u/WallStrt_Tony

Can someone explain how Smart Away actually works? I understand that it randomly turns selected lights on and off, but does it genuinely create the impression that someone is home? Or does it just look like random lights flicking on and off throughout the evening? I'm curious how realistic it looks in practice.

I recently tore out my aging and increasingly unreliable X10 system, which I had been nursing along for years, and went all-in on Lutron Caséta.

I’m really impressed with how easy Caséta is to install and set up, and most importantly, with its reliability.

However, Lutron seems severely limited when it comes to plug-in devices. X10 offered two types of plug-in modules: one for lamps that provided dimming and local control, which I really miss and is a topic for another post, and a simple on/off module for inductive loads such as table fans and small appliances. (Yes, I know about the $100+ Outdoor Smart Plug)

X10 also offered controllable receptacles that replaced a standard wall outlet while still looking like a regular Decora-style receptacle.

I really wish Lutron would expand the Caséta line to include products like these. It would make an already excellent system much more versatile.

The outdoor lights are currently controlled by standard wall switches, and I’d like to be able to automate them so they can turn on and off automatically based on a schedule, sunset/sunrise, or other conditions. Ideally, I’d also like to retain the ability to control them manually with the existing wall switches.

For the indoor lighting, I have a combination of table lamps and lights controlled by wall switches. I’d like to automate some or all of these as well, preferably without having to replace every switch or rewire the house.

I’m not looking for an overly complicated or expensive whole-house automation system. I’d prefer something reliable, relatively easy to set up and manage, and ideally controlled through one app. It would be great if the system could also allow different lights to be grouped together—for example, having several outdoor lights turn on at sunset and off at a set time, while individual indoor lights or lamps could follow their own schedules.

Basically, I’m looking for a straightforward way to add smart control to my existing lighting without turning it into a major project.

The outdoor lights are currently controlled by standard wall switches, and I’d like to be able to automate them so they can turn on and off automatically based on a schedule, sunset/sunrise, or other conditions. Ideally, I’d also like to retain the ability to control them manually with the existing wall switches.

For the indoor lighting, I have a combination of table lamps and lights controlled by wall switches. I’d like to automate some or all of these as well, preferably without having to replace every switch or rewire the house.

I’m not looking for an overly complicated or expensive whole-house automation system. I’d prefer something reliable, relatively easy to set up and manage, and ideally controlled through one app. It would be great if the system could also allow different lights to be grouped together—for example, having several outdoor lights turn on at sunset and off at a set time, while individual indoor lights or lamps could follow their own schedules.

Basically, I’m looking for a straightforward way to add smart control to my existing lighting without turning it into a major project.