ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Seen this today in maplins but cheaper else where..Looks good what do you all think?
http://www.lightwaverf.com/
Seems to be aimed at professional installation which suggests high installed cost to me.
Some people will love this sort of thing, but if you've already got proper heating controls etc will you really benefit from being able to play with settings remotely?
Graham
You have the option of Pro install or as instructions on there website for Diy install.
Wonder if this could be controled by a Beo5/6 ? The System works on 433.92 hrz
You might want to take a look at the Nest thermostat for heating/cooling and the Philips Hue iOS-controllable light bulbs. You just replace your standard bulbs with the Hue bulbs, and they require no professional installation. I now have 25 Hue bulbs in my loft. The color, dimming, and programming possibilities are huge!
It's made by the company that used to make HomeEasy stuff (used to sell via B&Q in the UK) and that was controllable with a Beo4/5/6 via one of these (B&O version avalable) and has been around for about 18 months.
Lightmanager Pro B&O
I use this and HomeEasy and works really well for DIY, then they stopped HomeEasy went to this new LightWaveRF name (again, available at B&Q under the Siemens name) and changed the protocols so nothing is backward/forward compatible so you had to buy new of everything. I wrote to ask if they would make it compatible with the old stuff I had already invested in and I was basically told to "bugger off". All the sockets and switches have a new design but the remotes and accessories look identical to HomeEasy but don't work with it.
It is not compatible with the B&O Lightmanager either and although JB Media were quite helpful, Lightwave RF will not release their codes to them to make their stuff compatible.
I know there is the business of copyright etc, but I think that will just lose sales because if Lightwave RF is too complicated to use and upgrade, and they already have a reputation for changing protocols without supporting earlier investors, people soon get on the net and warn others because who wants to invest in something that will only be supported for a year or two until the company has a new fangled idea to squeeze more cash out of you.
Not sure if the Newer Masterlink Gateway can control it but I think if I could afford MLGW then I'd go for Rako or Lutron (or any other MLGW compatible kit) because at least they support B&O officially.
I'm not bitter!
Stoobie
I have these light switches and plugs in everyroom in my house. I think they are excellent. I fitted them myself (I'm not an electrician) they simply replace your old switches or sockets. The range on them being rf and not ir is brilliant. You can buy a mood switch that you can link to your lights and I have one at the top of my stairs that turns all of the light in the house on or off at the press of one button. I also have one on either side of each bed for the bedroom lights. And I have one button set so that it turns the bathroom light on dim for if I need the toilet in the night. The mood switch has six buttons that you can programme they stick to the wall like a normal switch just wireless. I have one stuck to the wall next to back door for the garden lights which are all on plugs. I also have one on my side table in the living room which does the living room lights, the fire and I have bought some of the dimmable plugs for the lamps next to the tv. The dimmable plugs plug into any plug and can be controlled by any of the lightwaverf remotes. A quick fix but they don't look as good as the plug sockets however the plug sockets are not dimmable just power on or off. I have a pir sensor in one bedroom so the light comes on when you walk in. You can also get a wifi device which allows you to controll via the iPhone at home or away. I haven't tried that and I haven't tried the heating devices either. I can't fault them although I read some mixed reviews the main problem being people saying there lights weren't as bright
. I am currently in the process of moving house and these things are gonna save me money because there's no need for slave dimmers anywhere because as well as the mood switches you can get. You can also get singe and double switches identical to the wired ones only wireless so you can have three switches in a room and only have to wire one, and ifyou move your bed you can move the switches.
i have spoke to stoobie about these before I believe he bought one to see if it would work with his lightmanager however it didn't. Give them a try b and q sell them and so do screwfix. I removed my lutron rainias and replaced with these I found that being able to controll the whole house from the touch of a button beat being able to controll a couple of lights and lamps with a beo4. Although I will be using my boss dims again when I move so I can turn on with light switch and dim with beo4/5.
ciao
I agree with what Martin says - they are excellent if you don't want to be able to control them with your B&O remote.
They are definitely DIY if you are handy with a screwdriver( once you've turned off the power ) and have an interest in techy stuff, as they come with clear instructions.
They work out of the box which is fortunate because there is very little dealer support, but if you are looking at them it means you have enough interest and that should also be enough to get you through any teething problems. Google is a great help as there are usaully others that have experienced and solved any issues.
As Martin said, I did buy a double socket and return it as it was not compatible, but I was gutted because it was really well made, solid and looked really good!