From what I can tell from reading this forum, while both devices use ‘the cloud’, ST’s cloud is far more responsive. I recall in another discussion we had that ST turns on bulbs with a motion sensor faster than most could get to the light switch whereas on my Wink setup with an EcoLink motion sensor turning on a group of lights, the majority of the time I could absolutely walk across the kitchen and flip the light switch long before Wink manages to turn the lights on…
1 Like
I currently use Staples Connect, which has a Lutron ClearConnect radio to control Caseta devices. I have preordered the ST v2 hub and will switch over once it arrives. I’m hoping, however, to add my staples connect hub as a secondary ZWave controller on the ST hub so that I can retain limited functionality allowing my Lutron Pico remote to continue to have control over ZWave, Hue, and other random devices. I think it should work well enough.
1 Like
Talk to support@smartthings.com but I don’t think this set up will work as you envision.
As customers, we tend to think of multiprotocol hubs like Staples connect and smartthings as a single device. But in fact, it’s a single plastic box containing multiple devices. In the case of smartthings, there is a zigbee controller and a Z wave controller. If staples has a clear connect antenna, then it’s the same kind of thing: it has a clear connect controller and a Z wave controller. But the Z wave network is completely independent of the clear connect network from a hardware standpoint. There’s also a tiny computer in each one that is acting as the bridge between them, although in the case of the smartthings the v1 hub it actually sends the messages to the cloud and then gets other messages back.
Even if it were possible to add the Staples zwave controller as a secondary controller to the smartthings zwave network, that doesn’t give you any access to any other radios in the staples connect box.
There are many, many community members here who would like to be able to control Lutron can caseta devices, and some of them do have multiple hubs, including Staples connect, and I’ve never heard of anyone being able to get them to work together. I feel pretty sure this would be commonly discussed in the forums if it were possible.
But you can certainly try it and see. And again talk to support and see what they say.
I know that @geko had several hubs of different brands at the same time while he was trying some different configurations, perhaps he knows.
Thanks for the reply. Sorry, but after reading back through I realized that I wasn’t super clear.
The plan is to move all of my Z wave and Zigbee devices off of the Staples Connect hub onto the ST hub. That would virtually just leave the Lutron Pico remotes along with a few other random things on the Staples Connect hub. I would then have the Staples Connect hub join ST’s Zwave network as a secondary controller. That would allow any Zwave devices on the ST hub to also show up on the Staples Connect hub.
ST would be where 95% of my actions would be setup and defined. But because the Staples Connect hub would still have the Lutron Pico remotes and could see the ST Zwave network, I could define Activities on the Staples Connect hub for the Lutron Pico remotes that would turn on/off any Zwave related device. Granted, I couldn’t control anything else on the ST hub (i.e. Zigbee), but I could have Hue devices on both hubs and maybe a few other random device types that are not solely controlled by ST. Seems like this would give me some limited functionality between the two environments.
1 Like
In the past, it has been possible to add the smartthings hub as a secondary to another primary Z wave controller, but it has not worked well to add other secondary Z wave controllers to smartthings.
Smartthings does not support the zwave controller replication or scene support commands. For this reason, for example, it has proven impossible to set up a GE scene controller on a smartthings network.
There has also been much discussion recently about what the migration path will be for smartthings customers who already have a V one hub and will be buying a V2 hub in the future. It has been officially confirmed that it will not be possible at launch to add the V one hub into the new V two network or vice versa, even just as a Z wave repeater.
on a Vera network it’s easy to bridge multiple hubs, or to set up a secondary who can see the devices owned by the primary. But they’re using controller replication to set that up.
That’s never been possible to do on the smartthings zwave network. It has support for Z wave Association, so you can add the other controller as a device with a basic on/off, but you just can’t get the same end devices to be visible to both controllers.
If you can find a way to do that, that would be great, there would be a lot of places it could be used. But so far, adding secondary controllers has not been a strength of the smartthings architecture.
I’d be delighted to be proven wrong on this, so do let us know what you find out.
I see. I still have MUCH to learn about ST as I transition. I’ll be sure to at least give it a shot when my shiny new v2 hub arrives. I’ll report back either way. Thanks for the info.
1 Like
I really hope you could get this working. Hell, I’d advocate for selling the Staples hub in our shop just for this purpose 
As @JDRoberts mentions, the path is littered with the carcasses of numerous home automation dreams.
2 Likes
I might have to try this method as well. I’m currently using a Staples Connect hub until I receive the v2 hub, this would be a good way to bridge the gap until all of my current hardware is (hopefully) fully integrated into smartthings.
@Ben Have there been any direct conversations with Lutron about the possibility of linking their Smart Bridge or Smart Bridge Pro directly into smartthings?
1 Like
Honestly, I think the lack of any way to integrate Lutron Caseta is a missed opportunity. Lutron is pushing hard to be included. They are in HomeKit, Staples, Wink, Logtech Harmony… I think even Vera can telnet to the Lutron Bridge.
Not only that but ClearConnect is boss. I never have any issues with it like I do with Zigbee or Z-Wave. Nothing ever disconnects or goes unresponsive. (I have a Wink hub.) The PICO remotes are a killer feature. Without any wiring, I have wall mounted switches to my bedroom lamps. Those remotes work even if the hub is offline, BTW. Solid.
I mean, what’s the upside to sidelining Lutron Caseta? Cheaper hub, maybe? Not having to work to support it? That’s just lazy if that’s the case. Personally, I’m just hoping Smartthings is actually smart and working on Lutron support through Telnet or a USB attachable Caseta radio… and just don’t have anything to announce yet, because I really can’t see a benefit to sidelining a protocol that competitors are welcoming with open arms.
7 Likes
I’m so bored with Staples Connect, even though everything I have ever done has worked flawlessly and instantly, they have just stopped developing for it. I guess I could go ST v2 and migrate all other devices over and run basic commands to the Caseta through the staples connect hub until I replace it with a ST supported switch…
I’m in the same boat. I’ve pre-ordered the v2 bundle and will be migrating as much as I can onto the new hub.
To handle all of my lutron devices and to allow pico remotes to continue to control my z-wave and zigbee devices I’m going to run both hubs concurrently. I’m hoping to be able to add all my z-wave devices to smartthings and then add the staples connect hub as a secondary controller. The only zigbee devices I have are a couple GE Link lights which I have connected through a Hue Hub so I should be able to add the hub to both ST and Connect.
If this doesn’t work then I’m thinking of getting a cheap wink hub and linking them together with IFTTT and virtual switches…
1 Like
Yes I was wondering about that, ever since the fan fair of their new hub coming out, I’ve seen very little else being talked about the Staples Connect hub.
Either solution would be huge.
2 Likes
Need someone to create a RESTful gateway bridge to telnet! Not me! Hah
1 Like
I’ve already offered … show me the money 
…
See many posts above.
How much do you need? Serious question.
1 Like
I seriously appreciate the inquiry.
There are too many unknowns for me to set a firm amount that would be sufficient. If I see enough interest, perhaps I can setup crowdfunding to see if folks will actually commit to it. I’m juggling several projects, but the easiest way for me to prioritize is solid cash revenue.
There’s fortunately or unfortunately a non-trivial chance that a competitive option will come along (i.e., SmartThings adds telnet and Lutron support natively and/or Lutron pushes for a partnership, etc., etc…), so I can’t count on this being a long term lucrative project.
It has to pay for itself upfront, including all the necessary test equipment and many hours of development, and defining what the MVP (minimum viable product) is, to ensure expectations are set and met, not over-promised.
3 Likes
Chase them up about the status of your job application, I have a feeling they need some help right now 
2 Likes
I’m definitely able to help, and, believe it or not, a “team player”. I’m actually so great a team player that I make all my coworkers look uncooperative! 
Seriously, the individuals at SmartThings are terrific; but it’s a challenge to fit in oddballs like me. I’m not a specialist in any particular technology, but I am passionate about this industry and company, and think my diverse cache of IT experience has plenty of useful gems.
2 Likes
I think we’re all weird in this hobby to be honest 
Sometimes I catch myself trying to ‘over automate’ (unnecessarily) and have to real myself back in…
1 Like