Lutron Pico

Appreciate the replies. I think i'll wait till i can find a good remote that is directly compatible with HE rather than investing in a Lutron hub just to get the pico capability....now as a suggestion........for future development. I wonder if HE would consider developing a USB stick that might integrate with some of these other frequency devices. Gives HE another item to sell and keeps the solution internal rather than across platforms. While i appreciate that HE needs to have compatibility for those who have already existing smart things or Lutron...etc. For those of us wanting to take advantage of the devices available...would really like to simplify the interfaces.
Never hurts to ask!
Cheers
Mac

Seem unlikely at least in the case of Lutron ClearConnect. That being said, back when the Staples Connect device existed, it had an integrated ClearConnect radio in it, so Lutron is (was) willing to license their IP.

I think the issue is the cost of licensing it from Lutron.

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So did both Wink hubs. However, I believe Lutron isn't willing to license their tech any more.

For one thing, it competes with sales of their Caseta bridges. The first Caseta bridge was released in June 2014 - so the Staples hardware and the original Wink hardware (and license) pre-date it.

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If you want a Pico form factor, and especially if you want it to look like a normal wall switch, the RGB Genie remote are Zigbee and are compatible with Hubitat. They are not quite as versatile as a Pico, but good enough for lights, dimmers, etc. They lack held and release function on two of the 5 buttons if I am remembering correctly.

The trouble is with devices other than Pico is the cost. At $15 or so each for a Pico, vs $25 or more for other buttons, there becomes a break-even point where buying the Lutron Bridge makes sense. If I recall correctly, it was something like 7-8 Pico is typically that point.

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There is also the fantastic Advanced Button Controller app (Community app) that works great with the Picos once you have them set up.

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Many people are concerned about canabalizing part of their sales revenue. You have to think that the bigger prize is selling all of their hardware ( switches, dinners, outlets...etc) however. Hopefully things start to converging in the future on sharing protocol vs trying to go it alone.
Guess it all depends on their business model. But in my case, the reward of using Lutron is simply not great enough to pop 80 to 100 just to have access to their hardware.
Cheers.

I used to think that as well... However, once I bought the Caseta Smart Bridge Pro2 and a few Pico remotes, I was hooked. I ripped out all of my Z-Wave switches and dimmers (most of them older non Plus models) and have replaced those, plus all other manual switches with Caseta switches, dimmers, fan controllers, and pico remotes. By far the best home automation purchase I have made in terms of build quality, reliability, responsiveness, and integration options.

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There's a couple reasons that Lutron is unlikely to go down that route. First, as I mentioned, there's the market share factor. Second, Lutron is known as a leader in lighting automation. Wink's ClearConnect implementation is not well done; by encouraging/permitting integration, Lutron ensures the end-user has a consistently high experience (thereby encouraging future purchases).

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I'm down to 4 z-wave+ switches and 1 z-wave+ dimmer. Everything else is Caseta. When one factors in the utility of Picos as button controllers (and their price at under $15), the Pro hub more or less pays for itself.

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I am going to end up getting these anyway for testing and recommendation to some interested clients I think..

Thanks to the SONOS debacle I am really uneasy about single source controlled products. On the plus side I know Lutron has been around for a long time and that they won't/can't just cut off functioning once things are set up and working. I guess HE provides the flexibility and workarounds in the event something does go south.

My wife is not crazy about the look however which is why we still have traditional toggles.

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Eventually a bridge deal comes up on eBay. It is worth it. As mentioned, the basic Picos are just $15 per remote, sometimes less. I got the kit with the Claro wall plate, the cool Lutron wall adapter the let’s you mount it flat on a wall to look like there’s a box there, or over an existing box, and a 5 button Pico for just $15 CAD ($12 USD) on an Amazon special recently. Before that I got the same kit on an Amazon warehouse deal for just $20 CAD. It had never been opened! :man_shrugging:t3: I even got a black 5 button Pico on a warehouse deal for just $25 CAD. Normally they are $70 CAD. Again, it was brand new, never opened.

You do realize that the Pico alone have up to 10 capable buttons per remote right? You can also do combos within the same remote of hold for a second function on some buttons and smooth dimming on the others. Can’t do that with Zigbee remotes. Plus you won’t have to change the batteries for 10 years!

Anyway, you make your own choice of course, but nobody that ever invested in the bridge for Hubitat has come back on here and had anything but good things to say about their decision.

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Yup. Except the 5 button remotes with the "audio" etching/silk-screening. Those are crazy expensive. So I just use regular Picos to control Sonos audio. No WAF to worry about, and my cats don't care ..... :rofl:

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Yep. Believe me, that’s a warehouse deal I search for all the time. Even though I don’t really need it :crazy_face:

Oddly though, the black and white audio picos are both priced at $50 CAD on Amazon.ca, and as you know it’s the same thing as a regular Pico with different etching. :man_shrugging:t3:

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@aaiyar Black and White Audio Picos are on sale right now on Amazon.com for $40

Lutron PJ2-3BRL-GWH-A02 Pico Remote Control for Audio, Sonos Endorsed Integration, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LC7O9MY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AbhmEbJKFKYDJ

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Thanks for the link. From it I found an Amazon warehouse deal for $27 for a black audio pico. Hopefully not too badly banged up .....

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Nice, or maybe unopened like I got with the black Pico. That was a nice surprise. I've bought many items on a warehouse deal that came factory sealed. No clue why they were warehouse deals.

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Gahhhhhhhh..... you guys are going to ruin my budget. :exploding_head:

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Well....crap. Now i have to try them!
:slight_smile:
Will keep,an eye open for a good deal though!

How does the cost of their switches compare?
Mac

I bought some on Amazon, some through Energy Avenue, and a bunch via ebay when I could find a good deal on new ones. Many times I bought the Dimmer + Pico + Claro Wall Plate combo for a good deal versus buying those pieces separately.

You'll pay a slight premium for Caseta over Z-Wave switches...but I feel it was worth it and I have no complaints or regrets.

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