Hue vs Innr vs Trafri - Why pay more?

Harkon321

Just ask in store mate.  On the two times I've visited the guys I spoke to could tell me what stock was coming and when, and that it was all on new firmware.  They are shifting alot more of them than they had thought so most stuff on the shelves is likely now on new firmware.

Jamie

From here :
Supported lights and devices | iConnectHue

"Update: It looks like you can differ lights with a Hue compatible firmware pre-installed by their production number, which is a number printed on the package near the product bar code. It must be higher than 1721. From what several users report, color temperature and color lights need the newer square shaped bridge."

Warnie

Thanks @Harkon321 and @Jamie - excellent knowledge ;-) It's a minefield for a newbie!!! Need to buy a Hue Hub and Motion sensor now!

Jamie

You're welcome. I was a newbie too about 3 weeks ago.

To me Hue is o.e of those rare bits of tech that is both simple and elegant on the surface but properly geeky and customisable to the nth degree if you dare to enter the rabbit hole.

garethjjones

Playing with the web interface is fun Getting started | Philips Hue API

Jamie

I discovered something interesting today.

I have a colour temperature e14 Innr candle bulb. Normally standard behaviour for bulbs is if the bulb is power cycled then it defaults to a standard bright on and colour. However my e14 Innr bulb seems to remember the light level and colour temperature when powered on, it still comes on even if off previously.

Harkon321

You can change this in the settings though can't you.  Choose between default brightness/colour or remember last known setting?

Jamie

No, it's one of the common complaints with Hue, whatever the bulb is set to if power to the bulb is cycled they come back on at a default whiteness and brightness, this is a conscious decision by Philips so the bulbs will still function with a standard switch for emergencies and as a back up.

I've got other innr bulbs that behave just like Philips bulbs but it seems all 4 of my CT E14 candle bulbs are different.

Harkon321

Got some hue and trafri set up next to each other last night.  

I prefer the light from the Hue bulbs.  I don't like the fact that you can see the individual leds on the Trafri bulbs, where as the hue is one block of colour.  When not looking directly at the bulb, the light is similar in colour and output though.  The Tradfri do sometimes turn on and off slightly out of sync.  Can't say this bothers me particularly, but it will bother some.  Hub is in the same room and wifi is good, with WAP being on the next room.  

Hue bulbs dim down lower than the Tradfri (but still not as low as a GU10 halogen bulb) and do a wider range of white spectrum, especially towards the blue end of the spectrum.  

If I had the cash I'd go all Hue bulbs but they Hue are not twice as good as the Tradri, but they are double the cost.  £12 Tradfri Ambient/ £7 White only Tradfri - Hue £25 a bulb.

I'm going to use Hue in the Living room and Tradri in the kitchen diner.

Si80

Cheers for the link to this Hue Lights app. Helped me add some E14 ikea bulbs to my Hue hub where it wasn't finding them originally