Discussion
El stovey said:
These Ikea bulbs are great. Seems odd that you have to buy a colour bulb with the dimmer unit and can’t get them on their own though. The website is rubbish too.
White ones have been great for me.
Excellent, I think I'll start off with white as I do still feel that the colour bulbs from all manufacturers are a bit of a piss take price wise.White ones have been great for me.
tankplanker said:
I use Smartthings for a similar binding of devices that Alexa doesn't support in a scene, but it also allows me to plug in other values. For example I can turn stuff off and on with a single scene (e.g., main light off while turning bookshelf lights on, via alexa turn bookshelf on), where as with Alexa alone that would need to be two scenes. Then with smartthings I can refuse to turn on a space heater if the door or windows are open, turn off the heater after 30 minutes, and all sorts of other clever stuff.
SmartThings is great, it really does simplify things and adds so much more power to Alexa. From my perspective it's cheap and easy enough to try, but I've had my ST hub setup for 2-3 months now and it really is very good.It's crossed my mind to look at Control 4 for the next house, I've heard a lot of good things about it. But despite the fact that once installed, it's getting easier for users to write their own routines it does still seem to be in the professional sphere, rather than keen amateur - which means a fair old cost. I saw a number of roughly £1,100 for someone to come in and fit most of the bits you need for a smart home cinema setup - one room.
That's a significant cost, and goes beyond the bracket of throwaway disposable income treats and into the home improvement bracket. But there's little doubt in my mind that it's the more powerful and reliable system, especially now it plays with Alexa et al.
In the meantime, I'm considering Z-Wave extra bits like light switches etc - because I really am taken with ST, and despite the odd niggle (mostly down to the objects attached I believe, rather than the ST hub) it does seem more reliable than I'd anticipated.
Although not perfect, Lightwave seems to be the only decent UK style light switch on the market. I've waited years for an alternative, but still nothing, which I find surprising.
I use Lightwave switches with a Raspberry Pi running Domoticz home automation software, avoiding having use the lightwave hub and giving greater flexibility. It has an Alexa skill which controls the lights really well.
I use Lightwave switches with a Raspberry Pi running Domoticz home automation software, avoiding having use the lightwave hub and giving greater flexibility. It has an Alexa skill which controls the lights really well.
tankplanker said:
For example I can turn stuff off and on with a single scene (e.g., main light off while turning bookshelf lights on, via alexa turn bookshelf on), where as with Alexa alone that would need to be two scenes. Then with smartthings I can refuse to turn on a space heater if the door or windows are open, turn off the heater after 30 minutes, and all sorts of other clever stuff.
In Alexa routines you can turn stuff on while other stuff goes off or whatever actions you want really. You just add loads of actions to the routine. Edited by tankplanker on Friday 9th February 11:17
Not sure if that’s what you’re describing though.
El stovey said:
tankplanker said:
For example I can turn stuff off and on with a single scene (e.g., main light off while turning bookshelf lights on, via alexa turn bookshelf on), where as with Alexa alone that would need to be two scenes. Then with smartthings I can refuse to turn on a space heater if the door or windows are open, turn off the heater after 30 minutes, and all sorts of other clever stuff.
In Alexa routines you can turn stuff on while other stuff goes off or whatever actions you want really. You just add loads of actions to the routine. Edited by tankplanker on Friday 9th February 11:17
Not sure if that’s what you’re describing though.
But I quite like the idea of smart things being able to identify certain windows or doors are open and thus not operating certain items.
ecsrobin said:
El stovey said:
tankplanker said:
For example I can turn stuff off and on with a single scene (e.g., main light off while turning bookshelf lights on, via alexa turn bookshelf on), where as with Alexa alone that would need to be two scenes. Then with smartthings I can refuse to turn on a space heater if the door or windows are open, turn off the heater after 30 minutes, and all sorts of other clever stuff.
In Alexa routines you can turn stuff on while other stuff goes off or whatever actions you want really. You just add loads of actions to the routine. Edited by tankplanker on Friday 9th February 11:17
Not sure if that’s what you’re describing though.
But I quite like the idea of smart things being able to identify certain windows or doors are open and thus not operating certain items.
My wife’s about to get even more annoyed as el stovey home automation stage 2 begins. . .
El stovey said:
Sorry, this is news to me. I can link my Alexa to doors and windows?
My wife’s about to get even more annoyed as el stovey home automation stage 2 begins. . .
I thought Alexa wasn't able to control certain things for security and safety. ie shouting through the letterbox "Alexa, open front door" and in you go Mr Burglar.My wife’s about to get even more annoyed as el stovey home automation stage 2 begins. . .
page3 said:
Although not perfect, Lightwave seems to be the only decent UK style light switch on the market. I've waited years for an alternative, but still nothing, which I find surprising.
I use Lightwave switches with a Raspberry Pi running Domoticz home automation software, avoiding having use the lightwave hub and giving greater flexibility. It has an Alexa skill which controls the lights really well.
I can't even find the alexa skill for LightwaveRF? I've tried searching for Lightwave or LightwaveRF but the app just says nothing found? Is it just me?I use Lightwave switches with a Raspberry Pi running Domoticz home automation software, avoiding having use the lightwave hub and giving greater flexibility. It has an Alexa skill which controls the lights really well.
El stovey said:
ecsrobin said:
El stovey said:
tankplanker said:
For example I can turn stuff off and on with a single scene (e.g., main light off while turning bookshelf lights on, via alexa turn bookshelf on), where as with Alexa alone that would need to be two scenes. Then with smartthings I can refuse to turn on a space heater if the door or windows are open, turn off the heater after 30 minutes, and all sorts of other clever stuff.
In Alexa routines you can turn stuff on while other stuff goes off or whatever actions you want really. You just add loads of actions to the routine. Edited by tankplanker on Friday 9th February 11:17
Not sure if that’s what you’re describing though.
But I quite like the idea of smart things being able to identify certain windows or doors are open and thus not operating certain items.
My wife’s about to get even more annoyed as el stovey home automation stage 2 begins. . .
Landing light turns on (at 20% - no need to blind myself when nature calls) when motion detected on the landing overnight.
Front door sensor shows open=turn on the garage light (and vice versa.)
Motion detected through Ring Video Doorbell motion sensor=flash the living room lamps.
No-one present in house (using phone as presence sensor) - turn all lights off.
Someone arrives home=switch the fish tank light and lamps on.
These are all rigged up by just tinkering with a few basic SmartApp's, making it work for your setup. It's very IFTTT but it just seems a bit simpler in actual use.
If something isn't supported natively through manufacturer support, there'll be a community workaround that you just copy and paste onto your own hub. So TP-Link HS100's, Hive bulbs, I think Hue ones too (I've got an eclectic mix of different bulbs - but not with any manufacturer hubs) are all community script supported.
Had a bit of an Echo spending spree at the weekend, and considering more. I definitely seem to have been sucked in to the Echo game.
Already had two Dots - and although the bedroom one was connected to some old PC speakers, I decided I'd rather have an echo. I ruled out the spot because I'd rather have the slightly better sound of the Echo.
I also decided to upgrade the lounge spot to an Echo. Although I connect to my amp via Bluetooth in the lounge - if I'm playing a game on the PS4 it would be nice to have background music. So, two Echo's - in wood finish to match the decor - goodbye £170.
That left me with two redundant dots. One went into the kitchen - that's handy when cooking etc. and I can connect it to a UE Mini Boom speaker I have for reasonable sound quality. The other dot seemed a tad redundant - but there is a power socket on the landing just outside the bathroom, so I stuck it just inside the bathroom door. Although I realise it's not waterproof, I live on my own so the door tends to stay open anyway so I think it will be fine.
Unfortunately - it turns out that having it in the bathroom in the mornings is quite handy - listen to the radio, get a news briefing, check the weather etc. So I'm now thinking that I need two more Echo's - one for the kitchen and one for the bathroom.
The Dots seemed like a cheap bargain when I bought them. Now I'm beginning to see them as the equivalent of those loss leading deals that suck you in!
I definitely need to stay away from the Smart Things website....... probably.........
Already had two Dots - and although the bedroom one was connected to some old PC speakers, I decided I'd rather have an echo. I ruled out the spot because I'd rather have the slightly better sound of the Echo.
I also decided to upgrade the lounge spot to an Echo. Although I connect to my amp via Bluetooth in the lounge - if I'm playing a game on the PS4 it would be nice to have background music. So, two Echo's - in wood finish to match the decor - goodbye £170.
That left me with two redundant dots. One went into the kitchen - that's handy when cooking etc. and I can connect it to a UE Mini Boom speaker I have for reasonable sound quality. The other dot seemed a tad redundant - but there is a power socket on the landing just outside the bathroom, so I stuck it just inside the bathroom door. Although I realise it's not waterproof, I live on my own so the door tends to stay open anyway so I think it will be fine.
Unfortunately - it turns out that having it in the bathroom in the mornings is quite handy - listen to the radio, get a news briefing, check the weather etc. So I'm now thinking that I need two more Echo's - one for the kitchen and one for the bathroom.
The Dots seemed like a cheap bargain when I bought them. Now I'm beginning to see them as the equivalent of those loss leading deals that suck you in!
I definitely need to stay away from the Smart Things website....... probably.........
I was in the Apple store yesterday and they had a range of legato eve sensors like smart things except you didn’t need an extra hub. https://www.elgato.com/en/eve
ecsrobin said:
I was in the Apple store yesterday and they had a range of legato eve sensors like smart things except you didn’t need an extra hub. https://www.elgato.com/en/eve
Seems the Apple Homekit is acting the same as the smarthings hub for these devices. Not tried the Homekit (and unlikely to as we aren't an Apple ecosystem) so I've no idea if it is better or worse than its competitors?tankplanker said:
ecsrobin said:
I was in the Apple store yesterday and they had a range of legato eve sensors like smart things except you didn’t need an extra hub. https://www.elgato.com/en/eve
Seems the Apple Homekit is acting the same as the smarthings hub for these devices. Not tried the Homekit (and unlikely to as we aren't an Apple ecosystem) so I've no idea if it is better or worse than its competitors?ecsrobin said:
Good point, would only work with Apple HomeKit. I use it over the hue app as I can just swipe up and adjust settings. However I just use Alexa.
I don't understand the last sentence ?Eve does not work with Alexa
"Voice-activated speakers like the Amazon Echo (which uses Alexa technology) and Google Home are not compatible - they do not support the HomeKit standard."
dmsims said:
ecsrobin said:
Good point, would only work with Apple HomeKit. I use it over the hue app as I can just swipe up and adjust settings. However I just use Alexa.
I don't understand the last sentence ?Eve does not work with Alexa
"Voice-activated speakers like the Amazon Echo (which uses Alexa technology) and Google Home are not compatible - they do not support the HomeKit standard."
I do not own the eve devices and was unaware they were not compatible.
Just an observation.... My Dots arrived (from the 3 for £69 deal). I haven't used a Dot before.
Anyone with a Dot wondering if the Spot is just a Dot with a screen, no, it's a step up from that. I happily use the Spot with no external speaker for listening to the radio, but the Dot definitely needs extra speakers. Which is fine, I expected that. I'm more pointing out how good the Spot is for such a small device.
Anyone with a Dot wondering if the Spot is just a Dot with a screen, no, it's a step up from that. I happily use the Spot with no external speaker for listening to the radio, but the Dot definitely needs extra speakers. Which is fine, I expected that. I'm more pointing out how good the Spot is for such a small device.
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