DIY Vera Home Automation System Reviews Visit Site
The Ultimate Platform: The DIY Vera Home Automation System Review
You may have seen Vera some years back.
If you can’t remember, it’s probably because it came with a different name. Vera was 2008’s Micasa Verde.
Along with the name change, Vera Home Automation System has been redefined to give you a platform for endless possibilities. Whether you’re a novice with Do-It-Yourself systems or a proficient home security technician, Vera can entertain you relatively well. It can control your lights, lock your doors, set up your alarm at home and even keep you warm by managing your thermostats. While that can tickle your imagination, Vera has more tricks to keep you interested.
Vera can be the main controller of every Z Wave device in your home. If you already have a Wifi router but still feel the need for an IP based Z Wave controller, Vera is the right security system for you.
Vera Home Automation’s most recent offer is VeraEdge.
- It has a one-app controller for your home automation and security
- It has the latest Z Wave chip to allow control of over 1,200 brands.
- It also has the latest Vera UI7 interface.
- It can let you control 220 devices at home.
- It’s compatible with almost 300 third party apps.
- Vera has an extended Wi-Fi range. It’s a perfect match for both your indoor and outdoor cameras.
- You can view all your camera feeds through a single app.
- VeraEdge can help you save on electricity bill. The app shows your monthly energy consumption so you’ll know when you need to cut down on use.
- It knows when you’re coming home through geofencing capabilities.
- Through scene creation, you can even program your air conditioner at home to work even before you arrive.
- Vera won’t tie you up on contracts. Furthermore, you won’t even have to pay any monthly fees.
Other than VeraEdge, there’s three more controller for Vera Home Automation System.
1. Vera3
Vera3 can connect with any Z Wave device you have in your home. Yes, even X10 devices.
- Setting up Vera3 is easy.
- You need to plug Vera3 into a power source and a router.
- After a minute when it has fully initialized, you can register on Vera’s website.
- After a successful registration, Vera3 automatically syncs with your network.
- You can now pair your devices with the controller.
- Interestingly, you can pair different devices at the same time for convenience. This way, you won’t have to plug and unplug your devices for each time you pair.
- Vera3 device can accommodate more than 200 devices paired to it at a time.
- It is compatible with almost all of the recent Z Wave devices such as the IP cameras from VistaCam, sensors from Aeon Labs and the FortrezZ Wave Sounder/ Strobe Alarm.
- You can even connect it with third party apps for push notifications and other plug ins.
- Vera3 also has a web based user interface. With the limited capacity of your mobile app, accessing their web dashboard can give you more ease with controlling your system. You can even create scenes by the web or add those third party apps for convenience.
2. VeraLite
- For one, VeraLite doesn’t have a built in Wi-Fi. However, it does have a built-in antennae.
- It is compatible with more than 650 Z wave devices.
- VeraLite has monitoring capability. It can even give you a log of events which you can store in a memory stick. You just need to plug it into the single USB hub you can find on VeraLite’s
- It has included 4 AA batteries.
- VeraLite runs on Vera UI5. It allows script construction. How? You enter Lua Codes.
- Lua Codes are conditional commands. Say for example, you can set the light on your front door to turn on when it starts to get dark or if the clock shows 7 pm.
- It can work with X10 Controller. However,you may need to purchase PowerLinc Modem- INSTEON User Interface.
3. VeraLite G
- VeraLite G is housed on a white and black case, different from VereLite’s green look.
- You can only purchase it on TigarDirect which sells it in a lower price.
- You can expect VeraLite G to accommodate 70 devices.
- Much like the VeraLite, the G version also doesn’t have Wi-Fi.
Vera Home Automation System has a free mobile application which you can download on Google Play and iTunes. The application, however, only allows control for the physical devices connected to it as it can’t do the same for the plug-ins. You’ll see the status of your system but won’t be able to manipulate it such as creating the scenes. You’ll have to access their web based interface to unleash Vera’s fullest potential.
On your first year, you can expect to spend around $600. However, Vera is confident that you can save as much as $2000 for the same first year as you won’t have to pay any monthly fees. They are also willing to repair your device or even replace your unit if it fails to function properly during the first year of purchase. If you still feel unsatisfied, Vera gives you enough time to return the device. Their return policy shall apply 30 days from the date on the packing slip.
THE CHECKLIST:
Vera has the ability to accommodate several devices at the same time, ranging from 70 up to 220.
It works most with the recent Z Wave compatible devices in the market.
Vera3 can serve home automation with WiFi features.
You can make Scripts to make customized automation reactions.
It is compatible with over 300 third party applications
It has both web and mobile interface.
It can monitor your energy consumption and even provides you with monthly reports.
There is no contract and monthly fees.
VeraEdge’s range can connect to your outdoor cameras.
VeraEdge works with the latest UI7 app.
Vera supports X10 devices, Zigbee and Insteon.
You can control Vera anywhere in the world just by having a web browser.
I have had this VeraEdge for 6 weeks. 10 or more customer support tickets. Controller is constantly going OFFLINE, leaving you no remote access. Have to unplug controller and plug it back in. Support gives vague answers, tries to blame your internet provider, then after all that says they are having server problems and HOPE to have it fixed by the next firmware update, which there is no timeline for. Obviously support is outsourced, broken english. Here is the last response from them.”
11/23/2018
I’m really sorry to hear you are experiencing such of issues.
There have been reported some several server side issues to our development team, that should be addressed with the next build release.
If indeed the unit is affected by these, in this case the system should be stable with the next firmware version launched.
TERRIBLE answer with no solution other than UNPLUG AND RESET. Which is IMPOSSIBLE due to the fact we are offsite, not at the same location as the controller, which is why we need a controller.
Do not buy this, you will stuck with a system that is down half the time. Buyer beware, this product is not ready for public distribution.