DIY Home Automation with Apple Homekit

[killramos]

@rage2 where did you end up getting your Serena shades from?

I went to that serenashades.ca site looking into some blackout coverings for my media room. Were yours that expensive? ($500+ea for 24x24 yikes is a bit yikes for the 4 windows I need done).

[rage2]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

@rage2 where did you end up getting your Serena shades from?

I went to that serenashades.ca site looking into some blackout coverings for my media room. Were yours that expensive? ($500+ea for 24x24 yikes is a bit yikes for the 4 windows I need done).

Got them directly from Serena Shades. Talked to a rep that put the discounts in place as at the time the website was USD only. The big cost is the width. Not much different in length in terms of price. My order was back in 2016. 38x70 was $540. 46x46 was $595. The hilarious ones were my basement windows. 53x19 was $635 lol. Prices in CAD.

[killramos]

That doesn’t sound nearly as bad. I need to go through my selections again I think...

[ganesh]

Any one here using HOOBS? Or any other Homebridge platform?

Saw this was reviewed on 9 to 5 mac (https://9to5mac.com/2020/09/18/hoops/) and looks like a very solid platform.

[killramos]

Me and a couple others have the starling. This is cool, essentially the same thing with way more compatibility?

[ganesh]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Me and a couple others have the starling. This is cool, essentially the same thing with way more compatibility?

Are you happy with Starling? I understand the plugins may be limited compared to HOOBS?
Do they constantly update the plugins?

[realazy]

Seems like the HOOBS is a variation of the original open source homebridge. You can buy HOOBS for your own raspberry pi for $7. I might give that a try.

[killramos]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Are you happy with Starling? I understand the plugins may be limited compared to HOOBS?
Do they constantly update the plugins?

Starling only works for nest products

[denofslack]

Looking to do some automation for exterior lights so I don’t have to rely on the wife to remember to turn them on.

What is a good simple solution? Looked at the the Lutron Caseta but they seem to be more for dimmers/etc and don’t need that for outdoor. Will eventually want to do more so want something I can add to but not sure what the best options are these days

Thanks

[killramos]

I believe there are on off switches on Lutron as well.

The key is just picking an ecosystem you like and sticking with it.

[rage2]

On off switch is way more expensive than the dimmer.

[rage2]

Not sure if anyone remembers my troubles with the chamberlain homebridge for garage door, which led to someone stealing all the shit in my garage. Anyways finally switched to a much better setup. And only $60!

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08GG1H7TV/

No more failed door open/close status because it’s cold out and cooling the battery on the sensor to fail it. Magnetic sensor switch is bulletproof. Only complaint, the sensor wiring was barely long enough for me. Door sensor reports are instant now, should be able to rely on it for automation.

[ThePenIsMightier]

^Hey, that's great! MyQ is loose, wet turds.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

I use MyQ, but only because it's built into my garage door opener, so the opener itself is reporting open/closed.

[killramos]

I have a MyQ opener built in, but I don’t care enough about tying it into HomeKit to buy the add on puck that can talk to HomeKit.

[J.M.]

Anyone know where I can still pickup a Samsung Smartthings Hub V3? lol TIA

https://www.samsung.com/ca/smartthin...p-u999sjvlgdb/

[sabad66]

Lutron Caseta switches are on sale for 20% off at Home Depot and i think Amazon as well. Apparently they rarely ever go on sale so good time to buy one if you're looking.

This starter kit with hub, 2 switches, 2 remotes for $190ish looks like a great deal. No idea what the difference is between these two skus... only difference that i can see is one says "lamp dimmer" and the other one is "dimmer switch"
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/lut...tes/1001060274
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/lut...tes/1000843450

[nzwasp]

Linus Tech Tips frustration with MyQ and other ways to close his garage door.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7pSkVarixU

[benyl]

Never sure if I should post this in the Wifi thread (which is the defacto Unifi thread) or here.

I setup Homebridge because Homekit kinda sucks. I have 3 Emtek locks (Yale / August) that of course work fine with the native app over wifi, but Homekit needs a "hub" within bluetooth distance. Not putting an appleTV or homepod in the mudroom or the garage. So that means only 1 lock shows me status. Still haven't configured them yet.

But I did configure my Unifi protect cameras so that they all show up in Homekit. Much easier to configure everything in Homebridge than in Homekit. Go figure.

[killramos]

Question for the peanut gallery.

Anyone know of a good home security system retrofit to take an existing system and tie it into home automation?

Basically I want something like rings retrofit kit ( https://ring.com/ca/en/products/retrofit-alarm-kit ) that isn’t Ring. Personally I don’t want anything to do with their garbage privacy policies.

Reason I want a retrofit kit is I have hardwire contact sensors integrated into my doors already and would like to keep that clean look if possible.

Just curious what others are using, hoping for something that goes beyond just sticking cameras everywhere as that causes a lot of noise I don’t want to deal with ( especially with cats ).