Crestron Horizon Keypads: Specs, Finishes & Dimmers
Agrima's own Kataria Residence — a 1.08-acre Ahmedabad property and the project behind our 2026 Smart Space Award — makes a deliberate point of being understated: "minimalist Crestron Horizon keypads, concealed wiring and discreet touchscreens — so the control layer reads as part of the architecture rather than bolted onto it." That line names the keypad but never explains what Horizon actually is, what it costs in finish and button options, or how its own dimmer line works — which is exactly the gap this guide fills.
This is Crestron's own first-party in-wall keypad and dimmer line — not a third-party brand like Basalte or Black Nova — with real specs sourced directly from Crestron's own product pages and datasheets. Written for architects, interior designers, and homeowners in Ahmedabad and Rajkot comparing Horizon against Lutron's Palladiom or a third-party keypad brand.
Jump to:
- What Crestron Horizon Actually Is
- Horizon vs. Horizon 2
- Button Assembly Styles
- Finishes
- Wiring, Power & Mounting
- The Horizon 2 Dimmer Line
- Platform Compatibility
- Horizon vs. Lutron Palladiom: An Honest Comparison
- Horizon at the Kataria Residence
- Why Agrima Specifies Horizon
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Crestron Horizon Actually Is
Horizon is Crestron's own in-wall keypad line for lighting, scene and zone control — built, sold and supported by Crestron itself, unlike Basalte or Black Nova, which are third-party hardware brands that happen to integrate with Crestron among other platforms. A Horizon keypad's job is to sit flush against the wall and disappear into the architecture, which is the specific design brief the Kataria Residence's own project copy describes: a control surface that reads as part of the wall rather than a visible fixture mounted on it.
Where Basalte or Black Nova are a third-party interface you bolt onto whichever platform is running the house, Horizon is Crestron's own keypad for a Crestron Home OS system — the first-party equivalent of what Lutron's Palladiom is to a Lutron system. No cross-platform layer, no separate brand relationship, just Crestron hardware talking to Crestron software.
Horizon vs. Horizon 2
The name covers two generations, which matters when specifying for a current project. The original Horizon line (model HZ-KPCN) is a fixed five-pushbutton keypad whose button caps aren't engravable out of the box — custom labeling needs separate HZ-BTN-ENGRAVED accessory caps, field-replaceable but a distinct part. Horizon 2 (model prefix HZ2-KPCN) is the current generation, and the one worth specifying on a new project: six interchangeable button assembly styles on one keypad body, factory custom engraving available directly, and a substantially wider finish range spanning textured, glass and metal options the original line never offered.
Button Assembly Styles
Horizon 2 ships with nine physical buttons under a chosen button assembly, which determines how those buttons present and actuate. Crestron's own HZ2-KPCN-A specification lists six assembly styles:
| Style | Layout |
|---|---|
| Style 1 | Five single buttons (default, with standard engraving) |
| Style 2 | Four single buttons, one split rocker |
| Style 3 | Four single buttons, one split rocker (alternate layout) |
| Style 4 | Three single buttons, two split rockers |
| Style 5 | One medium rocker, two single buttons |
| Style 6 | One large rocker |
Each keypad carries five independent RGB LED backlights, with dim-to-warm and circadian rhythm presets available through the platform's programming, rather than a single fixed backlight color across the whole plate.
Finishes
Nine individual finishes across three families, per Crestron's current Horizon 2 product line:
- Textured — White, Almond, Black.
- Glass — Black Glass, White Glass, described as premium single-piece faceplates.
- Metal — Brushed Brass, Dark Nickel, Dark Bronze, Brushed Black, the newest addition to the line.
The textured finish is the only one that ships with its 1-gang faceplate included — glass and metal finishes typically need the faceplate and, for flush or recessed boxes, a metal backplate specified and ordered separately. Confirming the full bill of materials (keypad, button assembly, faceplate, backplate where needed) against Crestron's current configuration guide before ordering avoids a keypad arriving with no way to actually mount it flush.
Wiring, Power & Mounting
The Horizon 2 keypad is a wired device, communicating over Cresnet — Crestron's own 4-wire bus that carries both data and 24VDC power to the keypad, so no separate line-voltage or neutral wire is needed at the keypad's own electrical box. Per Crestron's published specification for the HZ2-KPCN-A: power draw is 2 W (83 mA at 24VDC); two 4-pin 3.5 mm Cresnet terminal blocks allow daisy-chain wiring to the next device on the bus; and one 3-pin 3.5 mm input terminal block adds two digital/analog input ports plus ground, for a contact sensor or similar input wired directly to the keypad.
Dimensions: 4.13 in. (105 mm) tall, 1.80 in. (46 mm) wide, 0.64 in. (17 mm) deep overall with a textured finish (projecting about 0.44 in. / 12 mm from the wall surface), weighing 4.8 oz (135 g). It mounts in a standard 1- to 4-gang US electrical box or a 1-gang EU-style box, neither included, with a Horizon 2 faceplate required to finish the install.
The Horizon 2 Dimmer Line
This is where Horizon genuinely surprises: the keypad is wired Cresnet, but the matching Horizon 2 dimmer modules are wireless, running on Crestron's infiNET EX radio (2.4 GHz, IEEE 802.15.4) rather than the Cresnet bus. Three models cover different load types:
| Model | Dimming type | Typical load |
|---|---|---|
| HZ2-DIMEX | Forward-phase (leading-edge) | Incandescent, magnetic low-voltage, tungsten-halogen |
| HZ2-DIMLVEX | 0-10V | LED drivers and fluorescent ballasts taking a 0-10V control signal |
| HZ2-DIMUEX | Universal phase | Positioned to auto-detect load type |
A neutral wire is still required at the dimmer's own electrical box — infiNET EX removes the need for a Cresnet home-run cable, not the neutral connection every in-wall dimmer needs regardless of how it talks to the system. Each dimmer carries an ambient light sensor that auto-adjusts its own backlight brightness between day and night presets, and is listed as Crestron Home OS compatible, same as the keypad line.
Crestron's own marketing copy and its spec-sheet documentation for the HZ2-DIMEX don't fully agree on exactly which load types it's rated for — one source says ballasts and drivers, the datasheet says incandescent, magnetic low-voltage and tungsten-halogen. We're stating both rather than picking one, and recommend confirming the exact load compatibility against Crestron's current datasheet for the specific fixture before a dimmer is specified, same discipline we apply to every spec in this series.
For a retrofit project where pulling a new Cresnet home run to every dimmer location isn't practical, this wired-keypad-plus-wireless-dimmer combination is a genuinely useful middle ground: the keypads that need reliable, always-on scene control stay wired, while individual load dimming goes wireless exactly where running new cable would otherwise mean opening a finished wall.
Platform Compatibility
Horizon 2 — both the keypad and the dimmer line — is listed directly on Crestron's own product pages as Crestron Home OS compatible, with the keypad specifically operating in Cresnet client mode. This is first-party hardware for a first-party platform: there's no third-party integration layer the way a Basalte or Black Nova keypad needs to bridge into a Crestron, Lutron or KNX system. The trade-off is the reverse of that flexibility — Horizon doesn't work with Lutron or KNX, because it was never built to.
Horizon vs. Lutron Palladiom: An Honest Comparison
Agrima specifies both platforms, and the fair comparison is between each manufacturer's own flagship first-party keypad, not Horizon against a generic Lutron accessory. Both play the same role on their respective platforms.
| Factor | Crestron Horizon 2 | Lutron Palladiom |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Crestron Home OS, over Cresnet | Lutron, over QS Link |
| Button configurations | 6 assembly styles, up to 9 buttons | 11 configurations, 1- and 2-column layouts |
| Finishes | 9 options: textured, glass, metal | Glass, architectural metals, refined polymers |
| Wireless dimmer option | Yes — Horizon 2 dimmers over infiNET EX | Not covered by Palladiom's own keypad range in the material we could verify |
| Design signature | Minimalist keypad family with matched dimmer line | Uniplanar flush design — buttons and plate in one plane |
Said plainly: Palladiom offers more button configurations out of the box and a distinctive flush design that's genuinely its own signature feature (covered in full in our Palladiom guide). Horizon 2 counters with a dedicated wireless dimmer line that extends naturally into retrofit work without a Cresnet home run to every dimmer location. Neither fact makes one keypad objectively better — the platform underneath (Crestron Home OS vs Lutron) is the real decision, and the keypad follows from that, not the other way round.
Horizon at the Kataria Residence
The Kataria Residence is a real, current example of Horizon specified at full project scale: a 1.08-acre Ahmedabad property running Crestron Home OS across lighting, climate, surveillance, entertainment and access control as one system, with minimalist Horizon keypads and discreet touchscreens as the physical interface and concealed wiring throughout — the project that won Agrima the Excellence Award in the Residential Villa – System Integrator category at the 2026 Smart Space Awards. See the full case study for the complete project scope.
Why Agrima Specifies Horizon
Agrima Solutions is a home automation company with offices in Ahmedabad and Rajkot — KNX Gold Partner, Official Crestron Partner, and a Lutron dealer — and Horizon is Crestron's own recommended keypad line for a Crestron Home OS project, which is why it's the default we specify rather than a premium add-on we upsell. Our KNX home automation in Ahmedabad page covers the platform about half of our clients start with, and our testimonials page has what clients actually say once a project — Crestron, Lutron or KNX — is finished and handed over.
Specifying Keypads for a Crestron Project?
We'll walk you through Horizon 2's finish and button options against your actual floor plan, and tell you honestly where a Lutron or third-party keypad might suit the project better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crestron Horizon keypads?
Crestron's own in-wall keypad line for lighting and scene control, built to sit flush and understated against the wall. They're Crestron's first-party hardware — not a third-party brand like Basalte or Black Nova — and connect over Crestron's own Cresnet bus to a Crestron Home OS system.
What's the difference between Horizon and Horizon 2?
Horizon is the original line (HZ-KPCN): a fixed five-button keypad with non-engravable caps that need separate HZ-BTN-ENGRAVED accessories for custom labeling. Horizon 2 (HZ2-KPCN) is the current generation: six interchangeable button assembly styles, factory engraving options, and an expanded glass and metal finish range the original line never offered.
How many button configurations does Horizon 2 offer?
Six button assembly styles on one keypad body: Style 1 (five single buttons), Styles 2 and 3 (four single buttons plus one split rocker), Style 4 (three single buttons plus two split rockers), Style 5 (one medium rocker plus two single buttons), and Style 6 (one large rocker).
What finishes does Horizon 2 come in?
Nine finishes across three families: textured (White, Almond, Black), glass (Black Glass, White Glass), and metal (Brushed Brass, Dark Nickel, Dark Bronze, Brushed Black).
Is the Horizon 2 keypad wired or wireless?
Wired, over Cresnet — Crestron's own 4-wire bus carrying both data and 24VDC power to the keypad, so no separate power wiring is needed at the back box. This is the opposite of the Horizon 2 dimmer modules, which are wireless.
How much power does a Horizon 2 keypad draw?
2 watts (83 mA at 24VDC), drawn directly from the Cresnet bus, per Crestron's own published specification for the HZ2-KPCN-A.
What are the keypad's dimensions?
4.13 in. (105 mm) tall by 1.80 in. (46 mm) wide, 0.64 in. (17 mm) deep overall with the textured finish, projecting about 0.44 in. (12 mm) from the wall. Weight is 4.8 oz (135 g).
What electrical box does a Horizon 2 keypad need?
A standard 1- to 4-gang US electrical box or a 1-gang EU-style box, not included. A Horizon 2 faceplate is required — the 1-gang faceplate ships with textured finishes — and a metal backplate is needed for flush or recessed boxes and for 1-gang EU-style installs.
Does Crestron Horizon have a dimmer version?
Yes — three Horizon 2 dimmer modules (HZ2-DIMEX, HZ2-DIMLVEX, HZ2-DIMUEX) sold separately from the keypad line, built for different load types, sharing the same finish and engraving options as the keypads.
Is the Horizon 2 dimmer wired or wireless?
Wireless, over Crestron's infiNET EX radio (2.4 GHz, IEEE 802.15.4) — the opposite of the keypad. A neutral wire is still required at the dimmer's own electrical box, but there's no Cresnet home-run cable to pull to it.
What's the difference between the three Horizon 2 dimmer types?
HZ2-DIMEX is a forward-phase (leading-edge) dimmer for incandescent, magnetic low-voltage and tungsten-halogen loads per Crestron's datasheet. HZ2-DIMLVEX is a 0-10V dimmer, typically specified for LED drivers and fluorescent ballasts taking a 0-10V control signal. HZ2-DIMUEX is a universal phase dimmer positioned to auto-detect load type. Confirm exact load compatibility against Crestron's current datasheet before specifying.
Does a Horizon dimmer need a neutral wire?
Yes, per Crestron's own specification for the HZ2-DIMEX — a neutral wire connection at the dimmer's electrical box is required, independent of the wireless infiNET EX control link.
Does Horizon work with Crestron Home OS?
Yes — Crestron's own Horizon 2 product pages list Crestron Home OS compatibility directly, with the keypad operating in Cresnet client mode.
Can Horizon 2 keypads be custom engraved?
Yes. Keypads ship with standard engraving by default, and custom engraving is available on any of the six button assembly styles — a real improvement over the original Horizon line, whose button caps aren't engravable without a separate accessory.
What is the backlighting like on a Horizon 2 keypad?
RGB LED backlighting across five individual backlights, with dim-to-warm and circadian rhythm presets available, plus an ambient light sensor on the dimmer modules that auto-adjusts backlight brightness for day and night.
How does Crestron Horizon compare to Lutron Palladiom?
Both are each platform's own first-party flagship keypad. Palladiom offers more button configurations (11 vs Horizon 2's 6) and a uniplanar flush design as its signature feature; Horizon 2 counters with a dedicated wireless dimmer line that Palladiom's keypad range doesn't have a direct equivalent to in the material we could verify. Neither is interchangeable with the other's platform.
How does Crestron Horizon compare to Basalte or Black Nova?
Basalte and Black Nova are third-party hardware brands that integrate across multiple platforms (Crestron, Lutron, KNX), giving a wider finish and design-language choice at a project level. Horizon 2 is Crestron's own first-party hardware, meaning native fit, Crestron's own warranty, and direct Crestron Home OS support without a third-party integration layer.
Is Crestron Horizon used in any of Agrima's real projects?
Yes — the Kataria Residence, a 1.08-acre Ahmedabad property and the project behind Agrima's 2026 Smart Space Award, specifies minimalist Crestron Horizon keypads as part of its Crestron Home OS control layer.
Is Horizon worth it over a standard Crestron keypad?
Horizon 2 is already Crestron's standard current-generation keypad line, not a premium tier above a separate baseline product the way Lutron's Palladiom sits above a standard Lutron keypad. The real choice within Horizon 2 is finish and button style, not whether to use it at all on a Crestron Home OS project.
Can Horizon keypads and Horizon dimmers be mixed on the same project?
Yes — they're designed as a matched family sharing finish options and button-engraving styles, with the keypad handling scene and zone control over wired Cresnet and the dimmer modules handling individual load dimming wirelessly over infiNET EX, a genuinely useful combination on a retrofit where pulling Cresnet to every dimmer location isn't practical.