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Z-wave switches are the key. They don't have any "smarts" within them, they require a controller for that. So the switch itself is never outdated, and the contr

Z-wave switches are the key. They don't have any "smarts" within them, they require a controller for that. So the switch itself is never outdated, and the controller can be continuously updated or even fully replaced without having to replace the switches themselves. Being able to say "Hey Siri, good evening" to switch to my evening scene, or "Alexa, turn on the lights" to turn on the lights in whatever room I'm in becomes a huge convenience, not a novelty.

magicalhippo 5y ago
Z-wave also has a backup system where switches can talk directly to other devices like dimmers in case the controller goes down. This way you're not stuck with a useless home in case your controller lost power, is down for maintenance or whatever.
dolmen 5y ago
The pairing experience is still a nightmare. "Press the button for 3 seconds, but not five." "Do the pairing near the receiver." And you have to swap batteries.
- yurishimo 5y ago
  You can buy Z-wave devices that don't use batteries.
idatum 5y ago
I use Z-Wave and the key for me is I'm not beholden to some external IoT service that is a potential privacy issue, can update firmware without my consent, or simply goes away. I feel I own my Z-Wave network (aka right to repair). For light switches I use Z-Wave modules that use the wall switch as a low voltage switch to trigger the module to switch the A/C circuit. This way the existing switch acts just as it did before. My family really doesn't notice, yet somehow that porch light is always on around dusk and off by dawn. I don't use Alexa or the like but as a developer I easily integrate with DiY equivalent. That last point is probably a key gap generally though -- as a developer this home automation stuff comes easier to me, potentially.
jeddy3 5y ago
Having a couple of Z-Wave devices, in my opinion they are not the solution. Combability wildly varies between manufacturers, you have have to know what works with what. The mesh capabilities are kinda wonky, where you have some kind of "heal" network function you use when devices for some reason stops talking to each other.

magicalhippo 5y ago

Z-wave also has a backup system where switches can talk directly to other devices like dimmers in case the controller goes down. This way you're not stuck with a useless home in case your controller lost power, is down for maintenance or whatever.

dolmen 5y ago

The pairing experience is still a nightmare. "Press the button for 3 seconds, but not five." "Do the pairing near the receiver." And you have to swap batteries.

yurishimo 5y ago
You can buy Z-wave devices that don't use batteries.

idatum 5y ago

I use Z-Wave and the key for me is I'm not beholden to some external IoT service that is a potential privacy issue, can update firmware without my consent, or simply goes away. I feel I own my Z-Wave network (aka right to repair). For light switches I use Z-Wave modules that use the wall switch as a low voltage switch to trigger the module to switch the A/C circuit. This way the existing switch acts just as it did before. My family really doesn't notice, yet somehow that porch light is always on around dusk and off by dawn. I don't use Alexa or the like but as a developer I easily integrate with DiY equivalent. That last point is probably a key gap generally though -- as a developer this home automation stuff comes easier to me, potentially.

jeddy3 5y ago

Having a couple of Z-Wave devices, in my opinion they are not the solution. Combability wildly varies between manufacturers, you have have to know what works with what. The mesh capabilities are kinda wonky, where you have some kind of "heal" network function you use when devices for some reason stops talking to each other.