So here we are a quarter into 2016 and to me the clear winner this year so far is the Amazon Echo. It just keeps getting better and better. I also think Wink has made some improvements as they seem to have a good backing now financially with Flextronics and are making good partnerships and local processing. If Wink integrated with Harmony (so I can use my physical remote), I would consider dumping ST for most of my stuff at this point. Yonomi with their Echo integration has also made some strides. Smartthings has not had a good year and has taken a step back, no question about it. Nothing new and stability has worsened.
The answer is not simple though. We will need to rely on multiple solutions and technologies. I donât think there will ever be a single hub that can do it all.
Not sure if it was mentioned already in this or other posts, but I have attempted to add zigbee sensors to Wink today and did not work. Initially Wink support has said that I may be able to add them as generic zigbee devices, but after a long conversation Wink rep confirmed that zigbee HA is not supported only ZLL. It was a major blow for me as I was ready to migrate everything. Also from the same conversation, it was confirmed that anything under âLightsâ and âPowerâ categories are eligible to run locally, including any generic zigbee and z-wave devicesâŠ
Yup, I am holding off on Wink for now. I donât see a point in migrating and going through a major effort and spending another $500 to replace hardware Wink doesnât support and still not have the functionality I have today. I believe we are all stuck here for awhile for better or WORSE!
The Wink rep was confused, which is not surprising, because itâs a confusing situation.
Wink works with a number of non-ZLL zigbee devices, including their own quirky sensors like tripper.
However, it knows the fingerprint of those devices and has device handlers for those specific fingerprints.
What it doesnât have is a way for you to add a new fingerprint to either an existing handler or to create a new device handler.
So non-quirky ZLL devices (That means lightbulbs mostly) usually work.
A specific short list of ZHA devices which have official device handlers work.
Other ZHA devices which donât have official device handlers usually donât work, and that includes the smartthings-branded sensors.
so you can usually bring Zigbee devices over from wink to smartthings, although not all features may work, but you canât usually bring most ZHA devices from SmartThings over to wink.
You are absolutely right. I have oversimplified my conversation with Wink support. The rep was not confused:
Greg: Zigbee can only generically be added if its a light category as otherwise its brand needs to be in the app for it to connect properly.
Greg: The only Zigbee sensors we had support for went of market because that brand went out of business (Quirky). Sorry but again Zigbee will not be a generic category you can connect, you need to check the app and it will say there an option for Zigbee or Zwave at the very bottom if available
Yeah, but I have a house full of zigbee sensors. If I knew what I know now about zigbee when I started this hobby, I would not have put thousands into ST sensors. But I did⊠I might just bag them and go with what motion and contact zwave sensors I have. I am seriously considering thatâŠ
I understand. I really like zigbee sensors. In fact, that was why I got SmartThings in the first place, because I could have Zigbee sensors and a Zwave door lock. As yet I havenât found a good substitute that Iâm ready to commit to.
I really like the engineering on the Kumo wireless tags, and they do have an IFTTT channel, but Iâd like to have some local options. Iâm still waiting for HomeKit to come out with battery-powered sensors that can be used as triggers. And I canât get notifications from Harmony, so its extender doesnât help.
I may end up just going with zwave sensors, Iâm still hoping there will be more choices in a month or two.
I hear you, I am trying to be patient too, but I already have two little kids around and lately ST requires more babysitting than the two put together. At least my babies poop once a day, ST needs a diaper change in the morning, afternoon and at nightâŠ
2 Likes
bamarayne
(Jason "The Enabler" as deemed so by @Smart)
175
I wish I could understand the total randomness of it ask. Why are some people having so much trouble with mode changes, and mine havenât missed a change in forever.
All I can think of is that Iâm not using SHM at all. After I changed my presence sensors over to life360 (thanks @SBDOBRESCU) thatâs been rock solid.
Iâm really only baby sitting the rules corruption.
Yeah, rules in the morning, zigbee devices in the afternoon and routine - that used to work for 4 months and now doesnât - at night.
bamarayne
(Jason "The Enabler" as deemed so by @Smart)
177
I do have to admit, Iâve not done any new automations since the start of this. Kind of sucks.
But I am going to create a flow chart of my automations. Iâve got so many rules that are entertwined Iâm finding it almost impossible to remember why I programmed things the way I have.
BINGO! This is my utmost frustration, really. I like to build up my system and to keep improving it. I keep finding myself more rebuilding than building. The thing is, that ST has so much potential.
bamarayne
(Jason "The Enabler" as deemed so by @Smart)
179
I completely agree. Iâm always looking to improve on what Iâve already done.
ST had amazing potential, and I am really hoping that they pull this system out of the flames and make it what it can be.
I knew it was great, but once I figured out the doggie door rule, (I was very happy to get that one!), I knew we can do anything with this system.
I used to go to a centralized model where I tried to do everything in Smartthings for ease of administration. Since ST has become increasingly unreliable, I have switched to a decentralized model where I am doing things in Yonomi,Smartthings, IFTTT and Works with Nest. I am now basing my decisions on the most reliable option even if it means configurations in multiple places. I think this is where the home automation market is right now and there is no single solution to do it all. Itâs all about the integrations.
Been there, done that. But then you start running into wifi issues and instead of being a âtheirâ issue it becomes a âlocalâ issue. Running 3 independent zigbee meshes and adding more 2.4 band devices brings your system down as fast as ST.
Not planning on getting more hubs and adding more complexity as far as additional zigbee or ZWave networks. Yes, I researched Wink but came to the conclusion itâs not going to meet my needs now.
I am just leveraging stuff I have plus any cloud services to basically achieve same logic where I can.
2 Likes
bamarayne
(Jason "The Enabler" as deemed so by @Smart)
183
I agree with this. My 2.4 and 5 ghz networks are quite crowded, and not with HA. Thatâs just my regular stuff.
IFTTT, I gave this a shot a while back and the delays were completely unacceptable.
I was on Wink for a short while⊠Yeah, we wonât talk about that.
I really donât want to run multiple hubs⊠I have the ST and a hue bridge already. The kind of complexity and headache of adding in more is just not worth it to me.
Plus, the same protocols from different manufactures⊠Doors not mean the same protocol.
I really like zigbee sensors. In fact, that was why I got SmartThings in the first place, because I could have Zigbee sensors and a Zwave door lock. As yet I havenât found a good substitute that Iâm ready to commit to.