Smart globe vs Smart switch

Dolby

Dolby

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I started at look at these recently, but I'm sure someone on here has some and can provide input. I've always thought it pretty silly to have the WiFi module on the globe itself at R600+ as surges or anything can blow them - and kill your R600.00. Often rooms have more than one as well .... so the exercise is really expensive.

Then I saw these Smart Switches - around R1,500.00 but appear at first glance to be far better. One can use standard globes of any type or fitting. The negative though, from what I see, is only a single switch. But I still think it far better as it can't really get damaged easily.

Anyone know a little more on lighting control and which is better?
Is having a hub better or worse? It seems like an extra cost to have - but is there a feature or something?

https://goo.gl/L6JKWy

I see TP Link Smart switches are under R1,000.00

Can't really find the bulbs locally, but I got a this price at Wantitall of under R600.00

https://goo.gl/eVBNuw
 
I'll check them out when are the office ... But don't use Amazon Alexa? Actually want to connect them and be able to use my voice
 
I bought six Xiaomi bulbs recently for outside - very impressed with them so far - I thought of the switch route, but gave up when I couldn't find something that'll work with the house. (e.g a switch point with three switches)

The Xiaomi bulbs were supposed to be about R150 each - but unfortunately I got nailed by one of local couriers with their "admin" fees - so it turned out costing double (Courier It).

The actual bulbs are very well made, much better quality than the local Leds you buy... and much brighter (as well as dimmable)

My bulbs are currently controlled using IFTTT - so turn on at Sunset, and off at Sunrise.

Only issue I've had is recently, we're busy doing renovations, and they cut the houses power lines by mistake - this knocked them all of the network (due to the builders cycling the power on and off).

I'm actually going to order more for the garden as soon as I'm done with the kitchen.
 
The big problem I face with integrating smart devices into a home is that people still want to be able to switch them manually. And there is currently no good solution for this, that allows the manual switch, and still enables automatic/remote switching as well :-(
 
+1 on the above, using them too. Next on the list is some of Xiaomi's smart WiFi plugs to control a few appliances.
 
Which globes do you guys use in your bathrooms? I have down lighters but it's too damn bright when going to the loo at late at night or early in the morning.
 
RoganDawes said:
And if you turn the switch off at the wall, how do you turn it back on via wifi? Unless you change your wiring, of course?
Click to expand...

The switch needs to be on to be controlled via wifi - but there's nothing stopping someone from turning it off at the wall if they want it off. If its off by wifi - you can turn it on just by flipping the switch off and on.

If you really want you can get switches that toggle it on and off over wifi - but I don't have that need.
 
CamiKaze said:
Which globes do you guys use in your bathrooms? I have down lighters but it's too damn bright when going to the loo at late at night or early in the morning.
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All my bathrooms have different light bulbs - easiest solution in your case is a lower watt bulb - or replace them with dimmables.
 
xrapidx said:
All my bathrooms have different light bulbs - easiest solution in your case is a lower watt bulb - or replace them with dimmables.
Click to expand...

Yeah I know that, I didn't want to mention that watt's part. Wanted someone to get technical with name brands to point me in the right direction and not just depend on the watts of the bulb.
 
xrapidx said:
All my bathrooms have different light bulbs - easiest solution in your case is a lower watt bulb - or replace them with dimmables.
Click to expand...

Automatic dimmables? The dim themselves after 23:00? The issue is that initial bright light that come on before you can get to dimming it.

An alternative is two light circuits, one to use when you need the bright light and one to use when you only want to be able to avoid falling into the bath ... :wtf:

What ever happened to a torch?
 
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xrapidx said:
The switch needs to be on to be controlled via wifi - but there's nothing stopping someone from turning it off at the wall if they want it off. If its off by wifi - you can turn it on just by flipping the switch off and on.

If you really want you can get switches that toggle it on and off over wifi - but I don't have that need.
Click to expand...

I assume then that the "default" state of the light is "on", then? So what happens when the power goes off, and then returns after an hour? Do all your smart lights turn on? Or do they remember what the state was when they lost power?
 
CamiKaze said:
Which globes do you guys use in your bathrooms? I have down lighters but it's too damn bright when going to the loo at late at night or early in the morning.
Click to expand...

Get a motion sensitive LED. Could even be battery powered, I guess, and stick it to the wall :-)

Or one of the round "touch lights", if you are prepared to turn it on yourself ;-) I have one in my cupboard for getting dressed on those early winter mornings while my wife is still trying to sleep :-D
 
Geoff.D said:
Automatic dimmables? The dim themselves after 23:00? The issue is that initial bright light that come on before you can get to dimming it.

An alternative is two light circuits, one to use when you need the bright light and one to use when you only want to be able to avoid falling into the bath ... :wtf:

What ever happened to a torch?
Click to expand...

My dimmables remember the last "brightness" level.

RoganDawes said:
I assume then that the "default" state of the light is "on", then? So what happens when the power goes off, and then returns after an hour? Do all your smart lights turn on? Or do they remember what the state was when they lost power?
Click to expand...

The state after power-loss is settable. However, if its set to On after powerloss - and there's a power failure - they'll be "On" until the next schedule/instruction is run, this isn't really an issue for me as I don't experience many power failures.
 
RoganDawes said:
Get a motion sensitive LED. Could even be battery powered, I guess, and stick it to the wall :-)

Or one of the round "touch lights", if you are prepared to turn it on yourself ;-) I have one in my cupboard for getting dressed on those early winter mornings while my wife is still trying to sleep :-D
Click to expand...

I like the motion sensor light idea. Low power lights only. Comes on when movement is detected. Separate from the normal light circuits when brighter light is required. Saw this in a hotel once worked really well.
 
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