Anyone here use Z-Wave Home Automation?

[Crease]

My interest would be in trying to use it as a bridge to Google Home, since that’s where I generally try to centralize stuff and there’s a “Works with Google” Hubitat integration. There are still some leftover Z-Wave and Zigbee devices in this house from the security system that the previous homeowner used, and I think it’d be fun to try to repurpose those and get some use out of them at some point.

[carverofchoice]

@Crease

There are still some leftover Z-Wave and Zigbee devices in this house from the security system that the previous homeowner used,

That’s actually what I originally got my Hubitat for. Someone left a bunch of sensors from a previous security system setup around my house when I bought, so I got the hubitat to connect them all up without having to go through that company which is toward the top of my most despised companies list.

I love Google Home for the scripting. I just wish they would stop limiting their IoT API so much.

[bryonhu]

Hubitat C8 Pro on the way…

Zooz Z-Box hub returned…

One thing I have learned from another brand is if something doesn’t work as advertised out of the box return while you can get a refund

So it’s Hubitat’s turn

[carverofchoice]

Yeah, it’s best to return something if you’re not satisfied with how it currently functions.

Hubitat has a very solid positive reputation, you’ll likely be satisfied this time. It has a lot of pre-built integrations, it’s easy to manage, pretty reliable, etc.

[TomG]

@bryonhu

Hubitat’s turn

I’ve been running a Hubitat Elevation C7 for over 3 years. My ecosystem is 95% ZigBee with only 2 Z-Wave devices because no one makes a Zigbee Mouser mouse trap, and the power meter connected to my entrance panel is only available in Z-Wave.

I prefer Zigbee because if you want to delete a device, delete it. With Z-Wave you have to tell it you want to delete it and if you don’t do it right, you will get a ‘ghost’ device that won’t delete so this sometimes requires buying a USB dongle, learn esoteric software to delete the ghost.

Unlike Wyze, the developers are active on the forums.

Hubitat

[spamoni]

I am running both Home Assistant and Hubitat. I like both, bit Zigbee devices seem to be more reliable in Hubitat.

I have also successfully imported the Wyze Devices into both Hubitat and Home Assistant using a 3rd party add-on. Seems to work well. Same limitation in both, but there are work arounds.

[carverofchoice]

@TomG

only 2 Z-Wave devices because no one makes a Zigbee Mouser mouse trap

This is exactly one of the things I was referring to when I said this:

@carverofchoice

I do plan to get the z wave controller … for the few Z-Wave devices I’ll end up getting because sometimes companies only make a device with Z-Wave and don’t have the option of alternatives.

I was originally planning to buy the Open Home Foundation Zwave controller this fall, but spamoni reminded me that that my habitat elevation already has Zwave and will integrate with Home Assistant, so now I will probably just use that for my limited Zwave stuff which will basically just be for anything that doesn’t have a Zigbee option.

[colonel]

@WildBill

I only have one zigbee device and not likely to buy another since range is very limited. My understanding is that they can interfere with WiFi since they use some of the same frequencies. Z-wave range is good since each device is a repeater and creates a much larger coverage area. I have multiple light switches, dimmers and outlets that work great with HA.

If I need better range I use YoLink with LORA. They have a range of 1/4 mile. I use their switches, power strips, motion/contact sensors, alarms sirens, etc. all around my house, inside and out.

For zigbee you set channel on hub and router to limit interference but when there is choice I always pick z-wave version for reliability and speed, range is rarely issue, you can use repeaters.
Noticed smoke detectors are only z-wave because of this

[carverofchoice]

@colonel

Noticed smoke detectors are only z-wave because of this

It’s mostly because ZWave consumes less Power which is crucial for battery-operated smoke detectors.

Having said that, smoke detectors aren’t limited to “only z-wave” as there are several Zigbee smoke detectors:

• Nest even uses Zigbee for their smoke detectors
• Frient Intelligent Smoke Alarm
• Ecolink Smart Listener
• Heiman Smart Smoke Sensor (I think these didn’t pay for the US licensing though)
• Aqara markets some (though I believe they didn’t pay for the US licensing)
• Tuya has a bunch.
• There are more

Though I will agree that the most popular smoke detectors are using ZWave. As I mentioned, a lot of them, when asked, have explained they chose this because ZWave consumes less power, which is crucial for battery-operated smoke detectors. That is the main reason it is preferred in this particular use-case, even though it’s more expensive. Absolutely makes great logical sense for something like a smoke detector. Also, since you will have lots of them every few feet throughout the house, and they don’t transmit much data or very often, a lot of their weaknesses aren’t really an issue for this use-case. Smoke detectors are a great use for Z-wave!

I will also agree that it has a better stability/reliability reputation. Some people have Zigbee issues when they use smart bulbs and turn the power on and off, causing the whole network to keep readjusting instead of leaving their repeaters on 24/7. This is why companies like Sengled made their smart bulbs NOT act as zigbee repeaters like everyone else who kept messing up their network. Then there are a few companies like Aqara that refuse to full comply and license with the Zigbee standard, so sometimes their devices can screw up peoples’ networks a little, especially if the devices never get updated to the newer standards. These issues, if not considered properly can lead to a bad reputation for Zigbee, whereas ZWave rules their approval and such with an iron fist.

So ZWave is definitely a lot safer choice for lots of people.

I have to admit that if/when I get official Smart Smoke detectors, I will probably mostly get Zwave ones, though I will keep regular CO2 sensors (for air quality purposes) using Zigbee.

[bryonhu]

Well the Hubitat C8 Pro is up and running, learned the basics and have running how I currently want it to.
Which is subject to change LoL

[spamoni]

What devices do you have in it? Wyze Only?

If you have Aqara Devices, I have 2 Device Add-ins to allow for most of them if needed.

[bryonhu]

Just Z-wave devices so far

Don’t have any Aqara devices YET, but just in case I will take you up on that offer

[spamoni]

Absolutely. Will attach 2 text files soon with the drivers. One will be for the P1 Motion Sensor and the other will be for the other Devices.

I have the Aqara Button, Motion, and Contact Sensor

Also note: If you have distance issues, you can turn the power up on the C8 pro. I have the C7, bought it years ago and have recently started adding it back to learn and support individuals that I work with. I also have Home Assistant in place. Zigbee devices seem to have some issues with HA, but Aqara especially. In Hubitat, it works fine and fast.

Have you added the Wyze Devices yet? Assuming you have some

[bryonhu]

Only have Wyze cams V2, V3, & V3 pan

Why add them? Or are you referring to Wyze plugs?

[spamoni]

Referring to Plugs, Switches, Bulbs, etc.