Yeah, I'm really using HA at this point as more of a "new toy" to have a little fun exploring something new. Longer run I think I'm going to get something like the Sonoff Zigbee dongle or similar appropriate repeaters and put them on my second C7 hub, along with the "picky" Zigbee devices like the Aqara sensors. Having everything on my HE hubs and not worrying about secondary systems like HA just seems like a better way to go in the long run, for me, anyway.
Ah, OK.. I am also using 4 Xiaomi/Aqara contact sensors, and I must admit that these are the best-looking window sensors that I have! I haven't changed the batteries for more than 2 years.
I had problems with these before, periodically dropping off the HE Zigbee network. But in the last one or more years, I don't remember any issues with them. Probably they have found their way to the HE radio through their favorite repeater (I have a dozen of repeating devices - a mix of Tuya, Sonoff, and Ikea).
This is what I want them for, in particular for an automation I created for my cooktop to turn on a lightstrip in the kitchen when the stove is on - keeps my wife and I (OK, really just me) from forgetting when I've got something simmering, or just plain walking away to eat and fogetting to turn off a burner.
It's very cool and does exactly what I want to do, but changing batteries on the sensors is a bit of a PITA, have to remove the front of the cooktop, so having very long-lived batteries in the Aqara contact sensors will be a plus.
Can I ask for assistance from the community here?
I am looking at the Visonic MCT-350 window/door sensor (sometimes sold under the XFinity brand name).
Apparently it can sense temperature.
Does anyone know if the device works and is supported by Hubitat?
For giggles tried to pair it in HA with my Sonoff ZB3 stick and Zigbee2MQTT - was unable to get to get it to include. Ran Add Device on my Zigbee dedicated C5 and it came right up. Tried both multiple times and everytime the C5 worked almost instantly. To be fair there are more devices so a better mesh but I also tried right next to my RPi and still could not get it to work. I might try the C7 next.
Reporting back again - don't mean to derail this thread but figure people are interested in finding a decent and inexpensive sensor and so far this seems to be working as advertised. Also kudos to the eBay seller - got my shipment off quickly and devices were as promised..
Yesterday installed 5 of these ct sensors on my new basement windows. All paired immediately with no issue. As of this morning they are still on the hub, no drop offs. Interestingly they can handle a bit of a gap between the magnet and sensor. By luck the color and design makes it look like it's part of the window which is nice.
According to the spec, it can have a gap of 1.25" - fantastic!
I also ordered a few lots of these.
I am very interested to mount them on the inside of fridges and freezers - they are also a temperature capability. We shall see how they stand up to the cold!