Beginner questions

[JeepVoodoo]

So it looks like the Smart Things Hub seems to be a solid choice for a beginner in HA. But I see a Aeon Labs DSA02203-ZWUS Z-Wave Z-Stick Series 2 USB Dongle that looks appealing also for less money. is there a drawback to using the dongle? 
 
Also, i see everything requires a Hub, is there not software that will do the same thing instead of running on a hub? Why the hub?
 
So if i went with smart things or the dongle or something else, does it limit the make/brand of accessories that i can use with it? Can i buy a Smart Things and then run down to Lowes and buy plugs etc or do i have to buy specific makes of accessories?
 
Again, i am obviously new and i think these question will get me off and running. thanks in advance for helping a rookie. 

 

[mikefamig]

So it looks like the Smart Things Hub seems to be a solid choice for a beginner in HA. But I see a Aeon Labs DSA02203-ZWUS Z-Wave Z-Stick Series 2 USB Dongle that looks appealing also for less money. is there a drawback to using the dongle? 
 
Also, i see everything requires a Hub, is there not software that will do the same thing instead of running on a hub? Why the hub?
 
So if i went with smart things or the dongle or something else, does it limit the make/brand of accessories that i can use with it? Can i buy a Smart Things and then run down to Lowes and buy plugs etc or do i have to buy specific makes of accessories?
 
Again, i am obviously new and i think these question will get me off and running. thanks in advance for helping a rookie. 

Here is a link to a list of devices that are compatible with the Smart Thing Hub
 
http://www.smartthings.com/compatible-products/
 
Mike.

 

[jkmonroe]

The dongle will require a bit of software to act as the controller, so the Z-Stick + the cost of software.

 

[ano]

Get a hub, plug it in and connect it to the Internet and you are done. Get a dongle, and then what are you going to do with it?  You got to have a computer to plug it into to, in addition to software. I'm not sure a dongle + computer will be cheaper than a hub. Even if you have a computer it must remain powered to work, and a hub likely requires much less power than a dongle and a computer.

 

[jkmonroe]

smartthings or wink for beginners. i like the wink.

just make sure that whatever tech you invest in will be compatible across multiple systems.

 

[picta]

It depends on what you wish to accomplish. If it is just to get an introductory feel of HA, then get a hub and a few devices that work with this hub and play. However do not count on ability to further expand/complete your system as most of those consumer hubs will have a limited life and support. Example: wink
 
http://www.businessinsider.com/quirky-funding-and-changes-2015-6
 
SmartThings is a more stable platform, with Samsung behind them, but Samsung may pull the trigger on them if economics gets worse. If you want a more sophisticated system, look into Elk, Isy controller or even Lutron Caseta. If you have an iPhone, you may wish to wait until September to get the most out of a Homekit.

 

[zenix]

SmartThings is a more stable platform, with Samsung behind them, but Samsung may pull the trigger on them if economics gets worse. If you want a more sophisticated system, look into Elk, Isy controller or even Lutron Caseta. If you have an iPhone, you may wish to wait until September to get the most out of a Homekit.

 
Agree in general, but I would not count Caseta by itself as "sophisticated". It is solid, easy to setup, but not complicated.
 
However, release of HomeKit compatible hub - which is available now, so no need to wait till September - and announced improvemets to HomeKit change things a lot, so that it seems Caseta could serve as a part of sophisticated setup.

 

[picta]

At the moment you can only control your Caseta lighting via Homekit, but rules and triggers will be added to it with iOS9 release in September. Caseta by itself is an amazing lighting system at a very affordable price. You can create relatively sophisticated scenes in it for both lights and shades, but it lucks sensors. The later should become available via homekit.