If you've been surfing the web for awhile, then chances are you've seen the downright cheesy advertising that the company X10 puts on what seems like every single website on the web: the ad proclaims "protect your home" and then has an outdated animated image panning a woman in a miniskirt. Protect my home, indeed. X10 has built its reputation on selling inexpensive wireless cameras, security systems, and, now, their newly added Home Automation kits called ActiveHome.

After having my home broken into earlier in November, the value of a security system has definitely been prioritized in my life so I started looking at the options. It turns out that X10 has a huge selection of products that actually work in this department, despite the desperate need for a new marketing campaign. In fact, their new ActiveHome Professional kit is downright impressive.

Included in the $99 kit is the ActiveHome interface, the software package (downloaded from their site, not on CD), a lamp module, a screw-in lamp module, a keychain remote, an appliance module, a slimline wall switch, a PalmPad remote control, and an EagleEye Motion Sensor. Chances are you'll want to pick up a couple more appliance and lamp modules to truly get good use out of the package, but the $99 kit is a good start in the right direction.

So, how does this all work? Well, the "modules" plug into the wall (unless it's a screw-in that plugs directly into the light socket) and then the corresponding hardware plugs into the plug in the module (very much like a Glade Plug-In with the extra socket). Each module needs to be configured with its own identifying letter/number combination (for example, my living room light is A1, my bedroom is A2, etc.)

After the modules are plugged in, configuring the "interface" (basically a small box with a plug and a USB port) is brilliantly easy. The software is simple-to-use, and within an hour, I was turning lights on and off all over my house. Programming the remotes is simple, too, so before I knew it I was running around the house gleefully turning on and off lights, radios, and whatever else I could find.

Once I was finished configuring my modules in the software, I started setting up the macros and timers. This is where the package truly shines: I programmed different lights to turn on at different times of the day and night and programmed macros like my "Breakfast Macro" that automatically starts my coffee pot at a particular time and turns on the kitchen light. More advanced features include having the interface automatically turn on and off particular lights at "Sunrise" and "Sunset" (times downloaded from the Internet automatically by the software).

After the timers and macros are setup, you simply unplug the ActiveHome interface from the USB port and either leave it where it is or place it anywhere you want where there is a plug. It really is that easy!

Some of the devices (like the remote controls) require AAA and AA batteries that are not included so you might want to stock up before the hardware arrives. As far as getting the hardware delivered, X10 is impressive in this department, too. They offered free shipping on all purchases over $50 and sent it FedEx directly to my door. I ordered the package on Tuesday and it was delivered on Saturday. My impression of X10 being a sketchy company definitely flew out the window with that one.

The downsides? X10's pre-sales support is a bit slower than we would like; email questions we had regarding the operation of their website and ordering took over 48 hours to receive a response. Their telephone support also had wait times of over 15 minutes before we got a response... even at 12AM EST! On the other hand, they're open 24/7 which definitely gives them a leg-up on other companies that try this sort of thing. Also, their technical support is fast, responsive, and helpful and that's where you really want a company to shine.

If you're looking to get into new technologies that can operate your house for you, then X10's ActiveHome Professional is an amazing option in comparison with other companies that are selling similar products for prices upwards of $300+. If you would like Computer Mechanix to professionally install and configure a system for you, give us a call at 828-281-4379 or email us at contact@computermechanix.com. In addition, check out our reviews of X10's XCam2 Kits and Protector Plus security systems by going back to the Product Reviews homepage!

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