Are you doing anything with Hue?

chris06 said:
Defaults to white and full brightness. Would be handy if they were capable of reverting to the previous setting but all the colour info etc is stored in the hub, not the bulb.
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This is one of the issues for sure, however you can work around it somewhat with a Hue Dimmer Switch.

The Dimmer Switch can be configured so that subsequent pressed of the power on button set different "scenes", and these scenes are your own settings for what bulbs are turned on, and what colour/brightness settings each one has.

This means if I unplug a lamp or power cycle a wall switch, then tapping the dimmer power off and on again will reset all bulbs to my preference settings again.

One More Solo said:
Is there a decent option out there yet to replace traditional light switches with Hue compatible ones? Ideally I'd like to replace wall switches with something that incorporates a standard switch and a dimmer control but I can't see anything.

App control is great, but when you're not dimming etc it would be nice to just be able to switch things on and off easily.
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Not yet, the Hue Dimmer Switch seems to use the US style dimensions. If they released a UK style size one, then you could potentially replace the whole socket, but the dimmer switch can't ultimately power the bulb on or off, in fact it needs the bulbs to have "powered on" states for it to work, and then you control the light brightness etc.

A question from me on anyone who has implemented the newish motion sensors, are they good? I'm looking at getting two of them in my hallway, one for downstairs, and one for the hallway upstairs.

My current setup is 4 x hue colour changing bulbs in the living room, and 3 x white ambiance bulbs in the hallway. I am looking to expand with a couple of accent lights in the living room. I don't see the need to have hue bulbs everywhere though.
 
I'm interested in the motion sensors but they seem quite expensive for what they are.

I guess there is added functionality to go with it?

I planned on buying Samsung smart things and i believe its fairly easy to buy cheaper motion sensors from there so bit of a muddle at the moment

They would come in handy as our daughter cant reach the light switches yet and we have an older pull cord in the bathroom which she almost pulled out of the ceiling!!

In the hallway and landing would be also ideal so thats x3 at £33 meh
 
phrases said:
I'm interested in the motion sensors but they seem quite expensive for what they are.

I guess there is added functionality to go with it?

I planned on buying Samsung smart things and i believe its fairly easy to buy cheaper motion sensors from there so bit of a muddle at the moment

They would come in handy as our daughter cant reach the light switches yet and we have an older pull cord in the bathroom which she almost pulled out of the ceiling!!

In the hallway and landing would be also ideal so thats x3 at £33 meh
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You can have a motion sensor control multiple rooms, and do different things at different times, with the official hue app. I believe a third party app (I forget the name) can do more things.
 
Picked up a starter kit and few extra bulbs, just need to wait for our internet/wifi to be sorted before I can use them properly :(

Very excited about it though, going to get an LED strip too eventually for behind the tv
 
So I have:
3 x white bulbs
3 x switches
3 x colour bulbs
1 x bloom

First thing: They are expensive, in fact needlessly so...you are 100% paying for being a first adopter here as the tech really isnt all that smart.

In my opinion the colour bulbs are a waste of cash, sure its nice to mess about with scenes for a day before you realise you would rather not light up your room like the red light district.

The thing the hue bulbs are good for though is the dimming and flexability to do that from a phone or movable switch. The timer function is also great for when your away.

Alexa works alright with it, but seems to have issues with brightness control and cant do colours unless via scenes and even that is a bit hit and miss.
Will probably get a few of the new ambience bulbs eventually as they seem pretty nice.
 
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If I wanted a system that allows me to control times (such as schedules when away from the home) and maybe very basic sensor based operation, is HUE worth it? I absolutely dont care about changing colours, party modes, music matching or LED strips or any of that gaff.

Is there a cheaper option?
 
DampCat said:
If I wanted a system that allows me to control times (such as schedules when away from the home) and maybe very basic sensor based operation, is HUE worth it? I absolutely dont care about changing colours, party modes, music matching or LED strips or any of that gaff.

Is there a cheaper option?
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LIFX

Look on Ali Express (search for SMART wifi LED, etc.)

lol @ above bolded red, it's pretty much the reason why some people bought them, for the gimmick.
 
a lot of people using this instead of the HUE light strips

Wireless electronic ballast FLS-PP lp with Power PWM interface for RGBW and RGB lights (12/24V LED/LED stripes), ZigBee certified product

You get 10 times the length for pennies compared to what you need to spend on HUE, so it's for people wanting really long lengths
 
These lights are addictive. Bought the cheap white starter kit with the intention for just one light... a day later I've just set up a third light and have a spare bulb. This in my mind makes me think as it's 1 bulb less, I may as well buy 3 more for the living room.

Fun though.
 
In my opinion if you think the coloured bulbs are a gimmick then you're missing the point and only imagining them to be solid green or flashing like a disco ball.

Lighting is one of the most important elements to a room and the subtle differences in colour between bulbs and at certain times of the day is really nice. I know they're more expensive but equally, for the price difference and as an investment you may as well go full colour IMO.
 
Russinating said:
In my opinion if you think the coloured bulbs are a gimmick then you're missing the point and only imagining them to be solid green or flashing like a disco ball.

Lighting is one of the most important elements to a room and the subtle differences in colour between bulbs and at certain times of the day is really nice. I know they're more expensive but equally, for the price difference and as an investment you may as well go full colour IMO.
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Lighting yes.

Coloured lighting no.

When our decor was done in the living room for instance half of it was quite colourful the other half plain so certain things popped out. e.g. 1 large sofa in a light grey, the other 2 smaller with one is in a dark red the other a darkish purple. I have a colourful 1 off piece of art, the only one in the world which is colourful the other on the other wall is black and white. curtains we have 3 rods, one see through cream, next see through purple the last being thick cream with colourful flowers. a lot of wood in the room, wooden flooring, wooden feature wall (surrounds tv and fireplace), wooden 5.1 speakers and solid wood coffee table. walls are a light grey with one dark grey.

colourful lighting would only ruin the room, in fact I can't think of a single room I would want it in. ask any photographer worth their salt what they think of coloured lighting when it shines on peoples faces for photo's, etc. yes it's good for coloured uplighting on walls for effects but not when it's shining on people, tv's, art, furniture, etc.
 
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