Mind= Blown right now trying to design a system for my Major Remodel. I am replacing all wires in my remodel, so it's not new construction, but all switches and light fixtures and much of the wiring will be replaced.
I want some lighting control, cool app functionality and voice control via Alexa or Siri, and phone app control and the geofence option that the Lutron app offers. It seems that things are changing fairly quickly in this automation space, and the web has some dated info written prior to the latest product offerings, software upgrades etc. and so it's hard to sort it all out. I hope you guys can help
I have not purchased any switches yet, but need to this week. I have several issues I'm tackling, so here is a multifaceted post.
1. I understand there is Caseta switches and then Caseta pro. I can't figure out the difference in functionality other than the Lutron tech support says the Pro version uses a Neutral wire... Not sure why I should care.... HELP.
2. Caseta works (as I understand it) with the Wink Hub, Homekit, Smart Bridge Pro hub and others.
Siri works to control lights through the Lutron app ONLY if you use the Smart Bridge, Correct?
Alexa will work ONLY if you use the Wink hub, Correct?
Geofencing will work ONLY if you use Smart Bridge/Lutron app, correct?
I don't need automated shades, I don't want to fuss with a bunch of hardware that patches various systems together, I don't want to have a professional come in and by "my guru" that I have to go back to every time I have an issue.
I am looking for the best/cost effective, solution here and I am sick of reading biased reviews etc.
On another note, I understand that Lutron doesn't sell a switch that has a motion detector on it that can also be controlled via voice/app. This seems silly that if I just want simple "old school" automation (ie: bathroom lights turn on when I walk into the bathroom) with a seeing eye type switch, then I can't itegrate that circuit of lights into the rest of the home automation scheme. Is this true?
This may be an oversimplified question, and not intended to start a debate, but what is the best switch/hub/user-interface to use?
-Chris in Tampa