Equinox 4 is a single-gang LCD keypad that combines the advantages of a full-sized touchscreen and the simplicity of a multi-gang keypad with the drawbacks of neither, presenting users with a beautiful, minimalist on-wall presence, and a single layer user interface that provides quick and intuitive control of lighting scenarios, interior climate, and audio systems like no product before it.

Equinox 4 also gives users and integrators their first taste of Vantage’s new User Experience Platform, a bold, overarching initiative that will result in a unified signature physical and graphical aesthetic that remains consistent across all control devices in a Vantage system.

Equinox 4 is designed to be the simplest, most straightforward path to accessing lighting control, comfort, and local zone audio. Given its “always on” design, the keypad senses presence, and wakes up with a simple gesture; it’s as reliable and intuitive as a light switch, but with much added functionality. And, with two tactile buttons, it’s incredibly flexible and easy to update as the user’s needs and preferences change.

Its Vantage station bus connection also means that full compatibility with the existing InFusion station bus-based systems, as well as Vantage’s new Enhanced InFusion Lighting Solution

The introduction of additional Equinox interfaces—the Equinox 7-UX, a larger in-wall touchscreen by the beginning of 2013 , and the Equinox 4-UX in Q2 2013—as well as iOS and Android apps, will allow integrators to design more advanced UIs that go beyond the single-layer experience of Equinox 4, while maintaining the same simplicity, intuitiveness, and consistent look and feel across all platforms.

Vantage Controls’ Energy Widget for the Equinox platform, for example, will allow users to dig deep into energy usage around the home, monitoring electrical, gas, and water usage in either textual or graphical form, all while navigating only one additional layer, and with the same swipe, press, drag, and press-and-hold gestures that are entirely intuitive to anyone who has ever used a smart phone or tablet.

The Vantage User Experience Platform will also provide dealers with a vastly simplified programming and integration experience, greatly reducing the time, expense, and headaches of designing complex control solutions.

Equinox 4 will be available in November. Additional Equinox models will be formally announced begin 2013.