My first contact with Sonoff, years ago, was about all the original Sonoff BASIC and BASIC RF units – dirt cheap ESP-based smart mains power controllers. And they were basic, just an ESP8266 board with built-in mains psu controlling a relay with a common neutral. No frills, no sensors. I…
Switchbot S20 Lidar + AI Vacuum and Wet Cleaner
Ok, “remarkable” may or may not be premature – I’m still at the “stunned with my new gadget” stage. This new Switchbot vacuum has auto water refill, waste emptying and 90 day trash disposal intervals (OK, enough of the sales blurb). I just received mine and it is planned to…
Sonoff CAM B1P Outdoor Camera – New
This is the first of my post-holiday blog entries – nice to be back from the USA and at my desk. Model number? CAM-B1P. This new external WiFi camera from Sonoff comes with a built-in (approx 3m) lead with a USB-A plug at the end. At first glance at least,…
Gl-iNet Lafaer LWR01 Human Presence Detector
The Lafaer LWR-1 Human Presence Detector is a new device from Gl-iNet, more famous for their router products, many of which I’ve written about in here over the years. Just this month I wrote about their GL-RM1 Remote KVM product. And now, the Lafaer LWR01 wireless Human Presence Detector. Even…
Sonoff Dongle Plus MG24 and Dongle Max
Just a quick preview – Sonoff have been producing Zigbee dongles for a long time – I have the E and P models (USB). The new models are more expensive but have more to offer and they now specifically refer to Zigbee2MQTT – a clear break from the eWeLink-oriented approach…
Apollo R Pro-1 mmWave Multisensor
Have a look at my other Apollo blog entries – this is the latest device – read what it says on their website. Original blog entry June 2025 – see September updates at the end… Sorry – I just had to steal that promo from their website and no they…
Seeed 7.5″ ePaper Display – Learn with Peter :-)
I’ve been putting off writing about the Seeed Xiao display panel (ESP32 powered) as I could not initially figure out how to start the ball rolling – then this morning it started to fall into place. Here’s a product link that Seeed sent to me. The display is touted as…
For Drone Owners Only – Waypoints and Elevation
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…
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…