Grab these either on Amazon, or from Third Reality Directly Amazon - amzn.to/380ln1i Third Reality Store - www.3reality.com/online-store/THIRDREALITY-ZigBee-Smart-Blind-Easy-Installation-Multiple-Ways-to-Control-Directly-Work-with-Compatible-Echo-Devices-ZigBee-Hub-Required-AA-Alkaline-batteries-included-p446553307
Right on. I'll update this when I finally have to. They are currently at 87% with almost two months of daily use and a few days of filming that resulting in a lot of up and down and stopping.
This version is just zigbee so it won’t connect to HomeKit unless you go through something like Home Assistant which can send its devices to Apple Home. But hopefully they will make these matter enabled then they will.
nice review but the most important item wasn't discussed. how's the battery life? at this price I could see people getting several around the house and changing batteries could end up being a full time job
So I am not totally sure on the battery life yet. But here is what I know. I have had these running for more than a month and half. With them opening and closing each day once. Plus a few days where I was filming and for a period over those days was opening and closing them a lot. And as of today the battery sensors says there is 87% remaining. So I suspect you will get atleast 6 months, if not more if you are opening in the morning and closing them in the evening each day.
It doesn't appear there is a way to set it manually. Looks like it is all based on that sensor. Which has caused me some issues in my new house. Still awesome blinds. Just need a good window sill otherwise it is not the best option.
Thanks for the video! I just installed one today, very easy install. I'm running Sonoff USB 3.0+ with Z2M and was wondering, Will you post when Z2M releases your Third Reality Smart Shade Project? Or will I just need to check everyday within the Z2M app. I have the Third Reality Smart Shade added in Z2M, but of course it states It's Not Supported and there are no entities Exposed. Thanks again, for all your hard work!
Not sure when it will get added. Honestly I haven't gotten it submitted yet. BUT, you can grab my external converter from github. And then download it to thr zigbee2mqtt folder in your config, then in zigbee2mqtt got to settings and there will be a place to add the external converter. Just put in the name of the file you put in your zigbee2mqtt directory (something.js), and then restart z2m. github.com/thejeffreystone/home-assistant-configuration/blob/master/config/zigbee2mqtt/third_reality.js
@@SlackerLabs Thanks for that info, but I guess because I'm still new to HA and YAML, I can't seem to get it working. I copied your raw github file into a file I create in config ( /config/zigbee2mqtt/third_reality_shade.js ). Open up Zigbee2MQTT and clicked on 'Extension'. Then clicked on the add ( + ) and typed in, third_reality_shade.js . I clicked on SAVE, but got a few red boxes saying errors. But it did save? After I removed the shade, I did try adding it back. But of course it still says unsupported, and nothing showing in Exposes. This might be a good "how to video" for you to make next. (lol) ;)
Right on. I'll see if I can get a written guide up faster. But I have officially submitted the update to the zigbee2mqtt project, and the tests all passed so now we just wait for it to be merged. I'm guessing it will be release in the next release...but thats a guess.
That’s a good point. I need to make sure I demo that when doing these videos. They do seem really good at cutting out light. But yea. Not exactly black out.
Sorry, forgot to put these in the description: Amazon - amzn.to/380ln1i Third Reality Store - www.3reality.com/online-store/THIRDREALITY-ZigBee-Smart-Blind-Easy-Installation-Multiple-Ways-to-Control-Directly-Work-with-Compatible-Echo-Devices-ZigBee-Hub-Required-AA-Alkaline-batteries-included-p446553307
In home assistant can you set the shades to a particular openness level in an automation? I.e. a gradual opening in the morning every few minutes to wake up?
Yes, you can. At least with the Zigbee2mqtt one. I can't remember if the ZHA one had it, but if you not you could always have it open for a bit and then tell it to stop. Zigbee2mqtt you can for sure set the position. Hopefully that will be in the project soon. If not, you can grab the external convert from my github for the time being. github.com/thejeffreystone/home-assistant-configuration/blob/master/config/zigbee2mqtt/third_reality.js
@@SlackerLabs Unfortunately I don't. I was however able to the file added and Zigbee2MQTT responding. Sadly there isn't enough information to get the Thermostat to respond in a way that I would like. There is more work to be done but I am not at that level to write that sort of code. Thanks for responding though. I really appreciate it
Ok I added thirdrealty.js and altered my configuration.yml to use that as an external converter and restarted z2m. Blind shows up as supported and seems to report position correctly but I cannot control the blind either from z2m dashboard or HA. If I change position using blind that is reflected correctly. What am I misssing.
Grab these either on Amazon, or from Third Reality Directly
Amazon - amzn.to/380ln1i
Third Reality Store - www.3reality.com/online-store/THIRDREALITY-ZigBee-Smart-Blind-Easy-Installation-Multiple-Ways-to-Control-Directly-Work-with-Compatible-Echo-Devices-ZigBee-Hub-Required-AA-Alkaline-batteries-included-p446553307
Thank you!
Hey Jeff, great video. We had a larger width window to cover so we picked up two of these for it and they look great.
One of the first blinds I actually like!!! Thanks for this Jeff! Gret video!
These look really cool. I'd be interested in hearing about how often you have to swap the batteries in these.
Right on. I'll update this when I finally have to. They are currently at 87% with almost two months of daily use and a few days of filming that resulting in a lot of up and down and stopping.
hey Jeff, just found your stuff, amazin, thank you . Question , can i get these to work with Homekit
This version is just zigbee so it won’t connect to HomeKit unless you go through something like Home Assistant which can send its devices to Apple Home. But hopefully they will make these matter enabled then they will.
Any idea if these will work with the Hue Hub 2.0? Or the Xiaomi gateway?
Not sure. I’m going to guess not the hue hub. But as long as the Ziaomi
One sport zigbee 3.0 in theory they should work.
nice review but the most important item wasn't discussed. how's the battery life?
at this price I could see people getting several around the house and changing batteries could end up being a full time job
So I am not totally sure on the battery life yet. But here is what I know. I have had these running for more than a month and half. With them opening and closing each day once. Plus a few days where I was filming and for a period over those days was opening and closing them a lot. And as of today the battery sensors says there is 87% remaining. So I suspect you will get atleast 6 months, if not more if you are opening in the morning and closing them in the evening each day.
Any thoughts on why that open/closed status is ONLY in zha?
Umm. Only because I haven’t figured out how to add it to the zigbee2mqtt converter. Honestly I have spent much time trying. I should prolly do that.
@@SlackerLabs I am trying to figure out how many windows I can justify before the wife says enough lol
Is it possible to configure the stop limit without relying on the height sensor?
It doesn't appear there is a way to set it manually. Looks like it is all based on that sensor. Which has caused me some issues in my new house. Still awesome blinds. Just need a good window sill otherwise it is not the best option.
Thanks for the video!
I just installed one today, very easy install.
I'm running Sonoff USB 3.0+ with Z2M and was wondering, Will you post when Z2M releases your Third Reality Smart Shade Project?
Or will I just need to check everyday within the Z2M app.
I have the Third Reality Smart Shade added in Z2M, but of course it states It's Not Supported and there are no entities Exposed.
Thanks again, for all your hard work!
Not sure when it will get added. Honestly I haven't gotten it submitted yet. BUT, you can grab my external converter from github. And then download it to thr zigbee2mqtt folder in your config, then in zigbee2mqtt got to settings and there will be a place to add the external converter. Just put in the name of the file you put in your zigbee2mqtt directory (something.js), and then restart z2m. github.com/thejeffreystone/home-assistant-configuration/blob/master/config/zigbee2mqtt/third_reality.js
@@SlackerLabs
Thanks for that info, but I guess because I'm still new to HA and YAML, I can't seem to get it working.
I copied your raw github file into a file I create in config ( /config/zigbee2mqtt/third_reality_shade.js ).
Open up Zigbee2MQTT and clicked on 'Extension'. Then clicked on the add ( + ) and typed in, third_reality_shade.js .
I clicked on SAVE, but got a few red boxes saying errors. But it did save?
After I removed the shade, I did try adding it back. But of course it still says unsupported, and nothing showing in Exposes.
This might be a good "how to video" for you to make next. (lol) ;)
Right on. I'll see if I can get a written guide up faster. But I have officially submitted the update to the zigbee2mqtt project, and the tests all passed so now we just wait for it to be merged. I'm guessing it will be release in the next release...but thats a guess.
@@SlackerLabs
Thank you!
It would be nice if there was a way to hardwire these to power, but it appears the motor is in the lower portion.
By the looks of them you can't trim the width to suit your window, correct?
Correct. You would need the width to fit. Either inside or a bit larger if you mounted outside the window.
@@SlackerLabs thanks 👍
If these were available as blackout blinds, they sound like they could’ve been perfect for my home theater. Oh well.
That’s a good point. I need to make sure I demo that when doing these videos. They do seem really good at cutting out light. But yea. Not exactly black out.
@@SlackerLabs Ooh-I’d love to see that kind of demo!
very cool. are these just on Amazon or do you have a link to order from?
Sorry, forgot to put these in the description:
Amazon - amzn.to/380ln1i
Third Reality Store - www.3reality.com/online-store/THIRDREALITY-ZigBee-Smart-Blind-Easy-Installation-Multiple-Ways-to-Control-Directly-Work-with-Compatible-Echo-Devices-ZigBee-Hub-Required-AA-Alkaline-batteries-included-p446553307
In home assistant can you set the shades to a particular openness level in an automation? I.e. a gradual opening in the morning every few minutes to wake up?
Yes, you can. At least with the Zigbee2mqtt one. I can't remember if the ZHA one had it, but if you not you could always have it open for a bit and then tell it to stop. Zigbee2mqtt you can for sure set the position. Hopefully that will be in the project soon. If not, you can grab the external convert from my github for the time being. github.com/thejeffreystone/home-assistant-configuration/blob/master/config/zigbee2mqtt/third_reality.js
Any chance I can get some help adding a device to Zigbee2MQTT?. Each time that I add the external_converters: my add on fails to start.
Make sure the file is in the zigbee2mqtt folder. If it is then it might be something in the file. Do you have it in GitHub?
@@SlackerLabs Unfortunately I don't. I was however able to the file added and Zigbee2MQTT responding. Sadly there isn't enough information to get the Thermostat to respond in a way that I would like. There is more work to be done but I am not at that level to write that sort of code. Thanks for responding though. I really appreciate it
I need that shirt.
Ok I added thirdrealty.js and altered my configuration.yml to use that as an external converter and restarted z2m. Blind shows up as supported and seems to report position correctly but I cannot control the blind either from z2m dashboard or HA. If I change position using blind that is reflected correctly. What am I misssing.
Looking at MQTT explorer it is sending message. zigbee2mqtt/Office Blind/SET STOP or OPEN or CLOSE. when I click on buttons in HA dashobard
Ignore. This is working now. I guess it helps to be awake when you are testing
Wish it had built in solar panel like other smart blinds
Yeah, that would be nice.