Recently we’ve ordered Fibaro’s HC3 as a replacement for OpenHAB. First because it has integration with Satel alarm system and second that it has native Zigbee support next to default Zwave. OpenHAB also has support for Satel and by using external adapter you can connect Zigbee devices too. So why change OpenHAB to HC3 you can ask. Because it is a commercial product with a support and it feels like a product even if OH has similar or greater capabilites in few areas.

Any cons? Sure thery are.

Although it supports Nice devices like gates and garage doors, it works only with selection of devices, not all of them, not in every possible combination. Although it supports Zigbee devices, it is still in beta state. So do not expect that every cheap chinese module will work and from my experience like 50% will not work. HC3 sees them, adds them but they stay in unconfigured mode with no use. So it is better to order online to have a chance to send it back once it does not work. Overall integrations count is greater in OH than in HC3, especially when talking about official integrations and not third party ones.

So what about pros?

I better like to write Lua code in HC3 instead of writing DSL code in OpenHAB. Not a big difference, but QuickApp concept in HC3 seems to be more like getting things standarized. Generally speaking HC3 whole concept is more standarized with things set already by deafult, like alarm zones or garden watering. No such thing in OH by default. Lastly, HC3 in my private opinion has fewer UI quirks than OH.

Grand limitations and missing integrations

HC3 is not intended to be a video surveillance recording thing. I still have to use OpenHAB to get all variaty of IP cameras to offer still picture snapshots and MJPEG “streams”. RTSP streamig is said that will work only in Yubii (HC3 native mobile application) and only in local network. Well… it does not work for me that way neither.

There is no Huawei solar panel integration that will just work. There is no SmartThings integration. And finally there is no WiZ lights integration. Fortunately I managed to overcome these two limitations but integrating it by myself:

No conclusion yet. The battle is still on.