Hi!
I am sorry if this is already answered here, I tried to search but many threads not in english language here
I believe I will have a simple question today: I am about to order windows shades and my price proposal has included “Tahoma Switch” which I understand is a hub for Somfy Tahoma devices. I do have a Homey Pro, I have been able to find Somfy RTS by Athom B.V. and Somfy Tahoma & Connexoon apps in Homey appstore.
Question: I believe I do not need to order this Tahoma Switch hub for window shades? I will just confirm to order of course shade drives and remote controls and then connect everything using Homey Pro, correct? Tahoma Switch hub is not too pricey, though, so I just would like to know if someone is having smooth experience with Tahoma & Homey Pro so I dont need additional hub in my home?
Yes, you need a tahoma switch or a somfy connectivity kit. The last one is much cheaper but has less functionality. The functionality gap can be covered yousing your homey but you need to decide for yourself. I’m using the connectivitykit which works perfect.
If your blinds or shades use Somfy RTS (433 MHz) to communicate with their remotes, you don’t need an additional hub, Homey has a built-in 433 MHz radio that can control them directly.
However, if your shades use the IO Home Control protocol, which is encrypted and operates on 868 MHz, you will need a Somfy hub for control.
So, the first question is: what type of shades do you have?
I am about to order 14 blinds, so to confirm, my installer should order the RTS (433mhz) motors so I do not need to purchase the Somfy Tahoma switch, but I still should order a “connectivity kit” (not sure if hardware or software?) to connect the shades to the homeypro?
To clarify, Graber suggests ordering zigbee motors and and not rts motors since zigbee is bidirectional. Question remains about how to connect to homeypro.
My understanding is that if you order the older technology (RTS) you really don’t need anything else but the app for Somfy RTS in Homey. RTS does not talk back to Homey, it’s a one way system: Homey sends a command and the shades do as they’re told.
If you go for the newer Somfy IO technology, which could be interesting as it is bidirectional and you’ll have full control and feedback to Homey even if you use ad hoc remotes and move the shades manually… then you need the Tahoma (or some alternatives that have less features) and then chose the Somfy Tahoma app.
IO technology is not open source and so far as I know no one has managed to create apps or plug-ins for Domotica systems… this is also why it can not be directly supported by Homey (and it needs the Tahoma box). Bit cheeky of Somfy (and other IO providers) but there you go.
