New to SmartThings

[taylorjes (Jesse)]

Hi there Community,

I just purchased a ST v2 Hub and I’m trying to figure out where to go next.

Here’s a summery of my current “smart home” (pardon the list)

Leviton Enclosure
Surfboard SBG6580 Modem
Leviton Switch/Patch Panel
Custom HTPC/Server

• Plex Media Server
• Backup Server
  OnHub Router
  Google Home
  LiftMaster MyQ Gateway - 2 openers
  Nest Thermostat
  3x Nest Protect Smoke Detectors
  Nest Cam
  Xfinity Home Security
• 2 door sensors
• 8 windows
• keypad
• tablet

I also have: (Leviton)

• switch timer for xmas lights outlets
• switch timer for garage lights
• living room dimmer
• master bedroom dimmer

I’m thinking of swapping out the timer and dimmer switches for “smart switches”.

I’m looking at dimmers:
VRMX1-1LZ OR VRE06-1LZ

• also think I need a secondary dimmer for my 3-way setup (suggestions?)

Switches:
VRS15 OR VRS05

I’m still trying to grasp all the options, but I would like to stick with Leviton because my electrician will buy everything for me at cost.

Anything I’m missing? Thanks

taylorjes

[JDRoberts]

Welcome! Sounds like you’ve got a good start.

It’s hard to tell what you’re missing without knowing more details about what you’re trying to accomplish. Most of the hardware that you listed will not work with SmartThings. So it’s more a matter of identifying the specific problems that you’re trying to solve and then looking at what the best devices might be for that.

The Leviton Z wave switches are good switches and they’re on the official “works with SmartThings list,” so that’s generally a good choice. They are more expensive than some other zwave brands, but if you’re getting a discount then that won’t be a factor.

The following thread has some discussions on features by device class. You may not need it but here it is:

Bulbs, switches and sensors, oh my....what to buy (device class features)

So, I'm pretty new to this internet of things world. Originally bought 2 OSRAM tunable LED bulbs with the Wemo Hub and a WEMO insight switch, now I've "upgraded" the hub to the SmartThings hub, and looking at ditching the WEMO insight switch for the SmartThings plug, just so I have have support now and not have to wait or deal with adding custom code to the IDE. I'm on Amazon and etc pretty much every day trying to decide what I want to play around with next, or what's better, etc. I'm here to see what your opinons/preferences are for - plugs - bulbs - sensors: motion, open/close and temp It's a confusing world out there...Just for bulbs I'm finding LIFX, WEMO, OSRAM, GE Link, Phillips Hue, Cree. For plugs I'm finding WEMO, SmartThings, Aeon Labs, GE...etc It's hard to decide whi…

When you have a three-way switch set up, you do need to replace all of the switches, not just the master.

FAQ: Zwave Switches 101 for Noobie (What's an Add-on Switch for and Do You Have to Replace All the Switches in a 3-Way?)

Brand new to Smartthings and trying to get some areas of the house "connected" ASAP. Most of the devices available are intuitive enough to figure out, but one area that seems to be a bit confusing is the on/off light/scene/etc. switchs that are available. I am mainly confused with the 3/4-way options, the add on switches and how these inter-operate with existing switches (if at all). My initial understanding is that I can replace a single pole switch with something like the GE Z-Wave Wireless Lighting Control On/Off Switch, if I want it to be able to dim the lights I need one that supporting dimming. If I have a 3/4 way lighting setup I need to get a zwave/wireless switch that is capable of supporting 3/4 way. However does this mean I can just replace one of the existing switches wi…

[ogiewon]

You can integrate your Nest products using the following:

[REMOVED] Nest Manager 4.0

This SmartApp and Device Handlers are Outdated Please follow the link below to the newest version:

[JDRoberts]

You can use an unofficial method to integrate nest products, but you should be aware that in the past, some custom methods have been a violation of your nest terms of service, so SmartThings can’t officially recommend that you do that.

Does SmartThings work with Nest?

This integration violates Nest’s Terms of Service, so proceed at your own risk.

I don’t know if the newer custom Nest manager does or not.

[tonesto7 (Anthony S.)]

I could be wrong but i’m pretty sure Nest Manager stays within the confines of the ToS as we use the official API, we immediately de-authorize the token then overwrite the data on the ST platform before we uninstall and are not emulating an iPhone to access nest.
Also seeing as we have over 2000+ users currently using the software If Nest had a problem they would have shut us down by now

[JDRoberts]

Glad to hear you’re using a different method.

As far as the number of users, you never know when they’re going to get around to it. Look at what happened with MyQ. That was up for I think almost 2 years before Chamberlain shut it down.