Echo Gen1 vs Gen2 Products

Last updated
Save as PDF

Issue

What is the difference between Echo Gen 1 products and Echo Gen 2 products? Are they cross compatible?

Explanation

There is no Generation 1 (Gen 1) or Generation 2 (Gen 2) of the Echo Family. There are only Gen 1 and Gen 2 variances of individual Echo Products, such as the Echo Room Controller, or the Echo Zone Controllers. The changes have no effect on the compatibility of the products with each other, as they all still communicate over the same EchoConnect protocol.

All Echo Station Power supplies are compatible with all Echo Products, and all Gen2 products are capable of communication with all Gen 1 products. The differences are changes or additions to those products. See the information below.

Product	Gen 1	Gen 2
Echo Room Controller (4 zone/8 zone)	16 presets 0-10v dimming Limited AV input Dry contact. Single EchoConnect connection point.	Released April 2018 16 presets 0-10v dimming (now isolated from ground) Broader use of Contact In than Gen 1 two location to land incoming EchoConnect wiring, with removable header Normal power sense feed option Custom Mode: able to "patch" each relay to any space and zone needed.
Echo Zone Controllers	8 Presets Firmware cannot be updated in the field. 0-10v control wires located on side.	Released April 2018 16 presets Firmware can be updated with microSD card in the field 0-10v control wires located with power wires as is preferred by majority of electricians.
EchoTouch Controller	Screen and Bezel separate pieces Bezel requires special ground connection	Released December 2019 New style hardware Screen and Bezel single piece Simpler to install mounting bracket Special ground connection no longer needed On-board Astronomical Timeclock

Issue

Explanation

Related Links/References