Xiaomi Smart Home Kit

I

initroot

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Thought I'll do a small review.

Items:


Smart home gateway - http://www.gearbest.com/living-appliances/pp_344667.html
E27 Bulp - http://www.gearbest.com/smart-light-bulb/pp_278478.html
Smart human sensor - http://www.gearbest.com/smart-light-bulb/pp_257678.html

All items are much smaller than anticipated, however, I like it small, out of sight.
Purchased on Gearbest, I've chosen DHL shipping and worked flawlessly.
No import tax and received the product under one week.
Still awaiting the windows/door sensor, stock only arriving in June.

The sensors all seem Zigbee based and alot of users on reddit reporting that it works with Smartthings etc as well. I'm yet to test that.

Some pics:
IMG_20170612_175301.jpg
IMG_20170612_175348.jpg
IMG_20170612_191050.jpg

On plugin the smart home gateway mumbles some chinese, I'm looking for english firmware but doubt there are.
The app is available on playstore and is in english. The products all feel sturdy and not cheap at all. The LED bulb is also a low energy rating.
Will setup the rest and post some updates in due time.
 
I've got a few of those Yeelight smart bulbs running as well. Great product. Even integrated some of mine with IFTT
 
Hi, would be interested to know what was your findings? I'm looking at purchasing the kit as well with lights, power strip and power plug. The issue I have is with the Plugs?

My entire setup would be the following hence i'm a bit worried about purchasing
x2 gateways
x2 wireless switches
x1 Yeelight strip
x14 RGBW bulbs
x1 ceiling light
x2 light switches
x6 door sensors
x11 human body sensors

Would appreciate your reply before I hit the order button, btw hoping to order from GearBeast
 
Doubleho7 said:
Hi, would be interested to know what was your findings? I'm looking at purchasing the kit as well with lights, power strip and power plug. The issue I have is with the Plugs?

My entire setup would be the following hence i'm a bit worried about purchasing
x2 gateways
x2 wireless switches
x1 Yeelight strip
x14 RGBW bulbs
x1 ceiling light
x2 light switches
x6 door sensors
x11 human body sensors

Would appreciate your reply before I hit the order button, btw hoping to order from GearBeast
Click to expand...

Everything works great. Just note that the gateway needs to be set in mainland china to function. But doesn't really limit the functionality.

So far all good, I havn't had any issues.
 
Fransh said:
Everything works great. Just note that the gateway needs to be set in mainland china to function. But doesn't really limit the functionality.

So far all good, I havn't had any issues.
Click to expand...

I have to add, use gearbest, but for f#$#$ sake use the DHL shipping or the likes. They couldn't stock my door sensors and then shipped in later using normal shipping.
As expected I've never received it and SA post office and customs have no idea as usual. I'm yet to receive a refund.
 
Fransh said:
I have to add, use gearbest, but for f#$#$ sake use the DHL shipping or the likes. They couldn't stock my door sensors and then shipped in later using normal shipping.
As expected I've never received it and SA post office and customs have no idea as usual. I'm yet to receive a refund.
Click to expand...

Please PM me your order number and I will speak to them to resolve this issue. I have had them split orders before due to no stock and both got sent separately via Aramex. I normally use Aramex shipping though as it is cheaper then DHL. Lets get this issue resolved. If you do have the international tracking number, send it to me so I can call the Post office and ask them for the local tracking number.

KavZ
 
Fransh said:
I have to add, use gearbest, but for f#$#$ sake use the DHL shipping or the likes. They couldn't stock my door sensors and then shipped in later using normal shipping.
As expected I've never received it and SA post office and customs have no idea as usual. I'm yet to receive a refund.
Click to expand...

I feel your pain - I buy from Gearbest regularly, probably once a month or every two months. I only use DHL for expensive items like cell phones, tablets and laptops etc. And for run of the mill cheap stuff that is too bulky and heavy to be financially viable with DHL, then I use Aramex. But I refuse to have them or any other supplier ship to me with a cheap or free method that involves the South African Post Office. Never - if they tell me that they don't have stock of some of the order, and have to split the package, then I usually cancel the entire order. Or if they have stock of the expensive part of the order, like a phone, then I tell them to DHL the phone and cancel the rest of the order.
 
surfs-up said:
I feel your pain - I buy from Gearbest regularly, probably once a month or every two months. I only use DHL for expensive items like cell phones, tablets and laptops etc. And for run of the mill cheap stuff that is too bulky and heavy to be financially viable with DHL, then I use Aramex. But I refuse to have them or any other supplier ship to me with a cheap or free method that involves the South African Post Office. Never - if they tell me that they don't have stock of some of the order, and have to split the package, then I usually cancel the entire order. Or if they have stock of the expensive part of the order, like a phone, then I tell them to DHL the phone and cancel the rest of the order.
Click to expand...

Totally agree, at the point of my order however they did not want to refund me and insisted to ship it, even after I stated do not use post office. Oh well..
 
Thanks for the reply
Few questions hoping you can help with.

How loud is the Alarm?
Do you have the lights, how do they interface/fuction with the gateway?
Is there any delays due to servers being in China?
Can i run two gateways as i have a large distance to cover i would also like to place one gateway in bedroom as an alarm and the same downstairs in the living room. Would like to know if they would act together.

How good are the sensors, in terms of accuracy do they work atleast 3-5m?

Would be really cool if they had the smart plugs for SA but to add so many adapters doesnt make sense.
 
I was planning to use the app to purchase, do you represent GearBest here in SA? Any discounts on large orders?
 
Doubleho7 said:
Thanks for the reply
Few questions hoping you can help with.

How loud is the Alarm?
Do you have the lights, how do they interface/fuction with the gateway?
Is there any delays due to servers being in China?
Can i run two gateways as i have a large distance to cover i would also like to place one gateway in bedroom as an alarm and the same downstairs in the living room. Would like to know if they would act together.

How good are the sensors, in terms of accuracy do they work atleast 3-5m?

Would be really cool if they had the smart plugs for SA but to add so many adapters doesnt make sense.
Click to expand...

I agree on the plug issue. I expect most manufacturers to now offer EU plus for SA and UK/EU support. If they do not, it does make it hard as every adapter I have seen it really low quality or does not work very well. I have used the really cheap ones and they spark once in a while. Feels like it might blow up. :(.

KavZ
 
Doubleho7 said:
I was planning to use the app to purchase, do you represent GearBest here in SA? Any discounts on large orders?
Click to expand...

It does depend on the size of the order. I generally place orders of $200 or more on a weekly basis. The only really give discounts on bulk items (over 10 depending on the item). PM me with a link and quantity and lets see what I can arrange. Most people for personal orders won't reach bulk purchase unless you plan to see the items.

Regards
KavZ
 
Doubleho7 said:
Thanks for the reply
Few questions hoping you can help with.

How loud is the Alarm?
Do you have the lights, how do they interface/fuction with the gateway?
Is there any delays due to servers being in China?
Can i run two gateways as i have a large distance to cover i would also like to place one gateway in bedroom as an alarm and the same downstairs in the living room. Would like to know if they would act together.

How good are the sensors, in terms of accuracy do they work atleast 3-5m?

Would be really cool if they had the smart plugs for SA but to add so many adapters doesnt make sense.
Click to expand...

The alarm is very loud. Yes, the lights interface perfectly and has it's own app as well.
No delay that I've noticed.
You can run multiple gateways yes. Don't think gateways can sync, so you'd have to setup each room or environment for each one seperately.

Mine works fine around 3m.
Just note the sensors and gateway is small, very small. Therefore instead of the traditional alarm sensors I've put mine in furniture, e.g. table etc.

I've been playing around with samsung smarthings as well using the xiaomi gear.
 
Thank for the information, I have placed my order 3 days ago. All I need now is to purchase the additional 10 lights, I've already purchased 10 to start with need to test first.

I am curious why my order is still in Processing if it takes 7-9 business days to arrive. I think I will reach out to Gearbest ZA and check with him/her.
 
Fransh said:
The alarm is very loud. Yes, the lights interface perfectly and has it's own app as well.
No delay that I've noticed.
You can run multiple gateways yes. Don't think gateways can sync, so you'd have to setup each room or environment for each one seperately.

Mine works fine around 3m.
Just note the sensors and gateway is small, very small. Therefore instead of the traditional alarm sensors I've put mine in furniture, e.g. table etc.

I've been playing around with samsung smarthings as well using the xiaomi gear.
Click to expand...

Managed to get all my devices, so far so good, but not happy with the lag to china server. So I've built my own setup with both Home-Assistant and Openhab testing both. @ Fransh do you know anything about this? Any assistance with code based Home Automation would be much appreciated even though I've seemed to find my way around the system.
 
Last edited:
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