Vera Control VeraSecure Advanced Smart Home Security Controller Hub

I'm shocked by the reviews of this device! I run vacation rentals and every house we operate has one of these devices controlling outdoor lights, thermostats, door locks (which time to guest check-in/check-out), motion detectors, etc. You buy a Vera because it has the potential to work with just about anything/everything. While maturing, I consider these technologies to be still developing and not yet perfected. As an example, over the years I've found certain motion sensors work better than others - not sure if its Vera or the motion sensor, or how well they get along, but there is variation from product to product. I order these items from outlets like Amazon because they have a generous return policy in case they don't perform as I would have hoped. We have been buying Vera Secure boxes since they have been coming out, and we've been putting them at our larger properties (more then one unit) since having the locks update PIN codes is critical to operation when there is no power. We have also been happy with our VeraPlus units, but at the larger properties (4-6 cottages on one piece of land), the Vera Secure has more memory to allow us to manage the devices from all of these units using just one hub, and across a pretty good distance. The best part is the compatibility with so many potential devices, and for more advanced users, the ability to customize interaction. Somehow Vera manages to do so much with no monthly cost for most of their services - there are no annoying sell-ups for things like scene creation, and for the monthly cost of technical support (ummm. zero), it's amazing. I've had to write in to customer support several times over the years, and I've quickly learned that if I give them a detailed description of my issue and access to my hub, they will fix the issue remotely for me if it's related to the hub itself (freeing up memory, etc.). Before I realized this I had them call me, and I was on the line while they connected remotely - A+! The interface is pretty decent - having access via a web browser & iPhone app. There are other systems that likely will give you a prettier interface, but I'd venture most of them comparatively are pretty tightly locked down (so every moron can get them to work), they have lots of extra fees, and they offer a more limited list of compatible devices. My base system at every house has a VeraSecure, Schlage Connect deadbolts, Lyric Thermostat, motion sensor, door contact sensor, possibly a range extender (or device that exists solely for the purpose of extending range). The only thing I would love to include at every home is a hard wired smoke/carbon alarm, but I haven't found one I like yet that meets code requirements for vacation rentals. I wish there were more camera options, but after trying several, I ended up with the Vera branded exterior camera for one property. Overall, this device rocks, and makes managing my business 100000 times easier. If you read why this device isn't getting good reviews it's because of morons - a 1 star because it doesn't work with their device of choice - overall completely uninformed customers are the problems with these reviews. I've seen this platform get better and better every year, and I would expect that to continue even though my annual cost doesn't ever increase above.... $0.00! In this case I think you actually get a better system for a better price.... and their online community is VERY well developed to answer questions of inexperienced users who want to learn.

After having this in my hands, I am now surprised that the ratings on this are not higher. I have always shied away from this controller due to the fact it was not one of the “well-known” hubs (to me at least) AND it carried a hefty price tag. I have had them all including Hubitat, Smart things, Wink, even building my own. If only I had gone to this first, I would probably actually have saved a lot of money, time, and frustration.I am always hesitant to declare success with these things early on… based on it being all shiny, new, with that still new electronics out of the box smell I love. However, this thing is different. It is the real deal. A lot of these units are either too simplified to be useful or are so extended and integrated with everything online that it is slow, clumsy, and fails to perform automation in a timely manner. That is what these things are supposed to do, automate, right!?__PROS:__RESPONSIVENESS: Let me say, the most frustrating things to me with most of these things is walking in a room when a light is supposed to come on, and 3-5 seconds later, it comes on. These things must be sub-second to be successful and with the Vera Secure it meets this challenge consistently.COMPATIBILTIY: Vera has not failed to work with anything I have thrown at it. My complete system involves devices such as receptacles, switches, water sensors, smoke/co detectors, motion sensors, window sensors, door open sensors, UV, Lux, locks, water shut off, cameras, and then plenty of scenes to control them all. I also have paired Vera with my phone so I can control everything with my favorite voice assistant.CAPACITY: What really stands out to me about the unit is the processing power it has and the ability to handle all my devices, rules, and actions, on a local basis, with ease.MONITORING: There is an optional monitoring add-on service available. The monitoring service works great, and it was super easy to activate it. Just be sure you have all the things armed that you want armed when you leave, and that it gets armed when you want it to, to minimize false alarms.BATTERY BACKUP/CELLULAR: Stays on and monitors in the event of a power outage. This is great for things like continuous security monitoring, leak monitoring, motion detection even though the power is out.__CONS:__PRICE: This unit is on the higher end when stacked up against some competitors. To me it is worth the price for the stability you get.SCENES: Some of the out of the box scene framework is too simple to handle sophisticated conditions. (i.e. Triggers with AND conditions.) In this case it still supports it well, but you must roll up your sleeves and get more technical.__RECAP__Overall, this unit hands down covers everything I am looking for in a home automation solution. If you are looking for a no-nonsense system that supports a wide array of devices, with security monitoring, battery backup, cellular, and more, this is the real thing. Worth every penny!

This unit is buggy, and requires interface with Vera tech support to get it right. Their tech support is slow to respond, but they are good. The unit has a built in battery which is helpful to load remote devices. It also has some silly alarm that will do nothing but irritate you. The units drops out occasionally, and if you have a scene scheduled during the "drop out" , well, too bad. And if that scene turns off your motion sensors, well, too bad. Good luck turning then off if the controller is "offline". Transferring your devices from a previous Vera works fine. Some of your backed-up scenes will need adjustments. Tech support recommended I shift to a direct Lan line to resolve the drop offs I mentioned. Helped a lot, but of course removes the versatility of the wifi connection.This unit was recommended by Vera tech support to replace my Vera-3. They claimed they no longer support the 3. 2 weeks after I bought this unit, they introduced a new model. That did not make me happy.