This was posted 8 months 3 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Kogan SmarterHome Smart Blinds Driver $69.99 + Delivery ($59.99 Delivered with Kogan FIRST) @ Kogan

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Kogan SmarterHome Smart Blinds Driver $69.99 + Delivery ($59.99 Delivered with Kogan FIRST) @ Kogan
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manofsteel on 19/03/2024 - 15:34 kogan.com (872 clicks)
Last edited 19/03/2024 - 16:19 by 1 other user

Finally! Kogan lowered the price for their smart blinds driver again to $59.99 (with Kogan FIRST membership; I just got their free trial again). Same price at Dick Smith (by Kogan) as well.

The last time it was at this price (I believe) was when I posted in April 2023 here: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/766361

I have had 3 units for a year now, and was looking for a 4th. Works beautifully (via either the Kogan SmarterHome app, supplied remote control, or directly on the module's buttons) and has strong enough torque to pull my heaviest roller blind measuring 1.8x3m. Fingers crossed it will work on my other 2.5x3m blind! Will report back if it doesn't.

Bear in mind this product is mains-powered, which explains its greater torque than other battery-powered blinds drivers. Perfect for heavier/larger blinds.

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  • TheFreaK on 19/03/2024 - 15:38
    +1

    Just thinking out loud but based on the hardware required, automated blind drivers as a whole seem quite overpriced no?

    • manofsteel on 19/03/2024 - 15:48

      Nah. Do a quick comparison to similar products for a ballpark price (e.g. Aqara E1 is approx $120 and weaker in torque as it is battery-powered/wireless. See my previous post re Aqara struggles in link above). For the convenience I have enjoyed everyday with a one-press open/close all blinds every single day and WiFi & timer controls – this is heaps value, especially at sale prices.

      • TheFreaK on 19/03/2024 - 15:51

        I'm not talking about this one specifically just these automated devices designed to retrofit curtains and blinds

        I imagine an Arduino and a servo motor could comfortably accomplish the same task so I question why they're anything more than $40

        • Ryanek on 19/03/2024 - 15:59

          Motor needs some real torque to function properly.

  • JSONBourne on 19/03/2024 - 15:45

    These aren't Zigbee and 2xAAA seems quite low for a device like this right?

    • yikes914 on 19/03/2024 - 15:48

      the\ actual motor unit is powered with a barrel plug

      • JSONBourne on 19/03/2024 - 15:49

        Thanks, how do you connect? Is it Zigbee?

        • andresampras on 19/03/2024 - 15:55

          Wifi via Tuya/Smart Life….or if you really want to, the Kogan-reskin of Tuya

    • dn4hc on 19/03/2024 - 15:56

      Looks like tuya.

    • manofsteel on 19/03/2024 - 15:59

      2xAAA as in batteries? That's for the remote control. The driver is mains-powered, hence its torque and lift strength as compared to weaker battery-powered drivers (as in my experience).

      • nightelves on 19/03/2024 - 16:05

        So you need to plug it to a power point?

        • manofsteel on 19/03/2024 - 16:34
          +1

          Yup.

          Bonus info for those who need to extend their cords (like in the case for one of my drivers), the cable gauge required is 22AWG. For example, this eBay item worked for me: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/196101533924?var=495962680508

          For cable management, I use small pieces of mounting tape only at strategic points along the wall to align to wall grooves/corners.

  • andresampras on 19/03/2024 - 15:49
    +1

    I have had 3 units for a year now, and was looking for a 4th.

    we could be twins. Just bought my 4th, thanks OP

    edit: FWIW, my blinds are 2.4W x 2H - they work fine (not the quietest though)

  • Thrifty McGifty on 19/03/2024 - 15:49
    +1

    How come none of the pictures show the AC adaptor hanging out of the unit, as is required?

    • manofsteel on 19/03/2024 - 15:54
      +1

      Good call-out. I have read reviews of people not realising that and I had highlighted that in my post last year, I'll add it again to this one. Cheers.

    • dn4hc on 19/03/2024 - 15:57

      Manual shows it's powered and based on Tuya. (this is if you dig that deep)

    • richadam on 19/03/2024 - 16:30

      Picture 3 does actually show the adapter at the bottom.

    • lachhelix on 20/03/2024 - 10:03

      I had a whole argument with Kogan about this - they deliberately edit/use photos with the cable either not connected or not visible.
      Ended up doing a credit card charge back

  • JSONBourne on 19/03/2024 - 16:00
    +1

    Any comments on longevity with this one? 12 months warranty isn't encouraging.

    • pizzaguy on 19/03/2024 - 18:01

      Warranty that the manufacturer/seller gives you has little to do with what AAAC imposes, and that's usually 2 years of warranty.

      Please correct me if I'm wrong in this case.

  • Kunalb84 on 19/03/2024 - 16:04

    I bought few months ago from Cash converters, unit is not quietest but work without any issues. I think it is very handy when blind chains are easily reachable, in my case they are behind my desk so this make it is easy to open and close.

  • Commodore64 on 19/03/2024 - 17:12
    +1

    biggest problem I’ve had is the tension on the ball chain…
    Have had to stop using it as the chains kept snapping

    • pizzaguy on 19/03/2024 - 17:59

      Do you have this very model? That's an important problem to point out.

      • Commodore64 on 19/03/2024 - 18:41
        +1

        Yes.

        • CauseNEffect on 19/03/2024 - 20:08
          +1

          Something wrong with your setup, either blinds are too heavy or faulty unit.

          I have the same unit, no issues.

          • Commodore64 on 19/03/2024 - 21:12

            @CauseNEffect: Possibly the chains, would be curious to find stronger ones. Blinds are not heavy. Just crap chains that can break even from human usage

    • manofsteel on 19/03/2024 - 21:21

      Aha, that was me last month – snapped one chain. But I attribute it to my fault in fixing on the module with the chain tension overly tight. Just one click less up the driver holder's connecting tracks did the trick. My two other blind chains have had zero problems.

  • montygommo on 19/03/2024 - 17:17

    I'm running these offline through Home Assistant (using localtuya), they are definitely noisy but do the job well.

    18+ months, with a few minor hiccups.. lost wifi connection (which resolves after a power cycle.. happened maybe 2-3 times) & maybe twice it has 'forgotten' the custom stop points I configured (these are saved on the device itself).

    Would recommend if you can hide them, they are a little bulky so the wife won't let me put them in the living areas.

    • maddoglee on 19/03/2024 - 22:45

      do you have any problems with these? I have the same set up and I"ve made atoggle button in lovelace which doesn't seem to work all the time.. if I hold it, i get the slider control and I can use that to open and close it..
      I've got localtuya working as well, which i find to be a lot better than the other tuya integration

      • montygommo on 20/03/2024 - 15:58

        Not really, but it could be how you've got them set up in HASS.

        It was a while ago, initially I think I had to set them up as a custom cover but pretty sure now it's just using the native method.. seem to recall they updated it last year and it was pretty easy.

        The hardest thing was all the developer BS with Tuya in order to pull the local IDs tbh.

        https://ibb.co/9tRLNsn
        https://ibb.co/2c850Bk

        I haven't bothered setting up a custom status for them on the card yet, they seem to stay on 'opening' even after they've opened.. one day when I have some time to kill I'll look at fixing it.

  • Yadzz on 19/03/2024 - 17:19

    can this only be connected to the power by Adapter only?

  • pizzaguy on 19/03/2024 - 17:58

    I guess it's not possible to manually open/close the blinds once this is installed?

    Powerful 1.35Nm torque motor with 55rpm speed

    So if I want to open the balcony door, it's going to take it (very roughly) 30 seconds to let me, right?

    • manofsteel on 19/03/2024 - 21:29
      +4

      Yes and yes.

      Best to install this on blinds that you'd perform an open or close at the start and end of day, and the occassional semi-close because of sun glare or whatnot. This includes my balcony blinds though.

      But for the blinds that I operate with more discretion and quick small pulls, I leave those manual.

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