What was the reason the LC2 was dropped by B&O?

Other companies have stepped into the vacuum and produced their own products and the original LC2 still commands high prices on auction sites so if, as I heard, there was a problem with European type approval for the product, why didn't B&O sort it out and continue production, if necessary as the LC3?

I know compared to their other product line-up this was well down the price list, but surely it was, and could still be, a steady seller for them.

So why did it die and why don't they produce another version?

In my view, the light control units lost a huge amount of their purpose once the two way control went. Before that, the ability to program the system to switch on and off at certain times was a huge bonus. You can still get other make light units to do much the same - and they are cheaper. I never found the units very reliable. B&O entered a partnership with Lutron as they had more experience. I doubt B&O will make another similar unit now as they has stated their intention to concentrate on their core products.

kokomo:

What was the reason the LC2 was dropped by B&O?

RoHS.

see wikipedia

 

My experience has been that since buying a BV4 (and the same seems to apply to all Plasma TVs) the ammount of "hash" comming off the screen seems to interfer with the remote control of the LC2 making it impossible to use remotely, although manual control is still possible.

They stopped the production because the soldering contained lead, and that was banned by the EU. They then made a deal with lutron, but you need to recable your house. There has been a plasma protected version toward the end, and I think of is possible to get older lc2 modified. I love my lc2s, I can all lights in my flat.

It is worse in North America - we never even got the LC2. And try as I might, I couldn't find a company which makes a similar product compatible with the Beo4... except for one company which does home integration systems for $$$, and seems to be in a partnership with B&O. Not effective if I don't want to rewire the house and only need to control a couple of lights! At least you guys in 240V Europe have a bunch of aftermarket options.  The LC1 is therefore a very rare breed and extremely sought after in the USA.

Leo

What about this sort of thing? As I understand it, the Beo5 can be programmed to use IR commands from most items.

I have never used an LC2. I still like the idea of remote controllable lamps; I have two LC1s, one of them is partly non-working (no remote control, only on/off by the touchpanel on the top) and I really enjoy using it. (It controls my bed-side lamp; there is nothing that stylish than going to sleep / waking up and switching lights on and off by touching a mirrored plate of a small black box that reads "Bang & Olufsen")

I'm in the process of linking my primary MCL B&O units up and so far I have all the link modules in NOS condition exept the MCL2 Expander.

I plan to go with LC2 and the cost for them is nearly the same as link modules but they come up alot more.

 

 

I have Lutron Rania dimmers throughout the home and they are all controlled by the Beo5 remote. Works very well. I also have a couple of LC2 dimmers on floor lamps which can be controlled by the Beo5 or the Beo4.

Simon.

I would recommend the Lutron Rania dimmers for the following reasons:-

• No need to re-wire the light switch as they do not need a neutral connection (particularly important in the UK)
• They can be controlled by the Beo5, XML file available on the Beo5 Download site
• You can use up to 4 Rania units to control different zones and therefore use "One" touch scene lighting supported by the above Beo5 XML file
• They come in many colours to match your decor.

Great advice as always guys. 

It seems like the Rania's are best, however there are B&O and non-B&O models available. I have a Beo5 so can use the non-B&O ones but would obviously prefer the B&O compatible ones to give me control with my Beo4's.

 

My question is therefore what are the best prices you guys have seen for these? I'm based in the UK but am willing to order from abroad if there are savings to be made.

Thanks

As part of Lutron's partnership with B&O, they have recently introduced B&O compatible Lutron Rania's which as far as I am aware are only available via B&O dealers. Certainly the standard remote version will be considerably cheaper because they can even be purchased from places such as Screwfix, but you can only use them with the Beo5 using the previously described XML file. The B&O compatible version works with the Beo4 and Beo5

Hi, indeed the LC2 was discontinued because of the Rohs regulation.

I had 2 LC2s that I gave, now I have a Lutron Rania working with the Lintronic box, and another from Dinalight that works without converter; you can also buy Raone(search Innovus website) dimmers from Denmark, their design is very nice and the price per 3 units is unbeatable.

Now I'm wondering what the future of light dimmers will be, as I understand that in France it will soon be the end of conventional bulbs, and since neither electronic/low-energy nor low-voltage bulbs accept light-control(=dim function), the LC units would be quite useless if it only allows on-off functions.

Good point Chris!

Do we know of any remote controllable dimmers that can be used with the energy saving bulbs (not the low voltage spot light types)?

Also, would any of you Rania owners mind giving me an idea of what they cost you? 

Now I'm wondering what the future of light dimmers will be, as I understand that in France it will soon be the end of conventional bulbs, and since neither electronic/low-energy nor low-voltage bulbs accept light-control(=dim function), the LC units would be quite useless if it only allows on-off functions.

An LC2 on eBay just fetched 137GBP, so the demand is clearly still there despite other options from other manufacturers.

On the light bulb point, I can foresee conventional bulbs being sold on the 'black market' to those who have dimmers and fetching premium prices! On-line sales of them will be a growth industry.  

 

One has to think about all the commercial venues in which light-dimming ability is essential - movie theatres, fancy restaurants and hotel rooms, B&O dealerships... I hope future legislation will take into account these places and let manufacturers keep making and selling a steady stream of incandescents.

Leo

ps. LED bulbs that will come on the market in a few years are supposedly dimmable!

Conventional bulbs will NOT be disontinued in Europe. It's only non clear bulbs... Which means a small percentage of what's sold in Europe.

This stupid idea to discontinue non clear bulbs came from a wrong statement that says that non clear is less energy efficient, but that's false.

Be aware that eco bulbs can be less energy efficient than conventional bulbs if you want to put them in areas that needs frequent on/off... And those bulbs are also a real threat for the environment as they are full of toxic materials and electronic circuits that are really complicated/impossible to recycle. Thats an environmental bomb.

If you read french, take a look at my advice here (article inspired by Ingo Maurer's Euro Condom : http://www.diisign.com/2009/05/euro-condom-par-ingo-maurer/)

By the way... There are solutions to dim eco lights, but again, the circuitry is more complex/expensive.

OK, I'm looking at buying this.

http://www.cwlighting.co.uk/files/details.php?id=14

well, maybe a couple of them

Do I just hard wire it in and will it work straight away with my Beo 4?

 

 

kruppking:

OK, I'm looking at buying this.

http://www.cwlighting.co.uk/files/details.php?id=14

well, maybe a couple of them

Do I just hard wire it in and will it work straight away with my Beo 4?

 

I'm afraid it won't work with your Beo4. It works with the Beo5, if you download the xml file created by Keith.

Bugger,,,thanks for the quick reply.

they do look nice though,,might get a couple anyway and turn them on the old fashioned way....

Ask your B&O dealer. There are the same dimmers totally compatible with your Beo4, but they are more expensive.

Keith Saunders:

I would recommend the Lutron Rania dimmers for the following reasons:-

• No need to re-wire the light switch as they do not need a neutral connection (particularly important in the UK)
• They can be controlled by the Beo5, XML file available on the Beo5 Download site
• You can use up to 4 Rania units to control different zones and therefore use "One" touch scene lighting supported by the above Beo5 XML file
• They come in many colours to match your decor.

Thanks Keith, but I've been checking out the Lutron B&O compatable products and as far as I can see the set ups cost many hundreds of pounds.

Can you tell me what single product in the range, controllable with the Beo4, is directly comparable and therefore can replace an LC2?

 

You need to be absolutly certain about ordering the correct dimmers from Lutron whether the Rania range or other. Some are universal, some are IR controllable, some are 450v or different, some don't work with various energey saving bulbs and some don't work at all in the UK. Best way is to call Lutron direct and get a rep to come and do a home visit. They will survey your home, discuss your lighting requirements and give you the correct model numbers. Personally I ordered all mine from eBay at a fraction of the cost but then I knew the exact dimmer types I needed and wired most myself, which in my case was quite straightforward but this is not at all always the case, especially when working with dual dimmers where there is great risk if you wire it wrongly. In this case you should consult a qualified electrician but not all are familiar with Lutron wiring as they are an American company and relatively new in the European market in terms of their limited product ranges.

Simon.

The_Beonic_Man:

You need to be absolutly certain about ordering the correct dimmers from Lutron whether the Rania range or other. Some are universal, some are IR controllable, some are 450v or different, some don't work with various energey saving bulbs and some don't work at all in the UK. Best way is to call Lutron direct and get a rep to come and do a home visit. They will survey your home, discuss your lighting requirements and give you the correct model numbers. Personally I ordered all mine from eBay at a fraction of the cost but then I knew the exact dimmer types I needed and wired most myself, which in my case was quite straightforward but this is not at all always the case, especially when working with dual dimmers where there is great risk if you wire it wrongly. In this case you should consult a qualified electrician but not all are familiar with Lutron wiring as they are an American company and relatively new in the European market in terms of their limited product ranges.

Simon.

Thanks Simon - appreciated. BUT, this and other recommendations about Lutron dimmers, don't really address the question as to how these were, or are, a straightforward alternative to the old LC2. Also, as I live in Spain, the 'home visit' isn't really an option. I'm beginning to think that the reason old LC2s command such high prices is because there is no single alternative. Am I correct?

Simple question please. Which model(s) will directly replace an LC2?