I installed the Serena smart blind above a sliding door. My contractor installed a board above the frame of the door to mount the blind. The shade is the width of the wood frame of the door. And I ordered the electric option. My contractor installed an outlet near the blind. The only negative is the length of the electric cord. Coming from the blind is a connector about 3-4 feet out. The AC cord has a connector you plug into the connector from the blind. There is just too much cord although my contractor can shorten the length. I told Lutron they should have a short length coming from the shade and then you could buy a short or long AC cord depending on what you need. I have it open in HomeKit automations at sunrise and close two hours after sunset. The motor is almost silent and in a power outage the shade can be pulled closed manually. The lady at Lutron said you shouldn’t do that too often but in emergencies it is fine. The wood blinds do not work with HomeKit yet and we plan to add some electric wood blinds.
Thanks Brett! I also have three MySmartBlinds and 4 Serena Smart Cellular. My MySmartBlinds work flawlessly two years later but they are on a schedule and follow the sunrise/sunset. They are also equipped with the solar charger and it has given 0 issues. I set it and forget it. They are a lot cheaper and worked with my existing blinds. I never could make them work with Google but given the rooms, the schedule works perfectly. My Lutron blinds were super easy to setup and work as you demonstrated. The reason I choose the MySmartBlinds back then was Serena didn't have slat blinds, only cellular. I like the cellular for the bedrooms for room darkening, you don't get the slivers of light, but the front living room looks better from the street with Wood blinds.
Great review. The only way to get MySmartBlinds to work with the Google Home is to use the Bridge: th-cam.com/video/QIkd4iJFDPg/w-d-xo.html If it had control like these Serena Smart Blinds that would have been great but it is limited to routines.
The best thing I love about the pico remotes is you can get the wall mount bracket for like 5 bucks and attach that to the wall. With a new face plate it looks like it was meant to be there.
I'd really be interested to see you review Ikea's smart home products, since I feel they're really great for people who want to get into smart home products for cheap or on a budget.
They are on my list of things I need to check out so hopefully I can get to them soon. I think I just needed them to add more options that would fit my windows.
Great video Brett! I always wanted some of the Lutron shades (bc I love the light switches so much) and was interested when I first saw the wood blinds. Unfortunately, I’d have to sell a kidney to be able to afford them for all my windows. These do look great tho and you know with Lutron you are getting good quality. Again, great video!
Look awesome. They really should tilt and go up and down. For $925 for 1 window. I’ll accept my pull string ones. I would have liked to hear Keri’s thoughts about what they both would’ve cost.
Now that it’s been a few weeks, what do you think about the lift up/down feature being manual instead of smart/automated? Just wondering if that’s been more of less of a problem than what you expected.
These look very cool. Then I checked the price. Almost $750 per window. They are proud of their product, for sure. Think I'll stick to pulling the string to raise and lower. I can save $735 per window... lol
Hi Brett, thank you for all the amazing videos. I bought a new house which doesn't have any blinds installed. I'm planning to install Venetian blinds on 20 windows and then automate it with Sunsa or Switchbot. Will that be cost-effective as compared to getting motorized shades/blinds from a professional? Thank you
Ugh...Brett, you're gonna cost me a fortune, 14 windows! Lol! I refuse to get any without automation and these definitely are the best out there. How are they holding up?
So far they have worked without a single issue. That would be amazing to have them all be controlled at once. I still have a few more to go. Start checking the couches for pennies.
They do have the 96" option which puts two together. IIf you have bigger than that you might be able to make some sort of bracket to use two of them together.
Great video. very informative as always. Maybe you can make a second channel called, tech with bret for the lazy person. Anytime you start anything with work involved, i just fast forward through that part and say only my handyman cares about this part. ;)
Great idea and I figured that is what happens. That is why I also add time stamps. I am considering breaking up the videos and you watch what is most important to you but I just haven't figured out the best way to do it.
My wife hates Google also. Because, for some reason, it don't listen to her sometimes. But it always listen to me when I give it a command. It got so bad that, I had to get my wife the Samsung button in every room. My wife would asked Google to, turn on one light and, Google would reply, Ok, turning on 39 lights. Or, I'm sorry, such and such is not responding. But it would still turn on that light. My wife hates it. But the Samsung Smartthings buttons, motion sensors, and Multipurpose Sensors, made life a lot easier for me and my wife. I have no idea how Google be working sometimes then, after awhile, everything just get out of wack. I gotta return my Google Wi-Fi 3 pack Mesh because it just stopped having a strong signal. I paid extra for insurance so when they credit my money back, I'm going to order the Nest Wi-fi. I really didn't want the Nest Wi-Fi because it doesn't have ethernet ports. I like these curtains tho. Great video 📹, like always.
There was a lot to cover here so make sure you check the timestamps for specific sections and let me know if you have further questions!
I installed the Serena smart blind above a sliding door. My contractor installed a board above the frame of the door to mount the blind. The shade is the width of the wood frame of the door. And I ordered the electric option. My contractor installed an outlet near the blind. The only negative is the length of the electric cord. Coming from the blind is a connector about 3-4 feet out. The AC cord has a connector you plug into the connector from the blind. There is just too much cord although my contractor can shorten the length. I told Lutron they should have a short length coming from the shade and then you could buy a short or long AC cord depending on what you need. I have it open in HomeKit automations at sunrise and close two hours after sunset. The motor is almost silent and in a power outage the shade can be pulled closed manually. The lady at Lutron said you shouldn’t do that too often but in emergencies it is fine. The wood blinds do not work with HomeKit yet and we plan to add some electric wood blinds.
Thanks Brett! I also have three MySmartBlinds and 4 Serena Smart Cellular. My MySmartBlinds work flawlessly two years later but they are on a schedule and follow the sunrise/sunset. They are also equipped with the solar charger and it has given 0 issues. I set it and forget it. They are a lot cheaper and worked with my existing blinds. I never could make them work with Google but given the rooms, the schedule works perfectly.
My Lutron blinds were super easy to setup and work as you demonstrated. The reason I choose the MySmartBlinds back then was Serena didn't have slat blinds, only cellular. I like the cellular for the bedrooms for room darkening, you don't get the slivers of light, but the front living room looks better from the street with Wood blinds.
Great review. The only way to get MySmartBlinds to work with the Google Home is to use the Bridge: th-cam.com/video/QIkd4iJFDPg/w-d-xo.html
If it had control like these Serena Smart Blinds that would have been great but it is limited to routines.
Wow, you're house is way smarter than mine. Even your blinds are smart. funny 😄 you're showing your old blinds falling apart. Earned 👍
Oh thank you!
The best thing I love about the pico remotes is you can get the wall mount bracket for like 5 bucks and attach that to the wall. With a new face plate it looks like it was meant to be there.
I'd really be interested to see you review Ikea's smart home products, since I feel they're really great for people who want to get into smart home products for cheap or on a budget.
They are on my list of things I need to check out so hopefully I can get to them soon. I think I just needed them to add more options that would fit my windows.
@@TechWithBrett Yeah, their blinds sizes are quite limiting tho I guess it also saves on manufacturing
Great video Brett! I always wanted some of the Lutron shades (bc I love the light switches so much) and was interested when I first saw the wood blinds. Unfortunately, I’d have to sell a kidney to be able to afford them for all my windows. These do look great tho and you know with Lutron you are getting good quality. Again, great video!
Thanks Shane! They are pricey but do have great quality. Hopefully Home Kit support is added soon.
Awesome, so smartest person, thanks for your post
Look awesome. They really should tilt and go up and down. For $925 for 1 window. I’ll accept my pull string ones. I would have liked to hear Keri’s thoughts about what they both would’ve cost.
I'll have to ask her that from now on, good idea.
Hi my blinds dont have a stick it have strings 2 on tbe left side to open and closed anf one the right side what can i use to make it a smart blind
Great video Bret! Wish I could afford these
Are you able to reverse the slat tilt when in the close position? I prefer to have my blinds angled up rather than down when in the closed position.
I’d really like to know this too
if I'm leaving home for work, does these automatically close (like setting a Google routine for "I'm leaving for work" and it closes these)?
You can actually set that up in the Lutron app to adjust the lights when you are home or away.
Are there any motorised solutions for Venetian blinds with pull strings?
this video is thorough and very well explained! incredible job! thanks Brett🤓✅
Now that it’s been a few weeks, what do you think about the lift up/down feature being manual instead of smart/automated? Just wondering if that’s been more of less of a problem than what you expected.
These look very cool. Then I checked the price. Almost $750 per window. They are proud of their product, for sure. Think I'll stick to pulling the string to raise and lower. I can save $735 per window... lol
Hi Brett, thank you for all the amazing videos. I bought a new house which doesn't have any blinds installed. I'm planning to install Venetian blinds on 20 windows and then automate it with Sunsa or Switchbot. Will that be cost-effective as compared to getting motorized shades/blinds from a professional? Thank you
how long between battery changes?
Is this app monthly subscription?
Do these work with smartthings yet
Ugh...Brett, you're gonna cost me a fortune, 14 windows! Lol! I refuse to get any without automation and these definitely are the best out there. How are they holding up?
So far they have worked without a single issue. That would be amazing to have them all be controlled at once. I still have a few more to go. Start checking the couches for pennies.
, cool to see real broken stuff, good video, 😄 👍
what if your windows are bigger than the max width? can you combine more than one blind and how would that affect automatisation.
They do have the 96" option which puts two together. IIf you have bigger than that you might be able to make some sort of bracket to use two of them together.
Hai brett the link to order dos not work
You may need to go directly to the Serena Shades website.
My blinds are so vintage
Good Video but, my first car cost less than these. Nice if you have $$$$ not for normal folks.
Was the $900+ for 1 blind or multiple blinds for your home?
That was for one large blind.
I really like these
Can you check out the new echo show 15
I'm behind on some videos but plan to get to it soon!
That's nice & cool.👍🔥
You should review OmniaBlinds! Half the price and similar quality :)
I'll check it out!
Great video. very informative as always. Maybe you can make a second channel called, tech with bret for the lazy person. Anytime you start anything with work involved, i just fast forward through that part and say only my handyman cares about this part. ;)
Great idea and I figured that is what happens. That is why I also add time stamps. I am considering breaking up the videos and you watch what is most important to you but I just haven't figured out the best way to do it.
@@TechWithBrett no I was mostly kidding. for every one of me ,I think there's plenty of the opposite
Is Serena still the best option in 2024?
I think so. These have held up really well and are very durable.
@@TechWithBrett Thank you!
Brett, I’d like to mention this video on my channel
It appears Alexa has a skill for Lutron motorized blinds. Google works as well.
Lol you stay dropping stuff 😂😂😂
Your wife is lovely. You two are darling together. Beautiful family. God bless you.
probably a bust ? as the site is not available of link provided ?
I detect a bit of vitriol in your wife's comments about google home.
Yeah... It has been a long battle between them but it looks like we finally have some progress!
if your window opening is different sizes in different spots, you have bigger problems than shades.
Hi
Sup
My wife hates Google also. Because, for some reason, it don't listen to her sometimes. But it always listen to me when I give it a command. It got so bad that, I had to get my wife the Samsung button in every room. My wife would asked Google to, turn on one light and, Google would reply, Ok, turning on 39 lights. Or, I'm sorry, such and such is not responding. But it would still turn on that light. My wife hates it. But the Samsung Smartthings buttons, motion sensors, and Multipurpose Sensors, made life a lot easier for me and my wife. I have no idea how Google be working sometimes then, after awhile, everything just get out of wack. I gotta return my Google Wi-Fi 3 pack Mesh because it just stopped having a strong signal. I paid extra for insurance so when they credit my money back, I'm going to order the Nest Wi-fi. I really didn't want the Nest Wi-Fi because it doesn't have ethernet ports. I like these curtains tho. Great video 📹, like always.
My wife has experienced some of the same which is so odd.
I tried to visit their website and it gave an error. Surely they sell worldwide. Otherwise you should rename this video to AMERICANS ONLY.
I would expect it to last a whole lot longer than just 10 yrs...
Avg cost per window blind 500$. Holy cow
$880 for one blind? Thats the cost of the window itself wtf
hi
Hey
so... 900 hundred per window? wow
Only one problem with this blind is too expensive lol
Gotta clean that house once in a while, it's pretty dirty!
I'll think about it...
Your bedroom has a BATHROOM?
That's kind of my thought! But bless him if that's what he wants.
Haha! That is how we purchased the house and haven't decided on how to fix the situation.
At least the toilet has its own room...
@@TechWithBrett well that makes sense that makes it kind of like a hotel that's pretty cool love the blinds by the way
So you spent about $1,800.
$879.?!? Ridiculous
These are expensive as hell
smart wood? lol
Terrible choice of batteries, expensive and bad for the environment
smart blinds ??
Interesting but not at all practical.
$900 for one window? lol. They're just fkn blinds. Hard pass.
Ads within ads? I am done early on. Good bye.
Imagine you're that lazy...