I've now had the Samsung SmartThings Starter Kit for around 5 weeks. Primarily I have been using it as a security device to notify of any unexpected motion in the house. Overall I am pretty impressed with the kit and recent updates to the software apps (Android & Windows Phone)
Over the last week I have been particularly impressed with the wireless range that the kit offers. Sadly my neighbour, who lives alone, suffered several minor heart attacks and has since been admitted to hospital for a tripple heart bypass operation. She was worried about the security of her property as there has been a recent spate of burglaries in the area. I offered to check on her property and keep an eye on things and it occurred to me to test the range on the Outlet device to see if I could provide some timed lighting - a long shot as I didn't think my neighbour's house would be in range.
I borrowed her keys and installed the outlet in her front room and connected her floor standing lamp. My phone could just pick up a single bar of signal from my home wifi (located next to the SmartHub) . I opened the SmartThings App and spotted the Outlet status was showing as connected! Pretty impressive range seeing as the signal is going through a thick brick wall from a 1920's terraced house. I successfully tested the manual on/off functionality, went home and programmed some times for the lamp to turn on/off in the evening.
The diagram below shows an overview the wifi range and wall penetration - an impressive distance of 7.5 -8 meters AND through a few walls!
OK - so it may have been cheaper to put in an old style mechanical timer on the mains socket, however, I've now put in the presence sensor and can keep an eye on things for her even when I am at work. I was tempted to let her borrow my tablet to monitor her home, but don't want to her to stress over it for now!
Get well soon Anne!
