Thanks a lot. I've been waiting for someone to post something like this. I'm sure the app you'll get used to, it's just a matter of time. Sensor bulkiness might have something to do with them sensing temperature and vibration as well (for the open/closed).Got my ST v2 deployed this weekend. Some notes:
1. Sensor response time is fast - faster than what I am used to seeing with Wink.
2. I love that all of the SmartThings-branded sensors seem to also have a temperature sensor built in. Very useful. So you can buy the cheapest sensor they have available if all you need it temperature sensing in a room.
3. The app is a mess and I am having trouble finding things. For example, I remember being able to set some sort of interval for temperature sensing. I can't find that setting anywhere. Might have only been available during config or something.
4. I don't see a way to send emails in the application. Like Wink, it does support push notifications. It also supports SMS, which is great, but I'd also like emails. Believe I saw at there might be an add-on to allow this functionality but need to review more.
5. The SmartThings sensors are tanks - big and bulky. Their motion sensor is probably twice the size of Tripper in terms of bulk. Their motion sensor is cool looking but I need to look at the config more - it doesn't seem to have a motion detection delay setting like the Ecolink and as a result is constantly detecting motion. Battery life is already down to 88% after less than 1 day.
6. Absolutely LOVE the community support and ability to add custom devices. I've added the Tripper and Overflow device types but haven't paired them with the hub yet. I'll do that today, however. NOTE: The Wink community is pretty awesome as well, but I REALLY wish we had the ability to add custom devices.
7. SmartTiles is a must have IMO. I'm not sure I like it as well as Craig Trunzo's web front-end, but the cool thing is that you can add links to other dashboards in a tile so if I deployed tablet control panels and need both systems, I can access each dashboard that way.
8. Did I mention that the app is a mess?
I think I'll get used to the app over time, but they need more device config options available for editing. I HOPE that I am just missing something. Otherwise, the Wink app is significantly better IMO. Which one will I use going forward? I can't say for sure. I think both may have a place in my home - maybe I'll dedicate ST to certain things (like, perhaps, security) and Wink to others.
Thanks a lot. I've been waiting for someone to post something like this. I'm sure the app you'll get used to, it's just a matter of time. Sensor bulkiness might have something to do with them sensing temperature and vibration as well (for the open/closed).
Please keep us posted!
I wouldn't trust the vibration for the laundry. I have a Spotter for that purpose and it reports vibration pretty well, but it gives me about 3 notifications saying laundry stopped. If I recall correctly, someone in the ST forum told me he tried that and it's not reliable. People use the AEON outlet on/off switches, but I don't know for sure.I do sometimes notice a delay in temperature reporting, which is why I wish I could remember where I saw that setting at. I put the motion sensor in my refrigerator and am attempting to see if it can communicate with the hub. I put it behind a half-full jar of olives and closed the door. When I shake the refrigerator, the olives move and it does actually communicate back to the hub that motion has occurred. It has not updated temperature, however.
They do have a new multisensory coming out for $40, which I may go ahead and preorder. I'd like to test the vibration feature and see how sensitive it is. I could use that in the laundry room to tell when the washer or dryer are done, for example, but since they're next to each other, I could see a lot of false positives occurring since they would probably vibrate each other.
I wouldn't trust the vibration for the laundry. I have a Spotter for that purpose and it reports vibration pretty well, but it gives me about 3 notifications saying laundry stopped. If I recall correctly, someone in the ST forum told me he tried that and it's not reliable. People use the AEON outlet on/off switches, but I don't know for sure.
I understand your struggle.I'm just looking for excuses to buy new sensors.
I understand your struggle.
Tripper paired up with it pretty easily and seems to work great. Haven't tried the Overflow yet - I might sell those on eBay or something, haven't decided yet.
I'll take your Overflow.
I'll keep that in mind. Haven't decided for sure what to do yet. I wouldn't mind water sensors under my water heater and perhaps in the laundry room, but wondering if I should just get the ST sensors instead and sell these. ST does supposedly support the Overflow.
That's exactly were I have both of mine. If they were still in production and I had a bizarre need to detect every possible water leak, I would put one under each sink (Kitchen, bathroom, etc) and under each toilet.
Are you the same guy on the Wink FB group talking about SmartThings and showed the SmartTiles app? If so, do you know if SmartThings has a comparable FB users group?
Nope - That's not me - Sorry
Battery life on the SmartThings sensors leaves a lot to be desired so far. I really hoping that the reporting is wrong....
Can you connect it to power?
I recently read a thread in the ST abou5 some sensor having battery issues. Apparently it goes down very fast and stops at about 77% and just stays there for like months. Apparently it's not much the battery life itself but more the way it is reported.
Yeah, I saw that thread. I HOPE that's the issue with the open/close sensor. The motion sensor, on the other hand, wouldn't be surprising for it to lose battery power faster - it is in a refrigerator and it probably has to do communication retries often. I'm wondering if perhaps I should deploy a GE Link bulb to act as a repeater and see if that helps.