Smart Home Downlight - worth it?

• 

  spackbace on 11/09/2020 - 10:53

  What are the other pros/cons with smart downlights?

  Make sure you have a switch to turn them on and off still. Ikea lights have a remote switch/dimmer, I'm sure others do too (Philips Hue etc)

  When the power goes out (blackout), then comes back on, likelihood is that the lights will all come on.

  Reliant on the everyone using it as smart lights, and not whinging about a lack of switch (asked the Mrs what she wants by any chance?)

  • 

    stuarty9 on 11/09/2020 - 11:08

    I was going to (hopefully) set them up as if they were normal downlights, with a wall switch and then hopefully be able to use them via a device phone/tablet.
    Hopefully this is how it works?

    • 

      bobbified on 11/09/2020 - 11:17

      +2

      …as if they were normal downlights, with a wall switch and then hopefully be able to use them via a device phone/tablet.

      If this is what you want, you might want to look at replacing your light switches with "smart switches" rather than replacing the actual lights. It'll be much cheaper this way.

    • 

      jayboi on 11/09/2020 - 11:24

      +1

      the smart light switches cost around $20 each https://www.amazon.com.au/Useelink-Control-Compatible-Assist…
      or you can get them in 2 zones too https://www.amazon.com.au/Useelink-Control-Compatible-Assist…
      or 3 zone https://www.amazon.com.au/Useelink-Control-Compatible-Assist…

• 

  bobbified on 11/09/2020 - 11:11

  +1

  I've got Philips Hue downlights throughout my place and I love them.

  …am I able to group all those downlights and call it say "bedroom 2", so I can then see bedroom 2 in the app to control colour temperature and obviously turn on/off that bedroom?

  Yes, you can. I've got sensors linked to certain "groups" of lights so that when I return home, the lights come on when I walk through the door. Other lights turn on at night when I walk towards the bathroom or kitchen as I walk around at night.

  When I watch movies, certain lights can be turned on and off so that there's no glare on the TV screen from any lights nearby.
  I've also got this thing called "sleep mode" in my room where the lights dim over a period of about half hour or so and then eventually switches off.

  All lights are connected through Alexa on a Bose Soundbar 700.

• 

  AdosHouse on 11/09/2020 - 11:23

  I don't know about the Arlec ones, but I just installed these in my bedroom, https://www.bunnings.com.au/deta-grid-connect-smart-7w-led-d…

  Work great, easy to set up on the app and with Google.

  Only replaced the one room, but they are all in one "group" on the app, and can change them as a room on Google.

  • 

    stuarty9 on 11/09/2020 - 11:26

    How do you find the Grid connect app?

    • 

      AdosHouse on 11/09/2020 - 15:10

      It's easy to use and I haven't had any bugs with it.

• 

  randombrick on 11/09/2020 - 11:36

  I have zigbee downlights and love them.

  My physical switches are taped over. Lights are mostly turned on/off by automations. Overrides: Voice, XIaomi Aqara wireless switches and the Home Assistant app

  What I love:

  1) Lights change temperature/brightness based on time of day
  2) Movie time mode with red colour lights only
  3) Instant dance party using the HueMelodi app

  • 

    stuarty9 on 12/09/2020 - 12:07

    What did you pay for the Zigbee downlights? I am also looking at them as an option..
    Where did you purchase from?
    Cheers

• 

  pcolby78 on 11/09/2020 - 11:49

  +1

  I'll share my 2c worth :)

  Smart Home Downlight - worth it?

  I'm sure it's different for everyone, but for me personally: Yes, absolutely worth it for some rooms, but not the whole house.

  For example, and again, this is just personal preference, I love having automatic lights in my bathrooms, where I can just walk in, the light turns on, I do my business and walk out again, and the light just turns off a few minutes later. Also really helps with the kids leaving the lights on! ;) For that, I use Philips Hue motion sensors, which work really well for me. But there are cheaper ones I haven't tried, that might be just as good or better.

  As another example, I would not consider it worthwhile putting smart lights in my kitchen. I mean, I wouldn't say no to having them, but not worth spending the money for me personally.

  What I would like to know is if I have say 4 downlights in one bedroom, am I able to group all those downlights and call it say "bedroom 2", so I can then see bedroom 2 in the app to control colour temperature and obviously turn on/off that bedroom?

  Yes you can. Well, you can with Philips Hue, and with Google Assistant (both independently, or together). I haven't tried others, so check the system you're looking at, but I'd be surprised (and disappointed) if you couldn't. Just as an example, I have three downlights in my living room, and GA shows them as one room. I say "hey google, set the lights to 50%" and all the lights in the living room set accordingly.

  What are the other pros/cons with smart downlights?

  For me, the pro's are:

  • some nice, basic automations (like "hey google, good night" turns off all the lights)
  • and, frankly, that's about it. Well, show-off / bragging rights point of interest for discussions?

  The cons:

  • the price. Never pay retail! (But hey, you're on ozbargain, so why would you?!)
  • if there's network connectivity issues, then voice commands won't work (for GA at least), but Hue automations and app still work locally (using a Hue hub)

  For me, its worth it, as long as I can get them at a sensible price. I wouldn't do the whole house - but mostly just because its too expensive, and some areas just wouldn't be useful.

  A few final tips/thoughts:

  • like @spackbace said: "Make sure you have a switch to turn them on and off still". I couldn't agree more. It's pretty rare, but if you can't turn the lights on, its a pretty massive PITA, if not dangerous. And to be clear, I mean a physical hardwire switch. As much as I like the idea of those Zigbee smart switches, which would be nice to have), if the Hue Hub was down, so would those smart switches (but then again, I haven't tried them; maybe they're great?)
  • don't install GU5.3 downlights (That's probably good advice for non-smart lights too) Unfortunately, I mostly have to GU5.3 lights (haven't changed the old fittings), and the range of options is pretty slim, and expensive. I've used Osram (aka Lightify) Smart+ GU5.3 bulbs, and they've worked very well for me. But they are hard to get and usually quite expensive. I'd suggest either GU10 or bigger lights (ie ones that run ~230Vac, not 12Vdc).
  • some of the cheaper ones can have limited color range (not an issue for me), and dimming rang (more of an issue). For example, my Osram Smart+ bulbs cannot dim as low as Hue bulbs before they cut out - this is no issue whatsoever in the toilet, but does make a difference in my living room.
  • I'd recommend you get one or two bulbs and play before committing to large areas.

  Enjoy!

  • 

    stuarty9 on 11/09/2020 - 12:05

    Really appreciate your thoughts mate..

    RE not paying too much for the downlights the Arlec ones are attractive as they're only $18.90ea which seems ALOT cheaper then the likes of the Philips Hue. I will be purchasing a couple prior to committing to a large qty of them as I want to make sure I am happy with them (will report back once I have done this).
    I feel like they may be missing some features due to the much cheaper $ but I am hopeful they do what I want..
    What is a good price to pay for the Phillips? I have only really just started looking at the smart D/L's so I haven't dived into brands/prices too much just yet..

• 

  Tee Rex Arms on 11/09/2020 - 12:24

  I’ve got 2 x Smart bulbs in bedroom in bedside lamps and that’s it. Can’t justify dropping any other coin on smart downlights etc through the rest of the house when they’re physically switched off when we get up to go to bed anyways.

• 

  Chirse on 11/09/2020 - 14:28

  Honestly if you want to save money and don't mind the dimming capabilities, you can always connect the downlights to smart plugs which is what I'll be doing most likely as a smart downlight may be like $100+ for 4 (depending on the brand) whereas a smart plug is like $25 where you just connect a splitter to your downlights.

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  JimB on 11/09/2020 - 14:32

  +2

  Perhaps an unpopular opinion here.

  I just built my custom house so could have whatever I wanted.

  In terms of integration, automation, lights, etc, they are mostly gimmicks. I do however see the usefulness of an internet connected HVAC system.

  Internal downlights? Walking 3m to flick a light switch isn't time consuming or hard.

  Save your money and get proper downlights, not these shitty high glare/low CRI downlights

  • 

    netjock on 11/09/2020 - 15:10

    +1

    Internal downlights? Walking 3m to flick a light switch isn't time consuming or hard.

    Seems like everything that doesn't get spoon fed is too hard. Back to your serious points.

    I do however see the usefulness of an internet connected HVAC system.

    This is like Google Nest. It is useful for turning cooling on early or keeping optimal temperature to not waste energy. Given cost of energy would be one of the best pay offs (in addition to better insulation)

    • 

      JimB on 11/09/2020 - 15:19

      I just bought a Google Nest to control my hydronic slab heating. Not installed yet. I thought about installing it myself but think I need to get the Hydronic installer back.

      I'm not sure if I can connect a Nest to my zoned Daikin ducted RC system. Still a new house, so I haven't yet figured the best way to save energy, i.e. turning cooling on early or keeping optimal temperature to not waste energy as you said, OR turning it on only when you get home.

      This summer's cooling bill will be large due to working from home.

  • 

    bobbified on 13/09/2020 - 13:47

    I do however see the usefulness of an internet connected HVAC system.

    Have you got yours done? I've been looking for a way to do it, but the brand of ducted system I've got doesn't seem that popular here (McQuay) and a couple of the sparkies I've asked to come around to have a look aren't really sure what parts they need. I think McQuay is owned or somehow related to Daiken. It'll be good to have it before summer comes around!

    • 

      JimB on 14/09/2020 - 23:03

      No, not yet, as I haven't felt the need to. I will install a Google Nest to my Hydronic heating system but don't think I will bother for my Daikin reverse cycle cooling.

      My Reverse cycle cooling is pretty quick to cool down the house, plus, it's only upstairs that gets really hot, so we can wait 10-15mins for it to cool down.

      Sorry, never heard of McQuay. Good luck.

• 

  garethb on 11/09/2020 - 15:34

  I've got lifx smart lights throughout the main living spaces in my place and in some lamps in rooms. If I could go back in time to the reno, I would have asked the sparky to hook everything up with a neutral wire and gone with the cheapish smart switches with normal lights.

  Or you can follow this guy if you want DIY and don't want China knowing when your lights are on and off :P https://www.superhouse.tv/product-category/light-switches/
  Just need to run network cable behind all the light switches and can do it slowly

• 

  Jazzydazzy on 12/09/2020 - 10:59

  +1

  I got a voucher from bunnings and not knowing what to get I bought some of the arlec grid connect from Bunnings, from there I've been buying bits and pieces. So far I have got some outdoor lights and done the home theater. I have 2 rgb light strips, 6 gu10 bulbs, 4 bayonet bulbs and 2 sensors. I like it and it seems to work well for me. You can definitely set up rooms and groups and automation around them. I really like them, the quality seems good as well. My only concern is that I believe it is a little eco system so if they stop making them you are kind o stuck.

• 

  stuarty9 on 25/09/2020 - 09:24

  Purchased a couple of the Arlec smart downlights to trial.
  They seem to work well however, there seems to be about a 0.5-1second delay when you turn them on (either at a wall plug or light switch).
  I trialed this by replacing one of my existing (SAL) downlights in the kitchen. When you flick the light switch on, there is noticeable lag to turn on compared to the other SAL downlights.
  This for me unfortunalty, is a deal breaker. The fact that they're not instant is very frustrating and almost feels like the light doesn't want to turn on.
  I purchased 2 of the Arlec's. 1 worked and 1 was DOA.
  The smart side of it seems to work well when I trialled with Alexa.
  Disappointed however as the price is good, smarts work well, but its just too laggy for my liking..

  • 

    usmanyousaf on 02/11/2020 - 10:35

    The reason behind the delay is that when U turn the device on through the app, request goes to the server(may be in china) and then back to device which the operate as per the request.
    I'm order to overcome this… There r couple of solutions…
    A…. Just like superhouse guy on YouTube, run ethernet cable to all your switches and go from there.
    B…. Flash the device firmware with Tasmoto and it will be off the server and will use your home wifi to operate the device. Check YouTube videos for this as not everyone is fond of this kind of solution.

    C… Recently sonoff devices do operate via home Lan as well but again they r not available through Australian store and have to purchase from China ..