Community Forums

aza · 02-06-2014, 07:50 PM

I recently ordered my 2015 Anthem. In going over the options I came across the Vega-touch I-pad system". I called my dealer and asked him exactly what it was and he explained that it includes an I-pad (can't use one of mine) and works electrical appliances and devices in the coach.

Wanting more information I called the factory and they gave me about the same information. They added that it sets up a LAN in the coach and allows use of an I-pad from inside or outside of the coach, with limited range.

Seems like a lot of money to do something that I can accomplish by pushing buttons on the coach. Can anyone give me information that might "wow" me into adding this option?

DSL417 · 02-06-2014, 07:59 PM

How much of a geek are you? That's the "neat" factor.

How much are you an "arm chair operator"? That's the tech, or too lazy to get up, factor.

JMHO, nice...but for $5k, that's a 1250 gallons of diesel and 8500 miles of travel. I think I probably need or could use the exercise.

fla tom · 02-06-2014, 08:12 PM

Trose I went back and forth on that option( cars and rv's I like loaded) I decided it was not worth it from what I have been told ....but I like you could be swayed if given info on a big wow factor( so far not wowed 5k worth) let me know if you find out more

chlrman · 02-06-2014, 08:17 PM

Checkout Firefly Integrations I don't know what options Entegra will use but looks like quite a control system.

johnnyreno · 02-06-2014, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trose

I recently ordered my 2015 Anthem. In going over the options I came across the Vega-touch I-pad system". I called my dealer and asked him exactly what it was and he explained that it includes an I-pad (can't use one of mine) and works electrical appliances and devices in the coach.

Wanting more information I called the factory and they gave me about the same information. They added that it sets up a LAN in the coach and allows use of an I-pad from inside or outside of the coach, with limited range.

Seems like a lot of money to do something that I can accomplish by pushing buttons on the coach. Can anyone give me information that might "wow" me into adding this option?

Trose the key here is limited range wifi on ipad is the worst I have ever encountered they may want you to have theirs because the apps will be in there all set up tested and ready to go. just a guess. A pinball machine would be hella cool

Crippsfl · 02-07-2014, 02:05 AM

When I was at the Tampa show ordering my 2015 Cornerstone, I discussed the I-Pad option with a couple of factory reps. All I can say is that they just shook their heads and said, "Not worth the money."

Ralph & Janet
2015 Cornerstone 45K (on order for June delivery)
2013 Ford Explorer

pasdad1 · 02-07-2014, 05:19 AM

Does this option allow control from over the Internet ? This would have been the "wow" factor for me. Imagine the coach back at the campground, and I'm in my toad shopping in town. I just fire up the iPad and change the thermostat setting to cool down the coach before we arrive :-)

Or I turn on/off some lights or TV remotely making it look like somebody is inside, deterring possible thieves.

Maybe it only takes a bit of tinkering to get it to accept connections from my wireless router ....... ?

motorhomeguy · 02-07-2014, 06:44 AM

I can tell you about the 201 3 Cornerstone system, no internet interface. It is a fancy remote control on your iPad in the form of a Crestron App. You can install the software on any iPad you have by downloading the app from iTunes. The ipad will control your lights and shades, just like the switches are on the walls. It will also control your TV's and DVD's just like your TV/DVD remote. That's all folks. No internet interface (on the 2013 anyway) and no awning control, no anything else. After a year and a half, I used the iPad as an iPad way more than I have ever use the Crestron control app. If you need to close a shade or change the TV channel, to me it's always easier to use the regular TV remote or just get up and use the wall controller for the shade if the iPad in not in reach. If we order another Cornerstone I will probably order the system even though I don't consider it cost effective, but it does appeal to prospective buyers. When you are talking about something this costly, five grand is not a significant amount and it is attractive to people looking for a used high end used coach.

Whitewater18 · 02-08-2014, 12:09 PM

I looked at the Vegatouch system before ordering my coach last week. It basically is a control interface with off the shelf Crestron Protege parts and a custom design screen graphics.

I have owned an audio/video/integration company for 17 years doing large custom residential. I've built and seen some really cool things over the years.
I called Firefly to discuss the system and its capabilities and determined it was too much $$ for what it did. I also discussed with them using other brand integration system and they were not too interested in that idea.
The Vegatouch controls your audio/video equipment, lighting, shades, slides, and awning(s). That it. No tank monitors, navigation interface, or HVAC controls. Additionally if you change/add any A/V equipment, it requires Firefly to "write" the changes in to the program and send a file to you electronically with instructions how to up-load the file into the Crestron controller. Firefly stated that they may, or may not charge for this service. I don't think its worth it.

I'm currently looking into designing my own iPad based system for my new coach, however without having my coach in front of me to see where everything (controls, relays, interfaces) are located makes it not as easy.
One requirement of any iPad based control system is installing a very robust LAN (local are network) in the coach. It doesn't always have to be tied to the internet for the iPad to operate the systems, just for any media you want to receive from the internet. A cheap wireless router bought at Wally world or a discount store is probably not robust enough. An Apple Airport Extreme is as basic as I would go.
I'll maybe start a thread when I start to do my install, however I won't get my coach till May, or early June and then we will be traveling for the summer. May be a next winter project.

Joe

motorhomeguy · 02-08-2014, 12:40 PM

Joe, did someone at Firefly actually confirm the slides and awnings would be controlled by the system? The reason I ask is the video that they had on the 2013 model also showed the same functionality (awnings and slides being controlled), however when the coach was delivered it did not control the slides and awnings? Just wondering if they do in fact control these functions in the newer models? Thanks - Ron

Whitewater18 · 02-08-2014, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhomeguy

Joe, did someone at Firefly actually confirm the slides and awnings would be controlled by the system? The reason I ask is the video that they had on the 2013 model also showed the same functionality (awnings and slides being controlled), however when the coach was delivered it did not control the slides and awnings? Just wondering if they do in fact control these functions in the newer models? Thanks - Ron

Ron, you may be correct. The Firefly guy may have said that awnings, slides and tank levels could be done easily, but were not in what Entegra asked them to design. I was more tuned in to how the Can Bus system interfaced because I had already decided to use a different control system. (Savant, RTi, On-Controls, etc)
Joe

motorhomeguy · 02-08-2014, 01:49 PM

Thanks, if we order another Cornerstone I'll get that clarified further. One might think that with the basic system already in place, they would go ahead and make it a gee-whiz system with minimal price increase if they did it from the get-go. Thanks...