Just last week we learned that Crestron had imposed a $500 “tax” or license fee on Lutron or Vantage lighting controls.
Now Crestron has announced Zūm, its own series of wireless lighting control products.
We’re sure it’s a complete coincidence!
Here’s how sister site CE Pro describes Crestron’s Zūm line, which also targets residential applciations:
The Zūm product line is designed to make the setup and management of lighting control in any space (including commercial environments) easy and affordable.
“Setting up standalone lighting control in any space is as easy as ‘pair and play,'” says Evan Ackmann, technology manager, lighting, Crestron. “With just a few taps, everything just works. Zūm devices are self aware and communicate with each other to provide intelligent wireless lighting control without programming or commissioning.”
The product line includes wireless dimmers, switchers, sensors and other components. Crestron says that all integrators need to do is make a few taps on a keypad, dimmer or smart device app to complete an installation. Dealers can set up everything from standalone, single zone systems to centralized building-wide control and management.
“Zūm Network Bridges snap onto the Zūm Load Controller to add remote setup, daylighting, time-clock scheduling, temporary overrides and other advanced capabilities,” according to Crestron.
A single load controller supports as many as 32 devices, and each device has a wireless range of 150 feet. Crestron points out that through the product line’s mesh networking technologies, “communication hops from one device to the other to create a mesh network of up to 2.25 million square feet.”
This approach eliminates interface boxes or exposed antennas within rooms and hallways. Centralized building controls can be deployed using the same devices as stand-alone systems to streamline inventory management.
All Zūm products offer standard mounting and a choice of four load controllers — 0-10 volts, relay, plug load and universal phase to enable all system devices to communicate. The Network Bridge snaps into the Load Controller, and Bluetooth communications facilitate setup through an iPhone.
Installed Zūm systems offer users remote management with options such as time-clock scheduling, daylighting and building wide on/off. Direct communications with the companion Zūm Cloud service identifies all vacant rooms with lighting that was left on to enable users to turn those lights off to save energy. The cloud service also provides alert notifications for remote support and room usage data.
