There are several issues here. First, firmware releases are still happening. It’s getting better. Biggest issue seems to be the inclusion process.
Second, you will still have to migrate if you get a new C-7. The process is here:
Third, by moving your same database and devices to the C-7, you might be bringing the issues with you. Some of the firmware releases are helping the stability of the platform as a whole. If your issues are caused by a jabbering device that’s bringing down your mesh, then you will still have those issues. If you have some odd user drivers, those will come forward.
My C-7 still sits powered with no devices, but I’m almost at the point of moving stuff from my C-5, which is fine, to the C-7. C-7 issues do seem to be stabilizing. Not all user drivers have been adjusted to handle S2 inclusion.
I just completed a C-4 to C-7 migration. I too just started to have hardware issues with on of my C-4's. The LED went out one day, then since I rebooted it after that the blue LED just flickers telling me it's a power issue. Even engaged support from Hubitat and they also though it was an internal power issue.
I waited until the last hot fix came out before doing the conversion this weekend. And following the support article was able to make a mostly painless conversion. I have lot of Z-Wave and Zigbee devices and only had one issue with paring a device. It turns out that the Z-Wave device, even though it was operating, no longer responded to the 6 taps up to put the switch into exclude / include. I had a spare to replace it with but not bad for a full Zigbee / Z-Wave migration.
As for performance I would say the response time between the C-4 and C-7 when it comes to editing rules and other actives is just a bit faster not by much. What I am really waiting for is the full backup capability of both the database for configuration and the radio configuration. After living though moving from SmartThings, to Hubitat C-4, and now C-7 I hope this will be the last time of doing all the manual work.
Folks I'm still starting with HE but I had a question when reading this topic, can I have more than one HE on the same network? Example, I saw that some people have a C3, a C4 and a C7, all would be integrating the same network zigbee and zwave ?? I bought my HE this week, in case the C7 version would be correct? let's say that in a few years I bought a future C9 version, I could put them on the same network and with that I wouldn't need to unpair any device or have to do a correct migration? and in the case of more than one hub on the same network it would be stronger and more stable right ?
No separate hubs separate z-wave and ZigBee networks
Your talking about ethernet network and ZigBee/z-wave networks they are all different and one doesn't effect the other.
Essentially, yes this is correct if you sign up for their hub protection service (soon to be released). That will back up the whole hub to the cloud and can be imported to the new hub.
I just finished a migration from a C5 external USB key to the new internal C7 hardware. All I can say at the moment is it’s FAST really FAST and to be honest I’m delighted I purchased the C7 even as I only had the C5 for a short time. Purchase 100% don’t even think about it, you’ll be happy with the performance.
Thanks for sharing. Which aspects are fast? Are you running many apps including LAN based apps like Sonos, Hue Hub, etc? Are you running many rules within RM?
My C-7 seems a tad slower than my C-4 for some of my NR rules.. I have a set of sequences that handles a fake "5-way" switch - 3 power only and 1 main dimmer controlling a light - all older Zooz V2 toggles. I notice a slightly longer delay when getting all the switches to synchronize (you can tell by hearing the clicks firing off). It's not bad as this is kind of a weird way to do it but just a little slower.
Switching devices on and off is much faster in comparison to the C5. I never used the group On/off feature as I found it slow and sometimes missed switching devices off or on. Since the upgrade to C7 I’ve not had any problems with group commands.
Rules machine I have about 40+ rule, everything from basic motion to lights on and advanced rules moving some PTZ cameras when contact sensors are triggered.
I currently have about 30+ devices all Aeotec however I’m going to test out the fibaro smart smart transplant over the weekend.
Apps = influxdb , HSM , make api , rules machine, basic automation , notifications , at home simulator (must have) , hub connect (sync back to C5) , mode manager.
I’ve no amazon or Sonos integration, however I’m kind half interested in the Sonos hardware so that might be on my next purchase.
Hope this helps, let me know if you need more detail.
Very nice, now we just need the hub protection auto restore feature. I'm assuming you manually reconnected your devices when attached to your C7? Ouch, I bet that was time consuming. ;-(
Yep tell me about it, i basically rebuilt the C7. Manually migrated rules , apps etc. I was aware of a backup / restore with some manual way of moving devices around but I said I’ll take this opportunity to clean up rules. The hub connect app really helped as I could push the migrated devices back to the old hub (C5) while I was still migrating to the C7.
Aeotec have a handy feature of switching the external switch on / off 3 times to trigger an exclusion. The last 3 Aeotec switches I had to reset manually I suspect they lost the path back to the hub after I removed some key devices. They are back working fine now after joining back.
Also the C7 hub will now show you the routing path to each device, it’s a small feature (I’m sure more will follow) but if you need to test performance problems at least it will point you in the direction of the devices you might need to test.
I absolutely love this page! The individual Node Repair + logs in another tab help me resolve routing issues and/or maybe detect flaky or badly paired devices. Not perfect and I am likely misinterpreting some things but I would rather have the information than not.
I have my C3(?) in a network rack and being the UK version both the zigbee and zwave radios are external and run to outside the rack over usb cables. I guess with the C7 this is a drawback and I’ll have to have the hub outside the rack to ensure a good signal. Can you still use external zwave and zigbee sticks ?
Or maybe it’s just a matter of having repeaters very close by to the hub?
I believe you can with a special splitter cable but it would defeat the purpose of the C7. You wouldn't get the new z-wave features and the back up service coming, wouldn't work either.
It's my understanding that the C-7 has series 700 code and none of the series 500 code. My memory of this is that someone asked if they could move their C-4 external radios to a C-7.
I just removed my C7 and put my C4 back in. IMHO not ready to be released, lots of bugs, and I have emails into support for weeks with no answers. I asked to return it but no answer on that either...
