DianaT

Hi all. I’ve had a C4 system in my house since I bought the house 10 years ago. I am trying to decide whether I should upgrade and if doing so will give me a better experience overall. I’ve spent a small fortune on C4 over time, largely adding light switches and replacing components that stopped working. The programming costs have been so significant that I’ve been reluctant to replace my current controller, which is an end of life (or passed end of life!) HC 250. I have 3 other controllers, all HC 300s, but if I upgrade the HC 250, the HC 300s will not be usable. I have an alarm system, doorbell and doorbell camera, TVs, lights, and a couple of door locks on it. I also have one garage door on the system but the other garage door opener is newer and not compatible with C4 so I just use the app for that (Chamberlain MyQ). I tried to have my window shades on C4 but, every time the programmer got them connected, they would stay connected only for a few weeks so I finally gave up. I got the Composer HE long ago and taught myself some basic functionality years ago but haven’t used it since and don’t remember it now. Recently, my wall tablets have stopped working (one seems dead, the other can’t connect) so my dealer suggested I try rebooting the main controller, and now my kitchen light switches don’t work. (I literally have no ability to turn on the kitchen lights.) Unlike others on here, I really like the system but I’m not the most tech-competent person so I end up needing tech support from my dealer whenever there’s a problem. I’ve seen a lot of people on here talk about the benefits of newer versions of the software and hardware but I can’t tell whether they’re all just much tech-savvier than I am (quite possible) or whether the system really is much easier and better than what I have. I’d appreciate any advice or insight as I contemplate whether to upgrade (at an estimated cost of $8000+) or switch to a more basic but easier system or set of apps.

Thank you. BTW, my software is 2.9.1. I was reading the info on the app but that must have been for the app.

I think it’s 2.10.10.11. If that doesn’t sound right, let me know. I guess my concern is that they want to sell me 4 units when I don’t think I need them (and have told them that a few times) and 4 new remotes (at $330 a piece without telling me that I had the option of keeping the ones I have). I’ve read elsewhere that you can use the HC 250 with the EA3 and, if that’s the case, that would at least allow me to avoid one EA1 (each one was over $1400 with programming). I don’t know if that really is true but I also don’t feel as though they’re going to suggest using any of my existing equipment if they can convince me to upgrade so I was hoping for some practical advice.

Is this still available?

I have an older system that has a working hc250, a working HC300, light switches and dimmers, two locks - one of which works great and one of which sporadically stops working, another lock with a Zigbee module but not one that works with C4, a couple of thermostats and a couple of alarm boxes. I had two other HC300s (connected to two other TVS) that have broken. My dealer wants me to upgrade since the HC300 is at the end of its life (theoretically) and the HC250 isn’t far behind. I don’t use the TVs much but would like to have the capability to have at least one, if not two, on C4 and I would like to replace the lock. The quote from my dealer was over $7k, and included 1 new EA3, 3 new EA1s, new remotes for each, and a new door lock (for $1000). This seems high, and more than I need. Any thoughts on whether that’s really what I need and whether the estimate seems fair?