After years of relying on SmartThings, I decided it was time for a fresh start with Hubitat C8. I’ve heard great things about Hubitat’s local processing and flexibility, but I wasn’t sure how the transition would go—especially with my extensive setup of over 100 devices. Here’s my journey and some tips for anyone considering the switch!
The Preparation Phase
Before diving in, I spent a week researching forums and guides. I knew my devices were mostly from ST, Zooz, and Monoprice, so compatibility wasn’t a huge concern. I also made a list of devices I’d need to reconfigure, like my Hue lights and Kasa plugs.
The Pairing Process
Starting with the Hue and Kasa devices was a breeze—Hubitat’s LAN processing made it almost effortless. I had some trouble with my Monoprice 4-in-1 sensor initially; it kept showing up as a bulb. A quick forum search led me to the solution: waiting for the device to update after changing its driver. Once that was sorted, everything fell into place.
The Learning Curve
Hubitat’s Rule Machine is incredibly powerful, but it took some time to get used to. I loved how intuitive it was compared to SmartThings’ simpler interface. I also discovered the Hubitat community is incredibly supportive—every question I had was answered within hours!
Challenges and Solutions
One hiccup was with my Zooz Zen72 dimmers. They occasionally sent 100% signals to HomeKit, but I found a workaround by adjusting their settings in the Hubitat app. I also started using the Google Sheets Logging app for monitoring, though I’d love to find something even more streamlined.
Final Thoughts
Local processing is a game-changer—it’s faster and more reliable than anything I’ve experienced with SmartThings. The flexibility of Hubitat’s ecosystem has opened up new possibilities for my home automation projects. If you’re on the fence, I highly recommend giving Hubitat a try!
#Hubitat smartthings HomeAutomation #TransitionTips