Automated Blinds

WealthyB

Hi Guys

Anyone gone down the route of automated blinds? I've had one person (in the business) tell me they're a pain in the hole and massively expensive - but I got the feeling they just didn't know what they're talking about.

If anyone has suggestions for either truly automated blinds, or even retro-fitting existing ones, and their own experiences of same I'd love to hear it.

(FWIW this will be my first foray into home automation; I do expect to purchase a Logitech Harmony sooner rather than later though, and as of right now I don't have a "hub" e.g. Home/Alexa, but that's also imminent)

Cheers!

Eric Cartman

http://www.teptron.com/move.html

59 euro. Not sure about the app interface but serial UART and meshing so should be easy to control

Caillte

Never heard of the move before and looks really cool but they are one ugly sight. They need smart things or homekit integration though.

Eric Cartman

Caillte wrote: »

Never heard of the move before and looks really cool but they are one ugly sight. They need smart things or homekit integration though.

that they are, if they didn't have the 3 buttons or that visible screw on the front they would be much more attractive. Tt said, theres nothing to stop you shortening the chain / rope on your blinds and putting them up the top, where some sort of side fabric could hide them.

Eric Cartman

https://somasmarthome.com

the soma smart shades is basically the same but a lot more attractive.
Somebody also did a pretty simple writeup on getting it to work with apple home kit using a raspberry pi in-between.

OU812

It seems unnecessarily clunky (& expensive) to need two motors for each blind.

Caillte

Ouu the soma look so much prettier.

Eric Cartman

if you have venetian blinds theres also the flipflic , not out yet and delayed on shopping but promises soon : http://flipflic.com , doesn't raise/lower but does tilt.

beanian

Axis Gear is another one. Has a Z-Wave option too which is great. Very expensive though, especially if you have a conservatory/sun room like myself

OU812

Eric Cartman wrote: »

if you have Venetian blinds there's also the flipflic, not out yet and delayed on shopping but promises soon: http://flipflic.com, doesn't raise/lower but does tilt.

That looks ideal for me. No need to raise lower the blinds (does anyone?). However my tilting mechanism it up inside the top of the blinds & not as in the video, so I guess that one's out too.

Eric Cartman

OU812 wrote: »

That looks ideal for me. No need to raise lower the blinds (does anyone?). However my tilting mechanism it up inside the top of the blinds & not as in the video, so I guess that one's out too.

Blinds that would work with the flipflic + the device itself are probably still cheaper than purpose built electric blinds though, maybbe worth a look. Also a small shop that makes custom blinds may just be able to change the tops for you instead of getting new slats.

OU812

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Blinds that would work with the flipflic + the device itself are probably still cheaper than purpose built electric blinds though, maybbe worth a look. Also a small shop that makes custom blinds may just be able to change the tops for you instead of getting new slats.

I have seen ones where the motor sits in the top of the casing, just cant remember where.