Zigbee, which hardware to use

[Plantje]

I am looking for ways to add ZigBee to my current Domoticz setup.
Currently I have: Windows 10 machine running Domoticz as a service. RFXCom transceiver for 433Mhz/KaKu devices, Aeon USB stick for Z-Wave devices.

My options to add ZigBee seem to be:

• Zigate
• CC2531/ZigBee2MQTT stick
• Deconz/Conbee

What I am looking for is the easiest way to add ZigBee. Something similar to my Z-Wave: plug in the USB key, minimal configuration and from Domoticz add ZigBee devices.

As I understood with CC2531 I can only add a limited number of devices and then I need to add a second stick as router. Is that right?
With the Conbee stick, I understand I need to install Deconz to run the ZigBee show After installing Deconz, can I then add devices from Domoticz? Or do I need to install devices through Deconz and will they then show up in Domoticz?

What do you prefer? Any insight is appreciated!

[Thorgal789]

All coordinators in all solutions have a limited direct connexion (not the same for all solutions).
In a zigbee network you have 1 coordinator (the gateway), routers (for exemple bulb, plug, curtain, generaly all powered devices), and end-device like sensors.
The coodinator always have limited direct connexions, but it's not a problem because you can use a router to increase this number, the router use 1 connexion to the gateway and purpose itself more connexions for other device (and it have too a limited direct connexion number).
So yep, you can use a second stick as router but you can too use a simple bulb. The problem is all hardwares aren't as good as router as other, philips bulb are good router for exemple, and on the 3 solutions you have cited, all do not handle routers as well on a zigbee network with differents manufacturers.

On my side I have finally choose deCONZ. So yes, you need to install deconz and no more thing to install, no libs, no mqtt server, no more applications. You have a webserver in deCONZ, so you just need a web explorer to connect to Phoscon https://www.dresden-elektronik.de/funkt ... n-app/?L=1
You can do all you want in this webapp, with a more "sexy" UI than the domoticz one (take a look on the previous link), pairing/scene/manage device/make groups/ect ...
After that, just run/restart the domoticz plugin, it will sychronise domoticz with deconz, and create itself devices to use in domoticz.
And it s finished. Even for update the firmware you can do that in the webapp. I don't think you can find more plug'n play than this solution.

The only configuration you have are plugin setting, and use blacklist for device you don't want to see in domoticz.

You can set scenario/scene in deconz and you will have a push to on button in domoticz to trigger it, or you can set them in domoticz if you want to use a scene with zigbee device + wifi devices for exemples.

And for "power configuration" you have the deconz utility https://www.dresden-elektronik.de/funkt ... econz/?L=1 this one need more attention but you don't need it for normal use. You will need it for custom configuration or devices not natively supported by deconz, but not so hard to use, it works with drag'n drop et select cases.

[Plantje]

Thank you very much for this complete answer!

Looks like ZigBee will be the ideal addition for me. Less expensive hardware than Z-Wave, but with the functionality of Z-Wave. And indeed deCONZ seems like a nice solution. Will definitely opt for that!

Thanks again!

[Thorgal789]

np, but just for information, if you choose deCONZ, don't loose your time with the official site, go directly to their github https://github.com/dresden-elektronik/d ... est-plugin
You will find files in date and support. You can find the classic instal and manual instal procedure on the main github page.

[ronaldbro]

Don’t know what the best solution is, but I went for the PiZigate because:
- there is no extra software with a connection to Domoticz
- no MQTT
- good and active support
- no USB stick within 1 cm of my z-stick

I’ve been using it since it’s released and I’m very happy with it. It works stable without any problems. (Except a hue bulb with hue remote dimmer, but I don’t think it’s a zigate issue)

[Delta78]

For me pizigate or raspbee aren't good solution for all, because on last PI machine you need to disable the internal bluetooth (and add one more dongle for better stability), and on USB dongle, you can easily use an extension cable to prevents interference with housing and peripherals.
Zigate is easier to use than zigbee2mqtt, but due to lack of interface, you still need to use text editor and work with config files to use it, like to make groups for exemple. And good luck if you want to change for exemple a sensor sensibility without interface.

[Plantje]

Don’t know what the best solution is, but I went for the PiZigate because:
- there is no extra software with a connection to Domoticz
- no MQTT
- good and active support
- no USB stick within 1 cm of my z-stick

I’ve been using it since it’s released and I’m very happy with it. It works stable without any problems. (Except a hue bulb with hue remote dimmer, but I don’t think it’s a zigate issue)

I am not going to use PiZigate, because it only runs on a Raspberry Pi and I am happy running my Domoticz on Windows 10.

np, but just for information, if you choose deCONZ, don't loose your time with the official site, go directly to their github https://github.com/dresden-elektronik/d ... est-plugin
You will find files in date and support. You can find the classic instal and manual instal procedure on the main github page.

Thanks for the addition!

Just out of curiosity… Delta78 = Thorgal789?

[Thorgal789]

Lol, nope, I m Thorgal on the french forum and Smanar on github. I m the dev of the deconz plugin.

[Plantje]

No problem.
Is ZigBee developed in France? There seems to be a strong French representation

[Thorgal789]

Lol , IDK, But the biggers manufacturer are internationnal (Ikea, Philips, Xaomi), so I don't think there is more french user than other.
Zigate is a french project, so I think 50% of zigate's user are french (frenchs are shy with english project, to be polite), deCONZ is something new in France , there are making lot of marketing ATM to make their product know (all their link about Phoscon/Conbee 2/ ect .. are new ) . it was totally unknown here 6 months ago.

But in the world the biggest project is Zigbee2mqtt, not comparable with other.

[pipiche]

Don’t know what the best solution is, but I went for the PiZigate because:
- there is no extra software with a connection to Domoticz
- no MQTT
- good and active support
- no USB stick within 1 cm of my z-stick

I’ve been using it since it’s released and I’m very happy with it. It works stable without any problems. (Except a hue bulb with hue remote dimmer, but I don’t think it’s a zigate issue)

Could you kindly post a specific topic on that, the Hue Remote dimmer should work with Zigate and it's plugin

[pipiche]

For me pizigate or raspbee aren't good solution for all, because on last PI machine you need to disable the internal bluetooth (and add one more dongle for better stability), and on USB dongle, you can easily use an extension cable to prevents interference with housing and peripherals.
Zigate is easier to use than zigbee2mqtt, but due to lack of interface, you still need to use text editor and work with config files to use it, like to make groups for exemple. And good luck if you want to change for exemple a sensor sensibility without interface.

Your right for the UI but it might change in a near future

From the HW perspective you have PiZigate, you have the USB_TTL Zigate and you have the Wifi Zigate which works pretty well with the new Wifi firmware.

[waltervl]

I have the USB-TTL version of the ZiGate and very happy with it. I use it on a Ubuntu running SBC (Udoo X86). The dongle I extended with a 30 cm USB extension cable so it not close to the Wifi/Bluetooth signals. Just to be sure. I did not test it without the extension so dont know if there is a real advantage.
Support of the plugin (by Pipiche) and firmware is very good. It is a matter of installing the plugin and add your devices into Domoticz.
A lot is supported, also the cheap xiaomi and ikea zigbee devices.

[Plantje]

So, let me get back to this...

Had the Conbee stick laying around for a while now and today bought an IKEA light bulb that should be ZigBee as well.
Installed deCONZ and so far so good... was able to install the IKEA light bulb and I can control it....using deCONZ

However, where and how do I install the deCONZ/Domoticz plugin? There is no plugins folder in the Domoticz folder. And I am running Domoticz on Windows, so most of the scripts I find online I cannot run as they are for a Raspberry Pi

[Thorgal789]

So, let me get back to this...

Had the Conbee stick laying around for a while now and today bought an IKEA light bulb that should be ZigBee as well.
Installed deCONZ and so far so good... was able to install the IKEA light bulb and I can control it....using deCONZ

However, where and how do I install the deCONZ/Domoticz plugin? There is no plugins folder in the Domoticz folder. And I am running Domoticz on Windows, so most of the scripts I find online I cannot run as they are for a Raspberry Pi

Hello, your reponse is here > viewtopic.php?f=68&t=25631&p=226010#p226010

[Plantje]

Yes, noticed that as well. Thank you!