Nope, it is there. But the value is the same as it was when the device was included in HA and hasn’t changed for years…
(wish I bought more of this magic batteries 
)
That makes more sense now. And I in fact see the same issue (sort of). That is to say I don’t see battery levels gradually depleting a few percent at a time. It’s more like they drop 20 to 40% at a time. But I’ve at least always had a low battery warning, so none of my battery devices have just gone dead unexpectedly.
That would be a device issue - some only report certain steps (e.g. 100 % - 75 % - 50 % - 25 % - 0 %) and some drop quite rapidly. It really depends on the firmware logic. The only device where I’ve seen a stuck battery level is a smoke sensor with a very old Z-Wave implementation and S0 security.
Totally off topic, but this has nothing to do with the hardware controller (and hecne the ZWA-2). Things that affect battery reporting (in both Zwave and zigbee devices):
- Type of battery: alkaline and typical NiMH rechargeable discharge in a gradual fashion, there will be a trend/curve which is noticeable over time. You’ll have fair warning that it’s getting low. Lithium batteries (likely coin batteries) found in most small sensors nowadays basically “cliff dive” in terms of discharge rate. They’ll report around 90 - 100% for a long time, and then suddenly drop or the device stops working/reporting.
- Device firmware: As others have stated, some devices crudely report battery levels and you won’t get granular readings. This is sometimes adjustable via firmware parameters, less reporting helps increase battery life.
My experience is that this is a HA issue.
When I used same devices in other controllers (Vera Edge & Homey) earlier the battery level reported gradually, as expected.
I’ll try to be helpful here, but again, this does not belong in this discussion.
I’ve migrated from various platforms (the original Vera, Homeseer, others) and each time I’ve had to “rethink” on how I viewed certain concepts to solve them. The platforms you mentioned have built-in hardware controllers. Home Assistant is an automation platform, not a “controller” per se. Home Assistant simply creates a software entity for objects exposed by the ZwaveJS driver that talks to whatever Zwave hardware controller you are using (ie, usually a USB stick controller). I read through the discussion you linked to, the problem is people keep reporting their problems in a Home Assistant forum, when it seems like it’s more than likely a ZwaveJS issue, hence why they are getting no progress.
I strongly suggest opening up an issue here: Issues · zwave-js/zwave-js
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Are there any manufacturers that offer LR devices?
I just bought some “AEOTEC Door Window Sensor 7 Pro (ZWA012)” this spring and have been using them. (The ones installed far away often lose connection.) After contacting the manufacturer, I was informed that there are currently no plans to make the devices LR-capable… 
Do you know of any comparable manufacturers/LR devices?
The good part of a migration is it is the same Z-Wave mesh - which I suppose could also be seen as a very slight downside. Some of my devices do seem a little more responsive, and more direct links (most are mains powered routers).
I’m wondering about trying a exclude / repair for newer Z-Wave devices to see if they move from S0 (all that the Aeotec Gen5 could do), to a later encrypted connection (that new new ZWA-2 can support).
The best bit is future support for newer kit, and never needing Windows for firmware updates again.
The ZWA-2 announcement video has two Z-Wave LR manufacturers interviewed - Shelly, and another.
FWIW: Aeotec Gen5 with 1.2 firmware is capable of both S2 security and Smart Start (QR code scanning).
v1.2 firmware was released a few years after my initial install, so it could be it was flashed after my kit was already paired at S0.
Zooz is offering LR devices in the US and I believe they have either just started in the EU or are starting soon. You can check they’re website,
I completely agree with you - I also see that as one of the advantages
Thanks for the tip – they actually already offer an open/close sensor: Zooz 800 Series Z-Wave Long Range XS Open | Close Sensor ZSE41 800LR - The Smartest House
I haven’t found a supplier in the EU yet – I guess it will take a while and depends on demand – I’ll wait.
You should regardless first aim to build out your Z-Wave network mesh as non-LR devices depends on mesh networking. Meaning that you just need to buy and add more mains-powered Z-Wave devices what act as repeaters which will extend the total range of your Z-Wave network mesh by connecting devices further away using other mains-operated Z-Wave devices as repeaters.
I recommend that you read my best-practices guide linked below on Zigbee network optimization as most of the generic mesh networking tips there also applies to Z-Wave because they both heavily depend on mesh networking, so if you do not only have Z-Wave Long Range devices you also need to build out your Z-Wave mesh network as well by simply adding more mains-powered Z-Wave devices to it. The guide also include other general tips on optimal placement and things that apply to all wireless devices because of how all radio signals work.
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Shelly offers a bunch of LR devices now which have been added to their product portfolio just shortly.
Can only see 1 on their site?
Edit: 4.
But they are just existing mains powered one’s LR’d
Edit2: 8
Some habe “LR” in description, some have another icon in the picture and describe long range in the description.
Final verdict: 8 shelly long range devices now.
Why qould one even keep buying “non-LR” then 
Note that there is separate release dates of multi-region for various regions like Europe and North America, both because of needing different certification and other reasons.
Anyway, for Shelly and Zooz I suggest you post to their reapective discussion instead of here as their company representatives are probably watching those:
Wow - great documentation - thanks for that!
I’ve already implemented this in our house using additional Z-Wave devices (light switches, smoke detectors, plug adapters), and it works quite well.
My problem involves two open/close sensors - a) one installed in a garden shed about 50 meters away, and b) the other in a garage adjacent to the house (there are several thick walls in between).
In both cases, I have no way of supplementing the mesh with additional devices. That’s why I’m so interested in the ZWA-2.
