Smart Bridge L-BDG2-WH

Got this to replace a Wink bridge after they, rather abruptly and rudely, swapped to a pay model. Unboxed, connected to my router (patch cable included) and downloaded the app while the unit powered on. Used the app to create an account, pressed the button on the back when prompted and my iPhone connected within seconds. At this point the firmware update installed and within minutes it was ready to go. I attempted to add my first dimmer and nothing happened. I tried a few times and with different switches still nothing. The app prompted that I might need to reset the switch since it had been connected with Wink. The method on the switch didn't work and I googled my issue. Instead of using the three taps on the "on" button hold and three taps I found tapping off five times and holding until the lights flash, then tapping five more time (each set of five in half a second or so) forced a factory reset. This worked for me. Once the switch connects the app asks where it is located (kitchen, bedroom, bath, etc) and what kind (pendant, ceiling fan, etc) and automatically groups them based off this info. I had all my 12 switches programed and operating with half an hour. Alexa integration was easy, Lutron is not a default app and you'll need to find it, once done it was only a matter of logging in. I found the voice controls react much faster than Wink, lights go on/off almost immediately where Wink took a couple seconds. Overall voice control feels way more professional and streamlined while Wink seemed more like a DIY patchwork. The app is very basic and straight forward although it is customizable. Controls mimic the style of the physical switches you tap the switch you want to control and a "switch" pops up and slide your finger up/down for dimmers and tap on/off, I like the Wink style of a group of circles with title much better and it allowed me to easily control multiple switches.

When Wink announced in May 2020 that they would no longer allow use of their wireless hub unless a monthly subscription fee was paid, I scrambled to come up with a solution to keep my smart home devices up and running. I found the Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge to be the perfect solution to control all of my Caseta switches. I took advantage off an Amazon Warehouse offer and picked one up for about $20 off the price of a brand new one. The device arrived today and setup could not have been easier. First, I simply factory reset each of my Caseta switches/dimmers and then deleted all of these Wink associated devices from the Alexa app. Then I just followed the prompts in the Lutron app to re-enroll and name all of my Caseta switches to work with the new bridge and Alexa. All were automatically added to Alexa without needing to do any discovery at all. I find the Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge to be fast and reliable. Response to voice commands given to Alexa to turn lights on or off are quick as are toggling lights on and off using the Lutron app. When I was using the Wink Hub I used to have an odd problem with a group of three recessed ceiling lights. I'd say, " Alexa, turn on living room lights" and usually only one or two of the lights in this group would turn on, almost never all three. Oddly, the problem apparently had something to do with the Wink Hub, because since switching to the Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge, all lights in the group now turn on and off reliably. Yea! Rah! Rah! It is a shame Wink decided to go to the "dark side" (charging a monthly fee for a device I bought with their promise of "no monthly fees") but I'm pleased to be rid of them now. I do believe Lutron will continue to support their Caseta Smart Bridge for many years to come as it is directly tied to smart home switches and devices they sell now and others they will likely offer in the future.

I use the Lutron Castea system in conjunction with Apple HomeKit. They integrate seamlessly and easily while the combination allows a multitude of features. In addition, the Casseta Homebase network frees-up bandwidth on the 2.4Ghz band of my WiFi mesh network that would otherwise be taken-up by smart switches from any of the other vendors such as Kasa. Our four-story 3000sq.ft. townhouse functions nicely with a single Homebase connected via Ethernet to a Deco mesh node on the second floor. At first, I glossed over such features as adding remote switches and programming scenes via the Caseta app. Now I find they add tremendously to my home. For example, I have a Pico on the dining room table that adjusts all the lighting in and near the dining room for an evening meal with one touch. Same for the home theater; same for our primary bedroom at bedtime. I added a pico in the hallway using just a double gang faceplate on an existing single gang switch without any wiring at all. Now I can initiate the primary bedroom evening lighting scene - or turn on all the bedroom lights full strength - before I enter the room. There is even a pico with a built-in nightlight. If you have outdoor temporary lights, perhaps for the holidays, there are weatherproof outdoor switches you can program. All our permanent outdoor lighting is on the Caseta network for security and, of course, you can program switches for when a room is occupied via HomeKit. We also use the system for electrostatic air cleaners that help to keep our home dust and allergen free, turning them off when people are around and running them in vacant areas at night and when no one is home. As a bonus, energy bills have diminished a bit despite living in data center land. Take that AI.

Works as described and easy to set up.

Unbelievable how much better this works compared to the Wink hub’s spotty performance , not to mention saying good bye to the Wink subscription fee . This is one case of making my life easier , from the setup to flawless performance. Good on Lutron .

El producto es bastante responsivo con Siri al igual que su aplicación, al presionar los botones o dar la orden a Siri no tarda ni un segundo en realizar el apagado de las luces, totalmente recomendable para aquellos que quieren tener un hogar inteligente.

The control box was easy to set up. The instructions are easy to follow. Word of caution, if you use a VPN, disengage it during the set up. The telephone help line was great in resolving the issue.

Funciona muy bien con HomeKit