I've liked the G5... Mainly because I got it on sale, and I can slap a microSD card in to the receiver in the house, so I don't need to be paying another service for storage... that said, I think the tier for iCloud is like $1 or 2 a month. Good to see notification and picture on my watch or Apple TV when someone is at the door.
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Aqara Unveils New HomeKit-Compatible Panels, Sensors, and More
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Itinj24
macrumors 601
This is the only Aqara device I have that’s been giving me issues and I’m glad (kinda figured) they’d be releasing an update to it soon. There were a lot of complaints about the G4 since its release. I also hope they fix the communication issue between the chime and doorbell. My current G4 chime sits within inches of a UniFi AP and the doorbell is about 8’ away with a clean line of sight (glass front door) with the chime and I still get connection issues.
Itinj24
macrumors 601
Aqara is a Chinese brand. If they want to catch a glimpse of my arse, then so be it. If they don’t like what’s on, they can feel free to change the channel.
Itinj24
macrumors 601
I believe it’s because it’s being received as a troll post. Smart home is my hobby but I personally don’t care who needs, wants or doesn’t care for it. The thing is, if you’re entering a thread for the sole purpose of claiming you have no use for what’s being discussed, then why even bother? Like going into an iPhone discussion claiming you don’t use smart phones. It seems like the intent is to troll everyone else passionate about what’s being discussed.
Again, I personally don’t care and I’m not one of the down voters. It’s just the perception.
Itinj24
macrumors 601
Aqara has been working hand in hand with HomeKit for a long time. The problem here is HomeKit doesn’t support Z-Wave natively. They’d be alienating a lot of their customer base if they switched to Z-Wave.
Fair enough. I’m enjoying smart home stuff too. The use of Matter has made it really simple and to me feels like it’s cheaper to add different pieces which has me buying more.
Itinj24
macrumors 601
Having an Apple household, I strictly use HomeKit for my front end. The problem with Matter and HomeKit is that Apple seems to be very selective about the device categories they accept from the Matter standard. The last Matter update included a whole slew of new categories that included home appliances but all Apple took from that was the robo vac category, which we’re still waiting for an Apple update to implement. They need to step it up lol.
I have Eero Pros in my home since 2018 and I have never switched to Amazon login. I have the Eero Plus subscription and I like it. I also like the app, the profiles we can create for kids, the VPN etc. I'm not an expert in privacy and security so I don't know what the best option is. However, I have nothing to complain about and as far as I'm concerned, I keep the network independent from Amazon login (which is not possible with Google for instance).
Well, they can perceive whatever they want. It’s not like I was pooh-poohing the technology. I just don’t have any of it in my house while still being pleased for those who do want or need it. I think some fanbois are easily threatened. 😉
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This 💯
I’m team Homey. It’s brilliant, so easy to apply logic, extenders for the multiple types of network that can cover our large 1930s property and basement and outbuildings. Integrate anything from Philips hue lighting, to Uniquity networking and presence, heating, cooling, underfloor heating, aircon and ground source heat pump, smart chargers for the cars, electric gates, curtains, blinds, awnings, multi room sound etc. And also state management in the unlikely event someone does use a physical button.
It’s impossible to stick with just HomeKit or any other system for everything.
Maybe I'm misunderstanding something but managing up to TWO light fixtures seems kinds underwhelming?
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RMo
macrumors 65816
No, Zigbee is actually faster. Zigbee (and Thread) maxes out at 250 Kpbs. Recent Z-Wave generations max out at 100 Kpbs. Actual connection speeds may be negotiated lower. But pretty much either is sufficient for the low quantity of data sensors and actuators with these protocols tend to send, so it probably doesn't matter much in the real world.
Some would also disagree about the stability thing. 🙂 It does seem to depend on your particular devices. Xiaomi/Aqara has not always done well with Zigbee, using proprietary profiles that were just close enough to Zigbee HA 1.2 that they could work most of the time with most coordinators but do odd things like "fall off" the network sometimes in many cases. I haven't seen reports like this with their Zigbee 3.0 devices (or with the hub they technically intended these to be used with).
I imagine Matter is one thing keeping them away from Z-Wave, besides history. Zigbee is very similar to Thread, and Thread has a pathway to "native" Matter support, which would not require a bridge, unlike Zigbee or Z-Wave. If they change to Thread in the future, Zigbee normally makes for an easier transition.
I wonder if "Panel Hub S1 Plus" just a redesigned iPad with just Home App? Or I could just use an old iPad or something as a panel hub like this?
The Aqara products discussed are Thread or Zigbee-based. They are not on your WiFi or IP network and can't access anything on it. But you ask "what about.... "? No. Read how Thread and Zigbee work.
This is why a lot of people like to use devices like these that are NOT on your network and do not depend on a cloud service.
You would be surprised to see just how many smart-home products do in fact use WiFi and do require you to make an account of some server. Why do they even sell WiFi based equipment that runs on your network? Because consumers don't understand and like what is familiar to them. They have heard of WiFi and think they understand it.
(edit) yes, I just posted a link here to a WiFi device that I do like. But, it is open source, you can read the software and know what it does.
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I think the wording was poor. I think they mean that there are two physical relay contacts that can open or close two AC circuits.
Yes, you could use an older phone or tablet for this.
The problem you will run into is power. You do not want to have to take your new control panels off the walls every night to charge them. Seriously you could have 20 of these devices in one house, every place you now have a physical light switch. So to avoid the need to recharge then you could level them plugged into a USB carger. But do you want a charger cable running from every switch in the house to an outlet?
To do it right, the panel needs to be powered from the AC wall box that used to hold the physical switch. The power supply has to be inside the panel so that cords don't show.
There are workarounds but are they UL-approved and what will your fire insurance company have to say? So old phones really can not work well. And you need one or maybe two or three in each room and you'd like the style and colors to match.
Here is what I have been using but with the firmware 100% replaced:
SONOFF Smart Switch, 2-Switch Panel Home Control, WiFi Smart Scene Wall Switch with Touchscreen, Smart Temperature Function, Lights Control, Work with Alexa and Google Home, NSPanel,Black
Do you need one device to centrally control multiple electrical appliances in your home, from lights, heaters, coolers, curtains, doors, and windows? Inconceivable!! NSPanel can control all of these devices, offering an integrated HMI panel for home automation that is super convenient, all you ne...
www.amazon.com
The above hardware with this software: https://github.com/Blackymas/NSPanel_HA_Blueprint
It has been 100% realiable for a couple of years now. Even at $75 the price is not bad for an AC mains powered phone-size touch screen and two physical buttons. But cheaper if you buy direct from China. Each button can have a short of long press so you get four easy fctions, other funtions have to go into the menu system.
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RMo
macrumors 65816
Likely depends on your controller/hub. I have lots of Zigbee and Z-Wave devices (on a local-focused hub that supports both) and don't notice a significant difference between then in automations -- except in motion lighting automations, where almost every Zigbee motion sensor I've tried is faster than almost every Z-Wave sensor, but I think that's the sensor itself (the Z-Wave one doesn't "trigger" until later, likely due to its history in security and Zigbee HA 1.2 literally being created for home automation, though both are used in various use cases now).
amancalledsun
macrumors 6502
There is FINALLY a z-wave HomeKit certified hardware bridge, but sadly only available in the EU at the moment.
https://www.thinka.eu/z-wave
No one mentioned the BIG Matter announcement. Apple ( and Google etc soon to follow) will no longer require manufacturers to submit their Matter devices to Apple (or Google, or LG etc) to certify them. They can now be certified by the Matter consortium. And updates can be quickly processed. This is HUGE and will accelerate "time-to-market" for Matter products while keeping prices down.
Note for example both Honeywell and Meeross just released $74-$100 Matter thermostats.
Note for example both Honeywell and Meeross just released $74-$100 Matter thermostats.
If you are serious about home automation I'd suggest that is nothing much more than a gimmick attracted to engage the punters. Reality is home automation doesn't run on a single protocol, and you need good controllers to do it all and be able to select all devices without compromise to try and make it work through homekit. The funny part is also that when you have good home automation it is just there, you don't have to get your phone out. It is like a butler, anticipating your needs, not to be seen, not to be heard, yet serve you.
We are building a new house and will be going smart for the first time. I just ordered up a bunch of Kasa Matter light switches to start and was wondering what the best automation hub options are available. We just want to operate basic stuff like lighting, security, locks, door/gate openers etc. Should the choices you named be on my shopping list? Which do you favor?
A couple things:
1) The flagship Panel Hub S1 Plus features a 6.9-inch touchscreen and dual-band Wi-Fi...
2) Even if it works through Zigbee, etc, data travel through the internal network in order to reach the internet.
I would go with the Homey Pro no doubt in my mind. Here take a look, native support for Kasa Smart. https://homey.app/en-nl/apps/browse/#filter?query=kasa&platform=local
You can search for any other other stuff you are thinking off, I'm pretty sure it will be supported.