New to Hubitat and have some regrets

I think unfortunately you picked a rough patch to go for a Hubitat. I've had one since C4 (June 2018). There were a few issues early on but I've had years of solid operation. I too came from Vera.

It appears the C8 uses a brand new set of communication chips which is causing some issues with zigbee. My C8 system has experienced ZERO issues, so I'm guessing there are some refining going on. This happened to a small degree when the C7 came out but was quickly sorted out.

I fully believe the Hubitat folks are all over this and will find the solution. I've never seen such product support in my life.....really really good.

I would suggest you hang in there.

John

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I think Hubitat has a significant conceptual difference from other hubs by splitting Admin functions (Add device, delete device, create Rules, etc.) from user actions such as turning on or off a light, setting a dimmer level, etc. By insisting that admin functions are run from the Local Lan, and those functions are not available via dashboards, your hub will function correctly. Like most of us here in the Community, we started with some other hub and it was always shocking to me that everyone with access to the hub had full admin rights. Even if your intent was that your kid watch videos on your phone or tablet you've given them a SmartThings app and they start clicking on Delete as soon as they discover it. Hubitat's App can't do Admin. Apple's Home app (HomeKit) doesn't do admin of your Hubitat hub.

That LAN Only restriction for Admin is the ONLY function that would create a need for a VPN. If you don't like creating VPNs or don't want to, THEN and only then is the option of using Hubitat's subscription remote management something to consider.

I also use Homebridge and have for years. I have it running on a headless Mac Mini that is intended as a media server, but has tons of extra processing available to run 4 or 5 Node JS instances.. I have at least two Homebridge instances running along with a Node-Red instance. I really should migrate to Hubitat's HomeKit Integration but my feeling is, I'd spend hours migrating and be exactly where I am. I pass 65 Hubitat devices into Homebridge and thus into Homekit. I do not pass Sensors to Homebridge with the exception of Presence. I wish for a fully Automated Home and feel that if I have to whip out a phone to cause something to happen, I've failed and need to build more automation. The most common use I've had for dashboards or Apple's Home app for the past 3 years. is to "show off" to guests.. hoping they too will want to automate their home.

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Chiming in to talk you down from returning it!

I've had my C7 for about 1.5 years, and like you, was IMMENSELY frustrated when I first tried to set it up. However, I've gotten used to it and it really is not at all difficult. My hope for Hubitat is that they will at some point be able to hire a UI specialist and make the admin experience MUCH more intuitive.

HOWEVER, that said, the only other company with support that is on par with Hubitat is Inovelli, and they are not a Hubitat competitor, but rather a device you use WITH Hubitat. The community here is awesome.

The other reason to keep the thing is that is just works. It is very solid. It just hums along and needs no attention, needs no subscription, needs no unplug, do this do that. It just works.

So get it set up. Since your needs are not that complex you will figure it out. The community here is VERY HELPFUL. And they are very nice to newbies and non computer professionals like me (and I assume perhaps you). You will not regret it once you get it set up and working. And that will not be difficult, because as you wrote, your "needs are not that complex."

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Hubitat (I have a C-7) is really the only platform I've ever used. I don't count Google or Alexa as home automation platforms, and c although I DO have HomeAssistant running on a Pi, it's only purpose is to bring some "incompatible" devices in to Hubitat.

For me, the value in the Hubitat platform lies in three main areas. The first is the sheer number of things it can communicate with. Besides zigbee and zwave native devices, I personally use LAN integrations (local and cloud-based) for Kasa plugs, Ecobee thermostat, HomeAssistant, SleepNumber bed, Google/Chromecast, Alexa, Roku, LG Thinq (via HomeAssistant), and a weather forecast. And some of these integrations offer more functionality than the OEM's own app (I'm talking to you, Ecobee).

The second is the built in Rule Machine app. It can be a bit overwhelming (ie. Complicated and non-intuitive) the first couple of times you use it, but it is incredibly powerful. You can almost literally perform any desired action based on any trigger event.

And lastly, the incredible community. Where Hubitat's built-in apps and drivers stop, the community takes over. It can be a bit concerning at first, relying on members of the coomunity to continue supporting and developing software that you rely on. But given the track record of platforms like Iris, Wink, SmartThings, etc., I feel like Hubitat offers at least a much certainty (more, honestly) than the larger, more "mainstream" platforms.

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I love hubitat and blue iris.

I'm also one of the few who detest most of the dashboard options. No offense.

I seriously recommend the (cloud based, unfortunately, but works ace) Sharptools, and the developer @josh is fairly active.

Blue iris cams work brilliantly though sharptools. Shows a small preview which goes live fullscreen when tapped.

Sidenote, I really wish sharptools would offer a local option, as I feel the cloud-based aspects put a lot of people off. Shame.

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You're missing something. Remote access to your dashboards is free as is anything that uses maker api. You can use a VPN to freely access your hub for remote management if you don't want to pay for Hub Admin...

Will work Fine...

Sonos built in, you can get the community My Q Lite integration from Hubitat Package Manager..

You can get blue iris cameras into Hubitat dashboard using the RTSP endpoints and the motion events for triggering with @bptworld 's event engine.

You can use the built in Homekit Integration....

I would also take a gander at this thread since you are new and this should help you avoid some gotchas.

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One thing to remember about Homekit integration is that it only works for Built in drivers virtual or otherwise. For this reason if you use a community driver you may need to create a virtual device using a built in driver.

The best example I have is for the Govee Integration. The devices created by that community application can't themselves be added to Homekit, but you can mirror them to Virtual light devices and have those built in Virtual devices then be added to Homekit.

Just keep this in mind if you are trying to add a device and can't find it to do so.

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This article from the hub documentation pages explains which types of devices can and can’t be integrated with the native HomeKit integration.

While it’s frustrating that devices like locks can’t be integrated, that’s a limitation imposed by Apple, because Hubitat is in the process of becoming a certified HomeKit bridge.

Homebridge, as an uncertified bridge, doesn’t have to play by the same rules.

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What are you using on Home Assistant?
I have LG Washer/Drier combo. It is Thinq enabled. I wonder what I could do if HE integration is possible.

Hang in there bro! I came from a dysfunctional and abandoned SmartThing node and went with the C7, upgrading to the C8 when it came out. I'm still as green as it gets, but with the help of this community I was able to solve a problem the previous operator could not figure out.

It's a lot to take in at first. Take some time to read the basics. The most important thing for me was establishing a strong mesh network using mains powered devices that acted as repeaters. I made the mistake of including things without excluding them and in no particular order. Once I made a few ghosts and the entire system went haywire, my C8 showed up and I started all over.

I was trying to do too much and too fast. Slowly start with a central location, add your relays using exclude then include and let her figure out the paths for a day. Taking a break allows the system to route things the best way it sees fit.

Once you have your main devices acting as a strong mesh network, include the other devices in batches no greater than 4 per day. This really does help, especially for older security locks.

My greatest challenge was including antique 500 series Yale door locks using S0 security. They are chatty and slow. They are also old tech that only allows near field inclusion so you have to be right next to the hub to link up. The darn doors are also tricky to reset properly and there is a 12 step procedure outlined in the community that will do it right in one shot.

This system is quite a bit more advanced than others. It is also more reliable and I believe more secure. Hang out for a while and experience what I have. A community driven network of automation enthusiasts and professionals willing to help you for no other reason than they love this stuff and want others to succeed. Far better than any tech support or service you could hire out.

This system made me well aware of how home automation works and where I can go from here. I wish you the best of luck and hope you break through the frustration threshold like I have.

Once she works, she's a beauty!

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Yes this can be the case! However if you stick with it (and the forum is a wealth of info) it won't take long to get the hang of it.

Other posters have replied on this. However you will not get camera feeds showing on the dashboard when viewing remotely as the streams are completely local. You will need to VPN in to view them. Or just use the blue iris webserver.

Ditch the Hubitat dashboards and keep your Homebridge setup, use the user created Homebridge integration app to get Hubitat devices to Homekit via Homebridge. There are some limits on what devices can be shared via the Hubitat integration due to going for official certification. You could also share the supported devices via the official integration and anything else via Homebridge, up to you.

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Good points everyone and I'm warming up to HE. I don't think I'll be able to abandon homebridge due to the homekit integration not supporting most of what I've set up so far (anything using app integration it seems, the latest being Kasa outlets) but as someone else here noted, why would I? It's pretty stable running on a Qnap based docker image, so I'll use both to link to Homekit.

More than anything, this seems to be a really knowledgeable and helpful community and that goes a long way, plus having solid support from Hubitat since people are giving them high marks. Thanks!

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Forget Hubitats dashboard its a complete nightmare. Look into some 3rd party dashboards. They are light years more advanced.

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Which ones? I tested all the popular ones and thought for the most part they were more clunky, outdated looking, and very annoying to setup (too much repetitive clicking). Landed back on Hubitat and made some halfway decent stuff with a little but of extra CSS (nothing extreme). Then decided to try out Home Assistant dashboards, now that is where its at... they got it right.

Really I just use the Apple Home interface for everything personally, but I was investigating options for someone else who does not use Apple devices.

I know HD+ wont work on apple but there are a few others. Its to late to link them right now.

On a side note I have been thinking about running either a Windows or Linux VM with an android emulator running on it using a remote desktop. You could use HD+ and save some screen space for any app or program under the sun. I never bothered to follow through as I have mostly stopped using dashboards other than my phone.

Honestly the need for dashboards diminish the more you automate. At least that is my experience.

Hubivue was supposed to be pretty good, wasn't it?

Yes, I rarely use it to make changes, only to check on things like cameras, temps, motion, sometimes the thermostat.

I tried Sharptools, Action Tiles, HD+, and Hubivue. If I remember correctly HD+ seemed pretty good for features and easy to get going with, but Android only has its limits. Hubivue I liked best overall but it needs some out-of-the-box templates for common device types to make it smoother to setup. Just trying to add a motion sensor was taking way too much work so I gave up quickly.

The tiles look is tiresome. Home assistant you can make some really clean and sexy stuff.

Smartly. Migrated perfectly to C-8. But I’m not really a dashboard user, everything is automated. Only use the dashboard if I am away on a trip and want to check locks, etc.

I guess it depends on what your looking for, I find the HE dashboards quite adequate. They aren't fancy but they are simple to setup and for my use case work well.

Like others have said I don't use the dashboards that often but nice when needed.

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