, including cell phone access, being free.
Not dependent on manufacturer		partial		Meaning if the manufacturer stopped supporting the product, would it still function. With Vera, only the optional hosted online services depend on Mi Casa Verde, all local functions are independent. In Hawking's case, cell phone access would stop but other functions would continue. In Schlage's case, the product will not function at all if you don't pay the monthly bill or if Schlage discontinues support for the product.However the Lock itself will still function as a keypad lock. The remote capabilities will be disabled.
Device Compatibility
Guaranteed compatible with all Z-Wave devices				Vera is free if it doesn't work with all your Z-Wave devices as explained here. Note: Z-Wave devices must be certified by Zensys/the Z-Wave alliance to be called Z-Wave and to qualify.
Light Switches/Appliance Modules
Thermostats
Door/Window/Motion Sensor
Combo-sensors				Such as the 3-in-1 light, temperature, motion sensor
Handheld remotes				Meaning handheld remotes can activate scenes in the gateway and be programed within the gateway
Door locks
Scene controllers				Same as handheld remotes
Supports European Z-Wave				You must order the Euro version of Vera to support European Z-Wave
IP Cameras		proprietary		Hawking works with their own camera, but not other brands. Schlage will introduce their own camera. Vera works with any IP camera that can return a JPEG file, such as Panasonic and most IP cameras.
Z-Wave features
Works as a primary controller
Works as a secondary controller
Can be added to an existing Z-Wave network
Supports controller shift
Door lock specific
Secure remote locking/unlocking of doors
Secure remote setting of user codes
Control of doors from handheld remotes and scene controllers				Meaning a button on a Z-Wave handheld remote or scene controller can be programmed, for example, to turn off the lights and lock the doors. Schlage only allows controller through the Schlage interface.
Door locks trigger events				For example, when you unlock the door the porch light comes on automatically.
PIN codes trigger events				For example, you give the pool cleaner a PIN code and are notified by SMS when he unlocks the door with his PIN code
Support all door locks				Vera will also support the Black & Decker door locks when they are on the market. Schlage has indicated their bridge will only work with Schlage locks
Automation
Scenes
Timers
Events				For example, turn on a light when a motion sensor is tripped.
Remote access
Direct access over IP				Meaning you can directly control the device over the internet or local network
Works when your internet is down				Meaning you can still control and configure the system from within the home if your internet connection is down
Secure remote access through a gateway				Both Vera and Schlage use a secure server similar to that for online banking. Vera offers this with the Find_Vera_Service service
Energy monitoring
Tracks energy usage
Reports historical energy usage				Vera shows past energy usage by room, type of device, etc.
Responds to energy alerts				Vera allows automatic energy reduction when the utility company reports the power grid is overloaded. See Energy
Networking
Built-in router/gateway				Hawking and Schlage require you to purchase these separately
Built-in wi-fi				Hawking and Schlage require you to purchase these separately
Remote Control
Web interface on local home network
Web interface for secure remote access over the internet
Cell phone access
Wi-fi access (iPod Touch, PDA's, etc.)
Handheld remotes				You can add handheld remotes to any Z-Wave network, including Schlage and Hawking, but neither Schlage nor Hawking allow you to control their gateway with the remote
Scene controllers				Same as handheld remotes above
Online services
Archive of surveillance camera images				All these online services are part of the Find_Vera_Service service
Archive of energy usage
Archive of events
Open-ness / geek-friendly
Direct login allowed
Allows custom scripts
Published API's for custom add-ons and UI's				See: Data_Provider_Catalog_Plugin ZWave_Status UI_Notes