The Wink home automation thread

[Kaido]

I snagged a couple more Lutron Casetas for a lighting project (basement home theater, whoo!). What was the trick for mounting the Pico remotes on the wall again? I got a couple Claro wallplates, but it looks like I need a Pico adapter, right?

http://www.amazon.com/Lutron-PICO-WBX-ADAPT-Pico-Wallplate-Bracket/dp/B00JZRAFEA

Curiously, the Home Depot I stopped at has no more Wink stuff. In fact, they have no more smarthome stuff - just some smart Kidde smoke alarms & a few items in the Lutron section, and no one there even knew anything about it. Very weird. There are some new items in the Lutron section:

* Standalone Pico remote with complete wall-mounting kit ($24)
* Caseta dimmer without a faceplate ($55)
* Decora outlet ($50)
* Plug-in lamp dimmer model (p/n DZPD3 - I guess it's like their other one, just no buttons on the front?)

 

[TechBuddy]

The item you linked to will do what you want. You can use it to install a Pico remote where you have removed a (Decora) switch or use it with just a wall plate and screw it to the wall. Will also work well with the wall plate that's included with the Caseta dimmer. You can order the item you linked to less at Home Depot. It's an online only item. Took me about 5 days to receive and i had it shipped to the store for pickup.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-C...PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-204718235-_-205071775-_-N

Another option if you want to have ability to remove the Pico remote without having to take the wall plate off is to get a Decora insert, mount it in the electrical box and use the double sided tape already attached to Pico. Just peel and stick.

http://www.homedepot.com/s/decora%20blank?NCNI-5

I checked online for all the stores in the Milwaukee area and they are still showing plenty of inventory on Wink products. I did notice the Relay is showing online only now and i know they had them in the previously. Where are you located? It will definitely be something to watch. If HD dumps Wink that may give use some insight into Winks future.

 

[Kaido]

The item you linked to will do what you want. You can use it to install a Pico remote where you have removed a (Decora) switch or use it with just a wall plate and screw it to the wall. Will also work well with the wall plate that's included with the Caseta dimmer. You can order the item you linked to less at Home Depot. It's an online only item. Took me about 5 days to receive and i had it shipped to the store for pickup.

This will just be going directly onto a wall, no gang box.

 

[Kaido]

Has anyone done an advanced install with the the Casetas? I'm doing a 3-way tonight in another room, but my entry is a 4-way (3 switches). My goal is to replace one switch with a Caseta & the other 2 switches with Pico remotes:

http://www.casetawireless.com/Documents/0301710a_Caseta Advanced Inst.pdf

I have to order some Pico mounting brackets first tho...

 

[Kaido]

Ooh snap - Casetas in black! Obviously not readily available based on the price, but wow they look nice!

http://www.amazon.com/Caseta-Wireless-600-Watt-150-Watt-Multi-Location/dp/B00U78LEL4/

Is there an in-wall appliance/light switch currently available? I have a couple items that I don't want a dimmer on (ex. outdoor halogen lights that currently have an interior on/off switch).

 

[Meanderthal]

Ooh snap - Casetas in black! Obviously not readily available based on the price, but wow they look nice!

http://www.amazon.com/Caseta-Wireless-600-Watt-150-Watt-Multi-Location/dp/B00U78LEL4/

Is there an in-wall appliance/light switch currently available? I have a couple items that I don't want a dimmer on (ex. outdoor halogen lights that currently have an interior on/off switch).

$110 each?

I bought three of them at Amazon for half that much back in November. I'd look elsewhere or take a "wait and see" approach at that price.

I put them in stainless wall plates on the sky blue walls of my dine-in kitchen and they do look nice.

 

[JFHughes08088]

If they don't have local control ready when ST v.2 launches, they will be making a huge mistake. With the recent hub fiasco, local control is what all of us want. They know it, know how to do it and if they don't, loyal customers will jump ship.

At this point, Loyalty exists to the extent it aligns with self-interest

 

[IndyColtsFan]

If they don't have local control ready when ST v.2 launches, they will be making a huge mistake. With the recent hub fiasco, local control is what all of us want. They know it, know how to do it and if they don't, loyal customers will jump ship.

At this point, Loyalty exists to the extent it aligns with self-interest

Exactly. They have to have it ready to drop on release of ST v2 and if they don't, they're in serious trouble. To be clear, I think they're already in serious trouble but if they don't have any sort of response to ST v2, they're dead IMO. It just isn't acceptable to have to wait a couple seconds (or more!) for a light to power on once you press the icon or for everything to become inoperable because your internet connection dropped or Wink's servers decided to take a nosedive. It just shocks me that this generation of HA seemed to all jump on board the cloud train without seriously thinking through the implications. "Increased security" doesn't help if the product is basically useless due to delays or outages.

 

[Kaido]

$110 each?

I bought three of them at Amazon for half that much back in November. I'd look elsewhere or take a "wait and see" approach at that price.

I put them in stainless wall plates on the sky blue walls of my dine-in kitchen and they do look nice.

Yeah, I think it's a new color, hence the price. I just bought some white ones for $59 a pop at Home Depot.

 

[JohnKiniston]

Howdy,

I'm looking at adding smart locks to my home soon, Has anyone had both the Kwikset and the Schlage who can recommend one over the other?

 

[steveg2112]

Howdy,

I'm looking at adding smart locks to my home soon, Has anyone had both the Kwikset and the Schlage who can recommend one over the other?

I have Kwikset, I haven't tried Schlage. My reasoning for using Kwikset was that I was replacing an existing Kwikset deadbolt, the smart lock fitted straight in to the existing holes and the smartkey feature allowed me to re-key the lock to use my existing key. No problems pairing to the wink hub and all works as expected.

 

[Mike A.]

Howdy,

I'm looking at adding smart locks to my home soon, Has anyone had both the Kwikset and the Schlage who can recommend one over the other?

Not much difference between the two really. They both work about the same. I had an older Schlage that didn't have the motorized lock. Swapped that out for the motorized Kwiksets when Home Depot had them on clearance cheap more recently. The Kwikset get dinged on the web by some for being "easy" to defeat based on some YouTube vids showing how. I don't really see that the Schalge are that much if any better. Anyone intent on getting in will brute force through them or find another way in easier than going through all of the YouTube-type nonsense. If you really need absolutely secure locks, then you probably should be looking at something else.

There are minor advantages and nit-pick issues on both sides. Bottom line, I'd say buy whichever you can find the better deal on or just like better. They are nice as far as not having to bother with keys and remote locking/unlocking.

 

[Meanderthal]

Yeah, I think it's a new color, hence the price. I just bought some white ones for $59 a pop at Home Depot.

The three that I paid $55 each for back in November are black but came without remotes. Black ones have been available on Amazon for awhile. Maybe stock is low now hence the doubling of price.

I also have 3 of the regular white ones that came with Pico remotes for about the same price.

 

[CAL7]

Some random comments and questions... Kwikset vs Schlage: My house came with Kwiksets and when I replaced all the locks, I just stayed with that brand. Having gone through that, their Smartkey system works well and saved me money by not paying for identically-keyed cylinders. Schlage has something similar, but I can vouch for Kwikset. I could use a couple of smart locks, but I'll wait until they hit the low-$100's.

Amazingly, I was gone for a week and Wink was still working when I came home. Gives you an idea of my confidence in the system. Like (seemingly) everyone here, I'm anxious for STv2. But, no one seems to know or care about the pricing. Any info? I'm desperate for something that works, particularly better at pairing non-certified Z-Wave devices, but a stratospheric price will hinder market acceptance.

Reluctantly - just because they work - I've invested heavily in Caseta switches. What do we know about pairing Lutrons to STv2?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Some random comments and questions... Kwikset vs Schlage: My house came with Kwiksets and when I replaced all the locks, I just stayed with that brand. Having gone through that, their Smartkey system works well and saved me money by not paying for identically-keyed cylinders. Schlage has something similar, but I can vouch for Kwikset. I could use a couple of smart locks, but I'll wait until they hit the low-$100's.

Amazingly, I was gone for a week and Wink was still working when I came home. Gives you an idea of my confidence in the system. Like (seemingly) everyone here, I'm anxious for STv2. But, no one seems to know or care about the pricing. Any info? I'm desperate for something that works, particularly better at pairing non-certified Z-Wave devices, but a stratospheric price will hinder market acceptance.

Reluctantly - just because they work - I've invested heavily in Caseta switches. What do we know about pairing Lutrons to STv2?

I hope STv2 supports the Caseta as well, as I have a couple. I haven't found anything definitive yet stating that it will, but in my case, at least the switches will work without a hub so I won't lose too much sleep over it especially since I got one of them with my $50 off coupon from Wink.

 

[MjnMixael]

Lutron connectivity keeps popping up. It started with Staples, and now Wink, Harmony, and I just saw an article that Lutron is going to be compatible with HomeKit. Sounds to me like the Lutron guys are working to make sure their system is supported everywhere that will hear them out. So yes, here's hoping SmartThigns includes Lutron.

 

[Kaido]

Howdy,

I'm looking at adding smart locks to my home soon, Has anyone had both the Kwikset and the Schlage who can recommend one over the other?

I have a Schalge & it's been great. It has a key, a touchpad, and Zwave. We mostly use the touchpad. Surprisingly, the anti-fingerprint surface actually works...it doesn't retain visual oil streaks to where you've touched it. The only weak part of the system is the Wink integration, sometimes it takes like two minutes for the signal to tell the lock to unlock, so we pretty much just use the touchpad portion.

 

[JFHughes08088]

OK, I need to know "When do we cross the line from hobby to obsession?"

So far, I've got the following:
1 Caseta
16 GE bulbs
1 Hub
2 Overflows
2 Pico's
4 Leviton switches
1 Tapt Switch
6 Trippers
1 Honeywell 9580
1 Wemo (to auto-cycle the Hub daily on a schedule or remotely, if need be).

1 Kevo though I'm thinking to switch to their "winkable" smart lock.

I hear SmartThings V2 will have Somfy motorized blind control. If yes, I'll buy that hub to control a motorized blind I use in a bay window in my office. If it offers local control before Wink, that's the bonus.

 

[CAL7]

OK, I need to know "When do we cross the line from hobby to obsession?"

Too bad "useful home appliance" isn't on your list. But, given the two choices, I'll go with "obsession".

I hear SmartThings V2 will have Somfy motorized blind control. If yes, I'll buy that hub to control a motorized blind I use in a bay window in my office. If it offers local control before Wink, that's the bonus.

I've got a lot of hope for STv2, but as time goes by I fear vaporware. I definitely fear over-priced-wear; but maybe it'll all be great.

Automated blinds control is a big missing piece in the affordable HA category. Hope triumphs over rationality, and I look forward to STv2 breaking the barrier, with Somfy or some other blind system that doesn't enjoy monopolistic pricing discretion. Add to decent price and blinds... local control and Lutron comparability and I'm hooked. Go SmartThings!

 

[Kaido]

Automated blinds control is a big missing piece in the affordable HA category. Hope triumphs over rationality, and I look forward to STv2 breaking the barrier, with Somfy or some other blind system that doesn't enjoy monopolistic pricing discretion. Add to decent price and blinds... local control and Lutron comparability and I'm hooked. Go SmartThings!

Seriously, I would buy them today if it wouldn't cost as much as a Kia to put on every window :biggrin:

 

[IndyColtsFan]

OK, I need to know "When do we cross the line from hobby to obsession?"

So far, I've got the following:
1 Caseta
16 GE bulbs
1 Hub
2 Overflows
2 Pico's
4 Leviton switches
1 Tapt Switch
6 Trippers
1 Honeywell 9580
1 Wemo (to auto-cycle the Hub daily on a schedule or remotely, if need be).

1 Kevo though I'm thinking to switch to their "winkable" smart lock.

I hear SmartThings V2 will have Somfy motorized blind control. If yes, I'll buy that hub to control a motorized blind I use in a bay window in my office. If it offers local control before Wink, that's the bonus.

I'd call you "brave." I've held back on buying too much because I want to see what ST v2 and other players offer, but my collection so far is small compared to yours:

1. 4 GE Link bulbs (2 are in use in lights, 1 is used mainly as a repeater, and the last one hasn't been deployed)
2. 2 Lutron Casetas (1 deployed, 1 boxed)
3. 4 Trippers (3 deployed, 1 boxed)
4. 1 Ecolink motion sensor

I would REALLY like for the ZXT-120 (or something similar) to get some love so I can control the portable AC in my office without having to buy an expensive Z-wave remote, and I'd like to eventually replace my thermostat as well. I think that's as far as I go other than possibly additional switches, Trippers, and bulbs. There is no way I will ever invest in door locks or garage door controllers which are internet connected.

 

[aosmer]

Looks like some major change is happening at Wink. We know about the recent layoffs, but it looks like they're also killing the Quirky store, and *allegedly* selling stuff 3rd party instead (Amazon, Home Depot). Some of their stuff is now 70% off due to this.

Interestingly enough though, the same day they put stuff on sale, they kill off the field test program for the ascend and norm. Also if you are a field tester of the Norm, you'll want to get a new thermostat quickly as they said the next app update will render it useless. The Wink user group on Facebook has been talking about it all afternoon. Is it time to prepare our disaster plan for when Wink ceases to exist? Usually Ben has been pretty active in that Facebook group, and his silence isn't exactly reassuring.

 

[Mike A.]

Looks like some major change is happening at Wink. We know about the recent layoffs, but it looks like they're also killing the Quirky store, and *allegedly* selling stuff 3rd party instead (Amazon, Home Depot). Some of their stuff is now 70% off due to this....

Yeah, saw that. Most of the home automation stuff isn't included in the discounted items but other than a few things most of it is gone.

https://www.quirky.com/shop/smart-home

No hubs listed. No Link bulbs. No Tripper. Spotter Uniq gone. No GoControl or other third-party products that they sold. None of the other third-party products that they linked to. *poof*

 

[big rob]

1 slightly used Ascend for sale....... :thumbsup:

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Looks like some major change is happening at Wink. We know about the recent layoffs, but it looks like they're also killing the Quirky store, and *allegedly* selling stuff 3rd party instead (Amazon, Home Depot). Some of their stuff is now 70% off due to this.

Interestingly enough though, the same day they put stuff on sale, they kill off the field test program for the ascend and norm. Also if you are a field tester of the Norm, you'll want to get a new thermostat quickly as they said the next app update will render it useless. The Wink user group on Facebook has been talking about it all afternoon. Is it time to prepare our disaster plan for when Wink ceases to exist? Usually Ben has been pretty active in that Facebook group, and his silence isn't exactly reassuring.

I don't know about the rest of Quirky's products, but I think everyone agrees that the Wink project has been very poorly run. I personally don't believe Wink will survive much longer unless a bigger player acquires it. Ben should've been replaced long ago IMO but at this stage, I am not sure it matters.