Interesting design…
[url=http://relay.winkapp.com/]http://relay.winkapp.com/[/url]
[quote=“CudaNet, post:1, topic:183129”]Interesting design…
[url=http://relay.winkapp.com/]http://relay.winkapp.com/[/url][/quote]
I was just gonna post about this. Seems that they at least get the “design” aspect of it. I funded the “bRightswitch” and when I did, it looked great, now it looks like crap (IMHO).
Some issues I have with the Relay:
It goes into a light switch box, but I don’t see any mention of it actually being able to control a light itself. This would be an inconvenience unless you are using “smart” bulbs.
It runs on android (or so I read), but you only have access to the Wink app. While I think that makes it “easier”, I think they should allow users to have access to the android underneath and maybe side loading abilities.
I don’t like that it only goes on a 1 gang box. Most of my switches in the main areas of my house are multi-ganged.
Price ($300): the bright switches include a z-wave dimmer and come in at about 1/2 the cost of this. Though like I said, this looks worlds better. It’s only missing the camera, which I think I could live without if it looked like this.
Things I like
Looks. I think the actual screen part looks awesome. I could live without the physical buttons, but as a unit they don’t detract too much from it.
Seems easy to use.
My only last issue is that the Wink Hub seems to use cloud processing (I could be wrong), which I don’t like. I want my logic local so that if the internet goes out, then I still have “automation”.
It’s good to see companies doing this. I hope it will be mildly successful so that other companies jump on the bandwagon. I detest having to rely on a phone/tablet for my main interaction with my system (I would use wall mounted tablets, but using my “personal” tablet seems a bit too much and not everyone in the house has access to one).
Not sure if you got the email or not but bRight sent out feelers today on a modified, sleeker design. Of course it could end up pushing back orders but maybe it would be worth it.
Not sure if you got the email or not but bRight sent out feelers today on a modified, sleeker design. Of course it could end up pushing back orders but maybe it would be worth it.[/quote]
Yup, I saw it, and it has less functionality (no PIR) for the same price. I don’r understand why the PIR is so hard to fit in, but it must be. I really wanted the PIR to use for presence detection, but I also have a large dog (>100lbs) so they may have been useless anyways. Either way, it is what it is. Maybe they can make the camera replace the PIR to some degree.
Ultimately I may go with the slimmer design because it doesn’t have that huge thing sticking out at the top (which is the ugly part) and the whole front is the same color (black, I hope).
Actually they did mention it would be a cheaper price if they offered a slimmer device without the PIR. It did seem like that was going to be a nice feature although I’m not sure how much use I would get out of it.
I’m just hoping we are getting close to delivery.
And apologies for highjacking the thread a bit.
To continue the off topic, my interpretation of the situation is that this would be an additional product, so there would be some with an some without the sensor.
Correct, but they might be offering those who bought the original the option to switching to this other one.
I would likely switch to this alternative one… But just because I think the design of the the blue model is hideous. I was to the point of thinking I would sell off the ones I bought. That top part is just really really bad.
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Correct, but they might be offering those who bought the original the option to switching to this other one.
I would likely switch to this alternative one… But just because I think the design of the the blue model is hideous. I was to the point of thinking I would sell off the ones I bought. That top part is just really really bad.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk[/quote]
I need to look at my situation concering were I would use the switches. I think there are places I want the sensor, and some places were I do not, so would probably want to see if they would allow us to switch onky some to the newer design.
regarding the design, I have seen similar looking sensors, so I am not too upset about it.
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My issue is that it ended up looking NOTHING like what I funded. I guess that’s the chance you take when you do these type of funding campaigns, but I was really upset with the design changes. To me it looks like an 80’s attempt at the same device. I’m sure they could have found a way to make it more flush with the PIR.
My issue is that it ended up looking NOTHING like what I funded. I guess that’s the chance you take when you do these type of funding campaigns, but I was really upset with the design changes. To me it looks like an 80’s attempt at the same device. I’m sure they could have found a way to make it more flush with the PIR.[/quote]a
Another 3 month delay announced on the bright switch. …I am sorry
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My issue is that it ended up looking NOTHING like what I funded. I guess that’s the chance you take when you do these type of funding campaigns, but I was really upset with the design changes. To me it looks like an 80’s attempt at the same device. I’m sure they could have found a way to make it more flush with the PIR.[/quote]a
Another 3 month delay announced on the bright switch. …I am sorry
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk[/quote]
Yup, I saw that too. For some reason I thought they had already said first quarter in a previous email. This is how some of these crowd funding projects go though. I went through a phase where I funded a lot and at this point if I never see a product from it, it’s a nice lesson learned. Since then I’ve treated these crowd funding projects like I do money I lend to a friend. Might as well consider that money gone forever. Because of that, I only fund something if I think it really really will benefit me (even after a delayed release) or if the amount is so small that I think it’s it’ll be ok to lose the money.
AS to the Wink, If they would just do local logic instead of cloud logic, I would have jumped on that bandwagon a long time ago. It’s not like these controllers need to do a lot of processing. I think they could have done it for $100. I honestly am starting to think that the reason they do the cloud logic is because they can do updates to the logic engine a lot faster that way. There is no reason to do as many firmware updates. I’d rather do monthly firmware updates though.
Splitting the PIR out of some bRight models was brilliant. Not every location where these switches were going to be placed would have lent itself well to good PIR coverage in a room. Giving folks the ability to simply place a PIR device by itself somewhere else in the room is a good idea.
The sooner these switches/controllers are released the better, they are going to put tremendous pricing pressure on the overpriced Z-wave products like the Evolve LCD and Leviton Scene controllers.
TC1: You are correct. I think my disappointment over the switches being delayed got the best of me. This device really had/has me excited, an i really want to get them in my possession. Anyway, I went ahead and watched the videos, and some of what I saw was very encouraging. It seems the switches can be controlled by an external controller. Unless I am mistaken, this means integration with Vera is going to happen fairly easily.
Yes. What the bRight team has done is re-written the z-wave libraries from the ground up, this is an experienced product team. They are using the latest z-wave spec also that allows remote firmware upgrades. The switch not only can be controlled by another z-wave controller, the switch itself can act as a secondary controller in a z-wave network. I didn’t pre-order but I am very excited about this product (which is rare for me) because I believe everything I’ve seen so far is being done right, based on my own product development experience.
At Amazon and Homedepot soon
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wink-Relay-Smart-Home-Wall-Controller-PRLAY-WH01/205476540
Gotta admit, looks pretty slick. Pricey though.
Just saw a television ad that was funnier than heck!
Still laughing…