No stock from Homeseer

[user90210]

Hello everyone,
I have been waiting for quite sometime to buy a HomeSeer Z-NET R2 Remote Z-Wave Interface (EU) sku z-net euro so I can extend my network. Still no stock is available at homeseer, does anyone know any other source to buy this interface or a similar product that is compatible with HS4?

Thanks,
Sal

[Wade]

You can DIY one with an rpi and z-wave stick.

[ewkearns]

Two questions:

(1) Can anybody comment on the Z-Wave signal strength of DIY model vs. the HS Z-Net?

(2) Can one combine a Z-Wave stick with a Raspbee unit? Or would it take two RaspberryPIs?

[Wade]

Two questions:

(1) Can anybody comment on the Z-Wave signal strength of DIY model vs. the HS Z-Net?

(2) Can one combine a Z-Wave stick with a Raspbee unit? Or would it take two RaspberryPIs?

A couple replies. Likely limited usefulness...

(1) The DIY unit is just a z-wave stick in a port on the rpi. So I guess your question boils down to a comparison of performance of the z-wave "hat" in a HS z-net vs that of a z-wave stick such as the HS Smartstick+. I have both in my house and find both work well, but never compared them side-by-side for range.

(2) Can't see any reason they can't both be installed and run on a single rpi. The limitation would be potential interference between the zigbee and z-wave radios being in close proximity. No experience with that.

[randy]

Two questions:

(1) Can anybody comment on the Z-Wave signal strength of DIY model vs. the HS Z-Net?

As wade wrote that would depend on the controller. I found slightly better range and performance with the Z-Wavemee GPIO daughter card versus the Smartstick. Probably because there is more room for an antenna on the GPIO card.

(2) Can one combine a Z-Wave stick with a Raspbee unit? Or would it take two RaspberryPIs?

They can be combined, you would just need to set the ser2net configuration so that HS can connect with the Z-Wave USB device, since the Zigbee uses GPIO. Both Zigbee and Z-Wave are very low overhead devices, so a single Pi could support both.

[SteveW]

I get excellent performance and range from the newest-generation HS SmartStick+ (Gen 3). I have it plugged into my Raspberry Pi 4 via a short USB extension cable, to get it up and away from the Pi's circuitry (the stick is pointing straight up, with the USB connector at the bottom). This stick would probably work just as well:

https://www.amazon.com/Z-Wave-Stick-...ef_=ast_sto_dp

[ewkearns]

Thanks for the replies. I'll have to think through this and prepare myself for the Z-Net's eventual demise.