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CentraLite’s New ZigBee Wireless Lighting System Requires No Central Controller
Unlike the existing more-robust Starlite wireless system, new Jetstream starts at $699 and can grow almost indefinitely with ZigBee mesh-networking technology.
CentraLite is launching a wireless, ZigBee-enabled lighting control system. If it sounds like old news -- the company's Starlite wireless system has been out for a couple of years -- in fact the new line is quite different.
With Starlite, you need a central controller. With the new Jetstream system, you don't. "From the user's standpoint, it's going to be very similar, but you don't have any requirement for having a controller," says chief technology officer Jimmy Busby. "That way you can start with a very small system and expand into a very large one."
Since the system employs ZigBee mesh-networking technology, adding to the system only makes it more robust.
Starlite's requirement for a central controller means that system starts at about $1,500. On the other hand, a Jetstream starter kit will cost $699 for three one-button dimmers, two three-button dimmers and a handheld remote control.
From there, the system is almost infinitely expandable. "Those are the same dimmers that can go into a 100-load system," Busby says.
Centralite will continue to offer Starlite, which makes more sense for larger systems because it offers such features as a real-time clock. Busby explains, "We have to satisfy both ends of the spectrum -- people who want to do 200 loads, and others in condos. … We can give people a taste by putting in five dimmers."
CentraLite plans to roll out additional peripherals for Jetstream, including a tabletop controller, lamp module, "and then other peripherals that we've never played with before," Busby says.
With Starlite, you need a central controller. With the new Jetstream system, you don't. "From the user's standpoint, it's going to be very similar, but you don't have any requirement for having a controller," says chief technology officer Jimmy Busby. "That way you can start with a very small system and expand into a very large one."
Since the system employs ZigBee mesh-networking technology, adding to the system only makes it more robust.
Starlite's requirement for a central controller means that system starts at about $1,500. On the other hand, a Jetstream starter kit will cost $699 for three one-button dimmers, two three-button dimmers and a handheld remote control.
From there, the system is almost infinitely expandable. "Those are the same dimmers that can go into a 100-load system," Busby says.
Centralite will continue to offer Starlite, which makes more sense for larger systems because it offers such features as a real-time clock. Busby explains, "We have to satisfy both ends of the spectrum -- people who want to do 200 loads, and others in condos. … We can give people a taste by putting in five dimmers."
CentraLite plans to roll out additional peripherals for Jetstream, including a tabletop controller, lamp module, "and then other peripherals that we've never played with before," Busby says.
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About the Author
Julie Jacobson, Editor-at-large, CE Pro
As a co-founder of EH Publishing in 1994, Julie has edited and contributed to all of the company's publications at one time or another. An authority on home automation, networking, integration, digital convergence and the CE pro channel, Julie speaks often about these subjects at industry events. She graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan, and received an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Julie is a washed-up Ultimate Frisbee player.
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