The Wink home automation thread

[Kaido]

I just hooked up my Wink today and I'm on both sides of the fence.. I had all the same issues described before.. Took 20 tried to connect to my network even though all info was correct, and then firmware update hung for a while but I finally got everything working and updated after a few reboots of the Wink and closing the app (not uninstalling it).

Anyway I got my schlage touch screen lock working fine, no issues locking or unlocking yet.. I tried to add my honeywell wifi smart thermostat (the color one) but when I enter my login info it connects and tells me "no new devices found"


Anyone have this issue? I'm able to control the thermostat from the honeywell app no problem..


Also kinda ticked off that I have to buy another $384 module to make my somfy RTS controlled blinds work with this thing.. The two motorized blinds cost me $750 alone...

imo they should have included an Ethernet port for setup - i.e. plug it into your router, use a network scanner app to find the device's IP & connect to it (like Foscam has), and then add it to your wireless network & verify reception. A lot of people have gotten hung up on the initial connection portion of setup & since you literally have no other option of configuring it, it is what it is. Personally I hate having stuff wireless that doesn't have to be (I even cut holes in the wall to run Ethernet to my Roku's & stuff), so it kind of bothers me that the device is wireless-only, you know?

Yes, there are some known issues with the Honeywell right now due to the API. It is Wink certified & iirc their team is working on it. I am holding off buying one until they give it the all-clear, although I guess it's not really a big deal to just use their app in the meantime instead.

Yes, I feel you on the Somfy Zwave module cost. I have 10 blinds and one set of drapes right now. I would like to upgrade them to motorized units since they're all crappy blinds that are falling apart & need replacing anyway. In particular, I'd like to go with a sunshield & blackout combo, so I can do "some light" and "no light" if I want to, so I'd basically have to do 2 blinds per window. But holy hanna is that going to be expensive! It's about $330 for the required base module (RTS to Zwave), then a minimum of $300 per motorized shade (with the base size, motor, and battery option, which is the cheapest powered option). So without doing the drapes, I'd be looking at a $3,300 bill just for adding controllable, motorized blinds. For comparison, I can get non-motorized cellular shades (same 36" x 60" default size) for $53 shipped from Blinds.com, making the total $530 for a full home replacement, which means that automating the blinds is a $2700 option. D'oh! It'd be cool to have iPhone-controlled blinds, but I don't think I'm at the point in my life where it'd be $2700 cool

 

[Kaido]

And speaking of adding $2,700 to the blinds cost, it's the same issue with the other pieces of equipment...$200 for a door lock. $180 for a thermostat. $130 to add Wink integration to my garage door via Chamberlain (which is also delayed). $60 for a lightswitch. $50 for an outlet. I have dozens of those & I don't even have a big home! Fortunately not everything needs to be automated, but a simple home upgrade could easily run $5,000+, and that doesn't even get into the really fun stuff like whole-house audio!

I think once Wink gets stabilized, the next step is for home automation manufacturers to drive the costs down. A standard lightswitch literally costs a dollar at my local big box store. A Zwave-enabled lightswitch runs $60 on Amazon. I might as well just start buying some used Android phones and using them for lights instead, haha. I mean, I can totally see the value in doing home automation if you have a really large home, but for a normal place that's under say 2500 square feet, it's more of a convenience thing than a necessity since you can install 3-way lightswitches so you never have to walk more than 10 feet to flip a light or set of lights on or off. And the price for convenience is sixty times the regular cost...$1 vs. $60 per switch.

 

[9V7W3]

And speaking of adding $2,700 to the blinds cost, it's the same issue with the other pieces of equipment...$200 for a door lock. $180 for a thermostat. $130 to add Wink integration to my garage door via Chamberlain (which is also delayed). $60 for a lightswitch. $50 for an outlet. I have dozens of those & I don't even have a big home! Fortunately not everything needs to be automated, but a simple home upgrade could easily run $5,000+, and that doesn't even get into the really fun stuff like whole-house audio!

I think once Wink gets stabilized, the next step is for home automation manufacturers to drive the costs down. A standard lightswitch literally costs a dollar at my local big box store. A Zwave-enabled lightswitch runs $60 on Amazon. I might as well just start buying some used Android phones and using them for lights instead, haha. I mean, I can totally see the value in doing home automation if you have a really large home, but for a normal place that's under say 2500 square feet, it's more of a convenience thing than a necessity since you can install 3-way lightswitches so you never have to walk more than 10 feet to flip a light or set of lights on or off. And the price for convenience is sixty times the regular cost...$1 vs. $60 per switch.

Haha yea, my house is only 2000 sq ft so I can't justify anything really.. It's all for fun for me except for maybe my door locks. It's really cool being able to monitor your locks and a motion sensor for security while you're away from home..


As far as the blinds and the switches and stuff I am just lucky that I only have these 2 motorized blinds, but I guess it really wouldn't make a difference because the module that I need to buy that you mentioned would control more than 2 anyway. I bought them motorized already with their simple dual channel RF remote just because the two windows that they're installed in are at the top of a wall in a room with a cathedral ceiling so they are too high to reach and I didn't want a 10ft cord hanging down my wall.


I didn't want to invest thousands converting my whole house.. But id like to connect as much as I can without going broke. My coworker has been trying to get me to automate my house for a while but I just didn't get into it. Ironically two weeks ago my house keys were stolen out of my car so I immediately went to Home Depot to buy new locks and when I saw the black schlage touchscreen with blue lights I fell in love haha.. THEN I saw the wink logo on the box and googled it and well yea that's what sucked me in.. Unfortunately I just rewired the entire houses electric and I used all lutron Maestro dimmers which I don't think are Zwave but I installed a cooper Zwave dimmer in my den because I have 700 watts of lights in the ceiling and it was the only 1000 watt dimmer I could find. I'm going to try to connect that tonight even though it's not "wink certified".


I agree that the wireless only thing is crap.. I too have cat-6 and gigabit switches running everywhere and I think for something like this it would make sense to have a more secure connection to your network, never mind for ease of setup. I was literally spinning the thing around in my hands for 5 mins looking for the hidden RJ45 before I googled it and then had a good laugh when I found out it didn't have one.. Wouldn't a hard line have been cheaper to manufacture anyway as opposed to the wifi radio?

 

[lsd]

Thanks for the update! I still haven't purchased any equipment as I'd like to get similar lightswitch styles etc. for my place; I'm hoping Amazon gets more gear before the $1 Hub sale ends. Let me know how it works with the certified lock if you test it. People seem to be having pretty good luck with certified stuff, but it's nowhere near the 60 products they were advertising originally as being available out of the gate. I'm in no rush to buy anything & don't mind waiting, but I am chomping at the bit from a nerd standpoint to get my home outfitted with new tech :awe:

Unfortunately the app is constantly accessing the gps and killing the battery so I removed the robot. I will have to email them about that as it is very annoying. As far as opening and closing the lock with the app it works fine with both locks.
If your looking for the touch screen lock you should check ebay. I got mine for $130 new and definitely worth it considering it also has a built in alarm and auto lock feature.

 

[Kaido]

Unfortunately the app is constantly accessing the gps and killing the battery so I removed the robot. I will have to email them about that as it is very annoying. As far as opening and closing the lock with the app it works fine with both locks.
If your looking for the touch screen lock you should check ebay. I got mine for $130 new and definitely worth it considering it also has a built in alarm and auto lock feature.

Yeah, and I haven't figured out a better way for them to implement it yet. My first thought would be for them to release a Wink-Certified iBeacon device (Bluetooth proximity system for iOS 7 devices, as well as some support for Android), but personally I leave my Bluetooth off at all times unless I'm actively using it (like in the car) since it drains my batter quite a bit. I also have background apps disabled since that also drains my battery noticeably (especially with GPS-enabled applications!).

Perhaps enabling background apps & then creating a Wifi alert app that runs in the background with an auto-detection feature that can tell which SSID you've joined, then it can tell when you've pulled into your driveway because now you're on your home wireless network. Although that would be annoying if you went for a walk or went far into the backyard & lost signal, so it'd need some additional smart for schedule, time-of-day, last time checked in (so it's not constantly turning on your front lights or whatever), etc.

Tricky problem!

 

[Kaido]

Two notes today:

1. Bali Blinds are on sale (15% off) until the end of the month:

http://www.baliblinds.com/

Blinds.com has an online configurator, takes Paypal, and can be shipped straight to you if you don't feel like going to Home Depot. The discount applies to Bali blinds sold through them as well:

http://www.blinds.com/

One note: you will also need a remote control to control the motorized blinds, which costs $45. So it's $165 to add motorization, $48 for a battery (or $97 for dual batteries or $71 for a 12V plug-in adapter), and $45 for a remote control. Their standard light-filtering cellular shades starts at $70 on sale (for a 36" x 60" default size), which means that adding motorization costs $258 (motor, battery, remote), plus another $330 to $380 for the Zwave adapter for the Wink Hub. So out the door, for a single starter shade system, you're looking at $658. Dang.

2. The Wink Hub is currently not available for sale on Amazon because it is under review.

My guess is that Amazon got enough complaints about their mis-advertising. Technically under the Zwave spec, any Zwave device should be universal, and while they are advertising "Zwave", it is really only Wink-Certified Zwave, which is a subset of the available devices. I did notice they changed the product description on Amazon to "Supports many products that use Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, and Lutron ClearConnect to enable remote control via the Wink app on your smartphone." That still isn't clear enough; they should just say "Supports Wink-Certified Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Zwave, and Lutron devices" & the problem would be solved.

http://www.amazon.com/Wink-Connected...dp/B002YVHYF2/

After reviewing their rollout, I would say they messed up the rollout in a few key ways:

1. Trying to be too cool & modern by having minimal information printed on the box & nothing in the way of serious documentation in the box. People got hung up on that. No online documentation, either - you have to learn everything from your phone's app. There is a FAQ on the website, but it only covers the Wink basics, the Hub, and Zwave 101 rather than individual products.

2. Mis-advertising device support, particularly for Zwave. Officially, they only support Wink-Certified hardware. They should not put "Zwave" on the box without that catch; the packaging should be updated to clearly say "Supports Wink-Certified Zwave devices". Yes, technically, you can add other devices (with limited functionality in most cases, if they work at all) through their manual Zwave setup system in the app, but that's not true support & really shouldn't be advertised at all - just a bonus feature. But this screwup can be seen in the dozens of Amazon customer reviews where people bought it expecting to replace their existing Zwave controller & being disappointed that it didn't play nice with the other kids (2.5 star rating out of 48 reviews on Amazon).

3. They should have had an Ethernet port. Number one, because I prefer things to be hardwired, especially if it's controlling my house. Number two, because a lot of people got hung up on linking the Wink Hub to their wireless access points. Plus there are some limitations in the encryption & you have to be at least 3 feet away from the router so it gets a clear signal - but not too far away so that it loses the signal, except that there's not a clear visual wireless LED logo or anything to show you how strong of a signal the Hub is actually getting. Not a huge deal I guess, but rev 2 should definitely include an Ethernet port imo.

4. Buggy app. In particular, in terms of getting firmware notification updates from the Hub (the Hub would update, but wouldn't let the app know, so people thought it wasn't updated - they pushed out a patch to fix that issue already) & for draining the battery life on your phone thanks to GPS-enabled robots. And on a tangent of this, there's no other way for you to control the Hub...you can't do it through a computer or via an online webpage, only through your mobile device. For example, my mom has a Windows smartphone & she has no way of controlling a Wink Hub if I were to get her one. So while it's not an advertised feature, I do think it would be a huge step in the right direction to have some sort of additional control for unsupported devices. Like, it'd be great to check on the system when sitting at my desktop computer - turn off the exterior lights & make sure the doors are locked.

5. Mis-advertised products & support. I don't see anywhere near the 60 Wink-enabled products available for sale. Not only that, but everything is expensive. Not a deal-breaker & not really Wink's fault, but I wanted to buy a bunch of Wink stuff on day 1, and all they had was $60 lightbulbs, $130 garage door adapters, $200 doorlocks, etc. I also wanted to buy some switches & outlets, but those weren't available either & no one at Home Depot really has any idea what I'm talking about - again, not really Wink's fault, but still...I showed up to 3 Home Depots on launch day expecting a fleet of products and went home empty-handed, and here it is a month later & I still haven't purchased my Wink Hub yet because what I want (stuff like Wink-Certified 3-way lightswitches) aren't available yet. So the whole "15 partners, 60 products" thing didn't really pan out, which is really a bummer because I still don't see basic stuff like a Wink-Certified motion detector or door/window open/close sensor.

6. Their information on company access is vague. From what I understand, Wink Technicians have full access to your Wink Hub & can see every device you have. Soooo if you have a Dropcam, does that mean they can access it from the API share? Just playing devil's advocate here, but it sounds like they have full, unrestricted access to your Hub & every device in your house, which is a little unsettling. There's not much verbage on how & what they have access to, other than this security entry in their FAQ:

What measures do you take to keep Wink secure?
Wink uses similar security technology as online banking and includes certification encryption, two factor authentication for all system administrators, and regular security audits. Additionally, we follow various standards depending on the protocol. We also encourage customers to practice smart security practices, like securing their wireless network and using strong passwords.

What does Wink do with my data and information?
All that is needed to create a Wink account is an email address and password. Since Wink is free to use, we don’t ask for your address or credit card information. Wink does not sell or share personal data about our users. Our data is aggregated and anonymized to determine collective group patterns that help us improve the app based on how people are using it.

So anyway...I think that Wink is going to shape up in the long-term. All of the negatives listed above can be overcome, and I'm overblowing it a bit just for the sake of pointing out the flaws I can readily see. Outside of the GPS battery drain & the initial firmware update notification bug in the app, the reviews that I've read from people who have purchased the Wink Hub & only use it with Wink-Certified hardware are having good experiences so far, so that's promising. I think the biggest things for me would be (1) getting more hardware certified, and (2) adding some sort of web interface, even as something as basic as throwing IUI on it: http://www.iui-js.org/about

 

[lsd]

Yeah, and I haven't figured out a better way for them to implement it yet. My first thought would be for them to release a Wink-Certified iBeacon device (Bluetooth proximity system for iOS 7 devices, as well as some support for Android), but personally I leave my Bluetooth off at all times unless I'm actively using it (like in the car) since it drains my batter quite a bit. I also have background apps disabled since that also drains my battery noticeably (especially with GPS-enabled applications!).

Perhaps enabling background apps & then creating a Wifi alert app that runs in the background with an auto-detection feature that can tell which SSID you've joined, then it can tell when you've pulled into your driveway because now you're on your home wireless network. Although that would be annoying if you went for a walk or went far into the backyard & lost signal, so it'd need some additional smart for schedule, time-of-day, last time checked in (so it's not constantly turning on your front lights or whatever), etc.

Tricky problem!

Well to create a geo-fence robot you would enter your location, device tasks and scheduled time. That's all you should really need, the app has all that but for some reason it's ignoring the scheduled time and it just keep the accessing the gps 24/7. I don't know, maybe they are spying on me?

That's pretty serious for quirky about amazon placing the hub under review, that should force quirky to get off their asses and put out a major overhaul... or go bankrupt.

 

[lsd]

Thanks for the update! I still haven't purchased any equipment as I'd like to get similar lightswitch styles etc. for my place; I'm hoping Amazon gets more gear before the $1 Hub sale ends. Let me know how it works with the certified lock if you test it. People seem to be having pretty good luck with certified stuff, but it's nowhere near the 60 products they were advertising originally as being available out of the gate. I'm in no rush to buy anything & don't mind waiting, but I am chomping at the bit from a nerd standpoint to get my home outfitted with new tech :awe:

Ok the lock will not unlock with geofencing and per the response I got from Wink support it is because of "security reasons". I guess they are trying to cover their asses from dumb lawsuits due to theft.
The app was updated yesterday and today with an improved main screen but the battery drain issue is still there for me. I emailed them earlier today and got a quick response but they ignored my battery drain question.

 

[MjnMixael]

Just popping in to give another view after reading (skimming) this thread. I picked up Wink last week and had zero problems with initial setup. It connected to the Wifi with easy. Firmware updated without issues. The app has been smooth as butter.

My first devices were Caseta Wireless light switches.. all of them connected without an issue and have zero lag during use. The range is fantastic on those. My hub is, more or less, in the middle of my home in the basement. We've had WiFi issues due to the materials in the kitchen construction, which is also near the middle of the house. But the Caseta switch on either end of my home both work flawlessly every single time.

I have a ZWave plug switch on the way.. we'll see how that goes given that it's not Wink Certified.

So far, I give it a "thumbs up", but if nothing else works and it just ends up being a Caseta Wireless hub in my home.. well that's still cool with me cause it was $1! (Home Depot promotional)

 

[Kaido]

USA Today has an excellent video walkthrough of a Wink-enabled home:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/...ng-winks-approach-to-the-smart-home/14071529/

Also, "Home Depot wants every connected gadget it sells to be Wink compatible":

http://gigaom.com/2014/08/15/home-depot-wants-every-connected-gadget-it-sells-to-be-wink-compatible/

They have an excellent approach imo:

It also favors the creation of the Wink brand as it will help customers understand what devices will work together. “If it’s connected and we sell it, our goal is to get it onto the Wink system,” Epstein said. “Customers won’t have to think about it. It will become second nature to consumers. There’s not a conversation around it, it’s just part of the way of life.”

...

Unlike it’s rival Lowes, Home Depot doesn’t favor a monthly fee associated with the service. Epstein said the retailer didn’t want a recurring revenue model, mainly to make things simplest for the end user. Eventually that will mean Wi-Fi, something the Wink gadgets rely heavily on. It will also be a boon for Electric Imp, whose Wi-Fi modules are the basis of the Wink system, although it is not in the hub.

...

For now, Home Depot will have to invest. Epstein said the company plans to hold home automation workshops in stores in the coming months to showcase how customers can connect devices and show them what they can do. Given that education is an essential element of selling the smart home, this should help evangelize the entire product sector as people realize that it’s not that hard to connect a door sensor to a camera to snap a picture when someone opens the door and then email that picture to you. And suddenly, you now have a record of when your kids get home.

From that article, we also found out that Electric Imp is the underlying infrastructure in the Wink ecosystem:

http://electricimp.com/

 

[Kaido]

Well to create a geo-fence robot you would enter your location, device tasks and scheduled time. That's all you should really need, the app has all that but for some reason it's ignoring the scheduled time and it just keep the accessing the gps 24/7. I don't know, maybe they are spying on me?

That's pretty serious for quirky about amazon placing the hub under review, that should force quirky to get off their rears and put out a major overhaul... or go bankrupt.

Typically the way that geo-fence programs work is that it pings your GPS every so often to see where you're at...if you've entered (or left) the geo-fenced area, then it triggers a script to do what you wanted. So technically, geo-fencing needs to have regular access to the GPS in order to work properly. Hard to do without draining the battery on your phone though...I leave Wifi, Bluetooth, and GPS off (by disabling backgrounding of apps) of my phone when I'm not using them because my battery disappears pretty quickly otherwise.

I think Quirky has 3 major issues right now:

1. Simple products are hard to make
2. Mis-advertising (but not in an actively evil way, I think)
3. Rollout issues

The concept behind Quirky is great: manufacture crowdsourced ideas. The problem is that manufacturing is hard, and keeping things simple & making them actually work well is even harder. For example, the Quirky Spotter is a really cool multi-sensor device that lets you do a variety of things. However, it only has a 1.5-star average rating:

http://www.amazon.com/Quirky-PSPT1-W...dp/B00GN92MTE/

Consumers are getting the run-around from the company:

I've now tested 3 separate Spotter and they all have the same technically issues. I've spoken with Spotter inventor and Quirky technical support about the issues. I've been told that my technical issues are acceptable based on the number of complaints from others about Spotter. The inventor says that they are NO plans to improve the sensors' sensitivity. In my opinion this would make Spotter more reliable. For instance, the Spotter light sensor WILL NOT fire an alarm unless it has been exposed to a major light change for several seconds. Shining a 310 lumens tactical light directly on the Spotter DOES NOT activate the device's light sensor.

Knee-jerk reaction would say it's a competitor or non-technical customer posting that, but (1) there's not really any kind of competitive device like the Spotter on the market, and (2) there's over 30 reviews that all pretty much say the same thing - doesn't work right. And even with a partnership with GE, it's still hard to make stuff work right, like the Wifi-controlled Aros air-conditioner:

http://www.amazon.com/Quirky-Aros-Sm...dp/B00IDXGIAC/

I'll summarize:

Unfortunately, they're comically bad as actual air conditioners. Pay attention to the many poor reviews - they didn't exist when we ordered and might have saved us nearly a thousand dollars.

...

It's loud.

...

It's bright. I have trouble believing any industrial designer thought an air conditioner needed a display so bright that it allows me to put on hand shadow shows or read 10 feet away in what is otherwise a pitch-black room.

...

Despite the preposterously bright display, it's also fuzzy and indistinct and controls are impossible to see in the dark. This is in part because the user's night vision is wiped out by approaching the unit, but also because the touch controls aren't backlit at all and have no features that allows one to distinguish them by touch.

...

Temperature control is impressively poor.

...

They're very inaccurate. The display that supposedly shows room temperature (for example, when it's in fan mode) is often 7-8F lower than the Nest thermostat in the same room or 2 reference thermometers that agree with each other and the Nest. It will occasionally change for no apparent reason and display a temperature that's significantly higher (a degree or two below actual) for a while before returning to much lower than actual temperature.

...

The filter is inaccessible when the unit is installed.

...

The app is buggy and strange.

...

These are only appropriate to install in rooms in which nobody is going to try to sleep, converse, listen to anything, or get cool.

Then you have the flip side of having crowdsourced designs - you end up with weird stuff like the Egg Minder. It isn't so bad now that the price has dropped to less than $40, but it was originally $70! I mean, eggs are like two bucks a dozen, so that basically buys a lifetime of eggs haha. And I don't know know anyone who has a problem with not eating eggs for so long that they go bad, you know? It's a cool idea & a neat piece of tech, and the reviews are much better than they were when it first came out (I believe thanks to an improved, less-glitchy app design), but still...plus it's not even that high-tech, since the user still has to put in the expiration date (an estimate) rather than figuring out when it's bad by some sort of smell or weight sensor or something:

http://www.amazon.com/Minder-Wink-Ap...dp/B00GN92KQ4/

So...making stuff is hard. Making good stuff is harder. I went through some of Wink's rollout issues in an earlier post, so we know what those are, plus I'm hearing that a lot of people are actually having a hard time finding this stuff stocked in-stores, especially with a lot of accessories, so while I think a big rollout was planned with all of the different gadgets, it kind of fell short (and apparently is continuing to fall short).

I think with Home Depot's focused interest in this product, it will definitely develop & grow, but they're going to have to watch out for stuff like Apple's Home Kit and Samsung's Smart Things systems. I think Home Depot has the upper hand...no subscription fees, super easy to use (app, Hub, gizmos...that's it!), and available locally with DIY installation. I don't have to call Crestron or Control4, I don't need a degree in computer science to set this stuff up, and I don't (necessarily) need a custom installer to come out if I just want to swap out an outlet or lightswitch.

Also, it looks like they're starting to get a handle on advertising (they are back up & selling on Amazon), although it's not perfect yet:

Supports many products that use Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, and Lutron ClearConnect to enable remote control via the Wink app on your smartphone

That still does not say "Designed for use with Wink-Certified Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, and Lutron ClearConnect products" with a little asterisk that says "And limited support for non-certified devices at the user's risk". This product does NOT support the standard Z-wave implementation and I think their re-wording of "supports many products that use Z-wave" is still too murky. All they have to do is clearly state that the Wink Hub is designed to work with Wink-Certified hardware and they'd clear up 99% of the issues that people are having in the comments (the majority of who are people who bought it thinking it would replace their existing Z-wave controller & then it didn't work right).

 

[Kaido]

Just popping in to give another view after reading (skimming) this thread. I picked up Wink last week and had zero problems with initial setup. It connected to the Wifi with easy. Firmware updated without issues. The app has been smooth as butter.

My first devices were Caseta Wireless light switches.. all of them connected without an issue and have zero lag during use. The range is fantastic on those. My hub is, more or less, in the middle of my home in the basement. We've had WiFi issues due to the materials in the kitchen construction, which is also near the middle of the house. But the Caseta switch on either end of my home both work flawlessly every single time.

I have a ZWave plug switch on the way.. we'll see how that goes given that it's not Wink Certified.

So far, I give it a "thumbs up", but if nothing else works and it just ends up being a Caseta Wireless hub in my home.. well that's still cool with me cause it was $1! (Home Depot promotional)

Thanks for posting! Did you get either of these Caseta modules?

http://www.amazon.com/Lutron-P-PKG1P...dp/B00JJY1QG0/

http://www.amazon.com/Lutron-P-PKG1W...dp/B00JJY0S4G/

How do you like it? Is it weird not having a switch to flip? I've been considering the second one since it's advertise as a multi-location switch. My dream is to have a spring-loaded switch that defaults to center, so you can flip up or down to "tap" the Zwave signal switch, but then have it bounce back to the middle so that it's not holding up any wiring (I have some 3-way & 4-way switches that are a pain because sometimes you have to flip every single one of them to get the last one to actually turn on the light!!).

I'm glad that you mentioned both the construction materials & lag. My place is made out of foil-lined insulation...I don't even get much of a Wi-fi signal in the next room, haha. I had also read several reviews that communication could be laggy, so it's good to hear that your lights respond quickly. From what I understand, everything is done remotely in the cloud, but they cache the topology locally for a quicker response time now, which makes more sense.

 

[Kaido]

Also as a reminder, the Wink Hub sale ends on Labor Day (September first). Right now it's $50 for the Hub, $25 if you buy it bundled with one Wink-Certified product, or $1 if you buy it bundled with two Wink-Certified produts. The price for the Hub will raise to $80 at the end of the month.

 

[MjnMixael]

Thanks for posting! Did you get either of these Caseta modules?

http://www.amazon.com/Lutron-P-PKG1P...dp/B00JJY1QG0/

http://www.amazon.com/Lutron-P-PKG1W...dp/B00JJY0S4G/

How do you like it? Is it weird not having a switch to flip? I've been considering the second one since it's advertise as a multi-location switch. My dream is to have a spring-loaded switch that defaults to center, so you can flip up or down to "tap" the Zwave signal switch, but then have it bounce back to the middle so that it's not holding up any wiring (I have some 3-way & 4-way switches that are a pain because sometimes you have to flip every single one of them to get the last one to actually turn on the light!!).

I'm glad that you mentioned both the construction materials & lag. My place is made out of foil-lined insulation...I don't even get much of a Wi-fi signal in the next room, haha. I had also read several reviews that communication could be laggy, so it's good to hear that your lights respond quickly. From what I understand, everything is done remotely in the cloud, but they cache the topology locally for a quicker response time now, which makes more sense.

I have multiple, now, in-wall switches (same as you linked) and one of the plug-in lamp switches. All are still working great. It's not weird without a switch to 'flip' because I still have a button to press.

One really great advantage to the Caseta System is the Pico Remote. So, in our bedroom we have a ceiling light and a lamp near the bed. The lamp we use as our main light source. Now, instead of having to walk over to the lamp to switch it on, I mounted a Pico remote on the wall next to the Caseta dimmer for the ceiling lights. (Making it, effectively, a 2-gang switch. I even put a 2-gang wall plate over them.) We can now turn on the lamp and ceiling lights from the door and I didn't have to add any wires.

Same thing for our laundry room which was added on to the house. The result of that being added is that it's light switch is outside the room in the kitchen (who knows why they didn't change it). I mounted a Pico Remote inside the room after changing that to a Caseta in-wall dimmer. We can now control that light inside the laundry room... again without doing any additional wiring.

I'm a big fan of the Caseta system. I'm still waiting for Mgo to be added and my z-wave plug to arrive to test those out.

EDIT: Anyone have any suggestions on some sort of doorbell setup? I'm willing to buy ZWave stuff to try it with Wink. Essentially I want to find a (less than $200) way to get a push notification or something when the doorbell rings. I thought about the Quirky Spotter.. but not after those reviews.

 

[Kaido]

EDIT: Anyone have any suggestions on some sort of doorbell setup? I'm willing to buy ZWave stuff to try it with Wink. Essentially I want to find a (less than $200) way to get a push notification or something when the doorbell rings. I thought about the Quirky Spotter.. but not after those reviews.

There are no off-the-shelf models afaik. 2gig has one (345 Mhz system) that talks back to a main control panel that contains Zwave, although I don't know if it'd interface with anything else:

http://www.2gig.com/products/wireless-doorbell

Pretty cheap ($35) & can be wired or wireless:

http://www.amazon.com/2gig-DBELL1-35.../dp/B00BPCIQQW

Elk has a doorbell detector that could probably be tied into some kind of Zwave low-voltage I/O unit:

http://www.elkproducts.com/product-catalog/elk-930-doorbell-and-telephone-ring-detector

That would be a good niche...lighted Zwave pushbutton doorbell, or unlighted wireless unit. Maybe re-purpose one of those Pico remotes for outdoor use. Kind of weird that there are no Zwave units that already exist...seems like a pretty obvious feature, now that you mention it!

 

[MjnMixael]

I know, right?

I also found that i could build something using LittleBits and it's cloud interface to get IFTTT integration. It's a little pricier, but that might be the best option.

But, I think I'll just wait a while and see if something comes out that works with Wink.

 

[Kaido]

I have multiple, now, in-wall switches (same as you linked) and one of the plug-in lamp switches. All are still working great. It's not weird without a switch to 'flip' because I still have a button to press.

One really great advantage to the Caseta System is the Pico Remote. So, in our bedroom we have a ceiling light and a lamp near the bed. The lamp we use as our main light source. Now, instead of having to walk over to the lamp to switch it on, I mounted a Pico remote on the wall next to the Caseta dimmer for the ceiling lights. (Making it, effectively, a 2-gang switch. I even put a 2-gang wall plate over them.) We can now turn on the lamp and ceiling lights from the door and I didn't have to add any wires.

Same thing for our laundry room which was added on to the house. The result of that being added is that it's light switch is outside the room in the kitchen (who knows why they didn't change it). I mounted a Pico Remote inside the room after changing that to a Caseta in-wall dimmer. We can now control that light inside the laundry room... again without doing any additional wiring.

I'm a big fan of the Caseta system. I'm still waiting for Mgo to be added and my z-wave plug to arrive to test those out.

Glad to hear Caseta is working out well for you. Lutron is a pretty big name, so it should be solid long-term. I think that's my problem as well...I want hardware that doesn't exist yet, whether it's a digital doorbell or a center-sprung lightswitch. Maybe we can 3D print some mockups, haha. imo it's the perfect interface for both the human interface (needing a flickable switch) & the digital interface (needing a digital signal relay that doesn't lock into the "on" or "off" position like regular 3-way switches do). If you were to integrate a Zwave capture switch & maybe an LED so you could see the switch in the dark, that'd be awesome! Doesn't seem like a difficult design:

http://i.imgur.com/crOtvw4.jpg

Installation using current technology is doable, just a hassle. They do make various center-off switches:

http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-1257-G.../dp/B003B8V4SU

And micro in-wall Zwave switches for existing wall switches:

http://www.amazon.com/Aeon-Labs-DSC2.../dp/B008VWBNAU

So you're still looking at the $60 range, plus no light in the switch (to see it in the dark...just an added perk), no dimming feature, and no advanced control (ex. holding the toggle for dimming functions, flicking for on/off, etc.)...and you'd have to do kind of a custom installation to fit everything physically & handle the electrical side of things. So...yeah. Haha.

 

[Kaido]

I know, right?

I also found that i could build something using LittleBits and it's cloud interface to get IFTTT integration. It's a little pricier, but that might be the best option.

But, I think I'll just wait a while and see if something comes out that works with Wink.

I think doorbells in particular would be great for an IFTTT setup:

http://i.imgur.com/GNcNb7Y.jpg

I think two hardware options would be ideal:

1. Wireless doorbell (1-year battery life, waterproof, etc.)
2. Wired doorbell (with integrated light)

From there, you could IFTTT the heck out of it:

1. Trigger the front porch light to turn on automatically
2. Send an SMS to your smartphone, optionally with a photo
3. Open up a live video feed
4. Open up an audio chat (optional with video)
5. Tie the SMS alert to a "Do you want to unlock the door?" dialogue option box, if you're waiting for a friend to visit or something
6. Trigger an MP3 to a whole-house audio system
6. Send a tone to multiple Zwave wireless chimes in the main rooms

So many neat options...all we really need is the hardware. Aeotec has a wireless panic button that is kind of up that alley: ($50, but not available at too many places)

http://store.indigodomo.com/z-wave-aeotec-panic-button-dsa38.html

So I think at the bare minimum, they should sell both of the doorbell options (wired & wireless) along with some wireless chime speakers that you could setup as a scene receiver (no central hub or controller software required). Installation could be as easy as gluing the doorbell next to the door (slide-out piece for battery swap) & then scene-linking it to the wireless chimes. I'd imagine they could get those to last a year as well, since their use is intermittent & all they need is a simple high-pitched chime. I've worked with wireless doorbell systems before; they sell them for as low as $15 on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-RCWL.../dp/B001G0MATM

You can even get it with a 3-pack of chimes; all it would need is a Zwave chip in the chime & the outdoor pushbutton. Should be pretty easy!

 

[Kaido]

I know, right?

I also found that i could build something using LittleBits and it's cloud interface to get IFTTT integration. It's a little pricier, but that might be the best option.

But, I think I'll just wait a while and see if something comes out that works with Wink.

Ahah, we're in business!

http://www.amazon.com/Everspring-Z-W.../dp/B006TFGW98

Everyspring has a door/window sensor that can optionally be wired into a doorbell (or other contact switch) to tigger Zwave events, all for under $35 shipped! Someone on the Vera forums has a detailed writeup:

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=11516.0

Their setup includes both the Elk & Everspring gear so that you can pretty much interface with any wired or wireless doorbell. You'd need some additional smarts in the network to trigger chimes & other features; iirc, Wink was looking into IFTTT integration for their Hub (I believe it's already in place for their standalone gear like the Aros A/C unit).

Based on what I've read, I'd imagine we'll see a Wink-compatible doorbell by next year...number one, because Wink is fairly customer-facing (lots of consumer-driven ideas for hardware), and number two, because Home Depot has their full weight behind making this a success, which means they're going to want to pop Zwave radios into everything to get them Wink certified.

I would love to walk into Home Depot & buy a Wink Hub, switches, outlets, motion detectors, door/window sensors, a doorbell, etc., and then take it home & get it all setup on a Saturday. It's doable, we just need a few more off-the-shelf hardware items. I'm hoping to see this happen because I like the simplicity of Wink (not to mention the low cost) & it would be really great for getting more home automation into the field on a DIY level. You can tinker with Arduino, Raspberry Pi's, low-voltage gear, and all sorts of other stuff, but at the end of the day, it's always really nice buying something from the store & not having to build it, troubleshooting it, and support it yourself, you know?

 

[MjnMixael]

That solution is waaay out of my know-how!

Wink teaming up with Home Depot seems like it was a really good call. I, too, am looking forward to being able to drop by Home Depot, pick up a smart-whatever and install it that day.

 

[cybermilw]

I bought the Wink hub last week from Home Depot and it installed with ease. I then added my z-wave Yale dead bolt to Wink. The pairing was easy. No problem. Wink allows me to lock and unlock the door. But I had hoped to do a lot more, specifically, I want to add and delete user codes to the lock. I have looked all over the Wink app for the ability to control the lock settings. Nothing found. I can add robots (which it seems to forget after I added one) to let me know when I come in the door and go out, as if I didn't know that. But useful if I could tag this robot to a specific user code. At the moment it won't let me do that. Apparently my Yale z-wave dead bolt lock is not "certified" so there is only superficial support. Like others who have posted, I am waiting for the Wink app and hub to do a lot more. Right now, I think the Wink hub and app are green bananas.

 

[Kaido]

That solution is waaay out of my know-how!

Wink teaming up with Home Depot seems like it was a really good call. I, too, am looking forward to being able to drop by Home Depot, pick up a smart-whatever and install it that day.

Yeah. I like off-the-shelf stuff because:

1. It works OOTB, from the factory
2. Someone else has to provide service & warranty for it
3. Someone else has to handle updates & bug-fixing on it

I used to do a lot with HTPC's, modded Xboxes, all that stuff, but then I switched to Roku (with Plex) & it's been a really solid solution for my family. So for stuff like that where I'm not the only one using it, I'd prefer it to be commercially supported so that it works as advertised, rather than me having to tinker with it. So I'd love for things like doorbells, motion sensors, etc. to get integrated into Wink soon!

 

[lsd]

I bought the Wink hub last week from Home Depot and it installed with ease. I then added my z-wave Yale dead bolt to Wink. The pairing was easy. No problem. Wink allows me to lock and unlock the door. But I had hoped to do a lot more, specifically, I want to add and delete user codes to the lock. I have looked all over the Wink app for the ability to control the lock settings. Nothing found. I can add robots (which it seems to forget after I added one) to let me know when I come in the door and go out, as if I didn't know that. But useful if I could tag this robot to a specific user code. At the moment it won't let me do that. Apparently my Yale z-wave dead bolt lock is not "certified" so there is only superficial support. Like others who have posted, I am waiting for the Wink app and hub to do a lot more. Right now, I think the Wink hub and app are green bananas.

I wouldn't hold my breath for more features with un-certified locks. As of right now the I don't think there's any difference with certified and un-certified locks feature wise. At least that's what I see with my certified and un-certified schlage locks.

I do have to say the app has improved 10 fold since the introduction. It's smooth with no lag, the front end interface has improved and adding devices is a snap.

But, I really hope someone comes out with a custom rom for the wink hub. It's got the greatest potential of any of the HA hubs but I don't see Quirky allowing the user to tweak with their app. It's fine for the average person but coming from a vera lite I'd like to see more.

 

[Kaido]

Potential dealbreaker identified from an Amazon review:

Relies on external servers to function. Horrible idea.

This review is from: Wink Connected Home Hub PWHUB-WH01 (Tools & Home Improvement)
Does not work when the Wink servers are not functioning. As of today, 8/26/2014, they have been down for nearly one day and the whole thing fell apart. This hub relies on external servers to operate, which makes it a very bad choice for any application related to home security. Just imagine their servers getting hacked - and your front door locks are readily unlocked for burglars arriving at your address also picked up from the Wink servers.

Sending it back.

The response from Wink Support:

I'm sorry to hear about your experience earlier today. We did have intermittent connectivity issues on specific products for some users between Midnight and 6:00 am ET this morning. We apologize for any inconvenience and have remedied the issue.

You are correct that Wink uses cloud-based technology to connect people with their smart products. There are several benefits and features we can provide users that are only possible by having external servers (cloud-based technology):

- Access your home from iOS or Android apps from anywhere. This means you can keep an eye on your home and get alerts keeping you informed whether you are across town or across the country.
- Expanding access to leading brands across the home. By having a cloud based solution, it makes it easier to integrate APIs from other leading brands with connected products so your Wink ecosystem is always growing.
- Easier access to updates. Since things are are stored in the cloud, we can push automatic updates to your Wink system to provide new functionality and enhancements.

Many modern home automation products use cloud-based technology to provide remote access and this is becoming the new standard. However, if you prefer running a local server system, there are some other solutions that might better meet your needs.

We take security and privacy very seriously. We use similar security technology as online banking and conduct regular third-party security audits. Additionally, all communications between your products and the Wink servers are encrypted.

I know they've been updated with local caching for faster command delivery, but still...that's horrifically bad. Imagine if your security system ran through Wink & Wink's servers went down. Or your Kidde fire alarms...no remote alerts! I think a far better option is to have a cloud-connected Hub that gets updates pushed to it & stores the config information locally, then syncs to the cloud.

Yikes. Something to be aware of for sure!

 

[MjnMixael]

But... Smartthings runs in the cloud. So does Revolv. In fact, I'm willing to bet that if you want an off-the-shelf automation solution that just works, then you'll need to be OK with it running in the cloud.

Otherwise, you are probably going to have to build your own system from scratch using advanced networking and tons of Raspberry Pis or something.

Anyway, my main point is that the Cloud issue is not Wink specific. You'll have to decide, then, which automation companie's security you trust more.