Never used Linux, Python or just about everything else involved which has made it a steep learning curve. Not helped by the usual problem with open source software that any guides you find always seem to be based on a previous version and don't match what you actually have in front of you. Docker/Kitematic has been a lifesaver, once I got it to talk to the rest of the network, as I have the config set to use files in the normal Windows environment.

Many thanks for the offer, may well be in touch.

Hmm, don't know of any idiots guides, but if you're familiar with Linux it shouldn't be an issue. Feel free to message me if you bump into any issues

Had a mare getting HA to install directly into Windows but then tried again through Docker and all works a treat. Timing was obviously perfect given they've literally just added native support for the RM Pro, none of the mucking about with RM Bridge and the like which was putting me off initially. Thanks for turning me onto these (no pun intended!).

For me, following home assistant's install guide was simple enough, and a couple of days lurking reddit's homeautomation, amazonecho and homeassistant subs gave enough background info to understand the competing technologies and how systems might link together. I also tried openhab but that was more of a struggle so quickly went back to homeassistant.

Thanks, decided against the more technical approach (!) So have ordered one of these and was also looking at Home Assistant. Any tips or links to idiot's guides appreciated?

Can you recommend a bridge?

It should, from the Amazon description "The RM-Pro will control all RF devices/appliances working on the 433MHz & 315 Mhz frequencies throughout your home."

​Can that bridge be used with these or is it just for stuff connected via WiFi?

Just been into the Newcastle store. They were priced up as £12.99 plus a 20% discount at the tIll.
Took two sets to the checkout and advised the assistant of the web price.
He reduced them to £6.99, but then the till automatically took the 20% off too.
Win win.
Two sets for £11.18.

Cheers again OP

I'm sure, after following something like that setup you'd have no problems triggering an action using a cheap IR receiver.

Thanks, just wondering whether to get one of them or go for this 'haven't got a clue what I'm doing' DIY approach...

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/control-cheap-rf-power-sockets-openhab/

Ideally, I'd like to be able to trigger them with IR too, one press on an activity button on my Harmony to go into full cinema mode is the ultimate goal, but haven't seen any sensibly explained solutions to combine IR input with RF output using an ESP8266. All the parts for around a tenner is very attractive.

Anyone seen any wall switches that work like these, for what should be about a fiver a switch I'd change a whole load.

Other option would be to remount the guts of one of these into a wall switch but not sure about that kind of messing when 240V is involved.

Just a thought, these are great to use at Christmas. Those hard to reach lights plugged in behind the tree, or the outside lights plugged in the garage etc. I been using a set for years....:sunglasses: Heat added, great price.

Yer I going to try the set-up in the video, unless anyone knows a better way to control this type of socket with Alexa?

Heat added.

Excellent timing OP.
Is cheaper for this set, than to replace an existing remote that has died.
Cheers

​That's the video I was looking at last week, and made me want to do something similar. Home from work and set these switches up so they're activated by Siri! Not much effort required although it does need a few different technologies speaking together (mainly homeassistant with broadlink plugin, and homebridge with homeassistant plugin)

Definitely!

I've got similar ones from Maplin running with the v1.9 Exec Binding in OpenHAB2 using Rcswitch and wiringPi on my Pi3

Thanks, been using these for the last 15 odd years and gave up trying to find a sensible (cheap) way of getting them to work with my Harmony many year ago.

A good buy - heat added -wish I lived near to a branch as standard delivery costs £4.95.