Intermatic HA07 Home Settings Wireless Master Remote Control

I bought this to control my z-wave network. It does function; it can join modules to the z-wave network and program them to operate according to the buttons on this remote. However the features are very limited. It can only add z-wave devices to Scenes and power on/off or dim Scenes.For those familiar with z-wave you will know that there are Modules, Scenes, and Groups.- A Module is a single Z-Wave controller such as a switch or outlet.- A Scene is a custom lighting set-up for doing things like dimming the lights for watching TV, or adjusting them for Dinner.- A Group allows you to turn on/off a set of lights or outlets, for example to turn on all of the outdoor lights when you expect a visitor.One problem with this remote is it only seems to be able to control Scenes. This means you must either setup scenes for every configuration or set each scene button to control an individual module. In any of these cases you will quickly run out of buttons on the remote.Another problem is it the user interface for adding, deleting, and configuring modules and scenes is done through cryptic key sequences. It does not take advantage of the large LCD to simplify this process so I found myself having to re-read the manual everytime I added a module.Finally it loses the clock setting every time you change remove the batteries. Since it has hung up on me a few times requiring me to remove the batteries to reset it this is inconvenient.I also bought this  GE 45601 Z-Wave Technology Wireless Lighting Deluxe LCD Remote Control . It is much easier to program and also allows for the control of individual modules, groups, and scenes.I would not buy this product again. I will likely replace it with a second GE remote or some other z-wave remote.

This is a decent low-cost timer for controlling Z-Wave devices. A good way to get sarted with Z-Wave automation.Programming is a bit cumbersome, but not atypical for this kind of device. The first challenge is finding the programming button panel, which is well hidden under the front cover. (The instructions don't seem to illustrate how the cover opens.)At times I've experienced unreliable operation (missed turn ons) when I used the sunset/sunrise feature. Setting a specific on/off time seems to work consistently. It wasn't well explained in the instructions, but in addition to specifying a zone as a starting point for the sunset/sunrise time, you can set them to a custom value, and it will then adjust your time going forward. Unfortunately it does not support the concept of switching devices at an offset to the sunset/sunrise time. (For example, you might want an interior light to come on at 30 minutes before sunset, as it gets darker inside first, while an exterior light you might not need on until 30 minutes after sunset.)Not a show stopper, but it is worth noting that this device has obsolete daylight savings time transition dates, and the manufacturer is still producing units with the obsolete firmware (which isn't upgradeable). So you'll have to disable DST and reset the time manually twice a year.Support from the manufacturer has been acceptable. They respond to email inquires within a few days.I recently damaged the display on my unit, and not surprisingly Intermatic says that replacement parts aren't available. I'm considering trying the similar "Sylvania Z-Wave Remote Control with LCD" rather than buying a replacement HA07C.

I recently & reluctantly made the decision to replace my aging X-10 home automation system which I’ve had for over 20 years with one based on z-Wave. The X-10’s shortcomings are well known, but most of its issues I’ve long sense worked around. The fact that the Active Home software is no longer available for the X-10 made a move inevitable.I am using a HomeSeer HomeTroller Zee SE2 as the controller for the new z-Wave system with a combination of z-Wave Plus GE/Jasco, HomeSeer, & Zooz motion detectors, switches & plug in modules. (Yes, it is possible to use X-10 with the HomeTroller Zee SE controller, but it's not pretty, so let's not go there.) With my old X-10 system I had multiple deck of card sized, battery operated, remote controls scattered around the house. These remotes allowed the X-10 system to run various events, scenes, etc. as programmed & for anyone in the house to control the various modules remotely based on situational needs. Nothing complicated or difficult, just basic on-off remote control.Imagine my surprise to find that there is nothing comparable to those 20+ year old X-10 remote controls on the market. The Intermatic HA07 is the closest thing available; however, it controls only 12 channels verse the 16 of the old X-10, plus it is more than double the size of the old X-10 remote. The HA07 was principally designed to act as a z-Wave controller rather than as just a remote control. (The Intermatic HA09 is a companion remote only model that controls only 6 modules/scenes/events.)While anyone with only a modicum of technical ability could, within a few minutes, set up an X-10 home automation system I have discovered that a comparable z-Wave is not for the fainthearted nor technically challenged & even if you are comfortable with technology & systems you’d better be prepared for considerable trial & error with generally poorly documented & arcane processes designed only for those who aspire to be Level 9 z-Wave “wizards” - don't even get me started on trying to set up a motion detector in a z-Wave system X#@&%$#.However, in spite of the generally poor reviews the HA07 has received, I needing a workable remote & with little to no other comparable options I thought, what the heck I’d give it a try. Imagine my surprise to discover that with considerable persistence it has been reasonably (compared to the rest of the z-Wave system) easy to set up & use. The instructions, once you discern some of the odd z-Wave systematology & module behavior, are exactly correct and though enough, but be prepared for repeating various steps multiple times until you achieve success. It can be done, but boy was a X-10 remote 1000x easier to set up.In my set up, I had no need nor interest in using the Intermatic HA07 as a controller, so right off the bat about ½ of its intended features are worthless to me. (Others have noted the DST issues & other controller aspects of its limitations, so I will skip all that.) Additionally, once it’s added to the z-Wave system as a secondary controller you must program each HA07 (all 12 channels) individually. In my case, I have 3 HA07s & two of the smaller HA09s & all had to be programmed separately. Now if you set up the HA07 as the z-Wave primary controller you can copy the setup to other HA07 or HA09 remotes, but since my HomeTroller is the primary controller the copying option wouldn’t work for me. So we had to crawl behind sofas, cabinets etc to get to each of the plug-in z-Wave modules to program each set of buttons on each remote. The only smart thing I did in this adventure was, once I’d figured out how to make the first HA07 do what I wanted, I ordered the other 2 & the HA09s & enlisted my wife to help me program them as we went moving furniture together around to each module - sort of a bonding/relationship building event.So depending upon what you plan to use the HA07 for in your system, it is either worthless or in my case (in spite of the aggravation in setup it up) an excellent secondary z-Wave controller. The design is overkill in my application, it wasn’t easy to learn how to program it & it’s a lot larger on the end table than I wanted. However, once set up I’ve had zero problems & it does exactly what I bought it to do. It works well enough that I’ve now ordered two more – only planning to move the sofa one more time.One other item to note is that Intermatic has exited the z-Wave market & so the HA07 can be had at close out prices if you shop carefully. (Wayne-Dalton also sold identical remotes, so you may find some of them available as well.)As with all the various z-Wave systems/modules etc there are endless possibilities in terms of what you can, in theory, get the system to do for you to add convenience to your life (after the frustrations of setting it up are over of course), however, I’d gladly trade some of those endless possibilities for increased ease of setup & lower cost – too bad X-10, although still available in bits & pieces, has gone the way of the dinosaurs.Oh & yes, you can use Alexia or your phone/tablet to act as a remote with a z-Wave system. Personally, I prefer a small silent button (without the possibility of someone else listening) or the need to walk around the house with my phone/tablet with multiple screens/button presses to turn off a light. To that end the HA07 is, while not perfect, the best option available. The 5 Star rating is based on how I use the HA07 in my set up & as compared to the options available to accomplish the same tasks.