BG Smart Sockets - any good ?

[rick]

2 questions ....

# What is considered opinion of BG manufactured SMART sockets ? ... they
any good, as good as any other ?

#2 They use a BG app on the phone not SmartLife App, any reason not to
go this route ? Ultimately assume I will connect up to Alexa, but just
need App on/off to start (these are Google/Alexa compatible)

I had an unknown brand SMART socket, but with no manufacturer details,
(other than made in China) and the seller was unable to support it...
may return it as VERY difficult to set up

The BG ones are well priced at ScrewFix and ToolStation

https://tinyurl.com/mrxrtzv6

[Scott]

'British' General also appears to be manufactured in China, so still
supporting a repressive regime:
https://cpc.farnell.com/bg-electrical/822-hc-01/socket-13a-double-switched-smart/dp/PL16256?ost=bg+smart+socket&cfm=true

[%%]

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:51:08 +1100, Scott <newsg...@gefion.myzen.co.uk>
wrote:

> On Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:59:43 +0100, rick
> <rick_hughes@_remove_btconnect.com> wrote:
>
>> 2 questions ....
>>
>> # What is considered opinion of BG manufactured SMART sockets ? ... they
>> any good, as good as any other ?
>>
>> #2 They use a BG app on the phone not SmartLife App, any reason not to
>> go this route ? Ultimately assume I will connect up to Alexa, but just
>> need App on/off to start (these are Google/Alexa compatible)
>>
>> I had an unknown brand SMART socket, but with no manufacturer details,
>> (other than made in China) and the seller was unable to support it...
>> may return it as VERY difficult to set up
>>
>> The BG ones are well priced at ScrewFix and ToolStation
>>
>> https://tinyurl.com/mrxrtzv6
>
> 'British' General also appears to be manufactured in China, so still
> supporting a repressive regime:

Just like what you are using to post to usenet does.

> https://cpc.farnell.com/bg-electrical/822-hc-01/socket-13a-double-switched-smart/dp/PL16256?ost=bg+smart+socket&cfm=true

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <fnbtkh9hcnf8umu9f...@4ax.com>,

Are any wiring accessories still made in the UK? I somehow doubt it.

--
*INDECISION is the key to FLEXIBILITY *

Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[Peeler]

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 01:06:48 +1100, %%, better known as cantankerous
trolling senile geezer Rodent Speed, wrote:

<FLUSH the abnormal trolling senile cretin's latest trollshit unread>

--
Norman Wells addressing trolling senile Rodent:
"Ah, the voice of scum speaks."
MID: <g4t0jt...@mid.individual.net>

[SH]

ARe these 2.4GHz or 5 GHz units

How does one put the Wifi password in?

Will it support a vpn like wireguard or openvpn?

[Theo]

rick <rick_hughes@_remove_btconnect.com> wrote:
> 2 questions ....
>
> # What is considered opinion of BG manufactured SMART sockets ? ... they
> any good, as good as any other ?
>
> #2 They use a BG app on the phone not SmartLife App, any reason not to
> go this route ? Ultimately assume I will connect up to Alexa, but just
> need App on/off to start (these are Google/Alexa compatible)
>
> I had an unknown brand SMART socket, but with no manufacturer details,
> (other than made in China) and the seller was unable to support it...
> may return it as VERY difficult to set up

You can tell them apart from the app that's used. SmartLife is
the Tuya ecosystem, while BG uses Broadlink.

I don't have any experience of them, except that BG stuff is generally at
the cheap end of the market when it comes to consumer units etc.

Generally I treat all 'smart' stuff as junk and wouldn't expect them to keep
working for more than a few years, until the app vendor gets bored.
Personally I won't buy anything that I can't reflash[*] with alternative
firmware if needs be.

Theo

[*] eg Tasmota-supported devices: https://templates.blakadder.com/uk.html

[John Rumm]

On 18/10/2022 15:40, SH wrote:
> On 18/10/2022 14:51, Scott wrote:
>> On Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:59:43 +0100, rick
>> <rick_hughes@_remove_btconnect.com> wrote:
>>
>>> 2 questions ....
>>>
>>> # What is considered opinion of BG manufactured SMART sockets ? ... they
>>> any good, as good as any other ?
>>>
>>> #2 They use a BG app on the phone not SmartLife App, any reason not to
>>> go this route ? Ultimately assume I will connect up to Alexa, but just
>>> need App on/off to start  (these are Google/Alexa compatible)
>>>
>>> I had an unknown brand SMART socket, but with no manufacturer details,
>>> (other than made in China) and the seller was unable to support it...
>>> may return it as VERY difficult to set up
>>>
>>> The BG ones are well priced at ScrewFix and ToolStation
>>>
>>> https://tinyurl.com/mrxrtzv6
>>
>> 'British' General also appears to be manufactured in China, so still
>> supporting a repressive regime:
>> https://cpc.farnell.com/bg-electrical/822-hc-01/socket-13a-double-switched-smart/dp/PL16256?ost=bg+smart+socket&cfm=true
>

From https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2909121.pdf

> ARe these 2.4GHz or 5 GHz units

2.4GHz

> How does one put the Wifi password in?

Reading between the lines, initial config probably makes a wifi direct
connection from your phone using their app, and the socket using WPS -
so no manual password required.

> Will it support a vpn like wireguard or openvpn?

I don't understand the question - could you clarify what you mean?


--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[Scott]

On Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:12:32 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
<da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:

>In article <fnbtkh9hcnf8umu9f...@4ax.com>,
> Scott <newsg...@gefion.myzen.co.uk> wrote:
>> On Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:59:43 +0100, rick
>> <rick_hughes@_remove_btconnect.com> wrote:
>
>> >2 questions ....
>> >
>> ># What is considered opinion of BG manufactured SMART sockets ? ...
>> >they any good, as good as any other ?
>> >
>> >#2 They use a BG app on the phone not SmartLife App, any reason not to
>> >go this route ? Ultimately assume I will connect up to Alexa, but just
>> >need App on/off to start (these are Google/Alexa compatible)
>> >
>> >I had an unknown brand SMART socket, but with no manufacturer details,
>> >(other than made in China) and the seller was unable to support it...
>> >may return it as VERY difficult to set up
>> >
>> >The BG ones are well priced at ScrewFix and ToolStation
>> >
>> >https://tinyurl.com/mrxrtzv6
>
>> 'British' General also appears to be manufactured in China, so still
>> supporting a repressive regime:
>> https://cpc.farnell.com/bg-electrical/822-hc-01/socket-13a-double-switched-smart/dp/PL16256?ost=bg+smart+socket&cfm=true
>
>Are any wiring accessories still made in the UK? I somehow doubt it.

I believe a large proportion of MK comes from their factory in
Southend-on-Sea.

[Scott]

On 18 Oct 2022 16:06:25 +0100 (BST), Theo

I share your scepticism, sir.

[SH]

WPS is disabled on my wi fi network

>> Will it support a vpn like wireguard or openvpn?
>
> I don't understand the question - could you clarify what you mean?

I have a wireguard server on the wifi network so all wifi connections
have to be from wifi devices running the wireguard client such as from
our smartphones, laptops and ipads.

[John Rumm]

I suspect it is using WPS to establish an ad hoc wifi connection between
the socket and the phone. Your home network would not be involved at
that point.

It may then use the phones wifi credentials to configure the socket to
access the home wifi.

>>> Will it support a vpn like wireguard or openvpn?
>>
>> I don't understand the question - could you clarify what you mean?
>
> I have a wireguard server on the wifi network so all wifi connections
> have to be from wifi devices running the wireguard client such as from
> our smartphones, laptops and ipads.

I would be surprised if it does...

Much domestic wifi connecting kit can have trouble with anything that
requires any configuration more exotic than just selecting a SSID and
password. Try joining most smart TVs to a WiFi that uses enterprise
style EAP authentication that needs a username and password, and you
will often find it is a non starter.

You could always setup another dedicated SSID just for the sockets using
conventional WPA2, and partition that traffic on its own VLAN.

[Brian]

If you want a Tuya (Smartlife) compatible one, I’ve been looking a the Woox
ones on Amazon. While they don’t state the use Smartlife, looking on
YouTube at their app, it looks like a ‘wrapped ‘ version of the TUYA ones
so I’m pretty sure it will work with a Tuya app.

[Torx]

I have several 'smart' sockets and plugs including a BG double socket.
They work with each others provided app, which all seem to be Tuya
based. They all do what it says on the tin after a year of operation. I
will say they were a pain to set up until I finally figured out how to
do it (they don't seem to like BT Mesh!) but now there appears to be no
difference between them. I find them useful and would not hesitate to
buy more if I needed them. As for the software developer losing interest
in maintaining them, they are simple switches and the original software
should suffice for the life of the product.

[zall]

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 02:28:07 +1100, Scott <newsg...@gefion.myzen.co.uk>
wrote:

I don't with the Homekit compatible stuff.

[Peeler]

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 04:53:13 +1100, zall, better known as cantankerous

trolling senile geezer Rodent Speed, wrote:

<FLUSH the abnormal trolling senile cretin's latest trollshit unread>

--

Website (from 2007) dedicated to the 88-year-old senile Australian
cretin's pathological trolling:
https://www.pcreview.co.uk/threads/rod-speed-faq.2973853/

[Theo]

Torx <to...@torx.org> wrote:
> As for the software developer losing interest in maintaining them, they
> are simple switches and the original software
> should suffice for the life of the product.

The problem is the apps have to check in with the server, and that stops
working if the server goes away. Also if they fail to update the apps for
your current phone OS.

This kind of shenanigans:
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/04/shameful-insteon-looks-dead-just-like-its-users-smart-homes/
(they are now back from bankruptcy, with a new $40/year fee)

Theo

[Scott]

On 18 Oct 2022 20:54:55 +0100 (BST), Theo

Perhaps not the best choice of name for a company :-)

[Brian Gaff]

Without getting political, I have not tried those, but had nothing but
trouble with TP link ones in the past, needed two apps to set them up and
then lost their memories quite frequently. I ended up with the Amazon ones
in the end.
Brian

--

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This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
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Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"Scott" <newsg...@gefion.myzen.co.uk> wrote in message
news:fnbtkh9hcnf8umu9f...@4ax.com...

[John Rumm]

Depends on how good your Latin is :-)

(the name translates to "Art of Technology")

[Scott]

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:19:16 +0100, John Rumm
<see.my.s...@nowhere.null> wrote:

>On 19/10/2022 08:49, Scott wrote:
>> On 18 Oct 2022 20:54:55 +0100 (BST), Theo
>> <theom...@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> Torx <to...@torx.org> wrote:
>>>> As for the software developer losing interest in maintaining them, they
>>>> are simple switches and the original software
>>>> should suffice for the life of the product.
>>>
>>> The problem is the apps have to check in with the server, and that stops
>>> working if the server goes away. Also if they fail to update the apps for
>>> your current phone OS.
>>>
>>> This kind of shenanigans:
>>> https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/04/shameful-insteon-looks-dead-just-like-its-users-smart-homes/
>>> (they are now back from bankruptcy, with a new $40/year fee)
>>>
>> Perhaps not the best choice of name for a company :-)
>
>Depends on how good your Latin is :-)
>
>(the name translates to "Art of Technology")

That's alright then, Mr Rees-Mogg will understand.

[rick]

On 18/10/2022 15:40, SH wrote:

> ARe these 2.4GHz or 5 GHz units
>
> How does one put the Wifi password in?
>
> Will it support a vpn like wireguard or openvpn?

2.4GHz
When you add device you need to give it your HUB password
no idea

[rick]

Finally have 2 sockets connected up to my phone
Neither connected using 'automatic set up'
BG one had to use AP process .... initially turn off mobile data on
phone and do a Wi-Fi connect to socket - after which it works on 2,4GHz
on Hub

Unknown - https://tinyurl.com/4p8nbjem
Uses SmartLife, could not get it to set up with phone auto or Manual.
Eventually manual set up on iPad worked ... form that point on, phone
app detected it and worked OK.

I'll try some distance testing today to see which is most suited.

[Reentrant]

On 18/10/2022 13:59, rick wrote:

> 2 questions ....
>
> # What is considered opinion of BG manufactured SMART sockets ? ... they
> any good, as good as any other ?

> ...


By coincidence Big Clive has just posted an autopsy of a BG socket / USB
charger that "emitted sparks".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpiSk4S7mZU

--
Reentrant