My biggest frustration with Ra3 is that it is not 100% backwards compatible with Ra2 and it can absolutely prevent existing Loyal customers to not update their systems, take advantage of new products coming out (like the outdoor outlet, wire free shades, etc.) and create needless frustration for installers. I hope Lutron reconsiders removing these things from Ra3:
- Grafik Eye and Wall Mount module support. For the life of me, I can't understand why Lutron would do away with these and not only prevent those with existing Ra2 systems from upgrading to Ra3, but also prevent those with older Radio Ra (Classic) systems, and even those with standalone GRX grafik Eye systems. I remember we did a house 20 years ago that has 6 zone Grafik Eyes and remotes all over it and one of these days, they'll want to update it. Except we can't because those are in 4 gang boxes and they have 6 zones. They spent thousands of dollars with fancy wood trims. We'd have to delete or merge 2 zones to put in dimmers. It makes no sense. I have another house that has 7 wall mount modules in an equipment room. They are out of luck too. I have another customer with a series 4 Homeworks Illuminations system that has a couple of them...it'd be perfect for Ra3, but nope. I recently had a old Radio Ra customer with 8 grafik eyes, but we had to sell them Ra2 instead because there was no room to add more dimmers and Homeworks QSX cost more.
- Grafik T support. Again, this makes no sense. I was never a fan of Grafik T because it looked ugly and engraving had to be done before ordering or they'd have to pay twice for it. But I know someone who has that all over their house. What's going to happen to them if they want wire free shades or in 5 years can't get Ra2?
- Old Thermostat and other temperature control support. I know, it's discontinued. fine. Don't sell any new ones. But like it or not, people shelled out $500 each for those things plus god knows how much for the HVAC modules...At least let them keep them.
- "Path of Light" support. Come on...this one is easy. Just today the homeowner told me they hated my "entertain" button because they couldn't turn it off later. In Ra2, you can't have a path of light global scene (it uses Room logic) but fortunately it was Ra2 so I just converted it to a Path of light and copied and pasted the scene a few times and voila! I dread having to upgrade this house in 5 years and converting my toggled scenes into a toggled room button and getting an ear full.
- Telnet support. I know this is a losing battle but Telnet is so simple and universal. Give a huge warning about it, but keep it.