Buy GE 45601 Z-Wave® LED Handheld Remote

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First, the display is not backlit (-1 star), nor are any of the buttons. Forget working this device in the dark. Second, the remote has a quirk that may make you think that the remote (or a device) is not working! It's not really broke, though, so hold off on returning it ...

Here it is how I 'fixed' my remote:

If the remote does not recognize a module, "removing" the module on the remote WILL NOT WORK. You need to "DELETE" the module. "Delete" and "Remove" are NOT the same. "Reset" will NOT work. I was about to return the remote and the module that I bought, totally convinced that one or the other was broke! Follow the directions for "deleting" a device, and then try adding the device again.

A second tip holding down the button on a module/device will NOT do anything positive. Press it once, and release it immediately. Do not think that "maybe a really good press will help".

Now that I have "fixed" my remote, I like the product. The remote can be used to set up timed events like turning lights on or off automagically at specific days and times. The remote and z-wave network are really very sophisticated. Each module can function as a repeater to extend the range of the network. A Z-wave network is a real timesaver, but it is not for idiots. I almost did not make the cut for "smart enough", and I'm plenty bright. Good luck for the average Joe who'se VCR still blinks "12:00"!

I will eventually buy at least two more lighting controls. I am looking forward to installing Z-wave power strips and controls throughout my apartment.

EDIT 10/28/2010:

If you program "events", the range for timed events is different than the range for the buttons (my experience). The buttons have a really good range. I can use the remote buttons to turn lights on or off from the sidewalk. Timed events only seem to work reliably when I leave the remote within two feet of a module. This could be due to interference, but I do not know.

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I first bought an Intermatic HA09C remote but after being unimpressed I got this GE 45601. The GE remote is WELL worth the extra $18 and is currently now the primary z-wave controller in my house.

Pros:

1) Can individually control 18 devices with a shift key and 9 rocker switches

2) Can control 9 timed events (on + off are 1 event), which means it has an internal clock/calender, timed events can be enabled/disabled, events can trigger groups/scenes/individual devices

3) Can create groups and scenes, which I don't believe have to be the same as the 18 direct rocker controlled devices (you can add devices not assigned directly to a rocker)

4) Has a small text lcd to help in programming and labels (programmable) for devices.

5) Can set custom device options, like dim ramp rate (you need to know the technical details of the option, like set device option 1 to a value of 2)

6) Controls thermostats

7) Instructions are WAY better than Intermatic HA09C manual

Cons:

1) lcd is not backlit

2) No details when error occurs, for example I tried to program a scene for a non-scene capable device and it just would say "fail"

3) Can't query state of device and display on lcd

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I still don't know if I can get this to sync with my TZ45 Z Wave thermostat since it is already synced to my iHub and I'd have to unpair it in order to attempt that, but it works with lights and it is super cheap! I spent hours trying to figure out how to get this to work with my ADT Pulse Z-Wave system. The instructions don't explain that. It explains how to add lights and devices, but not how to sync it with existing hubs. Here are the steps.

1) Place the iHub and the remote near each other.

2) At the Web Portal, use the Add Device wizard to add an inclusion controller.

3) On the GE/Jasco Remote, press and hold SETUP until the display reads LGHT SETUP.

4) Use either Arrow key to scroll until the display reads TRANSFER.

5) Press OK and the screen will display PRIMARY.

6) Use either arrow key to scroll until the display reads RECEIVE,

7) Press OK and the Screen will display RECEIVING.

8) When screen displays SUCCESS you have successfully transferred the information from the iHub to the inclusion controller.

Honest reviews on GE 45601 Z-Wave® LED Handheld Remote

This item deserves five stars because it is a fantastic way to control zwave lights around the house. When I installed one to my ADT Pulse network last spring, it was painless: You went into the website's "system", "manage devices" and then chose "install inclusion controller." Once done, I was able to control 18 different light fixtures around my house with the remote and also preset lighting combinations such as which lights we want on at a certain dimmer level while we were watching television. That truly made both the remote and ADT great companion products, as we could control lights intricately with the remote but could also control lights with our alarm system.

Alas, we lost one of the remotes and tried to install a new one this week. After hours of thinking we had a technical problem with the install, we finally realized from ADT that they no longer allow customers to install these remotes as "inclusion controllers" on their system. Thus, when you go to manage devices, and install on the website, inclusion controllers have been eliminated. Add insult to injury, ADT did not even have the courtesy to remove the installation instructions from their online manuals which resulted in many wasted hours of fruitless attempts trying to install. Most staff in the Pulse technical department when I called for help were unaware that the problem was simply the items are no longer supported.

Once you install the ZWave light switches and use the remote you will never want to go back. I am now perplexed what to do because I have had the ADT Pulse system for less than six months and would have definitely considered a competitor's product if I had known the company would take away this level of compatibility.

If you are shopping for an alarm system that makes full use of ZWave technology, you may want to consider brands that compete with ADT and make more sophisticated use of the technology. You can start by doing a web search along the lines of "adt pulse not compatible with inclusion controllers" to find internet postings about this problem and other home security systems in the market place.

For anyone simply using the Zwave technology without the home security system, this GE remote is fantastic.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for GE 45601 Z-Wave® LED Handheld Remote

Despite its basic appearance, the GE 45601 easily controls my Trane thermostat (interactively shows you the current setpoint and mode, and lets you alter them), and it's capable of doing transfers to a secondary controller, such as a PC based Z-wave controller.

Setup was very intuitive. I didn't need to look at the instructions.

The only negative is that it's not backlit. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to turn the lights on if I need to read the display. :)