I’m not super tech savvy. There, I said it. I work here at Architechtronics, one of the leading integrators of cutting edge technology and home automation systems, and I like technology that is simple to use. That’s right… you won’t hear me rattling off part numbers, pulling cables, or even plugging things in. My job is to work on the logistics of the scheduling and jobs.

I do however, use our showroom Control4 system daily. It’s great because I enjoy listening to music, adjusting lights, zones, etc. Because we had a small system to start with it was powered by a standard HC-300 (yes, I had to ask our technicians for the part number of the little black box in the equipment closet). Our technicians tell me, with our latest expansions of audio throughout the office and additional lighting control…we really need the HC-1000. Lately, I find that even though the interface is very simple to use, I’m finding that the time lapses between menus can be frustrating, and sometimes they make me feel like perhaps I don’t know what I am doing after all!

I will confess… this delay in the system combined with my lack of patience has led to several embarrassing moments. One day I accidently turning on coworkers personal office zones at full blast–due to my incessant tapping of ‘volume up’ twenty to thirty times. Let’s just say this just wasn’t great for my interoffice relationships.

One day, not too long ago, a brand new box with a HC-1000 was delivered by our favorite UPS lady ‘Mary’. Even with all that was said about the HC-1000 and how it was faster, I secretly thought, “Really? What kind of difference would this really make?”

Well, let me tell you… I was completely blown away by what an improvement it really made! For the first week of use, I ran into zero consistency problems, and best of all found that I could finally cruise through the menus and different interfaces at my preferred zippy rate.

For the next couple of weeks I used the system regularly throughout the day. I could flip between ipod playlists, Rhapsody searches, zone settings, and volume controls with ease. I could switch from television to radio in seconds, or switch on showroom lighting scenes in a snap. I no longer dreaded trying to find a new station or attempt a painfully slow search options. I finally understood the amazing benefits of the Control4 system and how it was truly intended to perform.

Then it happened. I came in one morning to discover that the sluggish HC-300 had temporarily returned so one of our long term clients could demo our HC-1000 in their own home. The same delays I had faced before were back with my old friend ‘the HC-300′. I tried to adapt and be patient with the old girl, tapping away and grumbling expletives, burning more bridges with coworkers as I controlled lights and music in their offices. Soon, I realized that our small system is now a big one and we had to move on.

And so now, I will be missing my HC-1000 for a week. So much so that I have taken a stand against using the Control4 system altogether until it is restored to its former glory. Bring back the HC-1000! I am begging you!

~Joshua Mackey, Account Manager