LampLinc Dimmer Dual Band (2457D2) Review

Folks,

Dualband lamplinc vs 1.jpg

Have you actually seen the LampLinc Dual Band Dimmer (2457D2) yet? If not, take a look at it…

As with the rest of the Dual Band products, its fast, it’s compact, but more importantly, the SmartHome web site’s images make it look huge! And you know what, it’s not their fault. It’s significantly smaller than a standard Insteon LampLinc… Take a look…

The weight has been reduced too…

Now for the whiz-bang features…  As with the rest of the dual band products, the LampLinc version is fast, really fast.  Almost stop-watch needed fast.  To relink our master bedroom which is 3 keypadlincs and a lamplinc, only took about 30 seconds or so.  Previously with the Dual Band , it would take at least a minute or so…

Smarthome is also happy to tell you more “new” features…  Including the integrated Dimming controls, multicolored led for better feedback, etc.

All very useful features…

But what disadvantages are their?  What features didn’t make the grade…?

  • Pass through outlet (I occasionally still use them…)
  • 3 prong support, the current version is just a 2 prong…  So there is no ground…
  • It’s $20 ($49 vs $29) more expensive than the 3 prong lamplinc, but you do not need Access points if you use these modules

While the iHealth report didn’t significantly change, I certainly see faster response with the Dual Band lamplinc’s in the house, as well as less variation in “ping” results.

Pros:

  • Significantly faster transmission than earlier version of the LampLinc
  • A drop-in replacement for the older LampLinc
  • Insteon Extended Message Support
  • RF Band integration allows a faster transmission time and reduces the hop count.
  • Less sensitivity to powerline noise, due to the RF Band integration, but I can’t prove this.

Cons:

  • The faster transmission speed may need some minor tweaking of AppleScript
  • About $20 more than the older LampLinc
  • Only two prong at this time….
  • No pass through outlet

Executive Summary:

Overall, I do recommend the new Dual Band LampLinc’s, especially if you have a lack of Access Points in your environment. These are much faster than the previous generation of LampLinc’s, and will be even better as the Dual-Band technology is migrated across the entire line of products.