The Bottom Line: Nexia Bridge Z-Wave Controller, its App and MyNexia.com
- Setting Up the Bridge: Easy
- Setting Up (enrolling) individual devices (Adding, etc.): Pretty straightforward, although documentation could be better.
- Creating Automations: Pretty easy, but some limitations in terms of options i.e. “Leave a device on for 4 hours” is not possible at this time, but one can have devices turn on or off at predetermined times, including around sunset and sunrise. I have several lights that come on “15 minutes before sunset.”
- The syntax used to describe the automations created can sometimes be confusing, but that’s rather minor.
- Creating Groups: Easy – We’re talking putting multiple devices together into a group so that one can quickly command all of them at the same time with an automation.
- Adding photos for Devices and Groups: Not available in the App at this time (Photos can be a nice touch if you don’t get carried away. (Using a picture of a wall outlet doesn’t necessarily tell you where in the house it might be)
- Support for color lighting is very limited, or rather non-existent in the App: This is a big concern for me. While I could adjust the colors on the Zipato RGBW smart light bulb from the website using a browser, it’s not integrated into the App, so there’s no color control. Even the ability to set the colors on MyNexia.com is limited to setting it using sliders. There are no savable settings, so if I want to change the bulb from teal green to burgundy, I have to go back to the site, use the sliders, losing the original settings. Bummer!
- Very Reasonable price for the Nexia Bridge: Typically under $90!
- The $9.99 monthly subscription is important to using the Bridge. You’ll need to decide whether you are “ok” with the monthly fee. It should provide better security, and some benefits compared to the currently free IFTTT protocol.
Since I’m a color light fanatic in my home, I’m rather unhappy with Nexia’s support of color. I have already spoken with Nexia, talking about the importance of implementing the full color lighting protocols that exist in Z-Wave. They made no promises, saying they are reviewing support for color, etc. Hopefully we’ll see that in a not too distant app/software update.
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.
