@gingrbredman
It sounds as if you have a very clear perspective on why the PB's might want to push the *.touch systems over the IntelliCenter. I have heard that same thing many times and I certainly agree with you on why they are doing it.
Working with the local reps are a good idea. Like anything else, there are ones that are extremely knowledgeable and will devote a lot of time to your build and then there are one's - well, maybe not so much. It will definitely be to anyone's advantage to use that resource if you can determine that you can trust that particular rep to give you valid and honest information.
@Jimrahbe makes a valid point that I may be using and/or "wanted to use", many more of the features than a good many of the IntelliCenter user's. However, unless I know exactly what features are desired and which one's are not, there is no way for me to tailor the requested information based on perceived requirements.
Without that information, I feel an obligation to provide as much detail as possible about
ALL of the features that don't work as advertised (that I am aware of anyway), and then let the OP determine which one's may be applicable to their particular setup, requirements, desires etc. Anything less would be a dis-service in my opinion. Murphy's law states "that the one
inoperative/missing feature that I fail to inform the prospective IntelliCenter user about will be the very one that the user may be looking to incorporate."
My only goal here, is to be as honest as possible in my overall IntelliCenter assessment which is solely based on my "real" and "hands-on" personal experiences with IntelliCenter. I am a volunteer providing an opinion based on user experience and I'm not trying to push one system versus another or attempting to persuade or discourage the purchase of any system. I have no "dog in that fight". I only throw "ALL" of the information out there that I am aware of (good and bad), and then the prospective user can determine if the inoperative or missing feature is applicable or not.
It is important to keep in mind that the majority of problems that I list are features that
are actually advertised by Pentair to function
AND to work according to normal and typical industry standards as well as typical user expectations.
When a user does their homework and studies the sales brochures, videos, cut-sheets and Installation and User's Guides, they typically gain an insight on exactly what features are available. Most are none to happy to find that although a particular feature is advertised, it either does not function according to expectations or is just not available at all.
When you are considering a particular model of automobile to purchase and the salesman tells you that it has an onboard navigation system, only to later find that the navigation only works 80% of the time or you can only input a destination between the hours of 8:00 and 12:00. You're not going to be pleased if you did not know that information beforehand. However, if you actually have no desire to use the nav system or you'll just be happy with what you get, then hey, no problem. Just disregard that info.
It's better to know
ALL of the quirks, incompatibilities and inoperative features beforehand. Even if you may not be planning to actually use that feature. Then the user can determine what features are important to them and which one's are not. That is actually the "big" picture in my opinion.
I would rather an IntelliCenter user know exactly what features don't work at all, what features "partly" work and what features work great. Then the user can plan accordingly during initial setup without any false expectations in system capabilities. If they determine that they will not actually use certain features that are advertised to work, then they're good to go.
I have looked and looked and I can't find anywhere in the Pentair documentation that contain statements similar to the following:
"This feature does not always function according to typical user expectations!"
"This very important user interface feature is not entirely or always reliable."
"Although Pentair is advertising this feature to work, in reality, it really doesn't. So we here at Pentair are very hopeful that you are like many of the "average" users and don't have any desire to actually use this feature."
In MY opinion, the bottom line is this....
1. Pentair IntelliCenter is the best "commercially available" pool automation system on the market today.
2. Just don't believe all of the Pentair sales "hype" and touted "added" functionality that you read in the pretty brochures or view in their sales videos. If you do, you may be disappointed in the end.
3. If you are looking for a pool automation system that has a few more features over the Pentair *Touch systems, AND ALL you are actually looking for is something to just activate a couple of schedules that turn on a light, a pump, a heater and you have a "typical or standard-type" pool setup, then you will most likely be a happy IntelliCenter user. In other words, the more simplistic you keep your requirements and expectations, the less likely that there will be disappointments.
4. However, if find that you are more tech savvy than most. That you're the type that typically likes to squeeze every ounce out of present day technology that you can. That you are the type to base your requirements on advertised features. If you are planning a swimming pool setup with multiple pumps, heaters, various types of water features, multiple lighting configs incorporating complex scheduling, etc., etc..... If you desire precise functionality across various advertised user interfaces and platforms. If you expect that when you attempt to login to your system, that it will always be available for use. If you are the type of individual that is "detail oriented" when it comes to technology... Then you may have "some" disappointments with the IntelliCenter unless you are made aware beforehand of Pentair's shortcomings.
But, all hope is not lost if you fit into the above category. There are several users of the IntelliCenter (as well as the *Touch systems) on this site, that have found comfort in added functionality when they have incorporated all the best that Pentair can offer with additional technology to obtain pool automation systems that offer quite a bit more capability, functionality and reliability. This avenue is not for everyone to be sure, but it is there for the taking for those "few", that are interested than doing a bit more than just having a pump or heater turn on with the push of a button.
But in all cases, never lose sight of the fact that in all of this, your goal is to have a clean, sanitized and well managed pool that you, your family and guests can enjoy with the least amount of work and headaches possible. Personally, that has always been my goal and I have certainly achieved it. I just get an added bonus when I can make it slightly better than what can be "normally" expected.
And one last thing before I keep this post from turning out to be book. It should be noted that much of my success in achieving my goals are directly due to the awesome advice and assistance from so many here on TFP. You will find this site to be a great resource. So keep asking questions. Keep receiving differing opinions and most importantly, have fun in the process.
r.
