Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

Bump Topic Add Reply RSS Feed

Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+

 Apple Homekit Discussion Thread, Your Home At Your Command

views
     
tcwan
post Nov 15 2021, 01:30 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
151 posts

Joined: Dec 2011
QUOTE(Muntz @ Nov 14 2021, 03:01 PM)
user posted image

I'm using a mix of Aqara, meross, sensibo, aweet, xiaomi & Yeelight, with Aqara being the biggest of them all.

The pros with Aqara:
- diverse choice of accessories to choose from
- relatively cheap compared to many Apple homekits out there
- batteries for all sensors can last quite long. I've been using it for a year already and the battery still left around 65-70%.

The cons with Aqara:
- the region has to be set to Chinese. So it's a big con for ppl who cannot understand Chinese. What I do is I ask my Chinese friend to install it for me, then he will change the language to English to make it easy for me to configure. However the configuration in English can be a bit challenging due to incorrect translation.
- Expect it to be offline or no response displayed frequently due to overwhelming 2.4GHz wifi use.
- If ur house is spacious or got different stories, buy more hubs. But ensure your wifi to be strong enough to reach all places.
*
I have a Xiaomi v3 Gateway and then I purchased an Aqara M2 Hub for my Aqara devices (I also have the Xiaomi Smoke Detector).
My Xiaomi v3 Gateway is connected to the CN server, the Aqara M2 hub is connected to the regional server (Singapore?)

Previously I was always getting timeouts connecting to the Xiaomi gateway from the Xiaomi Home app. This was probably due to the fact that it is connected to the CN server, as well as that it is WiFi only. However, I did observe that if I logout from the Xiaomi account and relogin it will tend to work fine for another month. I suspect there may be some login token expiry which can only be solved by logging out and in again.

The Aqara M2 Hub has been really stable. Firstly because it uses Ethernet, and secondly because it is not connecting to the CN server.
Overall, unless you are using some Aqara device that is China only I believe that the Aqara M2 hub and Aqara app is a much better solution. There are no random ads to slow down the Aqara app as well, unlike the Xiaomi Home app.

I'm only keeping the Xiaomi gateway around due to range issues and also to manage unsupported Xiaomi device(s).

This post has been edited by tcwan: Nov 15 2021, 01:32 PM
tcwan
post Dec 21 2021, 03:23 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
151 posts

Joined: Dec 2011
QUOTE(Feliex @ Dec 20 2021, 10:09 AM)
Hi, Boss want to asking if I already Apple TV 4K (1st generation) am I need to buy aqara hub as well or just use  Apple TV 4K (1st generation) homekit to control?
I plan to use aqara switch to manage my light, fan & auto gate, it is possible?

Any Sifu here can get me a suggestion/recommendation? I'm appreciate!
user posted image
*
To connect Aqara devices to Homekit, you will need the Aqara Hub.

Only AppleTV 4K (2021) with Thread-enabled devices can work without any extra hub.

Currently we don't have anything like that available in this part of the world.

This post has been edited by tcwan: Dec 21 2021, 03:23 PM
tcwan
post Dec 23 2021, 04:10 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
151 posts

Joined: Dec 2011
QUOTE(Feliex @ Dec 23 2021, 11:48 AM)
Thanks, Man, btw Is 1 unit AQARA hub enough for my whole house?
*
Are you wall switches with neutral wire or without?

With-neutral wall switches can act as repeater to forward messages.
Without neutral cannot. Some newer devices like the camera can also act as repeater or hub (but limited support for sensors).

This is from the Aqara M1S Page (should be similar to M2)
QUOTE
1.This hub supports up to 32 Aqara devices.
2.If you want to add more Aqara devices, you can add an Aqara device that will act as a Zigbee repeater to the hub first, and then add further Aqara devices, extending functionality. After expansion, the hub can support up to 128 Zigbee accessories.
3. Among the products of the Aqara and Mi Home brands, the product powered by the neutral and live wires can act as a repeater, and the product powered by the live wire or by the battery is an end device. For instance, the Aqara AC Controller, Smart Plugs, Wall Outlet, Curtain Motors, Roller Shades and Wall Switches with Neutral are capable to act as repeaters and extend your network. Each repeater can extend to support 16 Aqara end devices.
The range depends on many factors. Most important is whether there are walls or partitions in between the hub and the devices. In my experience, at most the distance is 10 m for reliable connection without walls, less through walls (assuming no repeaters).

Oh, also be careful about the loading on the switches. High load like Heaters definitely not possible to connect to the smart switches. Each switch can only take 5-6 A max (best case, I don't use Aqara switches so I don't remember the spec).

Even analog fans (~100W) are not advisable due to the loading factor, but so far I've been using DC fans with my Terncy switches without any issues.
Your autogate will need some additional setup to make it work due to the motor requiring high current. Sorry I can't advise but I think someone may have posted before on this issue.

This post has been edited by tcwan: Dec 23 2021, 04:16 PM
« Next Oldest · Apple TV & Home · Next Newest »
 

Add ReplyOptions
 

Change to:
| Lo-Fi Version
 0.0242sec    0.19    7 queries    GZIP Disabled
Time is now: 26th November 2025 - 01:50 AM
All Rights Reserved © 2002- 2025 Vijandren Ramadass (~unite against racism~)
Removal Request
Powered by Invision Power Board © 2025  IPS, Inc.