WisC4 Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Anything else on this: https://9to5toys.com/2020/03/05/control4-expands-its-smart-home-lighting-with-essential-lighting-line/ ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 What's your question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Lowe Posted March 13, 2020 Share Posted March 13, 2020 On 3/6/2020 at 8:21 AM, WisC4 said: Anything else on this: https://9to5toys.com/2020/03/05/control4-expands-its-smart-home-lighting-with-essential-lighting-line/ ? they are pretty sweet got our first order in yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMG1199 Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 I'm surprised there have been no other discussion on this product release. I found a few press links but not much other info or pictures. Definitely looks interesting at the lower price point, especially with a Keypad option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSTRONG Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 I installed 8 in a system with 90 installed non essential dimmers and they are just as responsive as the regular lighting. Also, they are easier to install since they have the push in screw terminals. msgreenf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSTRONG Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 Also, not sure what you mean "Keypad option" but there are no essential line Keypads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMG1199 Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 46 minutes ago, JSTRONG said: Also, not sure what you mean "Keypad option" but there are no essential line Keypads You're right, I misread auxiliary keypad. Do you have any photos you can share of the install? Very limited info online unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakelay Posted June 12, 2020 Share Posted June 12, 2020 Reviving this thread. Since it's been a few months, I was wondering if anyone could tell me how these essential switches look compared to the 'normal' switches/dimmers. I'm looking at a few keypads but once I do that, the domino effect of replacing the switches in the 3&4 gang plates so everything looks good cascades into needing auxiliary switches in other locations with 3&4 gang plates and so on . . . In trying to keep costs down since I hadn't planned on installing lighting right now but really want some keypads, I was wondering what the essential switches look like in the same faceplate as the 'regular' lighting switches. I do realize that colors are limited but I would probably just do almond all around where I would need the essential switches. How would they look next to an almond keypad dimmer and fan controller? In the rooms where we want a little more color options, we'll definitely have to go with the regular switches (i.e. I like the matte black keypad but not sure that would look good next to the auxiliary switches/dimmers - unless someone has experience/photos otherwise). I know that the dimmers aren't as functional but I would only be using the essentials in areas where we wouldn't be dimming anyway - i.e. an upstairs hallway with ceiling lights. I would just install a 'normal' dimming switch in the room where we want control and the essentials on the 3 way switches elsewhere. So how does the essential almond color match up with the almond keypad and normal switches? Also, are the shape and design of the switches the same (minus engraving and the LED) so you could mix and match the normal switch in the same face plate as the essential? There isn't a whole lot of information available that I could find. Appreciate the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveC4 Posted June 12, 2020 Share Posted June 12, 2020 I’ve got some here that I can hold up next to others that are installed. Let me get a pic for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakelay Posted June 12, 2020 Share Posted June 12, 2020 1 hour ago, ILoveC4 said: I’ve got some here that I can hold up next to others that are installed. Let me get a pic for you. That would be awesome - really appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveC4 Posted June 13, 2020 Share Posted June 13, 2020 That would be awesome - really appreciate it!Does this help?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ejn1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakelay Posted June 14, 2020 Share Posted June 14, 2020 3 hours ago, ILoveC4 said: Does this help? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk That is super helpful. - thank you so much! I think I’m finally wrapping my head around this now so if the below is correct, I’m really just looking at the decision to move forward based on the cost for each room/set of gang plates. If I am understanding this then: 1. The essentials basically look the same minus the LEDs, the frame around the switch and engraving so white or almond in both lines would match if I were to do essential switches next to a keypad in the same face plate for example 2. Aux switches don’t control a load at all, they just run along the travel wire to a load switching 3-way switch or keypad and when you ‘turn the switch on’ you’re really just sending a signal through the controller to activate a light or scene. I would need an actual switch to turn a load on or off for a non 3-way load/single pole toggle switch replacement correct? Thnaks again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveC4 Posted June 14, 2020 Share Posted June 14, 2020 That is super helpful. - thank you so much! I think I’m finally wrapping my head around this now so if the below is correct, I’m really just looking at the decision to move forward based on the cost for each room/set of gang plates. If I am understanding this then: 1. The essentials basically look the same minus the LEDs, the frame around the switch and engraving so white or almond in both lines would match if I were to do essential switches next to a keypad in the same face plate for example 2. Aux switches don’t control a load at all, they just run along the travel wire to a load switching 3-way switch or keypad and when you ‘turn the switch on’ you’re really just sending a signal through the controller to activate a light or scene. I would need an actual switch to turn a load on or off for a non 3-way load/single pole toggle switch replacement correct? Thnaks again!!The aux keypads work just like a regular 3 way switch. They can ONLY control the switch they’re wired too. These look more or less the same. They have an LED in the bottom right of the bezel, and the bezel is a little different. My Gen 3 lighting is all Snow White (matte). These are white (gloss).Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejn1 Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 Outside of the LED options and appearance, are there any other differences between these and regular switches? The rockers look more durable than the normal switches, is this your experience? Are the colors available same as regular switch? Sorry, lots of questions as I can't seem to find them on the C4 website after trying to look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveC4 Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 Outside of the LED options and appearance, are there any other differences between these and regular switches? The rockers look more durable than the normal switches, is this your experience? Are the colors available same as regular switch? Sorry, lots of questions as I can't seem to find them on the C4 website after trying to look I haven’t found them to be more or less durable. Maybe the faceplate feels more sturdy? It isn’t designed to be removed/swapped out. I don’t know about the full color palette available - I just have white ones. I use them in areas like mechanical rooms, storage closets, etc... where I don’t care about engraving or having them match the other stuff around the house. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejn1 Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 7 hours ago, ILoveC4 said: I haven’t found them to be more or less durable. Maybe the faceplate feels more sturdy? It isn’t designed to be removed/swapped out. I don’t know about the full color palette available - I just have white ones. I use them in areas like mechanical rooms, storage closets, etc... where I don’t care about engraving or having them match the other stuff around the house. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk my normal lightswitch rockers break all the time as well as the little bars top and bottom. Not very durable with kids unfortunatley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveC4 Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 14 hours ago, ejn1 said: my normal lightswitch rockers break all the time as well as the little bars top and bottom. Not very durable with kids unfortunatley. Really? That’s wild. I have 4 rowdy sons (one already a teenager and another 12 year old) and having had Control4 since 2006 we’ve never had one break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 22 minutes ago, ILoveC4 said: Really? That’s wild. I have 4 rowdy sons (one already a teenager and another 12 year old) and having had Control4 since 2006 we’ve never had one break. Same. 3 girls from 5 to 10. Never an issue. Who installed your lights? Was it your installer? Sounds like they were mangled to begin with if they break that easily for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 9+ years never a broken fixture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pounce Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 15 hours ago, ejn1 said: my normal lightswitch rockers break all the time as well as the little bars top and bottom. Not very durable with kids unfortunatley. Is this your kid? Elvis 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRT Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 They did have a problem with the first run of rockers from the first run of the new APD/FPD dimmers. On our first few installs we had to swap them all out when the fixed their manufacturing issues (poor tolerance control on the machinary), but I've also noticed that some of the first run of dimmers cause even the newer plates to pop off and break based on a mixture of them in my own house with minimal pressing as 95% of our control is off of keypads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejn1 Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 7 hours ago, Pounce said: Is this your kid? lol, no but for some reason the rocker switch tabs have not proven very durable in some scenarios Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejn1 Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 6 hours ago, HRT said: They did have a problem with the first run of rockers from the first run of the new APD/FPD dimmers. On our first few installs we had to swap them all out when the fixed their manufacturing issues (poor tolerance control on the machinary), but I've also noticed that some of the first run of dimmers cause even the newer plates to pop off and break based on a mixture of them in my own house with minimal pressing as 95% of our control is off of keypads. I changed out many from first runs... C4 was nice enough to change them and they are improved but they engineering design of them makes them far more likely to break or move (eg the top and bottom light bars) vs any other switch i've owned. They look great and are awesome but far from durable imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejn1 Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 8 hours ago, lippavisual said: Same. 3 girls from 5 to 10. Never an issue. Who installed your lights? Was it your installer? Sounds like they were mangled to begin with if they break that easily for you. I guess we have some very fortunate users on this thread. When C4 changed mine initially they even acknowledged an issue with some of the tabs being weak. Not complaining just saying the engineering design is not made for durability imho. If you've never had an issue than feel lucky. I installed mine and issue only appears after a year+ of use. I have a large sample in my home with about 40+ lights i'm guessing. Here's couple of pics of things i see on occasion from rockers or buttons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejn1 Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 7 hours ago, msgreenf said: 9+ years never a broken fixture. You are fortunate or use your app to turn on or off more than me I hadn't realized the new lighting design has been around that long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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