HAI Omni vs. OnQ

[RedDirt]

I understand that HAI makes some of the OnQ equipment. It looks like OnQ has more devices.

Should I buy the Omni system board or the OnQ version?

If I buy the HAI version, can I still use OnQ devices?

RedDirt

[Rick Tinker]

I am not sure what you are referring to as far as devices. Security devices, lighting devices, etc.

HAI is powerline based lighting control - X-10 and now UPB. OnQ is hardware based lighting control - the ALC lighting system.

OnQ also sells structured wiring, whole-house twisted pair based audio, micro-PBXs, etc.

[RedDirt]

Rick,
If I wanted to control ALC lighting - which subsystem (hardware) would work best with HS?

Thanks,
RedDirt

[JLehnert]

From the HS side, it probably doesn't make any difference. Tink updates the HAI and OnQ plugins concurrently, so there isn't any difference. There are some minor differences between the OnQ panels and HAI panels. I just became aware that the OnQ panels can support ALC using the on-board RS485 connections, while the HAI must use the expansion board.