Hi @mavrrick58 - fwiw I consider dashboard control to be automation, in the sense that I can use a single control, for example, to set many things at once, such as "Movie" to set all the lighting to certain levels. That said, it's because we always have our phones; if I had a handheld remote on which a button could be set to do (or undo) the same thing, all the better 
Thanks for the info on the Hue alternatives. My kids both have LIFX color bulbs they use with the app, but I haven't looked a those in terms of use with Hubitat yet.
Cameras... yeah. I've had cameras set up for a long time using an ISY device & also have Blink cameras. They've worked fairly well - my main desire when it comes to integration would be to use the cameras' motion sensing to trigger other things - lights, an alarm, etc. I know there are a ton of variables with these.
Garage doors - thanks, will check out the Zooz!