Customer Reviews

Swylite LST200+-W Dual Event Digital In-Wall Timer Switch with Backlight, White

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I purchase two of the LST200 models a few months ago and am extremely pleased. Works very well. It is nice to have a variable timer -- you set an on and off time and each day it varies 10 minutes around that on and off time to make it appear as though you are home. Installation was easy and all the necessary parts were included (such as wire nuts).

Of note, the blue LCD display developed some bad crystals after 1 month of use in one of the devices (the other continues to work perfectly!). It functioned correctly, but the display was hard to read. I emailed the company and a replacement was sent the same day via priority mail with return postage paid.

The other advantage is that this device will run low-wattage lines. THIS IS DIFFERENT than other similar products that won't run low-wattage (e.g. lines that are hooked up to fluorescent lights). This WILL effectively run fluorescent lights on the line because it completely dampens the electricity in the line. Other products only reduce the voltage to the points where the lights just turn off. Not the case here. These are better.

It is rare these days to have such excellent customer service. This is a great product (I think the LCD problem was a fluke) and I highly recommmend it.

This product is better than the other similar devices out there for several reasons:

1. It stores your on/off time settings in solid state, so you don't have to reprogram every time the power goes out.
2. Has a rechargable backup battery built in. No more buying those expensive button cell batteries.
3. The backlight is very helpful in the dark and looks cool.
4. Easy to program.
5. Reliable (I've had it for 6 months w/ no problems)

I got tired of connecting table lamps to portable timers when we go away. Not only is this a hassle, it does not really make the house look 'lived in'. Once installed the Swylite is built-in so it operates the real house lights that you select. This truely makes the house appear lived in while you are away on vacation. Once the on/off times are set all you do is throw a switch and go on vacation. End of hassle forever !!

To really make your home appear lived in install multiple controllers operating lights in various rooms with differing timing.

I am an electronics engineer and find this to be an excellent product. I have read reviews that berate the product.. these are all total BS and result from user incompetance. It's simply unfair to blame the product for ones own incompetance !! One user complains that its not compatible with 3-way switches that have 4 wires. Nonesense!! There is no such thing as a 3-way with 4 wires. Occasionally an electrician will attach an unused extra wire to the unused terminal of a switch rather than put a wire nut on the wire to save space in a crowded junction box. It's just not that hard to figure out which wire is not doing anything. The real problem may be finding a real neutral [white] connection. Sometimes in 3-way installs not every white wire in the box is a neutral. So you'll have to be very careful to find a real neutral [goes to the neutral bus in the breaker panel]. Connecting to a white wire that is not a neutral may or may not damage the controller. I am unable to predict that outcome since I do not have a schematic of the controller internal circuits.

If wired correctly, you'll be extremely happy with this controller.

I bought this about 15 months ago. It's installation instructions are confusing and I blew one because of that. Other than that, I was very happy with it. It worked as advertised with CFLs. It's been used in timing mode every week.

About 6 months ago, it started acting funny. It would not turn off at the set time. This was occasional. And if I used it for more than 24 hours, there was a good chance for it to fail. Most recently, I tried to change the set times and the LCD started going crazy. The time display became impossible to read. Now, the ON/OFF switch will not work. I tried turning off power to the switch to see if it would reset itself but that did nothing.

I tried contacting the company. Someone contacted me, promising to help. And then nothing.

This timer works as advertised. The back of the switch is big in size and the cables come out the side, which requires a deep elec. box. The time must be changed manually twice a year and the on/off times must be adjusted a few times more to correspond with dawn/dusk times. This process is fast and simple. I don't have to worry about getting home late and not having the light on anymore.

I purchased two of these for the front and back lights at my new home. I installed two cheaper brands at the old house where I use to live, but discovered these while searching the net. The backlit display, the lights on to leave feature, and the variable on/off setting all make this timer invaluable. Not ever having to worry about your house lights is a wonderful thing. The only issue I had was with the wiring. Make sure you find the group of white neutral wires in your box. A regular light switch will most likely not be connected to it. I tried to disconnect the light switch and connect the timer using only the wires that were on the light switch. The first timer took over 45 minutes to figure out and install. The second took less than 8 minutes.

06-29-10 Update: As of yesterday, the LCD display on one of my timers is going out. The blue backlit is fine and you can still see "ON & OFF" as well as "am & pm" but the time is impossible to read. I emailed Swylite to see what they will do for me since it has only been 2 1/2 months since my purchase. Another review says that they sent him a new one. I hope their customer service is still that good because it is disappointing when a good product is marred by bad customer service. Aside from the display issue, these timers are wonderful. We had our house warming party recently and everyone was asked about the timers. Anyway, I will update again, hopefully with good news.

07-13-10 Update: Last night I installed two new timers that Swylite sent to me. Shortly after the LCD went out on the first timer, the second had the same problem. I emailed the company, they asked me to email them my info, then two new timers arrived at my door. I installed the new timers and put the old ones in the box to mail back with the prepaid postage they sent. I could go on and on but I'll keep it short. In an age where customer service has become laughable for most companies, Swylite is doing it right. They are an American company selling an American-made product. Keep up the great work!

I needed to control CFL's and after searching this seemed to be the best unit. Installation was pretty easy. The hardest part was the fact that the color of the wires in the box did not correlate to the product instructions, but the online FAQ helped. Setting on/off times is easy. Lights are going on and off as I set, so despite some confusion over wire color connections things are fine and I would recommend this product.

I ordered a White Swylite LST200+ Dual Event Back-Lit Digital Wall Switch Timer over 1 month ago for my switch inside my house that controls the christmas lights outside.

All I can say is "Why didn't install this product when I first built my house. The unit does all of the thinking for you( da- its a timer). Almost like the set it and forget it theroy.

I did have a question about the wiring when I recieved it so I called the company and the gentleman that answered the called was very easy going and curtious. Best customer service I've heard for a long time. Its always something automated but this company has real human beings behind the phone.

Last on this summer I will defiently be buying more for my other rooms in house incase I ever leave town for a few days.

Great product to have.

just received and my husband installed on last night. so far i am pleased. took a few times to get the wires just right, and he had to move it to the other side of the box b/c of the wires sticking out the side, but it is working as stated. after going through several brands, including GE, an old intermatic that looks like a dinosaur compared to this model, the autochron which is complete junk, and the ones that are supposed to automatically turn on and off at dusk, i think the swylite brand is a keeper. it took a while for me to stumble upon it, but from what i've seen so far, it's been worth the search. too bad they don't carry them at home depot or lowe's. you could see where almost all the timers had been returned to these stores (taped and stapled packages). thanks swylite!! :-)

I have had several timers from Intermatic, and they were junk, typically last 6 months or so, then start acting intermittent. I love this new timer, it does exactly what its supposed to do, turn on and off the lights! The backlight is a nice feature. My expctations aren't real high, I just want the lights for my porch on when I leave at 4:30am, and this timer does just that.