Six weeks ago a Nexia Bridge controller replaced the HomeSeer controller I had been playing with for many months. The HomeSeer is a bit old, so I didn’t want to launch this, our new site with a review of outdated gear. Let me start by saying that the Nexia Bridge is suitable for both the DIY crowd, and for those happy to pay others to automate their homes with a Z-Wave (and Wifi) based solution, but don’t have the really big bucks for Crestron, etc. The Nexia Bridge will be replaced in a few weeks, so we can review another controller under real world conditions.
Right now the Nexia is acting as the Z-Wave hub for my house, aka, our Dream Home project.
By the time the Nexia was plugged into my router, we had a number of Z-wave devices installed in the home. That list included several wall outlets from different companies , also several smart light dimmers (Linear and GE). Other Z-wave devices ready to go included Zipato RGBW smart bulbs, and a Kwikset SmartCode 916 door lock.
Nexia was also nice enough to send me some additional Z-Wave devices, including a Schlage indoor/outdoor security camera, and a pair of Linear smart LED light bulbs.
Side note: Linear, product wise, BTW, seems to have their act together. When I was shopping for a variety of Z-wave devices from different brands on Amazon, I found Linear to be receiving especially good reviews reporting little problems, compared to a number other companies’ products. For example, overall, their comparable devices were getting more stars than most GE devices (and others). So, if you need one brand for outlets and basic dimmers, it’s one brand that seems, at this time, to be “a cut above” a number of others. We have yet, of course, to look at some “higher end” more expensive plays such as devices from Lutron, but that’s coming. – ed.
In addition, I was looking forward to setting up the Zipato smart RGBW light bulb. It was ready to install, but I never successfully configured it while playing with the Homeseer controller. I truly expected the Zipato to be the real challenge (and it proved to be). BTW, I hear that the newest HomeSeer controllers now support the light, but my Homeseer is roughly a year old and is sidelined at the moment.
Nothing like lots of screen shots to show you the workings of the Nexia Bridge App, and their myNexia.com website. You’ll find both below – screenshots – along with captions to describe their functions.
Nexia Bridge: Observations and Issues
Let’s start with access. I previously mentioned that to work with the App offline, one needs to have the PIN code option disabled. And as noted, if it is enabled, you have to be able to access the controller via Wifi, to disable it. Fair enough. Improvable, but now knowing that, I can live with it.
With myNexia.com again, you have to log in with a password. (Rather than a simple PIN, I let my MacBook generate a highly secure code). As it turns out, I wanted to work on writing up some of the myNexia.com part of the review while flying back home from a tradeshow. Sadly, the promised Wifi on my flight was not working. Without being able to access the plane’s Wifi, I obviously was unable to log into myNexia.com. Since it’s a website, and not an App, there’s no work around like disabling a PIN code.
That’s what we call progress. For years, I was able to write reviews for my other website using Dreamweaver with or without online access. Now, though, it’s all WordPress. Access is critical. I’m not sure how much progress that is?
Two of the devices I added to the Nexia Bridge network offered limited capabilities because Nexia is not supporting all that they are capable of. Let’s consider both, because ultimately, this is a key consideration when you are choosing what Z-wave controller you will use.
The long shot: Zipato RGBW smart bulb. I love using colored lights to create scenes and around here, we change those color scenes all the time. You are probably at least a little familiar with Philips Hue lights but those aren’t Z-Wave. We’re in the process of a review of those as well. It will post in August ’15.
For a Z-Wave bulb, the Zipato is one of the very, very few around. And it seemed to offer the most promise. First, it is reasonably bright (some consider brightness an issue with the Philips Hue). Secondly it is RGB+W, so it has not only red, green, and blue LED’s but also white. This makes for a better, more even, white that trying to create white solely from the color LEDs.
It was easy to get the Zipato enrolled in the Nexia. I mean maybe a minute. That was the good part. Then came the disappointment.
I wanted to turn on the Zipato and try some colors. Oh no! There is no support in the Nexia App for color control. My choices were On, Off, and, of course dimming it to whatever level is desired. I was distraught.
I had previously contacted the Zipato folks, who pointed out that there is a color standard for Z-Wave, but many controllers haven’t implemented it. (I’ll take them at their word.)
So I picked up the phone and called Nexia support. They were very helpful and I learned a lot.
Here it comes: Nexia doesn’t actively support any color lights at this time (it’s under consideration they say), but they have been working on a solution, not for the app, but on myNexia.com.
When I call up the Zipato device on myNexia.com sure enough, there are color controls. There are 5 sliders – cool and warm white, and red, green, and blue. I was ecstatic.
Alas, the capabilities proved limited. Yes, I could use the sliders (touchy as they are) to create a wide range of colors. Whatever color I create with the sliders, that’s the color the bulb lights. That’s the color that the bulb does even when controlling from the dimming control in the app. I picked a nice turquoise type color, and could brighten or dim that color. Voila! Two issues though!
1. I can only change the color when logged in to myNexia.com
2. There are no savable settings, just the sliders, so if I want to change the bulb from teal green to burgundy, I have to use the sliders, losing the original settings, and of course I’m on myNexia.com since the apps can’t do it.
Art's been reviewing high tech products and editing their reviews for 15 years. He launched his first website presenting solutions.com (sold in 2003) in early 1995 when there were only a few thousand .coms. He launched ProjectorReviews.com in 2000, and started planning Smarterhomeautomation.com back in 2011.
Art's goal is to provide in-depth reviews on the latest and hottest products that fit into the Smart Home, aka Home Automation, as well as insightful articles to educate people into what's available, what makes the most sense, and where the market is going, so people can better plan, and implement their goals for energy efficient, convenient, and downright "cool" capabilities.
Ancient history: Born in Allentown PA, Graduated 1972. Sold and managed stereo stores (and did a little surfing) in the early, mid-70's before getting into computers and more AV. Managed the first computers store in Pa, starting in 1979 (not the first manager). Moved to selling computers to major accounts. Then moved west to SF area, for a four year stint with Epson starting in 1982, then left for one of the early large venture backed start-ups in the Silicon Valley - Presentation Technologies. Left there to start up Presenting Solutions, which became the first projector focused reseller on the internet (Jan 1995). Married Lori in 1990, and have been enjoying our daughter Lisa, since 1992! Presently living, and working in San Clemente, CA.
