Smarthome Philips Hue and Somfy TaHoma experiences

"Who knows radio, chooses cable." is an old saying among engineers. Radio should be used when cable is not feasible or too expensive (e.g. during retrofitting).

There, Shellys (which I also had) are dirt compared to that with further disadvantages.

Can you explain that a bit? What exactly did you not like about the Shellys (or what did not work)?

Can you explain that a bit? What exactly did you not like about the Shellys (or what didn’t work)?

Necessary "tinkering" in the junction box with 6 cables, which can become cumbersome despite deep boxes.... Ok, of course this is inherent to such actuators and not a flaw of the Shellys themselves.

Nevertheless, it was a blessing to simply install the flush-mounted switches from Bosch/Homematic within 3 minutes with just 3 wires and at the same time get more functions (e.g., display in % for the status opened/closed). For me, the double price (Bosch 40-50 / Shelly about 20 EUR) was definitely worth it.

The Shelly app was not nice, and the (unofficial) integration into HomeKit was only possible through tortuous detours with a "messy result." I was definitely dissatisfied and later happy that with alternatives it works much more straightforwardly, securely, and nicely.

You ultimately convinced me with your post, but the preliminary work from you others was just as great and necessary, so thanks to everyone!

The Bosch system was also on my mind because of the smoke detectors and window contacts, and to now run it over that as well would simply be a logical conclusion. However, I still have a small thought problem here, to start as largely switchless as possible (with the Hues, my idea now is to pull all the cables to where a switch might possibly make sense later, but not to install one, just the box and then tape it over. That way I could simply add some later because the cables are already there). The Bosch switches are only available as switches, right? So I couldn’t do the same trick with Bosch and just specify the direction of the box, put the cables and a Bosch thing in there, and then close it inconspicuously again, right?

Can you also set the angle of the slats with the Bosch solution? For example, save two different end positions in HomeKit (slats open and closed). Does that also work with Alexa?

The Bosch solution works purely over Wi-Fi (to HomeKit), right? Does that mean the possible range problem I was afraid of with Somfy is also solved, since the house will definitely be equipped so that Wi-Fi is available even in the farthest corner of the basement.

Regards

I would still like to ask how one can integrate [Windwächter] and [Außenlichtsensoren] into such a solution?

You ultimately convinced me with your post, but the preliminary work from the rest of you was also great and necessary, so thanks to everyone!

I actually didn’t want to persuade anyone :) I just had similar thoughts as you and ultimately came to this satisfactory result so far. Especially because 1.) HomeKit integration was important to me and 2.) I wanted to use the Bosch TwinGuards anyway. TwinGuards not only because of the smoke detector functionality but also to monitor air quality (temperature, humidity, purity).

By the way, without wanting to advertise here (although it might look like that), I recently came across the fact that Bosch currently has a promotion (purchase value > 250 EUR) where a TwinGuard is included for free. Check it out if interested.

The Bosch switches are only available as switches, right? So I couldn’t do the same trick with Bosch and just specify the orientation of the socket, put in the cables and a Bosch thing inside, and then close it just as inconspicuously, right?

Yes, unfortunately they are only available as complete flush-mount switches. However, I can’t really understand the need to hide them at all costs. At least for us, having the physical presence of the switches near the windows still proves to be a frequently used feature...

Can you also preset the slat angle with the Bosch solution? For example, save two different end positions in HomeKit (slats open and closed). Does it also work with Alexa?

They are probably compatible with Alexa (I don’t use it). The switches are also officially suitable for venetian blinds, although I can’t say anything about that due to lack of personal experience.

The Bosch solution works purely over Wi-Fi (to HomeKit), right? Does that mean the potential range problem I was worried about with Somfy is also solved, since the house will definitely be equipped by me so that Wi-Fi is available even in the furthest corner of the basement.

Regards

To HomeKit via Wi-Fi, but the internal communication between controller and switch is over 868 MHz.

I would still like to ask how to integrate wind sensors and outdoor light sensors into such a solution?

I personally don't use that, but it should actually be possible without any problems via a "HomeKit hub". Whether there are suitable products directly from Bosch, you would have to check. Otherwise, for example, Rademacher could be interesting, they definitely have some ... are also HomeKit compatible and by the way also have "concealable" actuators in their range, which are only buried behind the switches in the box....