I got a NICEIC email a few months back saying they were doing a one day course, along with Click, explaining, and showing, how RF automation works.
£120 inc. VAT, with the 'dangling carrot' of £50 of RF goods free. OK, may be worthwhile, as I know nothing about it, so I booked it, and went yesterday.It was booked as 9 until 5. Actual time, 9 until 3.30, but could have been finished by 2, and if no dinner, by 1pm. Presentation was good, with a range of the kit all shown in use, practical uses, how to use it, how to program it. It is really simple, and nothing to be feared, very simple to install and program. Some good ideas, such as where a 2 gang switch can be used to control 4 appliances, and being RF, does not need any switch wires, so the switch can be put anywhere, or, a small remote can be used to do the same thing.
The kit shown was good, and seems to be good quality. However, when asked how much things cost, the answer was dodged every time. Of course they didnt want you to know how much it cost, as the price was ridiculous. We didnt find out from the Presenters, we got our phones out and googled, to find a single light (2/4 way) and actuator RF switch would be roughly £130.
The fixed controller for central use was £400+. Now, for 'normal' use, you'd be laughed off site when quoting such prices, so this kit was only ever going to be for high-end customers, even then, I would find it hard to try to sell such a system, which has one point of failure - the controller, whereas a typical house would have the many services (alarm,heating, lighting etc) all separate.
For some applications, such as adding a new light switch without doing any chasing/decorating, it could be a good thing, albeit a rather expensive one.
Then we get the 'free' goods. This was somewhat of a disappointment. I would have expected a rf switch and actuator (but on seeing their price, maybe not). We got a RF controlled plug-in socket, and a key fob remote to control it. The type of thing that Toolstation sell for £15 for 3. Being as I already have 3 of these, it is of little use.
It was good to see how these things work, but, I really should have read up beforehand to see how simple it was, and not bother paying to be told. Far too expensive at £120. For £50, it would have been worthwhile, especially as it really could have been shown in 4 hours, and not padded out after dinner. The kit is good, but too expensive, which they know, as they will not say how much it costs. Overall, I'd say avoid this day of salemens pitches. If you want to know about it, give them a ring and ask for their brochures, all the stuff is in there.
Alan.