Folks,
Here’s the first thoughts on the 2412U…. (Please note, my first glance at the 2413U is here)
The first issue to realize is that the 2412U is slightly more complex then the 2414U to use with Indigo. Currently it requires a driver to be installed, before it can be used by Indigo… I assume that this driver is included in the SmartHome Windows based software, but Indigo requires it to be downloaded and installed before use… The driver is located at http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.HTM [1]. Hopefully, Perceptive Automation will be able to bundle the driver with a later version of Indigo, so that the users won’t need to manually install it.
Once the driver is installed, you will see an additional option under Interface Type on the Indigo Preferences screen of “PowerLinc Modem 2412U”. Then a serial port option named something like “usbserial-A6004tjb” will be available.
Once the 2412U is online, it is impressively fast.
I just had to modify the security script to adjust for the new speed. The chime option normally turns the chime on .25 seconds, that is normally fine for the Chime to go off, and then recycle. Now with the 2412U, the chime didn’t have enough time to even start before it was turned off. I had to change the timing to half a second…
So far, it’s been a seamless experience. I need to stress test it over the next couple of days, but overall I expect only a few minor changes will be needed.
At this point, if you are looking for a replacement 2414U, or just starting to Automate your home… Don’t purchase the 2414U unless you absolutely need standalone / timer support. Just keep in mind, the more you do with your automation setup, the more likely you are to have a setup that is too complex for standalone mode to support your environment. For example, the Indigo Security script can’t be used in Stand-alone mode..
Future support in Indigo for the Insteon Extended Messages, may even grant further speed increases, or access to newer Insteon features. Only time will tell, but Perceptive Automation has mentioned that Indigo, in the future, will support the extended message features….
The one noticeable quirk is that I have seen a few of the following message:
PowerLinc Unexpected command 02 60 (flushing)
So far I have not noticed a negative effect on Indigo, but hopefully it is something that can be resolved easily.
Pros:
- Significantly faster transmission than the 2414U (19.2K vs 4.8K)
- Virtually a drop-in replacement for the 2414U
- Insteon Extended Message Support
Cons:
- On the Macintosh side, manual driver installation
- The faster transmission speed may require some minor tweaking of Applescripts
- No built-in timer, so the computer needs to be active for operation
- Slightly more expensive than the 2414U (2414U – $69, 2412U – $ 79
- I have seen the Unexpected command 02 60 (flushing) issue, but so far I have not been able to identify the cause.. I can’t tell if it actually is flushing the buffer, or just a false error message.
– Updated 09/28/2009
- I missed documenting the Unexpected Command error
- FootNote 1 – Jay Martin has indicated that the link from Indigo to the FTDI web site, actually links to a web page on the Perceptive Automation web site, and that page redirects you to the current location of the FTDI drivers. I didn’t see this behavior in Indigo, presumably since I had already loaded the drivers. So I haven’t seen that redirect in action…
– Updated 11/12/2009
- Tweaked page layout slightly, and added the links for Amazon referral
The 2412U is available from MacHomeStore, and from Amazon.com. (I personally purchased mine through MacHomeStore….)
– Updated 12/22/2009
- My first glance at the 2413U is here… So far I recommend the 2413U over the 2412U.
Other posts of Interest (By Tag)
Related posts (YARPP):
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FYI, I believe that Windows handles installing the FTDI drivers (vs the HouseLinc software) – that’s one of the (few) advantages of Windows – it goes out looking for drivers when a new USB device appears.
We investigated including the FTDI drivers, but then it gets really unclear who supports them – we obviously don’t because they’re from a 3rd party. There’s also the difficulty of maintaining the correct version of the drivers – there are currently 2: one for PPC and one for Intel. So, bottom line, we believe that having Indigo check to see if the driver is present and, if not, allow the user to click a button to go to the vendor’s site to download them was the best compromise.
Windows auto-detecting drivers has never been that reliable, that’s one reason it’s nicknamed “Plug ‘n Pray”… But over the years it definetly has become better and more reliable…
But yes, I understand completely about the FTDI drivers on the Mac side… It simply was a big suprise that I had to manually install them, I have been paying attention to the 2412U, but never noticed anything about the driver being mentioned in the forums…. How I missed it I don’t know….?
Purchasing from MacHomeStorecame in real handy since they included a reminder about the driver in the package after they pre-tested it…