I recently purchased this in November 2016 with the soul purpose of integrating my new Amazon Echo with it to voice control my house. My current set includes: Amazon echo in the kitchen, an Amazon dot in the playroom, an Amazon dot in our master bedroom, approaching 30 different GE Zwave and Zwave+ light switches/dimmers and add on switches (more on that later) and 3 HUE colored light bulbs (more on that later, as well).
Goods:
1. Pretty easy installation of the hub and app
2. Easy recognition of newly installed z-wave devices
3. Very active community board with multiple "How-To's" and FAQs on the smartthing website to help with products
Bad:
1. The Hub is moderately priced, but buying devices to integrate into the hub is dang expensive
2. Occasionally, does not always do what it is meant to do
3. Hub has to be plugged directly into the router
Download the app (I have an iPhone 5). Plug in the hub and DIRECTLY CONNECT THE HUB TO THE ROUTER. This means that the hub has to be in close proximity of the router (I have the latest generation of Apple's AirPort, which hasn't changed in 5+ years). Follow the instructions on the app and you're up and running! I had no issues.
Integration goes like this: Purchase GE Zwave light switch, which runs between $35 an $40 a pop! There may be cheaper ones, but not by much. (I recommend staying with the same brand throughout your house. It makes it easier to trouble shoot later on.) Multiply that by how many switches you have in your house! But, you can do this one switch at a time. No need to do all of them all at once. Turn off breaker. Pull out old single switch. Connect the black line wire to the LINE connector on the zwave switch (this is the power coming into the switch box). Connect the black load wire to the LOAD connector on the new switch (this is the black wire coming from the light to power it). Now, these switches need to be connected to the white Neutral wire that is crumbled up in the back of the switch box. These switches come with a pliable extra white wire. Wire nut the whites together. Turn on the breaker and the blue LED light comes on that's on the switch. Test the switch manually to make sure that you can turn on and off the light. If the blue lights not on, you probably have the black wires switched. Open the app, tap on "Add a Thing", press up on the switch and the hub recognizes the new switch. Rename it and you're set.
Sounds complicated, but the hardwiring the switch is more complicated than integrating the new switch with the Hub. With the app, I have it set so when both my phone and my wife's phone break connection with our home wi-if, SmartThings turns off everything. (Have to always remember to remind the babysitter!)
Amazon Echo has it's own app that needs to be integrated, but SmartThings has step by step instructions on that. Had no problem. Now I say, "Alexa, turn off living room lights" and all the lights in the living room turn off. Awesome!
The only problem I have had is with 3 way switches. This is where there are 2 or more switches doing the same light. When you pull out the switch on these bad boys, you'll be met with black, white and red wires. These are wired differently than normal 3 way switches. The way it is suppose to work is that there is one main zwave switch and an add on switch (which has no receiver). When you press the add on switch, it's suppose to turn off the lights AND send a signal to the main switch, to send a signal to the Hub, so that it registers as on/off on the app. I've had some of the newer zwave+ switches that do not register on the app. I.e., I turn off the light with the add on switch, but the app still says the light is on. Not a big deal, but it is annoying. This has only happened on the newer GE 14xxx Zwave switches with the older 12xxx add on switches.
Besides this issue, everything has worked flawlessly. Other issues that have appeared are due to my figuring out complex 3 way switches that power multiple different lights. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone interested in an easy entry into home automation!
| Manufacturer | Samjin |
|---|---|
| Part Number | STH-ETH-250 |
| Item Weight | 8 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 4.9 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches |
| Item model number | STH-ETH-250 |
| Batteries | 4 AA batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color | White |
| Style | SmartThings Hub |
| Power Source | Corded-Electric, Battery |
| Voltage | 100 Volts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Included Components | Samsung SmartThings Hub, Quick Start Guide |
| Batteries Included? | Yes |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Battery Cell Type | Alkaline |
| Average Battery Life | 10 Hours |
