complete health home automation box Review smart health innovation

May 01, 2020

How about connecting your health home? Do you think it requires complex and costly work? Absolutely not: many boxes allow you to easily create your health home automation network, such as the very secure Myfox or the health home automation solutions from Somfy, TaHoma and Sunis. We tested them for you.

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJPJnzzr3-A (/ embed) 

After a first version, in 2015, of its Somfy Box health home automation box, TaHoma now offers a new version. This real pilot for the house allows to control almost all your smart health connected objects. And if you are wondering how this little white box can manage your entire health home, discover the complete Review of TaHoma and Sunis, Somfy's little sun sensor.

Mark : SomfyModel: Tahoma and SunisCategory: smart health connected health home automationPrice: 499 euros for Tahoma and 109 euros for SunisCompatibility: Android and iOSConnection: EthernetAvailability: AvailableTested with: Sony XPeria Z5

Buy Tahoma

Buy Sunis

Unboxing from TaHoma and Sunis

The two products are presented in two cardboard boxes, quite similar and with soft colors remaining in gray, white and yellow tones. The opening is made on the front of the packaging and it is also an opportunity for the buyer to see the main features and the implementation of the two products.

Inside of TaHoma, the user will find: an installation sheet, a safety notice, the Tahoma itself, an ethernet cable, a USB-micro USB cable, a charging base from the mains and a remote control.

In the packaging box of Sunis de Somfy, we find the following elements: a user manual in several languages, the Sunis, two AA batteries and a set of screws to hang the sensor on the wall.

Design and ergonomics of TaHoma and Sunis

TaHoma comes in one piece, folded in on itself to support the whole. It is white and the entrances for the various connections are hidden at the back: an entrance ethernet, a USB input and micro USB input.

The object is, as a whole, sober and design, which explains why there is not much to say about it. It has a invisible touch button on the front, on which only the product name is displayed. Ideal for fitting into most interiors. The only downside for TaHoma: its wired side which we cannot escape.

Sunis, meanwhile, is a small round object, white on the visible side and light gray for the invisible side. It is possible tohang the Sunis on the wall for better capture or for more precise positioning. he runs on batteries, and with its small size it makes it discreet (even if it may seem a little … basic).

The Sunis runs on batteries, and its small size (and lack of detail) makes it relatively discreet.

Application of TaHoma and Sunis

This is one of the most practical aspects of Somfy rangebecause it not only manages the two products we are testing today, it also manages a wide range of smart health connected objects for the health home.

This application, which the user can find under the name of TaHoma Somfy, is available on devices Android and iOS, but also on certain models of smart health connected watches.

When installing TaHoma, you must register for set up and configure your account, which corresponds to your house. The application is simple and clear to use. It works with a diagram that represents your house, by moving the icons corresponding to the smart health connected objects to configure your account. Very simple.

In this so-called application, you will find the different menus which are displayed all around the diagram of the house. In particular the piloting and monitoring functions. On the left side, you find the smart function, which allows intelligent control which reduces your energy impact. The calendar function on the right for busy days and the overview function to have an eye with a single click.

In this range, we appreciate its side intuitive with the house represented which increases its ease of use. In addition, you will see that you can choose each element of your habitat to finally pilot a miniature house.

Use of TaHoma and Sunis

It must be remembered that TaHoma and Sunis are both part of the Somfy brand smart health connected health home automation range. However, TaHoma allows you to control the Sunis.

Installation and configuration

The installation is well done and fairly intuitive, just plug in the TaHoma thanks to its mains plug as well as the ethernet cable on your internet box. If you do not have enough ethernet inputs, you will have to opt for a router.

Then just follow the instructions on the application and pair, one by one, smart health connected objects for the health home, such as Sunis for example. First, you have to configure the space of his house and choose the different elements of your habitat.

In a second step, from the configuration that you have carried out just before, you will be able to add your different equipment in the corresponding rooms. In our case, this is the light sensor Sunis. So just select the equipment you want to add and follow the instructions.

It is possible to pair smart health connected devices such as electric shutters, electrical outlets, lights, velux windows or even an intelligent thermostat. You can also combine Philips Hue and Hitachi brand devices, which produces smart health connected heat pumps.

The piloting and monitoring function

Several options and modes are available to make piloting the house very free and practical. Thus, you will have the choice between manual control of each smart health smart health connected object, a autopilot in scenario mode, a autopilot in smart mode and one autopilot in agenda mode.

In all modes, the user can review all actions or temperature or other changes on the application interface. Just be smart health connected to WiFi to be able to control his house, even from a distance.

The manual piloting allows you to individually control each smart health smart health connected object compatible with TaHoma. So you can decide to turn the light on or off upstairs, staying on your couch. This is handy if you have few items or if you make an exceptional gesture.

The autopilot in scenario mode actually means that you will be able to set up action “paths” for daily actions (arrival, departure, health home cinema) such as turning on the coffee machine without having to log into your account. It is perfectly suited to everyday life, especially in the morning (when you are awake).

The autopilot in smart mode especially concerns a rather interesting side of house management. With all the electronic devices with which we are equipped, our homes have become very energy-consuming. Smart mode allows you to order TaHoma to close the shutters or the lights if it does not detect anybody or if it is too sunny, or to manage your thermostat to lower your energy impact.

The autopilot in agenda mode will allow you to set up sorts of scenarios; not for a simple series of actions, but according to a typical day in relation to your calendar. In this way, you can mix scenario, smart and manual piloting modes.

Configure the invisible touch button

We already told you about this a little earlier, it’s about tactile and invisible button which is on the front of the TaHoma. Besides being discreet, it is extremely practical. You can configure it on your online account so that it triggers specific actions, such as starting one or more pieces of equipment at the same time or a specific scenario.

And what about Sunis?

With all the features of the Somfy Box, and TaHoma in particular, we almost forgot about Sunis, the little light sensor. Because if it’s just a tool for TaHoma, it is inseparable from the smart driving mode.

Indeed, Sunis is a sun sensor. Its goal: to give you information on the brightness present in your health home and on the natural heat present thanks to the openings. In this way, in smart mode, you can ask TaHoma to close the shutters if the sunshine exceeds a certain threshold. A small smart health smart health connected object for many scenarios in short.

Tahoma de Somfy facing the competition

Somfy is a fairly well-known and reputed health home automation brand, and it should be remembered that this improved version of the first TaHoma shouldn't be ashamed of his big sister… Even if the first competitor that comes to mind is MyFox, TaHoma presents more cozy functions.

Indeed, MyFox remains concentrated in its products on the surveillance and security side, and even if its health home automation functions exist, they are less present. For his part TaHoma Premium puts forward the practicality and the ecological aspect of its product.

On the price side, the two products are both fairly expensive products that fluctuate between 200 and 500 euros approximately. So, it should still be noted that TaHoma cannot operate on its own, and in any case you will have to invest in smart health connected equipment. MyFox, for its part, presents a motion sensor and a camera.

Buy Tahoma

Buy Sunis

Conclusion

Good points

  • Object and application ergonomics

  • Implementation of scenarios and agendas

  • Clean design for a discreet object

Negative points

  • No wireless operation for the base

  • Involves additional equipment purchases

  • Safety put aside

Design and Ergonomics – 6
Features – 7
Getting started – 6
Application – 8
Value for money – 7

6.8

 

Design and ergonomics: Too bad it does not work wirelessly, otherwise very designer object.

Application : Great freedom of action and different modes available.

Features: Very well done for the practical management of the habitat as a whole.

Use and handling: Easy and intuitive, but provided you have everything smart health connected.

Value for money: It is within the standard and can be combined with other brands, so well thought out.

Conclusion A real control point at health home so you can manage everything at once, goal achieved. A good product for futuristic homes.