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HomeKit Accessories Worth Checking Out

MacRumors said:
  • Hunter Ceiling Fan ($180) - Hunter's HomeKit-enabled ceiling fans are surprisingly affordable and can be controlled with Siri, making this a useful smart home addition. Pricing starts at $180 for the Aerodyne, but there are also higher-end models available.
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What a horrible experience, *it automatically sends me to the EU site without the good link, no way to check which
model it is.

*Nope, back does not work either.
 
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TTTedP said:
As a homekit noob - I wasn't aware of the nuance between wifi and bluetooth only smart plugs. The bluetooth ones always seem to be out of synch and good wifi (software-wise) ones seem hard to find.
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Now go one step further and get the Eve smart plug. It’s thread enabled, so if you have a thread router (HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K gen 2, etc) then it won’t even slow down your WiFi because it creates its own network. (That’s the layman’s terms, Thread can get pretty technical if you look into it)
 
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Hunter Douglas, one of the most reputable window treatment companies, offers a "PowerView" automation option that is HomeKit compatible.

A lot of non-compatible products can be brought into HomeKit via a combination HomeBridge (third party software) and devices such as "Bond Bridge".

I am planning on integrating my Fanimation fans through the included IFTTT integration + HomeBridge. I'm also planning on integrating my gas fireplace with Bond Bridge + HomeBridge.

HomeBridge is also useful for integrating Ring devices if you go that route for security.
 
Serena IS expensive!!!

Screen Shot 2021-11-23 at 12.43.19 PM.jpg

Angel tears? Wow...

EDIT: I can't find pricing on 'smart glass', or 'smart film', but it would have to be A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE. Are they pricing this because of the price of smart glass/film? That seems ridiculous, and dangerous for their product if so...
 
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This video/article is a depressing example of just how anemic the offerings are for HomeKit. You can count on the Mini to show up to pad almost every one of these articles because there are so few good options. I'm really hoping Matter changes things.
 
Huge fan of the Lutron dimmer switches, I have them all over. Can operate it from my computer, phone or watch, and set up automations in the evenings for the front porch light etc. Very handy.
 
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applefanboysince93 said:
I bought a couple Wemo light switches for $15ea at Costco, they even came with mini smart plugs, and they can be used in HomeKit too to control any accessories. No hub required! Why pay Lurton $195?
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At least for me, those Wemo switches have been terrible. They are constantly dropping off of HomeKit for reasons I don’t understand and then I can only control them using the Wemo app instead. It’s very annoying.
 
TheSuperE said:
I like these as a skylight option in my ceilings, for $600 it seems like it will fix one of my biggest energy concerns in my home- which is controlling 30ft high ceilings that were built long before our current climate ‘stuff’ so keeping a home regulated comfortably has been a huge Bain of my existence since I bought my home 5 years ago, if these can be tilted at a ceiling angle with guide wires then for me this could be an option… and yes I’d easily pay $350 each but $600 per window is steep, for now.
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I'm sure you like the skylights but if I were to buy a house today with them I would spend the money patching the hole versus expensive shades. That is not a knock in any way to your choice, I just prefer to reduce the potential leak point and improve energy use by insulating the area along with the rest of the roof. Main point is the blinds at regular price are about the same as having a roofer cover the hole. :)
 
TTTedP said:
As a homekit noob - I wasn't aware of the nuance between wifi and bluetooth only smart plugs. The bluetooth ones always seem to be out of synch and good wifi (software-wise) ones seem hard to find.
Click to expand...
I've had good success with Sylvania outlets controlling lamps (3 currently). About once per year, the outlet automation gets corrupted, and I reconfigure it. But they're otherwise quite reliable. Similarly, we have a multi-color Sylvania bulb in a bedroom lamp that comes on each morning for an hour as a warm wake up and comes on as a color for two hrs in the evening — reliable and fun.
 
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PinkyMacGodess said:
I keep wondering where the dimming glass windows are. Are they that expensive, that hard to manufacture, that hard to find, that unreliable?

I remember watching someone pushing a remote control button, and the glass went opaque. Loved it... Is that technology out there somewhere? It wouldn't be 'darkout' type shading, but is a start...
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That was CGI. Its not technically possible to make glass turn opaque.
 
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applefanboysince93 said:
I bought a couple Wemo light switches for $15ea at Costco, they even came with mini smart plugs, and they can be used in HomeKit too to control any accessories. No hub required! Why pay Lurton $195?
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the beauty of Lutron is it always works. ALWAYS. I can't say that about a single other HomeKit device
 
wemo stage scene controller would be great if it had thread... its trash without it and I'm so mad I bought it back in may
 
ChromeAce said:
I wired my entire house with fiber and CAT7 only to discover that all home automation products are wireless and therefore much less reliable on the network. And God forbid if I ever need to change my WiFi SSID.
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I just did this yesterday, and I am finally finishing up (at least until the next thing flakes out). It really highlights just how many connected devices I have when I have to basically reset everything again.
 
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I'll probably get flamed for this, but I have had great luck with Meross dimmer switches. Probably the most affordable HomeKit offering that I could find.
 
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gsmornot said:
$600 per window is pricy. I cant wait for the price to come down or another option to become available. I like the concept and use Lutron around the house just cant commit at this time to shades that cost this much. Those that can, I think you will enjoy the automation you can add with instillation.
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Pro tip: Lutron products, including Serena, go on sale for 40% off at Home Depot at least twice a year.
 
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Have both Serena shades and the ikea ones. They both work but it’s like a Ferrari vs. a Volkswagen. Serena are impressively quiet when they operate and the variety of textures and colors is much wider. Btw we got a much better price going through a licensed installer (budget blinds for us) and the price scale was much more clear and they had all the sample books you could take home and try out.
 
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siddavis said:
I'll probably get flamed for this, but I have had great luck with Meross dimmer switches. Probably the most affordable HomeKit offering that I could find.
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After trying several brands, the Meross seem to be the most reliable I’ve found, which is amazing given the price point. They very rarely need resetting and generally just work. I’ve since installed garage door opener, a few smart bulbs, and switches and outlets. Everything from them has worked great.
 
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ChromeAce said:
I wired my entire house with fiber and CAT7 only to discover that all home automation products are wireless and therefore much less reliable on the network. And God forbid if I ever need to change my WiFi SSID.
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My experience is the cheap stuff is wireless, and easy to flood, making it useless. Look harder...
 
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