Crestron or Elan? Home automation...

BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
Crestron is typically going to cost more.

The biggest issue that most control systems have is that you want support for it 5 or 10 years down the line. While many companies have control systems today, quite often their control systems are only partway figured out and not entirely supported. So, you get a great deal now. But, in 3 years, something goes wrong. You call up the manufacturer/installer and they say "Wow, really sorry, but that company stopped making those products last year and don't have replacement parts."

In comparison, Crestron has been doing control systems, and JUST control systems for what... 20 years? More? I have a control system that is over 6 years old - it works great and is still fully supported by the software that is out today. A programmer could come to my house, program it from scratch, and leave - without digging through archives or anything!

As said though, this is not cheap.

While I can't speak for Elan, I can speak extensively about Crestron as I am a Crestron programmer.

Other Crestron plusses (in general): True customer support and service. Including a 3 year warranty on products.
Phenomenal reliability: These things are used in war rooms in the Pentagon! Bullet proof reliabilty at all levels.
50% of their business is residential - and they do a TON of business.
They are a control system company - from the start, to the finish, that's what they do. If you have issues, they have US support offices which are there to support the installer and get you up and running.

If you have more questions or want more specifics about something, feel free to PM me and I'll be happy to go into details with you about any of it.
 
A

Audio_by_Design

Audiophyte
Are those the only 2 you are interested in. Many other companies make products that are just as good, and have the same functionality
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
Audio_by_Design said:
Are those the only 2 you are interested in. Many other companies make products that are just as good, and have the same functionality
As I said in my post though - You want to see how long any company has been around and how long they have been making control system products. A newer company, like Control 4 for example, is fairly new to all of this. Perhaps they will be here in 5 years when your DVD player dies and you need a new one. But, if they aren't... then what do you do?

I'm not really sure who you are going to find that has a better history than AMX and Crestron. But, there are definitely options out there.
 
I

InTheIndustry

Senior Audioholic
I'm an Elan Integrator/Dealer and can maybe help some.

Is there a feature you need or want that the Crestron system has and the Elan system doesn't? Or, does Elan offer something that Crestron doesn't? If so, than that system is better... for you.

These systems can be virtually configured to do what you want and need them to. As long as the programming is done right by a dealer who will support you and the system is stable (Elan's is for certain, I have never done Crestron but am certain it is top notch as well) they are both the best. Throw AMX in there too. Their systems are incredible.

My point is that both of the brands you mentioned have reputations as being "the best" at something and are always striving to be better. It's like asking "Which is better, Ferrari or Porsche?" It depends on who's buying it and what their purpose is. I like Elan because it (in my opinion) represents a big value over the other luxury home automation systems out there while offering very "like" features.

Elan is also a stable company and are part of a much larger group of companies that are involved in home automation and sound procuts. I don't think you'll be unhappy either way unless one is lacking a feature you would like in your home.
 
newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis
Top