Hue Lighting Review (w/ Pictures)

[GlockSpock]

So in a recent For Sale thread a member asked how I liked my Philips Hue lightning. My simple response? I love them! But I also told them I'd do a write-up, so here it is!
 
First, let me explain a few things. Philip's Hue is a system of "smart lights". It isn't necessary, could theoretically save you money but probably not, but is neat and adds a level of sophistication to the home in my opinion.
 
So, to get things started you will need a Philips Hue Bridge (if you use Apple Products, make sure to get the 2nd Gen because it supports HomeKit). What it does is connect to your network via ethernet and then it broadcasts a network to the lightbulbs, controlling them. You can generally just stick it in a closet or somewhere similar. Note that the bulbs themselves act as repeaters and under most circumstances I do not believe you would see many, if any, issues with signals to the bulbs.
 

 
Now, in my office on my desk I have a lamp. Inside the lamp is one of the "Hue White and Color Ambiance" bulbs. So what I do is always leave the lamp "on" and then either my phone or programming to turn the bulb "off". If you turn the lamp off physically then you cannot do anything with the bulb because it doesn't have power.
 
In this first image I have the light set to 100% at a high color temperature. It mimics daylight pretty decent.
 

 
This next image is the same temperature, but around 50% brightness.
 

 
This next image shows the same temperature, but around 1% brightness.
 

 
Then I decided to relax a little and stop working so much. That's why this next image shows a warmer, lower temperature light.
 

 
Sometimes it is fun to watch The Hunt for Red October, and it is even more fun to do it while your lighting is red.
 

 
This next photo the light is green, but it doesn't quite standout enough from my green wall.
 

 
This is a blue color.
 

 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think some people call this magenta.
 

 
So, the point is that the bulbs that support color can go from 0% to 100% brightness at your command or anywhere in between. Then there are literally more color choices than you would probably care to deal with, all of which you can also have different brightness levels.
 
 
 
 
 
 
A problem that is easy to run into is that sometimes you do not want to use your phone, or it is dead, or you are tired and just want to turn the lights off and then crash. That is where the following comes into play.
 
This is a Philips Hue Dimmer Switch. It can be mounted everywhere because it isn't wired to anything. Also, the small rectangle piece in the center is held by a magnet, so you can literally remove it and use it as a remote. It takes a small lithium watch battery.
 

 
I also have two other lights in my living room.
 

 









That's it for the hardware. As far as the software is concerned, it supports Apple's HomeKit or Google's Nest. Within HomeKit it obviously supports rooms and scenes. What does this mean? I assigned the two lights in the living room to a room called "Living Room". Since Hue supports HomeKit, I can literally pickup my phone and use Siri to "Turn off the lights in the living room" and she listens. Or I can say "Turn my desk lamp to 50%". There is an IFTTT Channel so the possibilities are vast there.
 
I think my next experiment will be to get a Hue Lightship Plus. That would be perfect for sticking above, below cabinets, under the couch, bed, etc.
 
I think this about covered the basics. Of course I'll answer any questions as they come up, feel free to post here or PM me.

 

My final recommendation? If you are interested in trying these out for yourself, ask yourself this question: Do you want to start with the White and Color Ambiance bulbs or simply stick with the traditional style bulbs that do not do color but rather just 2700k (warm white light).

 

White and Color Ambiance Kit (3xBulbs @ $59.99 each, you are basically getting the hub for $20)

White Kit (2xBulbs @ $14.99 each, you are basically getting the hub for $50)

 

So if you ever plan on getting the colored bulbs, you are saving $30 or more off the hub than if you went with the white kit and bought the bulbs individually.

Edited March 21, 2016 by CZ9MM

[GlockSpock]

Also, I forgot to mention scenes. For example, a scene could be programmed by you titled "Movie". Then you could tell Siri or hit the button on your phone that sets the "Movie" scene and then all of your lights could dim to 1% and lights in other rooms could turn off completely.

 

Or you could set a scene titled "Away" and then when you are leaving just say "I'm leaving" and then all your lights might turn off but your porch lights might come on. Scenes and rooms are completely up to you.

[peejman]

Interesting.    It's like "the clapper" for the 21st century.  :D    My kids would have a blast with it.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Home Depot sells a bulb that changes colors for like $7. It is not the brightest bulb but you can definitely tell which color it is set to. The bulb can also be set to change colors automatically, either fading in and out or blinking to different colors. It has a small button on the side of the bulb to change the modes. When you turn the bulb on it starts out in fading color mode.

 

Might use it to figure out whether you like or want different color bulbs before spending a ton of money.