Anyone Using Z-Wave Built-In Switches?

Question

Greetings fellow Home Control users!
I think this Home Control has the potential for becoming a great feature.  Right now, I just have the incandescent lamp module for lighting control and I find it to be not particularly useful because you have to bend way over behind the lamp stand to turn on the light if you left the device in the OFF state before turning off the switched outlet from the wall switch.  The point being I want and need the ability to turn the lights on and off in the usual way at the wall switch but also would like the option to use the z-wave control.  The solution would be to purchase a Z-Wave wall switch (2 way or 3 way) from GE, Leviton, or one of the other suppliers and replace the wall switch with the Z-Wave switch.  Has anyone done this yet with the Verizon system and if so, how well does it work for you?  Thanks.
David

Answer 1

Short story, based on my experience below, is that devices outside of what's purchased from Verizon aren't currently supported.
After I hooked up my home monitoring and control system I couldn't find any info about supporting other devices either, so I purchased a GE Z-Wave Wireless Lighting Control Dimmer Switch.  I got it locally so that I could return it if it didn't work.
I had hopes, because for one, when I installed my thermostat I didn't click through the icon on the add devices page, and it added an additional thermostat.  There's still a spot for one on the Devices Settings page saying "Device has been shipped - Setup Device" because I didn't click through it the first time.  I didn't realize I had to because I got the hang of using the remote to pair after setting up the other devices.  So, with this behavior, I thought as long as the system can recognize the exact device you could potentially add others (now I don't know how far Verizon goes, but they could even be working with manufacturers on specific devices codes to keep the system locked down and proprietary).  This particular GE dimmer switch appears to be made by Jasco, who also seems to make the plug-in light module offered by Verizon.  I was hoping this similarity may help make it recognizable by Verizon.
Since I had my doubts, I very carefully setup a little test scenario with romex and a couple replacement plugs rather than going through the trouble of fully replacing a light switch.  I went through the procedure of pairing it with the remote, which seemed normal.  I went back to my computer and the Verizon page had a pop-up that suggested a device had been added, but there were no options to name and configure it.  I tried several times, but no luck.
I think what's happening is that the z-wave components, like the gateway and remote are pairing with the device.  However, on the Verizon side, they don't know what it is and how to handle it, so it can't really do anything about it until it's programmed into the system to be supported.  From what I understand of the z-wave protocol each type of device has a specific device code.  Since there's a variety of different devices, they each have a set of instructions to communicate back and forth.  I can see how initially it's overwhelming to support a long list of devices and keep it user friendly, but hope that they'll continue to grow it.
I agree with everybody else here, that built-in devices like this will really make the system useful.  Otherwise being limited to plug-in devices doesn't offer enough of a whole home control solution to do much with.  Even before I signed up with the verizon service I was researching MiCasaVerde which seems to be much more expansive, but slightly more DIY.  The key difference is that you have to purchase the gateway for like $200-300, but don't pay monthly.  If the verizon thing doesn't pan out, I might switch to that, and hope my devices (which appear identical) will work.  In that case, I don't feel too bad because the bundle price was competitive, I'd just miss out on the integration Verizon is adding.