I ran into this set of videos with detailed explanations of Z-wave.
Found the mesh chapters as very helpfull in understanding how Z-wave network is built.
It does not solve anything for me but it is good to know...
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Same.
On my primary C7 hub with ~100 Zwave devices, the 5 Range Extender 7s are not used at all. That said, on my secondary C7 hub with 22 Zwave devices, the 2 Range Extender 7s are used -- 4 devices on one, 4 devices on the other.
I also deployed a Range Extender 6 paired with S0 on the secondary hub -- with line of sight to my deadbolt locks -- hoping to speed up response times. Unfortunately the locks don't use it.
So I guess my take is -- they're not useless, but they're not any more special than normal mains-powered devices that natively repeat. So I think you're spot on.
My thought is when they get added to the Hub's routing table seems to have a big impact.. the earlier the more likely they will be used. This is all somewhat speculative on my part though... having read through the simpler parts of the Z-Wave documentation and based on personal experience..
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Aeotec recently published a f/w update for the RE7s (now 1.04) - looks like it's just an update to the SDK.
Since I updated, one of my 4 RE7s now has one other device routing through it - maybe just a coincidence, but at least I know they can actually route 
Mine are all paired as "none" security fwiw.
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If you have enough mains-powered Z-Wave devices (which generally are also repeaters), you don't need extra repeaters.
In my very limited experience, location tends to be underappreciated. My dimmers are commonly installed 48 inches (122 cm) high, whereas outlets are commonly 12 inches (30 cm) high. Also, dimmers tend to be near doorways, which limits nearby obstructions to RF.
The only value that I have empirically observed is when the dedicated repeater is mounted as high as practical in an area that is otherwise under-served by other devices. There is no magic in just sprinkling them around.
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The ways of z-wave are profound and inscrutable. It is not for mere mortals to question.
That said, I have tons of mains-powered dimmers, and haven't needed to use repeaters. Other people have needed them. It seems to be very much YMMV. I know my first instinct is always to think other peoples' homes are just like mine, but I've realized that's very much not true. Some houses are stick-built. Some have cinder-block walls. Some have sheetrock and some have lathe and plaster. In Chicago, the walls might be real bricks, with all wires and lightswitches in little metal Faraday cages. My house is in the middle of a field, but some people are surrounded by 50 neighbors, each with their own transmitters at a variety of frequencies. This is dark magic.
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I agree with you.. I have 3 of the Ring Gen2's and they are actually being used as repeaters. The aotec ones I had were reassigned to my desk drawer a long time ago. A benefit of the Ring ones is that they also report power loss back to the hub.
I must have missed something, but can someone tell me what a Ring Gen2 repeater is? If I search on Ring Gen2 all I can find is of course the Ring doorbell, etc. Can you post a link to one?
I also have two Aeotec RE6's and only one has one device using it, the other doesn't seem to have anything using it. I am a bit hesitant to remove the RE6 since my z-wave network has been rock solid for about 3 months now.
Thanks for the help.
Note: For HE usage it does NOT require the Ring Alarm Security Kit!
Thank you very much. I didn't know that the Ring Alarm used z-wave.
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They don't advertise that fact, but the Ring Alarm side of the house is usually ZWave+
Do you just put the hub into inclusion mode and then plug in the Ring Gen2 and it will include into your zwave network?
Thanks again for the help.
If it is already excluded or never been paired to a hub...
Start pairing in Hubitat.
Then plug it in, wait a second or two, and then once the LED starts flashing hold the button on the front until it starts pairing with Hubitat - should only take 1-2s to start classic pairing.
By default it wants to pair via smart start, holding the button on the front while it is in pairing mode puts it back into classic pairing mode.
Or I guess if you pair it via smart start in hubitat then it should 'just work'. I think I did one of mine that way, but it is hard to remember.
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Thank you for the info.
Is this Ring Gen. 2 Repeater that folks seem to like?
yes
Regarding Ring (and any repeater, really), YMMV...I found the Ring repeater to be a non-starter for me...just didn't repeat, tried two a couple locations and gave it several weeks. Just my mesh/luck, I suppose.
I do have a very ugly Hank Plug (that's its real name) that does repeat for me (currently helping 7 devices). I eventually gave up and sent the Ring to @lewis.heidrick for him to abuse in his Z-Wave Mesh of Terror. 
I do find GE switches to be good repeaters...numerous ones in my house are providing that service.
Ok, for fun I purchased one of these. I'm going to replace one of the Aeotec Range Extender 7s in one of the locations that I really, realy think a range extender would help -- and see if the Ring gets used where the Aeotec does not. Will report back in a few days once it's in and the mesh has settled down.
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