Zooz Zen32 Custom-Etched buttons

[TC1]

For those who like multi-button wall controllers...

Zooz Zen32 Custom-Etched buttons – Domotinc-customs

While not inexpensive, certainly increases the WAF.... which can be priceless.

[kenm]

For someone who's tried (and been rejected) several ZEN32 labelling options this looks very tempting but the price seems a bit steep. I'll run it by the wife/accountant and report back.

[TC1]

If it helps, I got a special coupon code for engravings from Zooz/SmartestHouse:

CUSTOM ENGRAVING
FOR YOUR SWITCHES AND SCENE CONTROLLERS
Our friends at Domotinc-Customs now offer customization options for your Zooz wall switches, dimmers, and scene controllers. AND they're running an exclusive promotion to celebrate this new partnership

Buy any 3 custom etch faceplates and get the 4th one for free! Use coupon GET1FREE at checkout. One coupon per customer, offer expires on March 22.
OR: get 25% OFF when you buy 6 or more Zooz custom etch faceplates. No coupon needed here and no expiration.
Offers cannot be combined.

[Wade]

Or for the price of about 8 (plus cost of replacements for goofs) you can DIY your own.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...qh_dp_hza?th=1

[TC1]

Or for the price of about 8 (plus cost of replacements for goofs) you can DIY your own.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...qh_dp_hza?th=1

I actually thought about that, the issue is that different plastics react differently to different laser light wavelengths. One has to have the right combination of materials, laser light, and power in order to get a clean engraving.

If I had enough time to play/experiment I would definitely go that route and possbly offer it as a service like these folks have.

[ecetron]

i thought about it, but do I really want to pull out all the units i have already installed?

[Kevb]

i thought about it, but do I really want to pull out all the units i have already installed?

I think it's just the faceplate, not the whole switch. You could likely do it without pulling it out of the wall.

[kenm]

My wife gave me her answer rather quickly, and while she is sometimes hard to read, I think "HELL NO" was pretty clear. Her logic was the beauty of the multi-button is they can be re-programmed with HS events to do different things at different times of the year or if a room layout changes. He input was she'd prefer the labelling to be on the wall plate which would make it easier to change out.

$37.95 + $39 = $76.95

She said for that price I could almost buy one of those "panel thingies" I've been playing around with. Yes, her words, and she's talking about the Sonoff NSPanel Pro running HSTile.

[kenm]

I think it's just the faceplate, not the whole switch. You could likely do it without pulling it out of the wall.

Here's a link to the video on how to change out the faceplate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZEgxWRsFiQ

[TC1]

She said for that price I could almost buy one of those "panel thingies"

I've been called worse by my wife...


And I agree with her thinking, I would rather put a small touchscreen panel on the wall instead of a hardware scene controller. A touch panel is infinitely reconfigurable for soft buttons, the drawback is that you don't get the tactile feedback of a real button.

I know you like playing with the Sonoff Pro, but I think it's a waste. For the same money one can get a similar size or larger FireHD panel. The sonoff is almost like a solution looking for a problem that doesn't exist.

[kenm]

It's something I've been thinking about as well. There's one area that a panel just won't fit well horizontally but I'm looking at mounting it vertically. I've always wanted a small, reconfigurable touchscreen about the size of a light switch and the Sonoff Pro almost fits that requirement.

What is it you don't like about the NSPanel Pro? I know the price is about the same as a FireHD so there's more value with the HD, but what features of the HD would you use for a touchscreen that the Pro doesn't have?

[TC1]

What is it you don't like about the NSPanel Pro? I know the price is about the same as a FireHD so there's more value with the HD, but what features of the HD would you use for a touchscreen that the Pro doesn't have?

The biggest complaint noted by many reviewers/buyers of it is that it doesn't (easily) fit a standard North American wall box. If it was a drop in replacement into an electrical box then the appeal would go up. One of the few I'm aware that do that is the Brilliant line of controllers, but those are WAY over-priced and they don't integrate well with Homeseer and other platforms. Brilliant basically shot themselves in the foot with the way they've managed that product.

Granted, a tablet is not a drop-in replacement for a wall switch either, but there are a number of adapters now on the market that allow one to mount one to an electrical box.

[kenm]

I agree with other reviewers on the EU fitment but there's at least two ways to solve that. I spoke with an inspector during a recent rough-in for another project and he said he would have no problem if I used an 86 Type UK box for the NSPanel Pro. I also found a UK to NA adapter here: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/tool...al-us-gang-box that would work. He said that adapter would also be pass-able but he wasn't a fan of those types of adapters since they usually get installed incorrectly.

As for Brilliant, another example of something for home automation that is conceptually promising but with very poor implementation and marketing.

Mocking up a vertical tablet layout to see what the wife thinks.

[TC1]

Thanks for pointing out the EU to NA adapter idea, just reinforces the point that I need to buy a new toy (3D printer)

Would love to see some photos once you get the Sonoff sorted out.

[kenm]

Thanks for pointing out the EU to NA adapter idea, just reinforces the point that I need to buy a new toy (3D printer)

Would love to see some photos once you get the Sonoff sorted out.

Yeah, I've been tempted as well but I have enough friends who have one that I haven't had the need... Yet. I have one friend who just added a powder resin printer to his collection and the finished product is really nice. Also thinking about a laser engraver which isn't something any of my friends currently have.

Edit: Will do on the photos.