The Wink home automation thread

[vqv]

So the Wink Relay appears to be in stock at Home Depot:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wink-Relay-Connected-Home-Multi-Touch-Control-Kit-PRLAY-WH01/205476540#specifications

Anyone tempted to pick one up?

 

[RossMAN]

So the Wink Relay appears to be in stock at Home Depot:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wink-Relay-Connected-Home-Multi-Touch-Control-Kit-PRLAY-WH01/205476540#specifications

Anyone tempted to pick one up?

Is it basically a glorified iPod Touch?

 

[Tech_Greek]

Tempted...got a $100 off coupon in the email today from Wink but I'm not sure what it would be useful for in my application. It's $200 light switch essentially since the majority (almost all) of my lights switches are dual location.

I have a phone for ease of access, all stuff works manually. I'm lazy, that's why this solution worked for me without a central device like the Relay else I would have just bought a $30 dimmer switch from Lowes.

 

[SchillerM]

I want a $100 off coupon! Need to check my mailbox!

I don't see the relay being much use to me, we don't have a central location that it would be useful for..

 

[Tech_Greek]

That's my issue, I thought maybe at the front door since it's the only light switch in the area that is single location (for the entrance light) but even then I would be too lazy to get up and control it. I also thought about the location sensors, triggering the Nest back into home mode would enable it to work a little better in my opinion but I don't think it will have this capability.

The $100 off only applies to the relay unfortunately or I would have snatched up other products instantly!

 

[RossMAN]

Wink hub + 2 GE LED for $30.93 @ HomeDepot.com while supplies last.

 

[Kaido]

Home Depot just hired a dedicated Home Automation Director:

http://www.cepro.com/article/home_depot_hires_dedicated_home_automation_director2/

That's good news about their commitment to Wink & selling smarthome equipment in general!

 

[Kaido]

So the Wink Relay appears to be in stock at Home Depot:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wink-Relay-Connected-Home-Multi-Touch-Control-Kit-PRLAY-WH01/205476540#specifications

Anyone tempted to pick one up?

Kind of...but that piece of hardware is not only expensive, but completely locks you into the Wink ecosystem. Plus it doesn't even roll out with full functionality enabled (missing the intercom feature at present), and they had system downtime again last Sunday. The cloud-driven architecture can be really irksome at times!

OTOH, Mi Casa Verde just rebranded to Vera Control, Ltd. and put their new VeraEdge controller up for pre-order, which looks pretty neat. In comparison to the Wink Hub:

* $150 for the VeraEdge hub (pricier, but not horrible)
* Has Ethernet
* Optional cellular USB modem support for fallback connectivity
* Over 300 third-party control apps available
* Manage up to 220 devices
* Works with over 1,200 existing Z-wave devices
* Compatible with most brands of home automation devices using Wi-Fi communications
* Offers guaranteed compatibility with all Z-Wave devices
* Has a browser GUI (in addition to iOS/Android apps)

Historically the Vera controllers have been kind of crummy products, so I'm interested to see if they really step up their game with this new controller. It appears to be locally-controlled, not cloud based, with Internet access & an optional cellular modem for backup access(they are pushing the controller for small businesses as well), which is very cool. Plus they have onboard Ethernet, a computer browser control page, and generic Z-wave support OOTB. Still no native Windows phone compatibility from what I can see, but maybe someone makes an app for that platform as well.

I do like that a lot of companies are going the Wifi route & also opening up the API, like Nest, Honeywell, Chamberlain, and so on, which makes switching central control hubs easier, which is nice if you want to jump ship to something else. My current upgrade plans include a Schlage deadbolt, a Honeywell Wifi thermostat, and a Chamberlain MyQ garage door opener, all of which would probably be compatible with the new Vera, so that gives me more confidence in deciding to invest hundreds of dollars into home upgrades, without being locked into any particular vendor's ecosystem.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I've seen a lot of instability the last few days. Anyone else?

 

[RossMAN]

I've seen a lot of instability the last few days. Anyone else?

*knock on fake Office Depot $19 desk* it's been reliable for a few weeks here.

Granted we only have GE LED's connected.

 

[mcrimm]

Practical Application - Part 1 -

We are spending Thanksgiving with family about 650 miles from home. Our daughter and her family are living with us while their new home is built. We have 16 outside lights at our house and our son in law walks our dogs before bed. He sometimes forgets to shut the outside lights off.

I pull up my DLink camera app and check the outside light before hitting the sack each night. About half the time they are on. Bingo.....I shut both sets off with my Wink app and verify with the camera.

All of these lights are incandescent at this point but the LED replacement fixtures are in the garage waiting for spring.

Mike

 

[vqv]

Tempted...got a $100 off coupon in the email today from Wink but I'm not sure what it would be useful for in my application.

Wink sent me a $100 coupon for the Wink Relay that expires tonight. I'm tempted, but $200 is still too much to invest into a new home automation solution. At this point, it's like betting horses---c.f. the unfortunate early adopters who dropped $300 on a Revolv hub.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

*knock on fake Office Depot $19 desk* it's been reliable for a few weeks here.

Granted we only have GE LED's connected.

Yeah, I only have 2 GE LEDs connected now (haven't connected the other two I bought). The hub kept dropping last night and the night before last, I had a heck of a time with controlling the lights. Might just be my ISP though.

 

[Tech_Greek]

I missed the deal! Noooo would have been nice to have a spare hub on hand!

I didn't have any issues last night, in fact since the first night I haven't had a single drop in service.

 

[Kaido]

Yeah, I only have 2 GE LEDs connected now (haven't connected the other two I bought). The hub kept dropping last night and the night before last, I had a heck of a time with controlling the lights. Might just be my ISP though.

See, that's my biggest problem with Wink...should ISP issues really affect control of your home? Vera's new Edge hub is looking awfully tempting because of that...

 

[IndyColtsFan]

See, that's my biggest problem with Wink...should ISP issues really affect control of your home? Vera's new Edge hub is looking awfully tempting because of that...

I'll have to take a look at that. I'm assuming using existing GE bulbs would be pretty seamless, right?

 

[CAL7]

The Vera Edge looks good - but then, so does the Wink. Wonder if it will "just work". But, I have to admit that Wink has affected my view of a controller price point: sub-$50. If only it worked reliably on more than just Wink-certified components.

 

[Kaido]

I'll have to take a look at that. I'm assuming using existing GE bulbs would be pretty seamless, right?

Nope, GE Link Lights are currently ZigBee-based; Vera is a Z-wave system.

 

[LegendKiller]

See, that's my biggest problem with Wink...should ISP issues really affect control of your home? Vera's new Edge hub is looking awfully tempting because of that...

The problem with Vera is that their UI7 blows, their apps are flakey and the installation procedure a bitch, support is practically non-existent, forums suck, users are good but can't answer all of your questions.

I refuse to buy another one of their products until they prove they can shape up their app, their UI, their installation, their support, and their stability.

 

[hageek]

Picked up a Wink Hub and 4 Wink compatible accessories for Black Friday. While with minimal frustration I was able to get all four devices connected. That is where the good news ends.

• The app itself is not very intuitive and it takes a lot of scrolling back and for and clicking just to perform simple tasks.
• I have yet to be able to setup a robot that actually works with the Geo-fencing.
• I bought a receptacle and in the "If This Robot Detects" section of the app I'm unable to select the receptacle to be used as a trigger - I just get a message that "this is the robots action".
• There is no dusk or dawn selection as a trigger so if I want something to come on right at dusk I'd have constantly be adjusting the time.
• I don't like that there is no PC-based interface (not even a web-based interface)
• I don't like that the Wink Hub has no capability of storing your robots or communicating directly with your app locally and therefore is completely non-functioning without Internet.
• I couldn't get my existing non-Wink compatible z-wave Wayne Dalton garage door to connect.
• There is a few second delay when controlling devices through the app. So turning lights on and off is not near instantaneous.
• The commands were hit and miss, maybe worked 80%-90% of the time.

I've been dabbling with home automation using X10 for several years and I was hoping Wink would be my leap into a more reliable and sophisticated system. Unfortunately, it seems to fall short with even some basic expected functionality for a newer system.

I called tech support on Black Friday, I didn't have to wait too long to get a live person but he couldn't help me because he wasn't technical. They were all tied up. He took my name and number and said they were 24x7 and someone would get back to me sometime tonight. I went to bed and 24 hours later still no call back. I really had higher hopes for Wink and was ready to make a significant investment but if I can't even do simple automation then I'll be returning my initial purchase. Then back to the hunt for a replacement HA system.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Picked up a Wink Hub and 4 Wink compatible accessories for Black Friday. While with minimal frustration I was able to get all four devices connected. That is where the good news ends.

• The app itself is not very intuitive and it takes a lot of scrolling back and for and clicking just to perform simple tasks.
• I have yet to be able to setup a robot that actually works with the Geo-fencing.
• I bought a receptacle and in the "If This Robot Detects" section of the app I'm unable to select the receptacle to be used as a trigger - I just get a message that "this is the robots action".
• There is no dusk or dawn selection as a trigger so if I want something to come on right at dusk I'd have constantly be adjusting the time.
• I don't like that there is no PC-based interface (not even a web-based interface)
• I don't like that the Wink Hub has no capability of storing your robots or communicating directly with your app locally and therefore is completely non-functioning without Internet.
• I couldn't get my existing non-Wink compatible z-wave Wayne Dalton garage door to connect.
• There is a few second delay when controlling devices through the app. So turning lights on and off is not near instantaneous.
• The commands were hit and miss, maybe worked 80%-90% of the time.

I've been dabbling with home automation using X10 for several years and I was hoping Wink would be my leap into a more reliable and sophisticated system. Unfortunately, it seems to fall short with even some basic expected functionality for a newer system.

I called tech support on Black Friday, I didn't have to wait too long to get a live person but he couldn't help me because he wasn't technical. They were all tied up. He took my name and number and said they were 24x7 and someone would get back to me sometime tonight. I went to bed and 24 hours later still no call back. I really had higher hopes for Wink and was ready to make a significant investment but if I can't even do simple automation then I'll be returning my initial purchase. Then back to the hunt for a replacement HA system.

Yeah, I DEFINITELY wouldn't invest too heavily in Wink right now. I got my starter kit (hub + 2 GE bulbs for $50) and ordered 2 more bulbs but that is the extent of my purchase right now though I wouldn't mind a Wink-compatible outlet/power strip and a Tripper for experimenting with. When I first set everything up, it was very unstable but after an update or two, it seemed pretty solid. Over the holidays though, it seems to be having issues. Not sure if it is Wink or my ISP, but the fact that it relies completely on the cloud is dumb.

 

[MjnMixael]

I've got ClearConnect (Caseta), Z-Wave, and Zigbee in my house now. ClearConnect is BY FAR the most reliable, has the best range, and the easiest to use. Vera with no ClearConnect is no good, IMO. Honestly any new hubs that leave out the strongest connection option are only looking to the short-term gain. I'm pretty sure ClearConnect uses a lower spectrum wireless signal which is part of the science why it's more reliable. But it's been a few months since I read those articles.

Additionally, Wink has been pretty solid for me for a while. There have been a few minor issues that corrected themselves pretty quickly. I actually started creating and relying on Robots.. which I wouldn't have done a few months back because of terrible reliability. Hopefully things are going to continue looking up.

There's a lot of movement in the beta as well... to streamline the process, to make use of the feedback we give them, and to bring out sensor testing! That's something I'm eagerly awaiting because Spotter... is awful. Here's hoping Spotter V2 is better.

 

[lsd]

[*]I don't like that there is no PC-based interface (not even a web-based interface)

If you really need to use a PC you can always use Bluestacks to run the wink app on PC, I've tried t and it works in a pinch.
But I agree there should be a html based interface right off the bat.

 

[Kaido]

The problem with Vera is that their UI7 blows, their apps are flakey and the installation procedure a bitch, support is practically non-existent, forums suck, users are good but can't answer all of your questions.

I refuse to buy another one of their products until they prove they can shape up their app, their UI, their installation, their support, and their stability.

And that's exactly my hesitation with their new Edge hub...historically, they kind of stink. Outside of commercially-install systems like Control4, no one has really mastered the game yet. imo Wink has come the closest, but they need offline functionality to really step it up.

 

[Kaido]

I've got ClearConnect (Caseta), Z-Wave, and Zigbee in my house now. ClearConnect is BY FAR the most reliable, has the best range, and the easiest to use. Vera with no ClearConnect is no good, IMO. Honestly any new hubs that leave out the strongest connection option are only looking to the short-term gain. I'm pretty sure ClearConnect uses a lower spectrum wireless signal which is part of the science why it's more reliable. But it's been a few months since I read those articles.

Additionally, Wink has been pretty solid for me for a while. There have been a few minor issues that corrected themselves pretty quickly. I actually started creating and relying on Robots.. which I wouldn't have done a few months back because of terrible reliability. Hopefully things are going to continue looking up.

There's a lot of movement in the beta as well... to streamline the process, to make use of the feedback we give them, and to bring out sensor testing! That's something I'm eagerly awaiting because Spotter... is awful. Here's hoping Spotter V2 is better.

I agree, ClearConnect is by far the best part of my system. The Pico remotes are genius. The new Spotter 2.0 looks amazing, but we'll see how it pans out. I get really excited when I read about all of the new gear coming out, but then not so excited when their system goes down & I want it to "just work".