Zooz Zen77 PSA

Been playing around with drivers. Today’s PSA is regarding which is the best driver for the Zen77 dimmer. There are varion Generic Z-Wave Dimmer drivers, the Zooz Zen77 Dimmer driver and the Zooz ZEN Dimmer Advanced driver that will all provide some level of functionality for your ZEN 77 dimmer. After trying out several, the winner is the Zooz ZEN Dimmer Advanced. It provides more access to preferences and works as one would expect. The others limit flexibility and programmability and just don’t always work.

You will need to add this driver using Drivers code, but it is well worth it. Thanks to @jtp10181

2 Likes

Like many community drivers, Jeff's typically expose most/all available parameters.

Most native/stock drivers typically only expose the most commonly edited parameters -- this is intentional to stike a balance of being useful to many/most users while not presenting an overwhelming or initimidating array of options for newer users.

This also allows those drivers to be used for other similar z-wave devices (e.g. different brands of z-wave switches) which helpfully reduces the catalog of native drivers -- this too makes things easier & more digestable for newer users.

Regardless of driver used for the long haul, you can always use the "Basic Z-Wave tool" driver to set any/all parameters supported by that device.

6 Likes

I respect your perspective and YMMV. I have tried several and not all drivers allow you “to set any/all parameters supported” easily or intuitively. Furthermore, not all drivers allow for testing your rule easily. Lastly, I am not interested in manually manipulating parameters without them being exposed. The driver I selected allows me to do some pretty sophisticated things without having the manual for them in front of me.

You’re certainly allowed to your opinion as I am allowed to mine.

Thanks for the support. Zooz just added yet MORE settings for the 7x switches and dimmers :exploding_head:, no idea when I will be able to add those BTW.

@hydro311 is definitely also in support of my work, he was just pointing out all the other angles and options that can work (especially if there is not a community driver to fill the gap). Sometimes people get upset that the built in drivers do not support every single option and feature.

If you have any other 700/800 devices that don't have community drivers with all the settings, my scanner driver attempts scan the device and pull down all the settings: [RELEASE] Z-Wave Universal Device Scanner

5 Likes