Elk M1XZW - is there really no polling?

I was looking through the Elk-M1XZW manual, came across this:

• Based on the current generation Z-Wave protocol, Z-Wave Transceivers (Devices) cannot broadcast or send status
  update changes back to any handheld or automation controller with the exception of a confirmation reply to a
  controller that just issued a command to change. Equally important, if a device (light switch, etc.) is manually
  operated it does not broadcast any status change at all. The obvious issues are that automation interfaces such as
  the Elk-M1XZW, including Elk Keypads, and Elk’s Virtual Keypad software cannot remain in-sync with the true state
  of Z-Wave devices if their state is not broadcast or available. This is not unique to Elk. Other manufacturers of ZWave
  controllers face the same dilemma. One might think that a periodic polling command for status would provide
  a solution. However, the poll intervals and the potential detrimental loading effect on the radio network is uncertain.
  Even with polling, there would still be a time lag during which displayed status would be out of sync. It is hoped that
  Z-Wave will some day add Status Broadcast to their protocol.
• Since the Z-Wave protocol does NOT include Broadcasting of Status Changes, a rule in the M1 cannot use Z-Wave
  Devices as activators or conditionals. In other words, the M1 Control does not know if the state of a Z-Wave device
  has been manually changed or changed by another controller. Likewise, another controller such as a handheld
  remote will not know if the Z-Wave device state has been changed by the M1XZW and M1. As already stated, this is
  an issue with the Z-Wave protocol and it is hoped that Z-Wave will remedy this in the future.
• Be assured that the Z-Wave Protocol and devices have been designed to be very reliable, even though they do not
  provide broadcast for status updates. Consequently, a possible alternative to the issue of being out-of-sync would
  be to implement a "send only" policy, whereas the M1 only sends group or scene commands without regard to any
  current status. To accomplish this: a) do not select the "Show" option for any lighting device in the Elk-RP Programming
  Software. b ) when writing a rule, only issue Group commands (Devices 01-64) or Scene commands (Devices
  65-96). c) do not write any rule that attempts to use the lighting status of a Z-Wave device.

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The way I read that, there's no polling to see whether a light is currently on or not. Is that accurate? If so, are there any plans to add polling of lights to see what their current state is?

I thought even Elk recommended the Leviton RZC0P interface now?

But how would that plug into an Elk? That's an RS232, not RS485 one, right?

I would assume you would have to use the M1XSP serial expander unit.

Well crap, that's an extra $85 just to get that to work.

BTW, is there confirmation that the RZC0P actually works with the M1Gold?

Actually 93+83=176 vs 135 or $41 more for RZCOP/XSP combo, but who's counting. In the long run that's not much more to pay for the interface if it is that much more robust. And if you ever ditch Zwave you still have an XSP to re purpose.

IVB said:

BTW, is there confirmation that the RZC0P actually works with the M1Gold?

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Yes, Spanky recommends it.

Steve said:

Actually 93+83=176 vs 135 or $41 more for RZCOP/XSP combo, but who's counting. In the long run that's not much more to pay for the interface if it is that much more robust. And if you ever ditch Zwave you still have an XSP to re purpose.

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Eh, what's the $135 reference point?

Ummm, the M1XZW???

oh, that

so, actually, with the RZCOP, does the Elk poll to get light status if I manually turn the lights on/off? I don't have the fancy 2way active notification switches, just the regular Intermatic HomeSettings ones, and CQC currently handles that via polling.

IVB said:

so, actually, with the RZCOP, does the Elk poll to get light status if I manually turn the lights on/off? I don't have the fancy 2way active notification switches, just the regular Intermatic HomeSettings ones, and CQC currently handles that via polling.

Click to expand...

Yes, the M1 works well with the RZCOP. It does d polling as in "turn a light on via the switch and elk will update". I also use many PIR to turn on and off lights through CQC and the M1.

Problem is that you need to have the remote to set up first. Then there is a program from johnny9 to export the info to the M1.

George M

cool. How's the latency, is that configurable? I.E., poll the light switches every <x> seconds to see if someone has manually changed them.

There is no set polling that I am aware of. I mean I did not set up a polling activity. The reaction is not instant. I think a lot of it depends on the network system. ELK (and CQC) will update status anywhere from 1 to 10 seconds. I would say that most are done within three seconds. I have been trying to get better response times from my IR's to lights coming on. Sometimes that may take a full second or so.

George M