Hi,

I'm remodeling the 1st floor of my house and thinking of buying a Lutron GRAFIK Eye 3000 series. I'm starting with the kitchen with 3 different row of lights controlled separetly.

How much can I expect to pay for a system like this?

Thanks

At least $1000 plus installation. There are so many variables, such as number of loads, type of load, wattage per load, number of dimmers, extra control options, that would need to be answered and designed before anything proper pricing could be done.

Thanks PHAND,

For my info, what is a CEDIA Certified CPI I ?

Eagle_Mtl

To add a bit to Phand's information...

The Grafik Eye starts with a main unit that goes in a 3 or 4 gang box. You want to use deep boxes if you have a choice. Each main unit needs an A.C. feed and will then drive up to 6 zones, each seperately controlled. You can control the zones directly from the face of the Grafik Eye.

You can add remote keypads using low voltage wire. You can also control the main unit via infrared, RS-232 or low voltage contact.

RS-232 or low voltage contact require extra interfaces. These are expensive.

The Grafik Eye is very reliable.

It's best thought of as a single room/space lighting control, though that is not hard and fast. We have a single 6 zone controller running a 150 seat theater at the college. We use 4 zone controllers in several classrooms. Each of these are controlled by Crestron control systems.

I use a 6 zone system for my theater at home with Crestron control.

They aren't difficult to install but require some pre-planning to ensure you have low voltage runs etc. in the wall before closing it up.

CEDIA is the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association. They train, test and certify custom installers. It's a good designation to look for if you are hiring or contracting for custom work.

Thanks Ron, very useful.

What is the the best 'basic' system one can buy? I don't need the fancy led screen but only a system that can control lights and eventually a blind or two.

I just talked to the Creston representative (impressive - they call me back on a Sunday) and they are telling me a system could cost 3-5,000.

Does anything cheaper exist?

thanks,

Eagle_Mtl

Certainly cheaper exists, but not likely better than Crestron. There is as good as Crestron with AMX and others, but they're not cheap either.

As much as I like Crestron, there is a down side in that if you choose their lighting, only their control systems are compatible. However, if you choose something like Lutron, Crestron, AMX and most others can control it. Using infrared, your harmony, pronto or other learning remote can handle the lighting.

Anyhow, cheaper can be good if you know what you want and what you are prepared to live with.

Insteon or other mesh network systems are much less expensive. They will do a decent job of the lighting control.

What kind of control are you looking for? Usually, the goal is 1 remote to control all parts of a space, such as the theater or media room. You want to be able to control lights from the wall and also from your seat using the same remote as your A.V. system. Then adding drapery or motorized screen control you want to use the same remote.

That is doable with insteon, x-10 etc. and a harmony or other learning remote. It's just not quite as slick as a control system based system.

Likely you need to create the larger goal/plan and the work from there on what to do now to prepare for that future.

Thanks Ron,

I'll do my homework. Maybe on the long run going with Crestron or other good one is the thing to do.

Eagle_Mtl

Once again, I find myself recommending you research the Applied Digital Ocelot (or the upscale touchscreen Leopard II) PLC for home lighting control.

You can use it for X-10 type control of lighting circuits (yes, it is possible to make X-10 reliable), or the Ocelot/Leopard can do IR control for the Lutron Spacer dimmers (a very cost effective alternative to the spicey, er expensive Grafic Eye controllers) plus, you can use it for many other purposes in addition to just lighting controls.

A friend uses his to do the above, in addition to one function that still impresses me in it's simplicity, if hiscentral vacuum is running, and someone rings his doorbell, it will shut his C.V. down, count two seconds, then re-ring the doorbell automatically).