I'm trying to decide between 2 products I found for Home Automation and Security at http://www.hadepot.com - one is the HAI Omni IIe controller, and the other is the Elk M1Gold controller. The M1Gold seems to be a little cheaper, but is there some major differences in the 2 systems I should consider? I want to be able to upgrade the system in the future with things like climate control, lighting control and audio control, but for now, I just want a good security system that I can access via the internet and phones.

Thank you in advance for any support you can provide.

They are both fine alarm panels that will do everything you've described above. I’m a big Elk M1G fan and they are easily upgraded and very flexible. Plus, if you are a DIY’er the company offers amazing support and their product is very easy to install.

You can read more about why I went with an Elk here:

[Link: accessha.com]

wanna start automating my entire home, I've been doing a lot of research on x10 and Insteon protocol products and am getting the idea that insteon is better. can either control ceiling lights or is just plug in lights? What I want is to be able to control every device (home theater, lights, everything) with one universal remote preferbly touchscreen. I've looked at some nice ones that phillips has. I may eventually upgrade to voice recognition. can anyone with a little experience give me any info on this.

the pronto 9400 is a very nice remote if you have the $. coupled with the rf receiver it is pretty comprehensive. they have the 9600 and the monster 9800 i saw at cedia but it was way too much for a remote to me. i would rather put it in the wall i would think. not sure about the pronto and x10/insteon. these are more DIY type of automation products. not sure they support it. more like lutron in that area. also, the 9400 only supports wep encryption last i checked.

Hey GA fan..are you in GA? send me an email and we can discuss some controllers..
Im in GA myself and I can get you in contact with some great people at ELK.
HAI is also a good controller..
IF i cant help you with any questions you have.. I can get you in contact with the guys there. Ive worked on various projex with several of the engineers there in Hildenbran where elk is located... I even know wade moose ( the owner)
please feel free to contact me 3phaseelectrical@gmail.com.
Ive used them for lighting controls, security, audio controls and i can tell you of project we did for a guy with ALS (lou gherigs disease) we made his life sooo much better...
Hope I can be of assistance in some way.
I can get you some good pricing on the M1 gold or the EZ8.. or the 950e or 1100