Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


Shanemc

76 posts

Master Geek


#272119 10-Jun-2020 10:55
Send private message

So I recently discovered Alexa and thought what a great idea - what about some light control. I have since spent a week going down the internet rabbit hole of smart lights...

 

The only thing that I really need is control dimming. Colour seems a bit of a gimmick to me.

 

We have a number of dimmers around the house, which are now failing (late 80's installs probably) - so I was trying to cost up moving to smart lights, with smart dimmers. It seems bulbs are probably around 25-30.

 

I have only seen a couple of smart wall dimmers - with no prices

 

 

 

Does anyone know what the options in NZ are and current prices?

 

 

 

Something that looks like a normal switch.

 

All I can see is the Arteor range?

 

https://hpm.co.nz/switches-sockets/indoor-2/arteor-with-netatmo/

 

 

 

I cant see anything from PDL.

 

 

 

 


View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
 1 | 2 | 3
esawers
551 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #2502145 10-Jun-2020 11:27
Send private message

Also interested, we will probably do something like this so we can keep our existing switches, although I would need a dimmer function as well.

 

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/deta-smart-inline-switch-with-grid-connect_p0098816




Shanemc

76 posts

Master Geek


  #2502146 10-Jun-2020 11:27
Send private message

Answering my own question.

 

 

 

Looks like one option is the Philips Hue lights:$50 for a smart dimmer, then $29 a bulb from Mitre10. I cant work out if you need a bridge or not - anyone know? Looks a bit ugly though - would prefer something that is not a remote and a more refined switchplate.

 

 


davidcole
6034 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #2502148 10-Jun-2020 11:27
Send private message

PDL have a range I believe.  PDL nero.  Which is Aeotec Zwave rebadged with price premium.

 

Probabaly worth reading through https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=73&topicid=251234 which covers a lot of the same ground.





Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server
Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight 




Shanemc

76 posts

Master Geek


  #2502156 10-Jun-2020 11:42
Send private message

Thanks, that thread looks useful.

 

Have just tried to looking for PDL Nero, and I can see it looks like a behind the switch smart relay solution. Not easy to find on the internet. Wonder if they do dimming?


davidcole
6034 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #2502160 10-Jun-2020 11:46
Send private message

Shanemc:

 

Thanks, that thread looks useful.

 

Have just tried to looking for PDL Nero, and I can see it looks like a behind the switch smart relay solution. Not easy to find on the internet. Wonder if they do dimming?

 

 

Aeotec to a dimmer, and regular switched.   I just had a quick look at the pricing, and it's about $1500/$2700 for a kit.   I don't know what they use as a controller, maybe a vera edge.

 

But the same stuff you can buy a switch for about $100 and a controller for $100.  That's for more a DIY solution.   You might also be able to look at a vera edge, there are some users here that prefer them as they're more plug and play than setting up Home Assistant/OpenHAB on a machine.

 

 





Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server
Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight 


Shanemc

76 posts

Master Geek


  #2502207 10-Jun-2020 13:03
Send private message

Thanks!

 

I'm quite liking the look of this solution

 

https://shop.smartlife.nz/products/smart-wi-fi-dimmer-mech

 

 

 

I'm not sure it will work with our current switch - which I think are PDL600's. But nice that it would fit with some other easily sources faceplates.

 

 


 
 
 

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).
esawers
551 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #2502213 10-Jun-2020 13:17
Send private message

Yeah I have emailed them asking the same question (PDL600's here too)

 

They are compatible with HPM, Clipsal and Vynco branded wall plates, and when I googled another product, it was compatible with HPM and PDL so they can't be too different???


gzt

gzt
17127 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #2502542 10-Jun-2020 20:13
Send private message

Shanemc: Looks like one option is the Philips Hue lights:$50 for a smart dimmer, then $29 a bulb from Mitre10. I cant work out if you need a bridge or not - anyone know? Looks a bit ugly though - would prefer something that is not a remote and a more refined switchplate.

Bridge is required. Phillips is offering Bluetooth bulbs in some markets, not in NZ yet.

esawers
551 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #2502560 10-Jun-2020 20:55
Send private message

esawers:

Yeah I have emailed them asking the same question (PDL600's here too)


They are compatible with HPM, Clipsal and Vynco branded wall plates, and when I googled another product, it was compatible with HPM and PDL so they can't be too different???



They replied and confirmed it is compatible with PDL 600 series

Shanemc

76 posts

Master Geek


  #2502582 10-Jun-2020 22:06
Send private message

esawers:
esawers:

 

Yeah I have emailed them asking the same question (PDL600's here too)

 

 

 

They are compatible with HPM, Clipsal and Vynco branded wall plates, and when I googled another product, it was compatible with HPM and PDL so they can't be too different???

 



They replied and confirmed it is compatible with PDL 600 series

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting. This would seem like the perfect solution. Just checked and our switches are PDL500's. Hopefully the same module system as the 600's. The button in the picture for the dimmer module looks more rounded, while my ones seem more squared. Going to have to explore this further. Thanks for putting me onto this. Its looking quite promising.


  #2502685 11-Jun-2020 08:19
Send private message

gzt:
Shanemc: Looks like one option is the Philips Hue lights:$50 for a smart dimmer, then $29 a bulb from Mitre10. I cant work out if you need a bridge or not - anyone know? Looks a bit ugly though - would prefer something that is not a remote and a more refined switchplate.

Bridge is required. Phillips is offering Bluetooth bulbs in some markets, not in NZ yet.

 

The smart dimmer doesn't require a bridge. It can be paired directly with a bulb.


chevrolux
4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #2502737 11-Jun-2020 08:38
Send private message

esawers:
esawers:

 

Yeah I have emailed them asking the same question (PDL600's here too)

 

They are compatible with HPM, Clipsal and Vynco branded wall plates, and when I googled another product, it was compatible with HPM and PDL so they can't be too different???

 



They replied and confirmed it is compatible with PDL 600 series

 

Really? They look like Clipsal/Schneider mechs to me... I guess they could fit 600 series with a mod clip of some sort... but they certainly aren't going to sit nicely as-is in a 600 series if they are true to the picture on the site.


Shanemc

76 posts

Master Geek


  #2502745 11-Jun-2020 09:09
Send private message

Yes I agree, I looked at a few pictures last night and comparing the pdl versus HPM/Clipsal design, and it clearly looks like the more rounded Clipsal ones. It would probably clip in, but wouldn't look right.

 

It would be nice if there was something similar for the PDL600, but I haven't seen it yet. I had started putting a few Iconic switches in, when I renovated the study. So that could be a direction to head in. I have tried to exploring what is available in that range - but its hard to find much information. They dont seem to have a wifi option - something that is bluetooth with an app. hard to find clear info on this. Or price...

 

 


dt

dt
1152 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #2502790 11-Jun-2020 10:37
Send private message

esawers:

 

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPBRS0001/Brilliant-Smart-Jupiter-Dimmer-Connector-Make-your?qr=GShopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw5vz2BRAtEiwAbcVIL1XXMKybwY6p0tkUpouv6ULvBUIFhCrlGsV2I4IB-Dq6NQbh4mkspxoC2soQAvD_BwE

 

 

 

 

the review on pb site on this product is hardcase, looks like its come directly from the brilliant marketing department, it even directs you to take a look at the other products on the brilliant website

 

 

 

Sonoff is another really good and cheap option, they dont have compliance in nz but theres a distributor in AU that got them complied for the Australian market and afaik we have the same electrical standards 


 1 | 2 | 3
View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.