While sitting at home feeling sorry for myself with summer flu, I’m filling in time between coughs and sneezes by learning how and why to use waypoints (step by step route markers) for my DJI Mini 4 Pro drone. What are Waypoints? The waypoint system built into the DJI RC2…
The New Sonoff Fusion Series Controllers
The new Sonoff ORB-ZBW1L Zigbee Smart Wall Switch offers no-neutral installation, Zigbee2MQTT compatibility, and seamless Home Assistant integration. I tested it with a 12W LED, paired it easily, and confirmed it uses the reliable Sonoff ZB Mini inside—all wrapped in a sleek new wall switch casing.
GLiNet GL-RM1 Comet Remote KVM
The Comet Remote KVM arrived this morning and I’ve just set it up – a job that couldn’t be easier unless I didn’t have a summer cold in which case I would not have messed up passwords etc… So here it is – despite the large box, the actual KVM…
Summer Holidays July/August 2025
Observant readers may notice I’ve been relatively quiet since mid-July, That’s because I’m enjoying a break up in North America with relatives. We spend a week in Minocqua by one of the many lakes up there, enjoying the sun and water. Now back in Chicago, I am back in action…
Switchbot Outdoor Spotlight Cam and Solar Panel
See updates at the end – this is an original article I started in June 2023 – updated at the end in June 2025 and now I’m checking in on July 13 2025 – YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS.. From June 2023 – I’m finding the brand new Switchbot Outdoor…
NOUS – A Name to Remember – Part 2
Firstly I’m going to check out the NOUS Door/Window Sensor E3 Immediately a nice-looking device – runs on Zigbee and I have of course used Zigbee2MQTT though NOUS no doubt have their own Zigbee hub. I’ve found Zigbee2MQTT running in Home Assistant to be very reliable – so that’s my…
NOUS – A Name to Remember – Part 1
Until a couple of weeks ago, I’d never heard the name NOUS – but now I have, I’m glad I have. I enquired for samples to demo in here and they quicky send off several of their devices – great stuff, slightly marred by an incompetent courier here in Spain…
The New Switchbot Lock Ultra
I think it’s safe to say that mechanically, apart from my articles on 3D-printer kits and Laser Engraver kits – this is going to prove to be one of the more involved blog entries. So firstly, Switchbot sent me the “Switchbot Lock Ultra Touch Combo” and the “Switchbot Keypad Vision”…
Sonoff Pan-Tilt Cam 2 (CAM PT-2) – Any Good?
Before I start – I THINK this is Sonoff’s new website link – live today Jun 30, 2025. In the past I’ve had most Sonoff cameras which tend to be quality but basic compared to other cameras I have – but initial impressions – this looks good. See photos –…
Switchbot Air Purifier Table
Hands-on review of the Switchbot Air Purifier Table – combining quiet air cleaning with a stylish design and smart app control.
Switchbot – the Big Update
I’ve written lots of articles about Switchbot and their hubs in here. To date the best has been HUB 2 – nice little hub with temperature and humidity display – BUT it’s a bit flimsy and tends to fall over easily. I have two of them. Of course I COULD…
An Orange Pi Week – Part 2
See PART 1 for the RV2.. The RV I didn’t do a lot with – as I was having such a fun time with the local AI on the RV2 – and my friend Antonio asked me if he could have the RV. This is his story…. Everything below is…
Switchbot Hub Mini vs Hub 2
Hmm, Switchbot just sent me the Hub Mini – nice enough, simple box with recessed microUSB connector – comes complete with power supply. When it arrived, the light was flashing so I thought “no need to press any buttons here to pair”. Wrong – I had to press the button…
Reolink Elite WiFi Dual-Lens Camera
No ordinary Security camera, this one. The Reolink Elite WiFi has TWO lenses and operates on either 2.4Ghz WiFi or 5Ghz WiFi. It works using it’s own power supply which outputs 12vDC. The lead (12v) is quite long but Reolink supply an extension lead for larger installations. In most of…
Meross MS100F Temperature/Humidity Sensor
I’ve had this for a while – didn’t do anything when I pressed it’s tiny side button – then I looked at the instructions and it needs the little Meross HUB to work… so I put it to one side for a matter of months – then last week contacted…
Cheap AliExpress Zigbee SmartPlugs
I’ve had mixed results with WIFI plugs from AliExpress – but I could not help myself when an offer of €3.79 for a Zigbee smartplug if-you-buy-3 came along. Would they be any good? To look at these plugs, they seem high enough quality with a nice orange rim (not illuminated)…
And As Promised – the IoTorero Products
I’m a lot better informed now – the company formerly called ATHOM now have IoTorero (get it? Iot) branding on their smartplug boxes – and I now have three different types. The boxes all have the same product number on them (confusingly) – Model PG01 – but on the actual…
Iotorero/Athom AliExpress Smart plug
After an interesting week that included one of my smartplugs failing (turning on a loud fan at midnight) I’m pleased to say the above-named plug has arrived. The troublesome plug was a Meross MSS310 – though as it turns out, after I decided to investigate cosmic rays, the supposedly duff…
ESP8266, Tasmota and a Cautionary Tale about AI
I’ll not re-iterate detail about the work on a ping tester I’ve been slaving over, using up all my spare time for the past week as it is in the previous blog entry, but here are thoughts worth showing re: the experience. So, several things… the ESP8266, long claimed to…
Super Mini ESP32-S3, Broadband Testing and more
I recently flashed a pair of Super-Mini ESP32-S3 boards using the online Tasmota flasher here. As I had no need for Bluetooth I went straight for the standard Tasmota (ENGLISH) option – which for anyone who doesn’t know, somehow works automatically for both ESP8266 and some ESP32 boards (ESP32-C2, C3,…