I've been buying and using ThirdReality light switchers since May of 2019 in the home we own and, and as a senior citizen homeowner with an inconveniently located electrical panel I actually prefer them over pulling out and replacing the original light switches. I've now got them all over the house and found them very easy to install over our traditional toggle switches, especially the current generation. Also, maybe I missed it but I don't recall you mentioning, Brian that the 4th Gen. Alexa Echo and/or the Eero mesh already contain a Zigbee hub so there is no need to purchase a separate hub for ThirdReality products if you have either of these Amazon devices.
Glad to hear you're using those switches well. They're definitely convenient! I did mention some of the Zigbee hubs available and showed it in the specs part a bit, but ya, those 4th Generation Echo, Echo Show 10, Eero Mesh, SmartThings, Hubitat, and Home Assistant hubs all have great compatibility with these!
Will the switch work with Amazon routines? I didn’t catch that. I’m think about using motion as the trigger and the light switch turning on as the action and maybe a welcome home greeting
@@ScottCulberson Yes, the ThirdReality switchers (I call them "switchers" LOL because they switch the wall switch instead of replacing it) definitely work with Alexa Routines, both individually and as part of a Room Group. In fact I have room groups in Alexa with "Light the (…) Room" routines that include a mix of smart bulbs, smart plugs and switchers.
A Third Reality light switch that I have been using on a toggle switch that operates a half dozen times a day or so, for about a year, has worked absolutely flawlessly and the batteries are going strong. It uses the Zigbee hub in an Echo Show 10 and setup was ridiculously easy and quick. An Alexa routine triggered by a Yolink motion detector operates the switch and turns it off after two minutes of no motion. I highly recommend the Third Reality switch. Sure, it makes a little noise but so what?
I agree. The Third Reality switch removes the need to install a smart switch and still provides manual control of lights if your home network should go down.
Pretty impressed with this lineup of products. Being in a rental myself currently, the switch will probably be making its way to my home pretty soon. Glad to see some of the comments of successful use of this product from other viewers. As always, great video Brian! Keep on Automating!
Excellent coverage of new products that work with SmartThings! Always enjoy your honest f in depth review of new sensors and products that work well with SmartThings and Alexa! The blinds look very interesting 😁
Great review on some really nice products. For those who already have an Echo or Echo Show 10 with a built-in hub and no other Zigbee hub, they are especially useful. The motion sensor, for example, can easily be used with an Alexa Routine to monitor for normal motion a loved-one. The idea of using common batteries is also a handy feature for many. I (I'm no influencer like you are) their motion sensor, switch, and contact sensor awhile back to use as demo products in an Alexa class I occasionally teach for our computer club and they work well.
I've bought third reality light toggle switch for my apartment and it works very well. My only downside is they dont sell individually light toggle switch. Also im waiting for switchbot new product light switch toggle to come and is there any updates of the switchbot interview.
Question, the third reality contact sensor seems to be good but the distance the parts can be apart for it still to be considered closed is very small, do you agree with that? Any better? Or that is one key thing that I don't think or is disgust very much is the distance they can be apart to be considered still closed
@@AutomateYourLife I was just a little bit confused of what orientation it needed to be in because the logo in the SmartThings app is off center but I did get it to match or 1.5 in My baseline is the SmartThings store sensor which I can use for my garage door, but it seems like that distance isn't acceptable for this third reality so I might just switch it to my door instead of a garage door. This is a great video and you did explain that in the video it just had been a while since I watched it
The motion sensors are really excellent. For the price, they are comparable with Hue sensors in detection/automations as long as they are connected to Smarthings or Alexa. I dont know for the rest but the contact sensor seems very big to be installed on small frames doors, like many of them btw. I am still waiting for a solution else for my blinds. The baton is way too expensive being in general about 3 times the price of the blinds thenselves. I dont understand, its just a motor connected to the pole !
I like the fact that with a hub like the echo we can connect so many products of different brands but i have a question. How can we download firmware updates of the manufacturers to the sensors without their official hub and app?
My answer to that is there aren't a lot of firmware updates to products like these. You wouldn't have to worry for many years on something like this. Also, hubs like SmartThings do get pushes of firmware when there's official support.
@@AutomateYourLife thank you Brian. I do wish they would find a way for every hub to be able to do what smartthings can, in order to keep everything up to date (to guarantee good funcionality, compatibility and safety).
Once again a very detailed and informative review! The switch looks like it would be a great solution for our issue with automating some three-way lights. I tried to code and it only works if I have one of each item. If I try to increase the number of devices it removes the discount for that item. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong or not. 🤷♂️
I don't know TJ! Maybe you gotta do each item type in a separate order? Or maybe just add all the quantities and then add the codes?? Lemme know and I'll let them know.
Does anyone know when ThirdReality will have the light switch in stock or if there will be an updated one? I’ve never been able to get it in Canada and it is even showing not in stock for Amazon USA, which I would get it from and pay the duty if I had to. But, no stock. Any information? Thanks.
@@AutomateYourLifeThanks so much for replying, and so quickly! I’ve been following you for quite a while and love your videos and have learned a lot from you. Much appreciated.
My ThirdReality motion detector and light switch show up as local in SmartThings (and operate very quickly). Bonus, the switches are much cheaper than smart bulbs :)
I saw this stuff on Amazon but I wasnt sure if the light switch was for the rocker or toggle. Thanks! I live with a rentee who bitches at me for leaving the lights on like in the bathroom FOR 5 MINS but she leaves the kitchen lights on when no one is in the house.
@@AutomateYourLife My Rentee says (at first) we have solar panels so leaving the lights on.... I watch on the news about the power bills going up... She bitches that the bill went from like $60 to $90 lol
I'm not really in the market for blinds but now I'm interested, I am in the market for emotion sensor and Door sensor. When it comes to the motion sensor, I have gone with the Philips Hue motion sensor which has been great and can integrate locally with SmartThings. From what I'm hearing you say this motion sensor is just as good but it is cloud-based but you are someone flying that it could become local here soon. A wise person said never buy a product for promised future features. But the $20 difference and the fact that being local isn't that important. Sometimes may make this the right choice. Interesting
Hey Lance, I'm pretty sure that today I could get it local with Smartthings. It's a feature that Smartthings is doing and I know they'll do all ZigBee motion sensors soon if it's not already there!
I am wondering one thing, about smart controllers. MIDI instruments can control 127 levels or buttons times 16 channels, and Midi is about Midi 1.0 since the beginning. How come no one ever thought of using a midi controller as a dashboard ? I dont have the programming skills to do so, but it appears evident to me. I mean, I can control about 10 instruments with Midi and all with so many parameters that any "automation" looks like an embryo ? Beats me.
Your choices are good for you. There's no sellout in any of this. Zigbee's not going anywhere anytime soon and these are great products that connect to basically any Zigbee hub out there today! So it's just more truth Joe, just maybe not what you're expecting
I've been buying and using ThirdReality light switchers since May of 2019 in the home we own and, and as a senior citizen homeowner with an inconveniently located electrical panel I actually prefer them over pulling out and replacing the original light switches. I've now got them all over the house and found them very easy to install over our traditional toggle switches, especially the current generation. Also, maybe I missed it but I don't recall you mentioning, Brian that the 4th Gen. Alexa Echo and/or the Eero mesh already contain a Zigbee hub so there is no need to purchase a separate hub for ThirdReality products if you have either of these Amazon devices.
Glad to hear you're using those switches well. They're definitely convenient!
I did mention some of the Zigbee hubs available and showed it in the specs part a bit, but ya, those 4th Generation Echo, Echo Show 10, Eero Mesh, SmartThings, Hubitat, and Home Assistant hubs all have great compatibility with these!
Will the switch work with Amazon routines? I didn’t catch that. I’m think about using motion as the trigger and the light switch turning on as the action and maybe a welcome home greeting
@@ScottCulberson Yes, the ThirdReality switchers (I call them "switchers" LOL because they switch the wall switch instead of replacing it) definitely work with Alexa Routines, both individually and as part of a Room Group. In fact I have room groups in Alexa with "Light the (…) Room" routines that include a mix of smart bulbs, smart plugs and switchers.
@@utuber1000 Thanks!!!
Great review. Thanks for covering in detail BOTH SmartThings Automations and Alexa Routines
My pleasure Frank! Thank you!
A Third Reality light switch that I have been using on a toggle switch that operates a half dozen times a day or so, for about a year, has worked absolutely flawlessly and the batteries are going strong. It uses the Zigbee hub in an Echo Show 10 and setup was ridiculously easy and quick. An Alexa routine triggered by a Yolink motion detector operates the switch and turns it off after two minutes of no motion. I highly recommend the Third Reality switch. Sure, it makes a little noise but so what?
If Albert likes a product, you know it's great!
@@AutomateYourLife I can tell you are a man of excellent discernment. ;)
I agree. The Third Reality switch removes the need to install a smart switch and still provides manual control of lights if your home network should go down.
And you gotta love that!
Pretty impressed with this lineup of products.
Being in a rental myself currently, the switch will probably be making its way to my home pretty soon. Glad to see some of the comments of successful use of this product from other viewers.
As always, great video Brian! Keep on Automating!
Thanks Danny! Enjoy that switch!!
I just put in the light switch. I like it. Works well.
Thanks for the review.
Enjoy it!
Those hand gestures! Interesting! I also love 3rd reality too on tonthe video!
Thanks sir! Keep on rocking!
Excellent coverage of new products that work with SmartThings! Always enjoy your honest f in depth review of new sensors and products that work well with SmartThings and Alexa! The blinds look very interesting 😁
My pleasure sir! The blinds are really quite good! Nothing but impressed.
Great smart home devices, great review as always.👍
Yeah nice and inexpensive 😉
Great review on some really nice products. For those who already have an Echo or Echo Show 10 with a built-in hub and no other Zigbee hub, they are especially useful. The motion sensor, for example, can easily be used with an Alexa Routine to monitor for normal motion a loved-one. The idea of using common batteries is also a handy feature for many. I (I'm no influencer like you are) their motion sensor, switch, and contact sensor awhile back to use as demo products in an Alexa class I occasionally teach for our computer club and they work well.
You're an influencer of an influencer Hugh! Thanks for the tips here for everyone too!
If the blinds are added to SmartThings and it is connected to Google Home app are they controllable via the Google Assistant?
Yep! Absolutely. Open Smart Blinds to X% or Open/Close Smart Blinds works :)
If this works on zigbee, does that mean it will work with my Aqara Zigbee capable motion detector and door sensors, and my Aqara zigbee hub?
As of now, Aqara only allows their devices to pair with their hubs
I've bought third reality light toggle switch for my apartment and it works very well. My only downside is they dont sell individually light toggle switch. Also im waiting for switchbot new product light switch toggle to come and is there any updates of the switchbot interview.
The SwitchBot interview is coming soon! :)
The leak sensor also has an extra 10% off coupon that just worked with your promo code when I bought it just now. Thank you!
oh nice!!! Love that!
Question, the third reality contact sensor seems to be good but the distance the parts can be apart for it still to be considered closed is very small, do you agree with that? Any better? Or that is one key thing that I don't think or is disgust very much is the distance they can be apart to be considered still closed
Nope! I showed that in the video actually. It's in there and I think it was 1 inch?
Maybe you have something else going on there Lance?
@@AutomateYourLife I was just a little bit confused of what orientation it needed to be in because the logo in the SmartThings app is off center but I did get it to match or 1.5 in My baseline is the SmartThings store sensor which I can use for my garage door, but it seems like that distance isn't acceptable for this third reality so I might just switch it to my door instead of a garage door. This is a great video and you did explain that in the video it just had been a while since I watched it
The motion sensors are really excellent. For the price, they are comparable with Hue sensors in detection/automations as long as they are connected to Smarthings or Alexa. I dont know for the rest but the contact sensor seems very big to be installed on small frames doors, like many of them btw. I am still waiting for a solution else for my blinds. The baton is way too expensive being in general about 3 times the price of the blinds thenselves. I dont understand, its just a motor connected to the pole !
Yeah the batons should be cheap...but who knows! Maybe that's a tough construction? I dunno...
@@AutomateYourLife Well I really doubt so, it is so hard to purchase any, its almost as rare than a rolex submariner !
I like the fact that with a hub like the echo we can connect so many products of different brands but i have a question. How can we download firmware updates of the manufacturers to the sensors without their official hub and app?
My answer to that is there aren't a lot of firmware updates to products like these. You wouldn't have to worry for many years on something like this. Also, hubs like SmartThings do get pushes of firmware when there's official support.
@@AutomateYourLife thank you Brian. I do wish they would find a way for every hub to be able to do what smartthings can, in order to keep everything up to date (to guarantee good funcionality, compatibility and safety).
Good solid selection of devices here
You're a good solid selection yourself there ;)
Thanks Brian.
Thank you sir
Once again a very detailed and informative review! The switch looks like it would be a great solution for our issue with automating some three-way lights. I tried to code and it only works if I have one of each item. If I try to increase the number of devices it removes the discount for that item. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong or not. 🤷♂️
I don't know TJ! Maybe you gotta do each item type in a separate order? Or maybe just add all the quantities and then add the codes?? Lemme know and I'll let them know.
Does anyone know when ThirdReality will have the light switch in stock or if there will be an updated one? I’ve never been able to get it in Canada and it is even showing not in stock for Amazon USA, which I would get it from and pay the duty if I had to. But, no stock. Any information? Thanks.
Nothing here sorry...I wonder if a new version is on the way.
@@AutomateYourLifeThanks so much for replying, and so quickly! I’ve been following you for quite a while and love your videos and have learned a lot from you. Much appreciated.
Does the smart toggle have a discount code?
No sadly not
My ThirdReality motion detector and light switch show up as local in SmartThings (and operate very quickly). Bonus, the switches are much cheaper than smart bulbs :)
Super good stuff Suzi! I've been really impressed, and I'm glad they're already local for you. I think I gotta re-pair them!
Will it work with my Sengled hub??? Its zigbee
Unlikely. Sengled hasn't really built the system for that
Nice new music I see 🎶🎵👍🏻
Yeah! Trying out some stuff to make it more fun!
I saw this stuff on Amazon but I wasnt sure if the light switch was for the rocker or toggle. Thanks! I live with a rentee who bitches at me for leaving the lights on like in the bathroom FOR 5 MINS but she leaves the kitchen lights on when no one is in the house.
There ya go man! It's a great one!
@@AutomateYourLife My Rentee says (at first) we have solar panels so leaving the lights on.... I watch on the news about the power bills going up... She bitches that the bill went from like $60 to $90 lol
I'm not really in the market for blinds but now I'm interested, I am in the market for emotion sensor and Door sensor. When it comes to the motion sensor, I have gone with the Philips Hue motion sensor which has been great and can integrate locally with SmartThings. From what I'm hearing you say this motion sensor is just as good but it is cloud-based but you are someone flying that it could become local here soon. A wise person said never buy a product for promised future features. But the $20 difference and the fact that being local isn't that important. Sometimes may make this the right choice. Interesting
Hey Lance, I'm pretty sure that today I could get it local with Smartthings. It's a feature that Smartthings is doing and I know they'll do all ZigBee motion sensors soon if it's not already there!
BTW the Shop the Automate Your Life store links dont work.
Which ones Michael? I just did a migration and thought I'd caught them all. Where'd you find one that isn't working? Thanks for the heads up btw!
I am wondering one thing, about smart controllers. MIDI instruments can control 127 levels or buttons times 16 channels, and Midi is about Midi 1.0 since the beginning. How come no one ever thought of using a midi controller as a dashboard ? I dont have the programming skills to do so, but it appears evident to me. I mean, I can control about 10 instruments with Midi and all with so many parameters that any "automation" looks like an embryo ? Beats me.
Sounds like you should build it with a programmer!
0.5s is a very slow response time for motion detection
That'll depend on use case, and it's faster with some platforms vs others.
I thought you bought a house ?
Noooooope
I look to you for the truth please don’t be a sellout. I stop on buying anything more smart homes until matter rolls out.
Your choices are good for you. There's no sellout in any of this. Zigbee's not going anywhere anytime soon and these are great products that connect to basically any Zigbee hub out there today! So it's just more truth Joe, just maybe not what you're expecting
Matter is going to be literal garbage for awhile and you're going to waste your time.
I personally think it is a fallacy to believe that the introduction of Matter is going to make all existing devices obsolete.