The SwitchBot Meter Pro CO2 is probably one of my favorite smart home sensors this year. CO2 levels in my apartment turned out to be waaay worse than I thought.
Once again for those not working in the graphics industry, it's pronounced with a hard G and not a soft g since the word it's based on isn't Giraffics. SMH
Brian, small request, when you do sensor reviews you must investigate what type of sensor is being used and the manufacturer. Are they precise? Are they accurate? I only use Aranet4 and AirGradient for those reasons.
I'd like to be able to provide information like that, but all I can do most of the time is make comparisons. Most companies don't release the info on the sensor itself even if you ask. This is the same temp/humidity sensor they've been using for years. It's fairly accurate but I wouldn't call it perfect because of the design. There's not much in terms of air gap or air flow through the sensor. Thus I think it's accurate enough for most people's use. Not if you're looking for perfection :) Hope that helps!
Those curtain lights look cool. I wonder if there is a DIY / WLED way of doing this. This would be great for your front window for holidays like Halloween or Christmas 🎄
Great video, Brian! I like the Bluetti products a. lot since I live near the coast in an area subject to hurricanes. You can run a tankless gas hot water heater easily with one and the one you have would run my gas furnace. Other things would be TVs that have an outside antenna, lots and lots of LED lights, as well as charge almost everything in your house, including your Narwal vacuum! Thank you.
Ohhhh, I don't know that I could give you a perfect one to buy...but... Nest actually has a C wire adapter. I've heard they complain and don't always work right. There are many battery powered thermostats that work without (Honeywell) one too. So without that wire, you end up in the world of batteries and sometimes issues. It's best to get it run, but I'm betting you can't do that. You could speak to someone who would let you relocate the thermostat to be right next to the furnace? Since it's smart, you don't really need it out in the open!
@AutomateYourLife I had electrician over last summer to look at this and he said that he could not do anything and did not know of one to use because all the ones he's worked with have c wires. My unit is very old runs really good but he could not even wire it so that I would not need the seat wire He said he's done that but I didn't have a wire for that.
TP-Link Deco mesh routers have a feature never seen on another manufacturer. Connection Preference. This allows you to assign a specific device to a closer node if you wish. Got a device that seems to fall offline to often? Maybe its signal is weak, and it doesn't see to connect to the physically closest node? Connection Preference allows you to assign to a node AND it stays connected to that node. Made a difference on my Wyze cams.
I'm happy about the Switchbot meter being able to show whatever sensor you want. I've wanted that since I first got my outdoor meters. I also like the Third Reality soil sensor. I've found that there isn't much to choose from in that category, and the ones I bought last year aren't smart; they just connect to their own hub/app. I do worry about the zigbee signal being able to go as far as I'd need it to though. Finally, I wonder if the new Ring Doorbell is more reliable than the Pro 2 I have. Seems like that thing is always failing in some way, whether it be showing the camera on the Echo Shows when someone rings or starting routines. Mine has been awful for both of those things, but I haven't been able to determine if the problem is with Eero, Alexa, or Ring. Ugh.
@@bradkrekelberg8624 I haven't traditionally had issues with my gear from Ring (other than what Ring doesn't do well), but this one has been good for responding on the displays
Wondering….can you buy the solar charger for the new ring doorbell camera? Also….if I wanted to purchase the chime unit for inside my home so I can hear the doorbell like a traditional doorbell what would you recommend?
Yes you can use a solar charger but you have to buy the right one. Here's the URL: amzn.to/3ZlEdb3 (Amazon affiliate link) And you can use the Ring Chime. That's easiest. Then there's the Echo speakers. Both are about the same :)
Hey, Brian! I was wondering about the pressure mat. I know you said it works with Home Assistant, but it also says it’s esphome compatible. I don’t know anything about esphome, but would this mat work in Homey Pro using the esphome community app? It has a “when” card for “when weight changed”.
@ If you do end up trying it, I’d love to know. I’d buy a couple of these immediately if I was sure they worked with Homey. I have the Withings one, but I’m not really a fan. My dog triggers it all the time since there’s no weight limits and there are no “and” cards, so I can’t use two of them together. One on each side of the bed, for example. Thanks for the great content and the reply!
Homey has been great so far. I'm still using it. Reliability has been really high. The problems with it are the same as most other hubs right now. Matter is imperfect and if you use that, it has less reliability.
Personally not a fan of things like those Govee curtains. Fwiw… It’s like pulling the streets of Tokyo into your living room. Anything that pushes us too far away from nature(natural lighting and materials) is a bad idea imo. Looks…unsophisticated/immature and can destroy a homes ambiance. Not a knock on the channel but the specific product. All these other products that make life easier and more enjoyable in a less conspicuous way are great. That bluetti unit looks interesting for sure. 🍻
@@AutomateYourLife well I bought one in France in august and I really like the camera function. I can see my appartment from 6000 km away, plus the sound is really good, so yes, happy to finally see it in QC
Hey Brian, Been a while! I have recently bought two Switchbot Meter Pro CO2 that I have placed in our movie room and bedroom. I found out that when I connected the CO2 meters to both Smartthings och Google Home the CO2 meters shows up twice, as to be expected. As per my finding this is what is happening. -If Switchbot is connected with Smartthings and Smartthings in turn is connected with Google Home = CO2 monitor is presented once with only temperature in Google Home. (In Smartthings, CO2 Monitor is presented with temperature and humidity) -If Switchbot is connected only with Google Home = CO2 monitor is presented with temperature, humidity and CO2 levels in Google Home. -If Switchbot is connected with both Smartthings and Google Home = CO2 monitor is presented twice, one with only temperature and one with temperature, humidity and CO2 levels in Google Home. Great news update btw. Pia sends her regards! //Peter
Brian, please tell me that this is wrong - if it is. I have been hearing that Ring will turn over YOUR recordings from YOUR doorbell camera if Law Enforcement ask Ring for it. You have no say in the matter, if they do or not. Care to tell us what you have learned?
I believe a number of makers will share footage with police enforcement in a subpoena situation. Ring is included. This is an old story though Obi...been that way for years.
@@AutomateYourLife I wish I could recommend Deco, but at least the M5 is pure garbage. I've had it in my home for the last 4-5 years and it's just a pain in every way possible. The nodes restart or go offline randomly, the app does not show real time information, I get random notifications from known devices connecting all the time, the app is slow, newly connected devices take a while to show up so I have to wait to configure them, I have to reconnect to the WiFi on my phone in order for the device to connect to the nearest node because it won't roam automatically as you'd expect, and those are just issues that come to mind, there are more.
Here's hoping you and yours have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season!!!
We will! You have a Beary good time!
Really enjoyed your video. As always informative and honest which is why I come back every week to watch the channel.
I appreciate that! Thanks Rich!
The SwitchBot Meter Pro CO2 is probably one of my favorite smart home sensors this year. CO2 levels in my apartment turned out to be waaay worse than I thought.
Yeah I saw you've been loving on this one Sune! Fix that CO2 level up...it affects us more than we think
1:34 What's a jif upload? Something to do with peanut butter?
@@PhillBogart mmmm pb
@ 😁
Once again for those not working in the graphics industry, it's pronounced with a hard G and not a soft g since the word it's based on isn't Giraffics. SMH
Okay this definitely needed timestamps
It has them :)
Thanks for sharing Brian.
Thank you Ron!
Happy Thanksgiving Brian. I know it isn't Thanksgiving there, but have a happy one anyway. :) Dress warm too.
I appreciate that! You too!
Excellent
Thanks, I'm excited about these new products too!
ThirdReality Soil Sensor for automation which zigbee hub is needed?
@@LebDusty I'm using Homey Pro, but I got it into SmartThings and I'm pretty sure it would work with Hubitat too. Just no Alexa mostly!
@@LebDusty oh and thirdrealitys own hub!
I use an aranet4 for CO2. But gotta say you need to pay a lot of attention to the CO2 sensor when looking at sensors. Not all are rhe same.
That's true, for all sensor types too!
Brian, small request, when you do sensor reviews you must investigate what type of sensor is being used and the manufacturer.
Are they precise? Are they accurate?
I only use Aranet4 and AirGradient for those reasons.
I'd like to be able to provide information like that, but all I can do most of the time is make comparisons. Most companies don't release the info on the sensor itself even if you ask.
This is the same temp/humidity sensor they've been using for years. It's fairly accurate but I wouldn't call it perfect because of the design. There's not much in terms of air gap or air flow through the sensor.
Thus I think it's accurate enough for most people's use. Not if you're looking for perfection :)
Hope that helps!
The light curtain would look great behind some frosted glass
100%!
Those curtain lights look cool. I wonder if there is a DIY / WLED way of doing this. This would be great for your front window for holidays like Halloween or Christmas 🎄
@@RyanDuffy the curtains do look amazing on windows! Absolutely
I like that Switchbot Sensor. Question: does it also sense CO or only CO2? Thanks for all your great videos. You’ve helped me greatly over the years!
Hey Raul, just CO2 on this one :)
Great video, Brian! I like the Bluetti products a. lot since I live near the coast in an area subject to hurricanes. You can run a tankless gas hot water heater easily with one and the one you have would run my gas furnace. Other things would be TVs that have an outside antenna, lots and lots of LED lights, as well as charge almost everything in your house, including your Narwal vacuum! Thank you.
@@HughD you're always so ahead of me Hugh!
You have some great ideas for use cases too!
فيديو رائع اشكرك ،كثيرا
Thank you very much!
Have a question do you know of a smart thermostat that doesn't need to use the c wire? I live in apartments and dont have one for my furnace.
Ohhhh, I don't know that I could give you a perfect one to buy...but...
Nest actually has a C wire adapter. I've heard they complain and don't always work right. There are many battery powered thermostats that work without (Honeywell) one too.
So without that wire, you end up in the world of batteries and sometimes issues. It's best to get it run, but I'm betting you can't do that. You could speak to someone who would let you relocate the thermostat to be right next to the furnace? Since it's smart, you don't really need it out in the open!
@AutomateYourLife I had electrician over last summer to look at this and he said that he could not do anything and did not know of one to use because all the ones he's worked with have c wires. My unit is very old runs really good but he could not even wire it so that I would not need the seat wire He said he's done that but I didn't have a wire for that.
TP-Link Deco mesh routers have a feature never seen on another manufacturer. Connection Preference. This allows you to assign a specific device to a closer node if you wish. Got a device that seems to fall offline to often? Maybe its signal is weak, and it doesn't see to connect to the physically closest node? Connection Preference allows you to assign to a node AND it stays connected to that node. Made a difference on my Wyze cams.
Ya that's true too! It helped me. I did see that somewhere else before...I think it was Eero, but it's a great feature Obi!
I'm happy about the Switchbot meter being able to show whatever sensor you want. I've wanted that since I first got my outdoor meters. I also like the Third Reality soil sensor. I've found that there isn't much to choose from in that category, and the ones I bought last year aren't smart; they just connect to their own hub/app. I do worry about the zigbee signal being able to go as far as I'd need it to though. Finally, I wonder if the new Ring Doorbell is more reliable than the Pro 2 I have. Seems like that thing is always failing in some way, whether it be showing the camera on the Echo Shows when someone rings or starting routines. Mine has been awful for both of those things, but I haven't been able to determine if the problem is with Eero, Alexa, or Ring. Ugh.
@@bradkrekelberg8624 I haven't traditionally had issues with my gear from Ring (other than what Ring doesn't do well), but this one has been good for responding on the displays
I would love these lights in long strips to go inside windows 🙏 I have some from Amazon but they are not long enough 😞
Yeah!
Wondering….can you buy the solar charger for the new ring doorbell camera? Also….if I wanted to purchase the chime unit for inside my home so I can hear the doorbell like a traditional doorbell what would you recommend?
Yes you can use a solar charger but you have to buy the right one. Here's the URL: amzn.to/3ZlEdb3 (Amazon affiliate link)
And you can use the Ring Chime. That's easiest. Then there's the Echo speakers. Both are about the same :)
I think the LifX tube will work with the IKEA Boja lamp. 💡😊
That is a great idea!
Any news on when we will see the U300 lock in the UK?
Sorry I haven't seen that!
Hey, Brian!
I was wondering about the pressure mat. I know you said it works with Home Assistant, but it also says it’s esphome compatible. I don’t know anything about esphome, but would this mat work in Homey Pro using the esphome community app? It has a “when” card for “when weight changed”.
I haven't tried it. That's a good question though. Maybe!
@ If you do end up trying it, I’d love to know. I’d buy a couple of these immediately if I was sure they worked with Homey. I have the Withings one, but I’m not really a fan. My dog triggers it all the time since there’s no weight limits and there are no “and” cards, so I can’t use two of them together. One on each side of the bed, for example. Thanks for the great content and the reply!
Brian, are you still using homey as your hub of choice? Hows the reliability of it? The new dashboards are tempting me over from hubitat.
Homey has been great so far. I'm still using it. Reliability has been really high. The problems with it are the same as most other hubs right now. Matter is imperfect and if you use that, it has less reliability.
Modal is basically Rayon from cellulose which is tree pulp aka paper.
You learn something new every day! Thanks sir :)
Personally not a fan of things like those Govee curtains. Fwiw…
It’s like pulling the streets of Tokyo into your living room.
Anything that pushes us too far away from nature(natural lighting and materials) is a bad idea imo.
Looks…unsophisticated/immature and can destroy a homes ambiance.
Not a knock on the channel but the specific product.
All these other products that make life easier and more enjoyable in a less conspicuous way are great. That bluetti unit looks interesting for sure. 🍻
@@DoctorRevers all good doc! You enjoy what you enjoy :)
Echo show 8 v3 finally available in QC !!!
Hooray!! You can FINALLY get it!
@@AutomateYourLife well I bought one in France in august and I really like the camera function. I can see my appartment from 6000 km away, plus the sound is really good, so yes, happy to finally see it in QC
Hey Brian,
Been a while!
I have recently bought two Switchbot Meter Pro CO2 that I have placed in our movie room and bedroom.
I found out that when I connected the CO2 meters to both Smartthings och Google Home the CO2 meters shows up twice, as to be expected.
As per my finding this is what is happening.
-If Switchbot is connected with Smartthings and Smartthings in turn is connected with Google Home = CO2 monitor is presented once with only temperature in Google Home.
(In Smartthings, CO2 Monitor is presented with temperature and humidity)
-If Switchbot is connected only with Google Home = CO2 monitor is presented with temperature, humidity and CO2 levels in Google Home.
-If Switchbot is connected with both Smartthings and Google Home = CO2 monitor is presented twice, one with only temperature and one with temperature, humidity and CO2 levels in Google Home.
Great news update btw.
Pia sends her regards!
//Peter
What! Hello Peter! Was just thinking about you the other day. And hi Pia!
I didn't get CO2 levels in Google Home. I'm so jealous of you, as per usual!
It bugs me the mesh network doesnt carry a matter mesh backbone.
Which is coming :)
@@AutomateYourLife I'm waiting for a Google wifi update... Hopefully will have all that
The only usefull product is the humidity sensor. Anything else is plateform centric or completely useless.
Brian, please tell me that this is wrong - if it is. I have been hearing that Ring will turn over YOUR recordings from YOUR doorbell camera if Law Enforcement ask Ring for it. You have no say in the matter, if they do or not. Care to tell us what you have learned?
I believe a number of makers will share footage with police enforcement in a subpoena situation. Ring is included. This is an old story though Obi...been that way for years.
The clothing comes in PLASTIC BAGS!
🤣 I don't think they are!
Run from Deco, their software sucks big time.
I see you're a fan! ;)
@@AutomateYourLife I wish I could recommend Deco, but at least the M5 is pure garbage. I've had it in my home for the last 4-5 years and it's just a pain in every way possible. The nodes restart or go offline randomly, the app does not show real time information, I get random notifications from known devices connecting all the time, the app is slow, newly connected devices take a while to show up so I have to wait to configure them, I have to reconnect to the WiFi on my phone in order for the device to connect to the nearest node because it won't roam automatically as you'd expect, and those are just issues that come to mind, there are more.