tldr; I can’t seem to find comprehensive conversation(s) about the real world differences between the legacy 500/700 (mesh) and the newer 800LR (Long Range) Z-Wave protocols to help me determine which I should be using in my application.
One of the things I’ve been looking forward to for some now is the ability to have the newest 800LR Z-Wave protocol in my stack. A recent migration from an aging Vera hub to my new HAOS-based solution and a TubesZB PoE Z-Wave controller has made that a reality.
Being new to these things, I assumed that choosing the “auto” option at inclusion would automatically choose the highest/latest protocol available. I found out the hard way after adding over 50 Z-Wave devices that this simply isn’t the case. This is fine for the few dozen or so older (500/700 based) Z-Wave devices I have in my network but for the newer devices it wasn’t the result I had hoped for.
Now I have a couple dozen 800LR capable devices that are connected via the legacy mesh mode. To get them onto the newer 800LR protocol I’d have to exclude them, include them and edit automations involving them. I also have a box of about a dozen new 800LR capable devices that I need to get added to my network.
I added a few via 800LR successfully and it’s a PITA to to do. There’s more steps involved, QR code scans, uploads and imports that make adding each device via 800LR a chore. I wasn’t expecting this at all and I’m unsure why I can’t simply open my HA app, scan a code and be done with it. Either way, this is the process that must be followed should I want to add Z-Wave items via 800LR protocol.
So I guess the real question I have is… should I even be worried about 800LR at this point? My site is a 2,000sq ft ranch-style with an equally sized basement and a larger attached garage of similar proportions. I’ve never had a reception issue even with my 2-decade-old 500 devices and ancient Vera Lite that I had many years ago even though that hub was an a less-than-ideal location. My new TubesZB controller is more ideal in a centrally located ceiling location and should be ideal for full coverage of my entire site.
My goal w/wanting to use 800LR boils down to simplified site-map with less hops and management as well as faster response/reporting and all of this should equal better battery life for battery powered devices. I’m not even sure at this point if 800LR will offer that much more over the much easier to add legacy Z-Wave protocol. I can’t seem to find solid data of one vs the other.
People say that the mesh of the legacy 500/700 is preferred but I’ve got some weird hops going on currently (based on decades of IT experience and various forms of wireless communication management) and it’s a bit ambiguous if I should try any sort of “healing” or “repair” actions since adding all of my devices recently in my new HAOS install. I tried that once and it seemed to create more issues than it solved. I’m still a bit confused on why options exist in a UI if users shouldn’t use them. Seems like recipe for success especially for newer users who are trying (desperately) to learn the ins & outs of HA. I digress.
I don’t mind going through all of the steps required to get these devices added via 800LR if there’s a tangible benefit to the added efforts. It’s a one-time deal (for the most part) so I’d rather do it right the first time… but I genuinely have no idea what “right” even is as it pertains to this 500/700 vs. 800LR topic. Just a bunch of marketing claims (I recently did some real-world testing of max range and my effective range of 800LR was dramatically less than the marketing claims, as expected) about how superior 800LR is but… is it really in real world use? The data for the latter aspect seems to be very sparse at best.
I don’t know that my site would even really benefit from the mesh aspects of the older legacy protocol but I don’t want to install a bunch of devices that could act as repeaters (switches & plugged in sensors) as 800LR if they could be getting my legacy battery powered devices better connectivity & battery life if added via mesh. Usually I try to think of an ideal build-out when incorporating new with old and, in this case, most all devices would eventually be the newer 800LR protocol which would make this transitionary period moot I suppose.
I feel like I’m at yet another crossroads and I keep making the wrong choices at these types of intersections with my HAOS journey. Choices that end up costing me lots of time even though I feel like I research available info as much as possible before deciding/proceeding. I don’t want to put in all this time to add a bunch of devices one way or the other and then find out months/years later that I really should have simply chose the other one initially. It kind of feels like I’ve already done that with the couple dozen 800LR-capable devices that were added via legacy Z-Wave protocol unknowingly. I don’t mind investing time in optimizing my smart home automation setup but I’m growing weary of wasting time repeating tasks due to incorrect info on the front end. Please help me avoid this with real world input from those that have been there on this 500/700 v 800LR decision.