Searched around but couldn’t find straightforward answers just yet, so here it goes:
For Z-wave, so far I have been lucky to have good results with 500 (z-wave plus) and 700 devices in my mesh. But what would happen technically if I have 300 (z-wave non-plus) and 500 and 700, and 800 (long range) devices together in the same mesh?
Looking for both “in theory” comments, and “I have this and here is my experience” comments.
I have 500, 700 and 800 series devices in my network running with a 500 series controller, works fine no problems.
The short answer is ‘nothing’. The longer answer is that the routing in your mesh network will use the lowest chip speed. Let’s assume that you have 800 device at the far end of your mesh and it uses the repeater of a 300 device to reach the 800 controller, then the speed will be the one of the 300 device all along the route.
I’m pretty sure that the speed of your mesh will never be higher than the speed of the controller.
So, are we saying the entire mesh will be at 300 speed?
Would there be any other downsides on with 300 to 800 devices together, around error handling or radio noises or packet flooding?
Others may know better, but I am pretty sure that, if your controller is 300, then your whole mesh is 300 as well.
I have some 65 Zwave devices; controller is 800 and devices are mostly 700 and 800, with a few 500 and two 300. I gradually replace older devices with 800 devices.
There are two major advantages of 800 devices, speed and distance. In my case, with some 65 Zwave devices well spread in my home, distance is not an issue. My guess is that if all my devices would be 700 or 800, I would get better speed where current routing may use older devices, but it is not a perceptible issue for me.
Thank you. Your setup have answered all of my questions.