Alright. The curtain motor from the Mijia smarthome store never shipped and the company never responded, so I filed a dispute with AliExpress and got my money returned. I ordered the same motor with SZHYJ store and got the motor within two weeks. I asked them to put a low customs value on the package, so they put $20,- and there was no extra customs tax before I got it.
Connecting the motor is easy. Just release the switch, put it on, and put back the switch.
After connecting the power (you need to connect your own plug, so I disassembled an unused power strip and used the cable + plug) you can add it in Homey (with the Xiaomi app installed). When connecting, you need to pres the bottom button for just over 5 seconds to match it with Homey:
When opening and closing the motor will look the first time for the maximum positions for open and close. If you somehow mess that up, there is always an option to reset the motor by removing the cover and pressing the reset button over 10 seconds:
Since I prefer to run all devices by voice I made two simple flows. One to open and one to close with the same voice command. I’ll include daylight later:
The Xiaomi Mi, or actually the Aqara Curtain controller (official name) works directly with Homey over it’s Zigbee network; no need for a Xiaomi / Aqara Hub
I intended to order the curtains from xiaomi. ‘Fortunately’ I saw just in time that a newer version comes on March 15th. Hopefully they will then be sold quickly via Aliexpress.
I have installed 3 Slides last friday. It is worth the wait. I am fully satisfied with the way they work. I received mine before the manuals were ready but even with my 2 left hands I managed to install them in under 15 minutes.
Check my video:
This was the first test after the first installation. If you look closely, the app on my Ipad shows an error because they were still working on the backend.
Another thing you might notice, is that the curtains don’t fully close. I thought I installed it the wrong way but I just had one curtain part that leans on the wires, after I moved it the wires were not visible anymore and it now is completely dark when closed.
The routines you can add in the app work well, I have my curtains in the living room close 30 minutes after sunset and open at sunset. However, I will make that go through Homey soon because when my windows are open the curtains can’t close automaticly. I have doorsensors to see if they are open or closed.
If you want to see or know anything else related to Slide, let me know!
Yeah there is only 1 Slide, no differences in type between Kickstarter, Indiegogo and when they will become available in store (I think).
I think you’ll need some more patience when you order though; first batch was just sent out, few more batches before all preorders are done. I think they are expecting and awaiting some negative feedback from the first batch, they will process that and then send out the second batch in a few weeks.
(Feedback mostly related to the app, instruction manuals and such).
Ok thanks. I thinks I’ll just have to wait. I see that they are available for pre-order on https://nl.goslide.io/ at €299. So better to order the perk at indiegogo for €219 haha.
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