Den Automation

jouster

Www.getden.co.uk

Saw this in one of the FB groups today (LWRF)

As someone who’s not gone with any smart home control sockets/switches yet, this looks like a nice system for me.

Probably not much use for those of you who’ve already invested in Hue systems but for someone like me, this looks like it will do all the things I need.

Love the idea of being able to turn off all non essential devices at the flick of a switch. And that would definitely save money in the long run.

Of course it’s all Alexa/Google voice controllable too.

Will be keeping a close eye on this one.

Lesmor

Thanks for posting this
About time someone did what Hive and Hue should have done ages ago instead of charging for each individual bulb controlled by a switch
I really like what it does for middle of the night toilet visits
More so for monitoring the elderly with dementia who cant get care home placement
Count me in

jouster

I definitely think they are trying to cater for multiple groups at once.  

We have young children (twins of two and a nearly 7 year old) so the auto light sensors would be very sensible (although we have Nest Protects with Pathlight functions) and an AP on the landing just outside the bathroom that has quite a bright blue light that might be enough for them.

I kind of like the automated switch movements and it looks pretty cool too...but it will also mean that the light switches will still be used like normal (much like Lightwave RF ones).  This has always been the one issue I've had with Hue...that without buying extra switched and replacing standard light switches somehow, you need to train your family in to NEVER using a light switch the normal way.  That simply won't work when you have guests either.  Plus factor in the cost of bulbs (yes I know they are cheaper when on offer) and this will work out cheaper in the long run against filling a house with Hue Bulbs (my kitchen alone has 13 GU10 downlighters which are only £2 each in bulk, but a quick google brings up £48 each for the Hue equivalent  - and yes I know they do more than just function as a simple light).

Lighting isn't my main requirement though.

mushii

Interesting link. Looks like they use Zigbee. A little more information here

Den Is A New UK Home Automation Platform, Raising Crowd Financing

Only disappointing thing is that they seem to have migrated from their original design of square fittings, that will blend nicely with most modern switches and sockets to a really 1960's looking very rounded style of fitting that will not integrate so nicely

More info here

Den UK Lightswitches

Definitely worth watching

Lesmor

If its anything like my house everyone knows how to turn the lights On but turning them Off is beyond them
I use a Hive motion sensor in the Hall now which has sorted that out
The Kitchen with all the GU10 bulbs is a completely different matter and yes £48.00 for smart GU10 bulbs is a complete joke
I must say I was surprised to see the switch actually activating that is different from the norm
Going away from a square fitting is indeed a bad move though
Hopefully this thread will become an owners thread as I can definitely see me adopting the system but as with most things we haven't read about the downside yet
I just bought 9 cheap RF plug in sockets for my cinema room but even turned off they still consume some electricity and maybe even more than leaving things on standby

I would love to change the actual double sockets to something like these but would prefer not to have to add yet another hub
Why cant you get a universal hub that works with every smart device answer manufacturers want to keep control of their own devices

mushii

Its a shame that they didn't keep to their original pricing Den

– 1 gang light switch - £8.99       Website Price £35
– Single plug socket - £9.99        Website Price £40
– Double plug socket - £15.99     Website Price £54
– Occupancy Sensors - £24.99     Website Price £30
– Remotes – Range from £11.99 to £24.99      Website Price 20
– WiFi Hub - £59.99. Required for our app to work with our switches.   Website Price £60
– iOS & Android Application – FREE

What does concern me is this:

- Long term; we plan to generate additional revenues by monetising the data that our products will be capturing via our App).

Qactuar

This is the game changer:

"Our switches will be direct replacements for your existing light switches and work with standard UK lighting circuits. We use novel and proprietary technology which means that we don’t require a neutral wire in the back box."

Should force others to buck up their ideas. I've had smart light switches for a while now and wouldn't consider anything else.

Desmo

As usual with a lot of these switches, check how deep your patress boxes are. These light units are 36mm deep so you'll need to be deeper than that.

Qactuar

Hold on though; 1G light switch for £35? (£31.50 for pre-order) Ouch. Sonoff are under £10 delivered from China (but caveat is needing the neutral).

2G plug socket is £60/£54 pre order.

Need to find a way to reduce these significantly to fight off the Hue/equivalent user bases in my opinion.

And you need a £60 hub (£54 pre order) to run it all. I thought hubs were being made obsolete? Sonoff and others don't bother with them (I.e. TP Link HS100 plugs). Madness.

mushii

Lightwave RF switches don't need a neutral wire either. They dont actually turn the light off but dim it to a very low level , I know because if you use non-dimmable bulbs they buzz like a bluebottle on crack. If these lightswitches dont require a neutral I am guessing that they do similar, we will see.