ControlThink Forums

ControlThink has been working with Wayne-Dalton on a ControlThink-branded Z-Wave USB adapter for the last few months.  It's nicknamed the "ThinkStick."

We're in final testing on the USB stick now.  A number of them have been in use by our beta testers for a while now.  Until we finish our testing and have them in stock we'll consider them "prototypes", but things are looking really good at this point.

I have attached two photos showing the size of the USB stick.  It's about the same size as the Intermatic HA22, but about half as thick.

Here are some feature notes:

1. 4x Z-Wave (40kbps)
2. Firmware upgradeable (in testing)
3. Superior antenna design by Wayne-Dalton
4. NO DRIVERS REQUIRED, supports Windows XP and Vista (32-bit and 64-bit)
5. Fits in a standard USB slot, next to most other devices.
6. Cool blue pulsing LED, beautiful black casing
7. Estimated price: $40-$50 USD

The USB sticks are slated to ship with the "installer" capabilities by default.  There's a lot more baked into this little USB stick, but this will have to suffice for now.

Oh, one more tease:
The part # on the USB stick is ZWUSB100-US.  US as in "USA".  Makes you wonder what other products are coming in this line.

Chris

And one more photo...  Sorry for it being blurry.  While we have lots of cameras around here, they all seem to be built into phones...

Those who already have the sticks: do you have any nicer photos to post? :)

 I have some better pics that will be uploaded in a bit 

Nice photos!  Feel free to post them on non-ControlThink forums as well.  I don't know that many people even know that there are some excellent and affordable new options coming out...

Chris

I've now had a chance to play with mine and it works flawlessly.

Worked first time. Performs all functions as expected.

It easily fits next to other USB devices (nice and thin -- didn't use the included USB extension cable).

It comes up showing as a USB Human Interface Device (HID). There are no drivers required -- just plug it in (on XP Pro -- I don't have Vista but that should work as well). ThinkEssentials noticed it immediately and did its thing.

I was easily able to add the USB stick as a secondary controller from my primary Vizia RF Remote (Leviton RZCPG). ThinkEssentials automagically noticed all devices from the primary, even when I added some more devices to the primary and repeated the transfer process.

The blue light is quite nice -- very calming. 

Great Product...

Steve Glaser

Hey.... I just ordered the SDK.  It wouldn't happen to come with one of these cool new sticks, would it?

 John

jkrbalexander,

The ControlThink-branded sticks are currently in beta.  We're hoping to get them out of beta and into production soon.  Today, we're shipping the Intermatic HA22 Z-Wave USB adapter.

Chris

 Hi Chris,

this is good news, showing that Z-Wave is alive and well.  Too bad I already have my HA22.  Could you tell us what the new stick has to justify upgrading from the HA22?

Also, if you published or otherwise made available the hardware interface, it would allow the hobby market to write drivers for Unix and linux systems.  That might provide you with a secondary market, since the hobby people are always asking for the HA22 interface specs.

Cheers,

    Kari 

As a user of the device, I can come up with a few reasons to upgrade:

 1. No drivers -- it's a USB Human Interface Device that can be interacted with directly from a user program. The HS22 drivers are buggy and are not run through the Microsoft testing laboratory (i.e. they are not signed so you have to click the "Yes, I know I'm doing something I shouldn't box during the install"). The HA22 drivers will bluscreen some systems when you exit the user program. The "latest" HA22 drivers available are at least 2 years old.

 2. Better radio antenna --  I can't prove it cause due to driver issues I didn't use the HA22 that much.

3. 40kbps data rate vs the slower data rate that is found on the HA22 (I think).

4. Support. Intermatic appeared clueless when I tried to get them to provide working drivers. First, their "support guy" was unavailable. After a week, I aske again and they said they were "testing" new drivers. I gave up on email and called them. Later that day they supplied "new" drivers that were supposet to fix things but were just repackaging of the same broken drivers.

5. Thin -- you can use the other USB ports nearby cause you don't have a big thing in the way. you probably don't need a USB cable unless you've got something like a PC that's under a metal desk.

6. Installer firmware that supports ThinkEssentials Pro. 

 Steveg

You are correct: the stick does have an improved antenna and does speak 4x Z-Wave (40,000bps vs. 9,600bps).  The speed improvement can be dramatic with some of the newer devices.

Chris

Well... this thread has convinced me.  I'm returning my unopened SDK kit with the HA22 stick and wait for the new stick to come out of beta.

 John

;)

John, just remember that the USB stick is still a prototype at this stage.  It won't be "official" until we complete testing and have them in stock...  I can't promise any dates on that right now.

Chris

Understood. It just sounds like its worth the wait.  Especially since I already have an HA22 stick.

 Thanks.

 John

Chris,

Do you know if the new ThinkStick supports the "exentended" features of the Vizia RF product line?  More specifically, does the ThinkStick have the ability to support the two-way communications of the Vizia RF line? 

 Is there any intention to support those additional features of the Vizia RF line in the ControlThink software as well?

Thanks!

Chris has said in the past that 40Kbps is two way: 

rustytek: The 200-series Z-Wave chip (which came out last year) is around $3.00 in quantity, and it's the one that usually runs at 40kbps.  While I don't have any info to give out from the manufacturers, I would anticipate that: (a) most new products will ship with 40kbps support enabled by default; (b) manufacturers will want to start using the new chips in their products due to cost savings.

Also, all of the new products that stream small bits of data via Z-Wave (like the Sirius radio with its 2-way LCD remote) use these new faster chips.

I do know that the first 40kbps devices are either in production/distribution or should be shipping Q2.  For the user, everything should be completely seamless, and the devices will all interoperate regardless of chip speed.

Chris

 As far as support within ThinkEssentials, that's a good question for Chris :)