So I have setup z2m and its working well for some other devices I have, but today I purchased a KLIPPBOX device from IKEA that says its Matter compatible. I tried to pair it, but the HA app says that it requires a thread router. Is that really true ? I thought all matter devices caould comminicate over WIFI ?
#KLIPPBOX IKEA Matter Device
inner meteor
heavy epoch
So I have setup z2m and its working well for some other devices I have, but toda...
its a matter-over-thread device
I dont blame you for not noticing, Ikea marketing on their new matter-over-thread devices is awful it only says matter and doesn't include thread anywhere except buried in the instruction manual document
matter devices can either be:
matter-over-wifi or matter-over-thread
in general just saying "matter" would IMO imply wifi.
you have to check to see if its got a wifi logo or a thread logo. if it has neither then you will have to delve into the documentation for it.
a hint is usually found by them saying "you should use this with our hub" and that hub says its thread.
technically a could have both wifi and thread as options but it would be unusual.
I am not sure if this is malice or stupidity on Ikea's part.
it could be malice: since if questioned they will say the solution is to buy more of their stuff
it could be stupidity: since the marketing team have no idea.
I would also avoid matter-over-wifi devices in general because a bunch of them only provide minimal stuff on matter to be "compliant" but also force you to use their app.
e.g. a smartplug that can be switched on/off by matter but if you want energy monitoring you have to use their app and have an account etc...
between marketing fails and scams. matter may fall flat on its face because nobody knows what they are actually getting.
Sorry for wall of text, but this has been annoying me recently... as you may have noticed 😛
inner meteor
Ok well that sucks...
@heavy epoch Should I buy a thread hub ? I am suspecting it doesn't need to be the IKEA one ... There just don't seem to be cheap ones available...
I can also return these and buy zigbee...
heavy epoch
<@354452014068924428> Should I buy a thread hub ? I am suspecting it doesn't nee...
if you want you can use home assistant for thread "hub" by adding a thread radio (which is a zigbee radio in thread mode/firmware).
what are you currently using for your zigbee antenna?
inner meteor
Yah that would work.. Currently using el-cheapo Ali special : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010032639326.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.100.77481802GAHQXL
But has been working well enough...
heavy epoch
oof, gotta love the the fake "works with home assistant" badge
but i am sure it works
inner meteor
Oh there is some certification they need ? Yes it seems to work well enough.
I didn't flash it or anything
heavy epoch
i cant speak for that device but most zigbee controllers have the option to flash them to be either zigbee OR thread controllers.
heavy epoch
Oh there is some certification they need ? Yes it seems to work well enough.
the WWHA badge is a specific program DETAILS HERE
thread uses the same hardware as zigbee but is different.
that device says it supports thread in its spec so there will likely be firmware for it somewhere.
so you could get another one of those or something else. or you can get a different thread hub that integrates.
or you can return and get some normal zigbee stuff instead.
note: if you do get another antenna as they are both 2.4ghz you should ensure they are at least 25cm apart (~2 wavelengths at 2.4ghz)
inner meteor
I wouldn't mind getting a thread device if I can keep the cost down. I would probably want to order something that at least someone else has flashed successfully before
let me try to find thread firmwares and see if they recommend anything
heavy epoch
If I were to recommend a radio then it would be the ZBT-2 however its my understanding that they are expensive to get in Canada due to the distributers for NA beeing in the US
a lot of people swear by the smlight stuff (e.g. SLZB-06) they have a few options to be used either by USB or ethernet (including poe as option)
they have some dual devices which have 2 radios and antennas in 1 device and show up separately and you can flash either to whatever you want so you can have zigbee and thread radios (or 2 of a specific type if you wanted that for some reason) however because on the dual ones the antennas are close together they will impact each other a bit and will have less range then 2 seperate devices spaced apart.
sonoff make one too which i think can be flashed either way
inner meteor
A quick search shows some good community support for nrf52840 boards.
tempted to try that... but by the time I get one...
I may lose interest
heavy epoch
there's a good chance the silicon labs flasher tool will work on your cheapy one tbh. but I cant be sure.
this is one of those. "1 problem 10 solutions" situations and you will have to work out what is best for you.
inner meteor
Ok thanks for the tips
heavy epoch
Ok thanks for the tips
no problem, happy to help. btw did you manage to get some inspelning plugs to help your zigbee mesh?
inner meteor
Haha yeah... I did! I don't know if battery use will improve, but I did pair one up then re-connected a nearby battery device. In Z2m, I can see the router now has it as a child with great link quality.. .but link quality for the device in the other screens is still bad (probably because the inspelning plug link quality isn't great either?)
heavy epoch
Haha yeah... I did! I don't know if battery use will improve, but I did pair one...
it can take a while for the mesh to work itself out and realise what's best. it learns as it goes. battery life may not be effected much but hopefully reliability will improve.