OK - here is my dilemma: I am building a pool w/o a spa - a fairly generic thing, it has the pool, a waterfall, 2 fountains and 2 lights.

I want to be able to turn the lights on/off, as well as the waterfall and fountains from inside my house.

To do this, I purchased the Aqualogic P4, wireless remote module, wireless remote (the electrician wanted another $400 to run the wire for the hardwired remote). This totaled somewhere north of 1000.00. FOR BASICALLY 3 SWITCHES. Call me crazy, but I was still willing to go with this, but upon receiving the equipment and looking it over, I find that even this can't do what I want, as I only have one free relay control in the panel. For that, I need the PS-4, different remotes, yada yada yada. Price: North of $1400.00. I mean, come on - does that not seem crazy?

So, I am trying the x10 for this. Guaranteed on/off for any of these three things is not a big deal for me - if I have to hit the button for on or off more than once, I think I am better off than paying the above amounts, and with what I am controlling, there is no way to physically damage my pool. I just got all of the stuff I need for the x10, and it is < $150.00, and now I even have a keychain remote that I can take w/ me outside to do it. Not to mention that my electrical install is going to be $200 cheaper, since they are not hooking up the P4 anymore. (I am going to do the x10 install, so there is some labor investment on my part here, though...)

Do I think x10 is the answer for everything? No. Do I think is is better than 300-450 dollar light switches? You bet. I do think there is room for some automation discussion - I certainly spent many hours researching this before I decided to try it. And, maybe I will be sorry, if the x10 stuff breaks or something, but for the difference, I am certainly willing to try!


-randy