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Wow, this guy is either willfully ignorant of ZWave technical realities, or just doesn't have as much knowledge in the realm as he purports to have. Basically

Wow, this guy is either willfully ignorant of ZWave technical realities, or just doesn't have as much knowledge in the realm as he purports to have. Basically every gripe listed has to do with using old original ZWave devices. If you started a 150-node mesh today with strictly ZWave+ devices, an Aotec ZWave hub, and perhaps Home Assistant to control and automate it all, you'd have a much more consistently positive experience. So I'm left boiling down the complaints to "I was an early adopter, so I got stuck with the crappy stuff, boo!" Also, if you're paying >$50USD per common ZWave fixture (like a dimmer, stuff like pool controllers can be more), you're seriously doing something wrong. Oh well, to each their own. I have a mesh of about 50 nodes across 2 stories, and it all works great. Can't remember the last time I had to turn a light on when I entered a room. Among many other nice touches, which I am fine expending a bit more effort to upkeep than normal 'analog' dumb homes.

gorbachev 6y ago
The thing that stuck out to me in that article was complaining about failures. I would think, if you have 150 components of anything, you're going see failures on a fairly consistent pace, especially as time goes by. For example, I'm replacing LED lights that were supposed to last for decades every 6 - 18 months in my house, and they aren't even the smart kind. The one thing I'm not happy about my small z-wave setup is the HomeAssistant upgrade cycle breaking things way too often. It's gotten better in the past year or so, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to see that happen again in the future. Definitely would not recommend HA for anyone who doesn't like tinkering.
- crooked-v 6y ago
  At that scale, personally, I'd really want to just be looking at good dimmable LED bulbs, and put any 'smart' hardware purely into the wall switches, so that there are far fewer devices to worry about.
- seized 6y ago
  For Home Assistant, look at ZWave2MQTT. ZWave devices use that as their hub, Home Assistant is a client. Now restarting Home Assistant doesn't cause problems. I was ready to ditch ZWave or Home Assistant until I switched.
sitharus 6y ago
Due to regional frequencies ZWave products can cost a lot more outside the US. For example here in New Zealand due to the AU/NZ frequency region you'd be lucky to find a basic switch for less than NZ$80, which is around US$55. Typically they're over NZ$100. On the plus side not using 2.4Ghz means they're a lot more reliable in urban areas.
avianlyric 6y ago
OOI where are you finding ZWave dimmers for less than $50? Here in the UK, £50 per device is about the going rate. Finding something for about £40 is pretty good going. But even then just doesn’t compete with a £10 Shelly.
- pathartl 6y ago
  https://inovelli.com/black-series-dimmer-switch-z-wave/ https://inovelli.com/black-series-dimmer-switch-z-wave/ I've also bought Zooz switches, but wouldn't recommend them. Inovelli has had major issues with stock in the past, but otherwise makes a good product.
  - avianlyric 6y ago
    Ah, that’s the difference. It’s a complete physical switch and dimmer module. Unfortunately it’s an American style switch with isn’t compatible with UK style switches. Ours are smaller and square, so are our wall boxes, so these simple wouldn’t fit.

gorbachev 6y ago

The thing that stuck out to me in that article was complaining about failures. I would think, if you have 150 components of anything, you're going see failures on a fairly consistent pace, especially as time goes by. For example, I'm replacing LED lights that were supposed to last for decades every 6 - 18 months in my house, and they aren't even the smart kind. The one thing I'm not happy about my small z-wave setup is the HomeAssistant upgrade cycle breaking things way too often. It's gotten better in the past year or so, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to see that happen again in the future. Definitely would not recommend HA for anyone who doesn't like tinkering.

crooked-v 6y ago
At that scale, personally, I'd really want to just be looking at good dimmable LED bulbs, and put any 'smart' hardware purely into the wall switches, so that there are far fewer devices to worry about.
seized 6y ago
For Home Assistant, look at ZWave2MQTT. ZWave devices use that as their hub, Home Assistant is a client. Now restarting Home Assistant doesn't cause problems. I was ready to ditch ZWave or Home Assistant until I switched.

sitharus 6y ago

Due to regional frequencies ZWave products can cost a lot more outside the US. For example here in New Zealand due to the AU/NZ frequency region you'd be lucky to find a basic switch for less than NZ$80, which is around US$55. Typically they're over NZ$100. On the plus side not using 2.4Ghz means they're a lot more reliable in urban areas.

avianlyric 6y ago

OOI where are you finding ZWave dimmers for less than $50? Here in the UK, £50 per device is about the going rate. Finding something for about £40 is pretty good going. But even then just doesn’t compete with a £10 Shelly.

pathartl 6y ago
https://inovelli.com/black-series-dimmer-switch-z-wave/ https://inovelli.com/black-series-dimmer-switch-z-wave/ I've also bought Zooz switches, but wouldn't recommend them. Inovelli has had major issues with stock in the past, but otherwise makes a good product.
- avianlyric 6y ago
  Ah, that’s the difference. It’s a complete physical switch and dimmer module. Unfortunately it’s an American style switch with isn’t compatible with UK style switches. Ours are smaller and square, so are our wall boxes, so these simple wouldn’t fit.