Lutron or Elgato

[Jimbo435]

I'm getting ready to update my X10 home to something new. I've been researching for about a week or so. I am struggling to decide between Lutron Caseta, or Elgato Eve. I have common wires in my switches, I want some switches activated by motion, and I also need a couple 3-way solutions. I want to stick to HomeKit for future viability. All switches are about 30-35 feet from where my Apple TV would be. Here’s how I see it:

Caseta:
Pros:
Also has Dimmers (I need 1)
Pico Remotes (I would use at least 2)
Most report no Latency
3-Way capable
plan to add shades eventually

Cons:
No Motion - Must use Elgato Eve and/or Ecobee anyway
Switch not so nice IMO
Switches cost 30% more
No window/door switch

Eve:
Pros:
Beautiful Switch, no moving parts, seems like the future
Same System as Motion, except for shades, would all be on one system, easier to maintain
Cons:
3-Way work around may not work well (2nd switch disconnected using automation)
Reports of Latency issues
No Dimmers - dining room would have to be manual or with dimming bulbs.

I am leaning towards the Caseta, with Eve/Ecobee motion, and Eve door sensors, but I REALLY like the look of the Eve switch.

Anyone have anything to add/correct?

 

[gtg465x]

I don't have any Elgato Eve motion sensors or switches (I use Hue motion sensors and dimmers, which work great IMO, but don't support HomeKit), but I do have an Eve Room and Eve Energy plug. The Eve Energy plug does take about 2 seconds to turn on when I activate it from HomeKit, and for that reason I have avoided getting motion sensors from them. The Hue motion sensor and Hue dimmer respond practically instantaneously, possibly because they talk directly to the lights and don't have to get relayed through HomeKit or a hub? Or maybe Zigbee is just faster than Bluetooth?

 

[hokiepokie07]

I'm in the same market. I love the look of the eve and that I have several switches that have three switches on one wall plate. Is there a wall plate that I can purchase and use three or four eve switches for that?

I'm waiting on the idevice switches to come out as well. They are suppose to have dimmers.

Leviton has a new inwall switch that's coming out in April as well.

My main things are I want to be able to hook up three or four to a single wall. I'm not an electrician so I'm not sure the exact wording, but basically I have wall plates that have two, three, and four switches to them. I want to make sure I can buy a wall plate for the HomeKit switch that will allow me to install three or four of the switches to it.

I'm not a fan of the look of the caseta, I'm looking for simple with a dimmer.

 

[hokiepokie07]

Will the Eve work if I have some switches that work the same light? I don't have lights or accessories that have three switches, but I do have a couple that have two switches.

 

[biosci]

I want more of the elgato gear too (have just one light switch), but since Xmas, we have added both an Amazon dot and a Google home which we love. Both are not compatible with ElGato.

 

[chuyn]

I'm in the same market. I love the look of the eve and that I have several switches that have three switches on one wall plate. Is there a wall plate that I can purchase and use three or four eve switches for that?

I'm waiting on the idevice switches to come out as well. They are suppose to have dimmers.

Leviton has a new inwall switch that's coming out in April as well.

My main things are I want to be able to hook up three or four to a single wall. I'm not an electrician so I'm not sure the exact wording, but basically I have wall plates that have two, three, and four switches to them. I want to make sure I can buy a wall plate for the HomeKit switch that will allow me to install three or four of the switches to it.

I'm not a fan of the look of the caseta, I'm looking for simple with a dimmer.

Many devices will fit like normal light switches. Lutron and Insteon for example can fit 2, 3, 4.. side by side in the wall. They're covered by the same wall plate you would use to cover non-smart light switches. Leviton's upcoming in-wall would be a standard size as well. I've got a spot with 2 Lutron, one non-smart.. another with one Insteon and one non-smart.. they fit fine.
[doublepost=1486914672][/doublepost]

Will the Eve work if I have some switches that work the same light? I don't have lights or accessories that have three switches, but I do have a couple that have two switches.

What you're referring to is called a three-way switch. According to the OP and this review, Eve will not work for three-way switches.
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/elgato-eve-light-switch

 

[gsmornot]

I'm getting ready to update my X10 home to something new. I've been researching for about a week or so. I am struggling to decide between Lutron Caseta, or Elgato Eve. I have common wires in my switches, I want some switches activated by motion, and I also need a couple 3-way solutions. I want to stick to HomeKit for future viability. All switches are about 30-35 feet from where my Apple TV would be. Here’s how I see it:

Caseta:
Pros:
Also has Dimmers (I need 1)
Pico Remotes (I would use at least 2)
Most report no Latency
3-Way capable
plan to add shades eventually

Cons:
No Motion - Must use Elgato Eve and/or Ecobee anyway
Switch not so nice IMO
Switches cost 30% more
No window/door switch

Eve:
Pros:
Beautiful Switch, no moving parts, seems like the future
Same System as Motion, except for shades, would all be on one system, easier to maintain
Cons:
3-Way work around may not work well (2nd switch disconnected using automation)
Reports of Latency issues
No Dimmers - dining room would have to be manual or with dimming bulbs.

I am leaning towards the Caseta, with Eve/Ecobee motion, and Eve door sensors, but I REALLY like the look of the Eve switch.

Anyone have anything to add/correct?

I have Lutron, Philips Hue, and Ecobee. I can tell you that I have not so far been successful turning a light on with the Ecobee motion sensor. I see the sensor trigger but the lights do not light. I don't know, maybe in the future. Until then, I use regular Leviton motion sensors, they work fine.

I agree on the Caseta switch look. Not ugly but not Decora style either. The buttons are a little small compared to a large switch like I am used to. Personally, I have installed Caseta on lights that I want to automate daily. Lights that I want to control manually and control with Home App I am waiting a bit on. I want to see how the Leviton works in April when that is available. They would be a perfect match for my current "dumb" switches so using them will be simple as far as looks go. Lutron Caseta has been solid though, no issues at all. I even have complete success with automation via the home app. I can't say that about the Philips bulbs. I don't think its the bulbs since the routines I run in the Philips app have been solid as well.

 

[hokiepokie07]

I have Lutron, Philips Hue, and Ecobee. I can tell you that I have not so far been successful turning a light on with the Ecobee motion sensor. I see the sensor trigger but the lights do not light. I don't know, maybe in the future. Until then, I use regular Leviton motion sensors, they work fine.

I agree on the Caseta switch look. Not ugly but not Decora style either. The buttons are a little small compared to a large switch like I am used to. Personally, I have installed Caseta on lights that I want to automate daily. Lights that I want to control manually and control with Home App I am waiting a bit on. I want to see how the Leviton works in April when that is available. They would be a perfect match for my current "dumb" switches so using them will be simple as far as looks go. Lutron Caseta has been solid though, no issues at all. I even have complete success with automation via the home app. I can't say that about the Philips bulbs. I don't think its the bulbs since the routines I run in the Philips app have been solid as well.

The Leviton really looks good. I may wait like you on those. I'd personally like to use the same switch or dimmer throughout the house. But if I can't, I'd at least like to use the same ones on each floor or at least room.

My goals are to make it simple for people when visiting, but also where it doesn't power off my homekit items where they are useless.

The Lutron one just isn't pleasing to the eye and the Eve isn't a three-way switch. I'll keep reading, but right now I haven't found anything that says if the leviton is 3-way or not.

 

[gsmornot]

The Leviton really looks good. I may wait like you on those. I'd personally like to use the same switch or dimmer throughout the house. But if I can't, I'd at least like to use the same ones on each floor or at least room.

My goals are to make it simple for people when visiting, but also where it doesn't power off my homekit items where they are useless.

The Lutron one just isn't pleasing to the eye and the Eve isn't a three-way switch. I'll keep reading, but right now I haven't found anything that says if the leviton is 3-way or not.

My only reservation with the Leviton option is no hub. This may be fine with my Apple TV centrally located but I won't know until I can get one to the house and put to use.

 

[hokiepokie07]

My only reservation with the Leviton option is no hub. This may be fine with my Apple TV centrally located but I won't know until I can get one to the house and put to use.

Not having a hub would be another reason I like it. I use the Apple TV as my main hub. I have a philips Hue hub for their lights, but I don't want to have a bunch of hubs taking up my entertainment area.

 

[scapegoat81]

I'm getting ready to update my X10 home to something new. I've been researching for about a week or so. I am struggling to decide between Lutron Caseta, or Elgato Eve. I have common wires in my switches, I want some switches activated by motion, and I also need a couple 3-way solutions. I want to stick to HomeKit for future viability. All switches are about 30-35 feet from where my Apple TV would be. Here’s how I see it:

Caseta:
Pros:
Also has Dimmers (I need 1)
Pico Remotes (I would use at least 2)
Most report no Latency
3-Way capable
plan to add shades eventually

Cons:
No Motion - Must use Elgato Eve and/or Ecobee anyway
Switch not so nice IMO
Switches cost 30% more
No window/door switch

Eve:
Pros:
Beautiful Switch, no moving parts, seems like the future
Same System as Motion, except for shades, would all be on one system, easier to maintain
Cons:
3-Way work around may not work well (2nd switch disconnected using automation)
Reports of Latency issues
No Dimmers - dining room would have to be manual or with dimming bulbs.

I am leaning towards the Caseta, with Eve/Ecobee motion, and Eve door sensors, but I REALLY like the look of the Eve switch.

Anyone have anything to add/correct?

Maybe hold off for another month or two to see what Leviton brings to the table. That's what I'm doing anyway

 

[chuyn]

Not having a hub would be another reason I like it. I use the Apple TV as my main hub. I have a philips Hue hub for their lights, but I don't want to have a bunch of hubs taking up my entertainment area.

Is your router in your entertainment area? Just curious why all the hubs would clutter up that area

 

[gsmornot]

Not having a hub would be another reason I like it. I use the Apple TV as my main hub. I have a philips Hue hub for their lights, but I don't want to have a bunch of hubs taking up my entertainment area.

My hubs are hidden so no big deal. I at first wanted to avoid them but something I've learned from the Lutron system is it can be an advantage. The frequency used is low in the spectrum making the transmission range very good. I assume Leviton will be Bluetooth which may be fine, maybe not. Wish they were already out. Ha.

 

[hokiepokie07]

Is your router in your entertainment area? Just curious why all the hubs would clutter up that area

Yep. Currently I have my modem, router (airport time capsule), Philips Hue Hub, AppleTV, and my harmony remote hub. I'm thinking of attaching my Hue Hub to my wall behind my TV stand. I don't want to put the modem and router in an enclosed area because of the heat as I'd like them to have air.
[doublepost=1487094156][/doublepost]

Maybe hold off for another month or two to see what Leviton brings to the table. That's what I'm doing anyway

Same. I hope the wait is worth it! Have you read anything if they will be three-way switches or not? My only other idea would be to use the Eve switches for the majority of my switches and the ones I want to place dimmers on I'd use the iDevice dimmer switch when that comes out. Several of my switches are three-way so I couldn't use the Eve switches on them.

 

[gsmornot]

Yep. Currently I have my modem, router (airport time capsule), Philips Hue Hub, AppleTV, and my harmony remote hub. I'm thinking of attaching my Hue Hub to my wall behind my TV stand. I don't want to put the modem and router in an enclosed area because of the heat as I'd like them to have air.
[doublepost=1487094156][/doublepost]

Same. I hope the wait is worth it! Have you read anything if they will be three-way switches or not? My only other idea would be to use the Eve switches for the majority of my switches and the ones I want to place dimmers on I'd use the iDevice dimmer switch when that comes out. Several of my switches are three-way so I couldn't use the Eve switches on them.

The Leviton news announcement did say 3-way would be an option from the start. I have not seen any type of remotes though. I think they do 3-way with a combination of switches vs Lutron with a single switch and Picos. Thing is the info so far has been hard to find.

 

[hokiepokie07]

The Leviton news announcement did say 3-way would be an option from the start. I have not seen any type of remotes though. I think they do 3-way with a combination of switches vs Lutron with a single switch and Picos. Thing is the info so far has been hard to find.

Yeah, I'm hoping to keep the majority of mine the same company. But if I have to do upstairs one company and downstairs another, I can live.

My goal for now is to wait on the Leviton's to come out or at least for reviews to pop out and decide if I should go with Eve (not 3-way) and then get the iDevice 3-way switch for any switches that require 3-way.

 

[scapegoat81]

Yep. Currently I have my modem, router (airport time capsule), Philips Hue Hub, AppleTV, and my harmony remote hub. I'm thinking of attaching my Hue Hub to my wall behind my TV stand. I don't want to put the modem and router in an enclosed area because of the heat as I'd like them to have air.
[doublepost=1487094156][/doublepost]

Same. I hope the wait is worth it! Have you read anything if they will be three-way switches or not? My only other idea would be to use the Eve switches for the majority of my switches and the ones I want to place dimmers on I'd use the iDevice dimmer switch when that comes out. Several of my switches are three-way so I couldn't use the Eve switches on them.

According to this article, yes I believe they will be making 3 way switches

https://datawiresolutions.blogspot.com/2017/01/5-new-apple-homekit-compatible.html?m=1

 

[rhett7660]

Will the Eve work if I have some switches that work the same light? I don't have lights or accessories that have three switches, but I do have a couple that have two switches.

I think what you are describing is a three way switch. Two switches that can turn off a single light or power outlet. Or do you mean a single switch that can turn several lights or outlets on and off?

Three way switch = 2 light switches usually at the opposite ends of a room so you don't have to walk back to the other side of the room to turn off the light.

 

[simonx314]

Z-Wave is the answer. There are many light switches to choose from to suit your style, dimming, 3-way, or retrofit existing switches. Z-wave can be bridged to HomeKit using a Raspberry Pi, or with the upcoming Mixtile Hub. I would look into a Z-wave solution or at least wait a few months to see how z-wave/homekit integration plays out. Z-wave also has many more motion sensors. Homekit is very weak on sensors right now. Stay away from bluetooth, the limited range breaks too many use cases.

Here is a video of me controlling a 3-way stairs switch from Siri, Alexa and the switch.

More info: http://dontdaterobots.com/alexa-and-siri-controlling-light-switches/

When I say "siri, set the kitchen lights to 50%" my Philips Hue Lightstrips dim and my z-wave dimmer with 7 overhead lights both dim.

 

[gsmornot]

Leviton HomeKit switches were posted this morning. WiFi connected and offering 2 dimmers, 1 switch. They offer 3-Way applications as well. Amazon has them listed but there is no specific shipping date yet. I want to try a few to see if I will move from Lutron to Leviton.