What Smart Home Hub options are available to use in NZ and what are you using?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › What Smart Home Hub options are available to use in NZ and what are you using?

Cyris

121 posts

Master Geek

#228999 2-Feb-2018 16:30

Hi all,

I've been researching home automation and trying to get started. However I'm having a lot of trouble finding a hub or solution that's good and will work in NZ.

I can't use the ever popular Samsung Smarthings Hub because its Z-Wave is illegal to use in NZ (Frequencies). (Not sure if you can physically disable the Z-Wave so I can only use Zigbee Devices)
I could use Zigbee, however I can't find a Zigbee only USB stick for the Raspberry Pi & Home Assistant Software.
I've purchased a Raspbee Addon Module for Raspberry Pi to provide Zigbee support, although it seems I have to run it on a separate RPi with DeconZ and a RestAPI.
Z-Wave devices on the NZ Frequency seem very limited, and much more expensive.
Amazon Echo Plus will soon be available, it will support Zigbee devices however the software is extremely limiting when it comes getting certain devices to trigger/talk to other devices.
I already have a ton of WiFi devices on my network so don't really want to add too much more.

My perfect scenario would be to theoretically use a Samsung Smartthings Hub, not using Z-Wave but making use of the Zigbee instead, then purchasing my home automation zigbee products off Amazon etc...

My second option is to find a working and stable Zigbee solution for Raspberry Pi and Home Assistant, a little harder but if that's all I have I can do that.

I was considering the new Echo Plus because it has Zigbee support built in, and it's now officially a hub as well. However, it's still limited to single steps in automation. For example I can't set up a door sensor to turn on my lights when I enter the house. (From what I researched).

I'd like to have sensors around the house, and more importantly smart light switches so I don't have to a smart bulb for everything.

I also want to turn on my lights, if my Arlo cameras detect motion at night. I could possibly do this now, just waiting for the LiFX bulbs to arrive.

Could put in a few smart power plugs to control some devices, and who knows. Anything else I could think of in the future really.

I understand Zigbee devices would be my best option at this point, but need recommendations on a good Zigbee hub approach.

My question is, what are you guys using?

What recommendations do you have?

I'm not really interested in using Arduino, I'd prefer more finished solutions if possible.

I have already ordered, on it's way:

Google Home Mini
LiFx Lightbulbs
Broadcom RM Mini 3 (IR Blaster)

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#1950823 2-Feb-2018 17:26

What about building one? I’ve got an openHAB system (running on a a6 windows box) with a zwave receiver. I’ve also got a few of my zwave devices running in HomeKit.

There are also distros for raspberry pi (active automation will sell one. I think they also sell the Vera

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Cyris

121 posts

Master Geek

#1950829 2-Feb-2018 17:38

davidcole: What about building one? I’ve got an openHAB system (running on a a6 windows box) with a zwave receiver. I’ve also got a few of my zwave devices running in HomeKit.

There are also distros for raspberry pi (active automation will sell one. I think they also sell the Vera

I have been trying to set up Hass.io on my RaspberryPi, and was considering getting the Aeotec Z-Wave Stick from Active Automation but I'm not sure if Home Assistant Supports it. But if I go that route, I can only purchase Z-Wave products from local distributors right? Are there any more than just Active Automation? Z-Wave in NZ seems quite pricey but I guess it is a more stable option.

My other option was getting the Raspbee Addon Module (Zigbee) for RPi, but after I bought it I found out it requires its own RPi to run separately from the Home Assistant RPi. And I just know I'm going to have a hell of a struggle trying to set it up.

davidcole

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#1950830 2-Feb-2018 17:43

No. Unless you can source 2nd hand (and there active and another crowd on trademe). The only other option is imported from Australia.

It does take some financial committment to go the zwave path. But I can’t think of another whole house solution that is easy for retrofitting.

Inter-connectivity between brands is why I like it. I’ve not dealt with zigbee, but do have some home built devices (raspberry pis or d1 minis).

Cyris

121 posts

Master Geek

#1950882 2-Feb-2018 20:03

davidcole: No. Unless you can source 2nd hand (and there active and another crowd on trademe). The only other option is imported from Australia.

It does take some financial committment to go the zwave path. But I can’t think of another whole house solution that is easy for retrofitting.

Inter-connectivity between brands is why I like it. I’ve not dealt with zigbee, but do have some home built devices (raspberry pis or d1 minis).

I really wish SmartThings worked in NZ, that would've solved a lot of problems. Samsung reckon they don't even have plans to bring it to Aus/NZ.

quebec

784 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1950896 2-Feb-2018 20:34

I’m quite keen to know what will happen if the z wave module is removed from smart things. As per a ST firmware engineer it should be ok but he wasn’t 100% sure though he did confirm that ST will only broadcast z wave frequency only when in pairing mode so if this is correct then adding few zigbee devices which shouldn’t take more than few
minutes should be ok??
It’s like around $110 investment not sure if it’s worth the effor as if removing z wave breaks the ST then it becomes a worthless brick.

Cyris

121 posts

Master Geek

#1950902 2-Feb-2018 20:54

quebec: I’m quite keen to know what will happen if the z wave module is removed from smart things. As per a ST firmware engineer it should be ok but he wasn’t 100% sure though he did confirm that ST will only broadcast z wave frequency only when in pairing mode so if this is correct then adding few zigbee devices which shouldn’t take more than few
minutes should be ok??
It’s like around $110 investment not sure if it’s worth the effor as if removing z wave breaks the ST then it becomes a worthless brick.

I'd be so willing to do this if I knew it would work. Like remove the Z-Wave antenna completely... and just rely on Zigbee devices instead.

eluSiveNZ

163 posts

Master Geek

#1950954 2-Feb-2018 22:12

Cyris:

I have been trying to set up Hass.io on my RaspberryPi, and was considering getting the Aeotec Z-Wave Stick from Active Automation but I'm not sure if Home Assistant Supports it. But if I go that route, I can only purchase Z-Wave products from local distributors right? Are there any more than just Active Automation? Z-Wave in NZ seems quite pricey but I guess it is a more stable option.

I have the Aeotec Gen5 stick in my RPi running Hass.io.

No issues since its been installed, but I much prefer the Xiaomi products as they are so much cheaper.

davidcole

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#1950960 2-Feb-2018 22:25

eluSiveNZ:
Cyris:

I have been trying to set up Hass.io on my RaspberryPi, and was considering getting the Aeotec Z-Wave Stick from Active Automation but I'm not sure if Home Assistant Supports it. But if I go that route, I can only purchase Z-Wave products from local distributors right? Are there any more than just Active Automation? Z-Wave in NZ seems quite pricey but I guess it is a more stable option.

I have the Aeotec Gen5 stick in my RPi running Hass.io.

No issues since its been installed, but I much prefer the Xiaomi products as they are so much cheaper.

What about their 240v products? Aren’t you worried about uncertified devices around mains power?

Cyris

121 posts

Master Geek

#1951191 3-Feb-2018 17:44

What about their 240v products? Aren’t you worried about uncertified devices around mains power?

I've actually seen a surprising amount of people in NZ who actually just use the Xiaomi products they buy off AliExpress etc... I've also not seen any complaints yet. It uses ZigBee but their own version so you have to use their HUB.

scottjpalmer

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#1964295 26-Feb-2018 09:55

A lot of people here including me have had great experiences purchasing NZ certified Aeotec gear from http://www.activeautomation.co.nz

davidcole

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#1964300 26-Feb-2018 10:17

scottjpalmer: A lot of people here including me have had great experiences purchasing NZ certified Aeotec gear from http://www.activeautomation.co.nz

Or fibaro...but that's a little dearer. I have a mix of both. Most sourced from Active Automation.

Nzengsaif

34 posts

Geek

Fusion Automation

#1965056 27-Feb-2018 13:26

Hi
I’m from Fusion Automation Ltd and we also supply AEON labs Aeotec devices. You might also want to check out Wulian products. Please visit https://www.fusionautomation.co.nz/

mdf

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#1965063 27-Feb-2018 13:36

nCube looks like a great option. At @michaelmurfy's personal request, they've promised to bring a version to NZ. No timing as yet, but that's the one I'm currently eyeing.

SumnerBoy

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#1965067 27-Feb-2018 13:40

Nzengsaif: Hi
I’m from Fusion Automation Ltd and we also supply AEON labs Aeotec devices. You might also want to check out Wulian products. Please visit https://www.fusionautomation.co.nz/

You really need to list your prices if you want anyone to use your site. I don't want to register just so I can see what your prices are.

hairy1

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#1965092 27-Feb-2018 14:04

Also, some feedback on your registration process. It would be best to not use plain text passwords. I got sent mine in plaintext.

Cheers, Matt

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