Z-Wave Long Range Now Working in Z-Wave JS UI v9.10.0

You need to scan the QR Code from the Smart Start Page and NOT from the control panel. When you scan from the control panel it will automatically try to add the device to the network.

With that change I’ve been able to provision as 800 LR, thank you so much!

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Now that we can enable LR, the question is when should we? What is the advice / recommendation about this feature? Is this something that everyone should enable if possible, or should the LR capability be targeted to specific use cases? Can I mix and match newer devices that support LR with older ones that don’t in the same mesh, or would I need two different controller sticks for that?

Any general considerations from the experts would be much appreciated!

LR and Mesh can be used together. If you need repeaters, e.g. for non-LR devices, don’t include as LR. Seems best for battery devices.

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Got one of my 800 LR contact sensors setup and successfully included as a long range device. However, I am not getting very good range at all. I have it setup at my mailbox which is about 70 feet from the coordinator. Figured if it would get about 1.5 miles in the open, I could theoretically get 70 feet through one brick wall LOL. I have to do some more testing I guess.

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If you don’t have the QR codes anymore….is it still possible to add a device for LR? IE is the only way to do this is via smart start which can only be done via the QR code?

I tried adding a device this morning and my controller supports it (zooz 800) and updated zwave JS. In zwave JS I can see that the controller supports long range, and the end device does as well, but it added to the network as a normal mesh device.

Placing a device into long range mode can only be done during inclusion and using smart start.

You don’t technically need the QR CODE. You need the full Device Specific Key. As long as you have that you can manually add the device to the smart start list.

Also you probably still have access to the QR codes as they are usually on the device itself as well as the packing.

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Thank you. I was able to connect my Zooz 800 series water sensor to my Zooz 800 series Z-stick following the steps you outlined.

Does anyone know if using Long Range will lead to a longer battery life vs routing a door sensor to a repeater a couple of feet away from it?

According to the documentation long range is supposed to have better battery life because the devices can adjust the power output at each transmission. My 500 series door sensors are at 95% battery after 16 months of usage. In my opinion that’s really good.

How has this been working for you?

Anyone else have experience with LR? I’ve got a chicken coop 160’ away and through a wall or two and wondering if it might be in range. I haven’t been able to find much for real world reports of range.

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I’ve been testing with a ZEN37 and a ZEN53. The ZEN37 lets me tests the range of battery powered devices to the controller and the ZEN53 lets me tests the range of my controller to an end device. I think I am getting between 300 to 1300ft. Controller placement does matter when sending and receiving. I have both the 700 and 800 series controller to test with.

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I can’t get over 75 feet. Really disappointed.

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Dang, that’s way low. What is the environment like? ie. controller and node placement as well as obstructions between them?

@cornellrwilliams That’s more what I’d hope to see. What’s your environment like?

any way to pin this as a solution? or put USA (Long Range) right below USA in the dropdown?

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My controller is close to a window, it’s in the attic so it’s high up, and the building materials are not brick so it doesn’t lose much signal. My first obstacle is at 300ft. There are obstacles in the way. Where the controller is going to give you better range. If you can see your house from the coop it should work.

There is a guy named Dr Z-Wave. And he posted this picture getting similar distances. https://drzwave.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-1.png

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Thanks. I’ll see what I can come up with. Might have to look into a longer extension cable and a capped PVC pipe so I can put it up high and outside.

I’m attempting to add one of my zen76 switches via LR and in smart start info not see a button if any kind in the protocol column. I’m using the Zooz ZST39 and a 800series Zen76 switch. I’ve generated the keys for z wave LR and switches the region to say USA long range. I excluded the switch. Then scanned the switch qr code within smartstart and it just added it back in normal z wave mode. What am I missing that I do not see the long range button in the screens above?

You need to go to the Smart Start Page and scan the QR code from there.

brave_screenshot (1)

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Turns out my memory is bad and just forgot which switches were 800 series. once I identified the correct switch it worked as described above. thanks, shame this doesn’t work on 700 series chipset since that was also touted as being LR capable.

If devices included as Long Range do not act as a repeater for your non-LR mesh then I don’t see any added value to switch to LR as long as your network still has 500 range devices. It would avoid a few hops (delay) for the LR devices but it decreases mesh reliability. Certainly if you have a 500 range keyfob with which you move throughout your house, it will have difficulty finding a repeater.

The only interesting scenario imho is for devices that are too far away to reach your mesh, are battery operated (less battery usage + does not act as a repeater anyway) or if ALL your devices use LR.

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