You should only consider the Gledopto Zigbee 3.0 LED Controller Pro

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An illustration of a woman looking at LED strips on a wall.

I owe you an apology. In a past article, I endorsed the Gledopto GL-C-008 LED strip controller as an affordable Philips Hue Lightstrips alternative. Regrettably, I was unaware of significant flaws in the non-Pro models of Gledopto's products at that time.

Thankfully, Gledopto has rectified these issues in the recently launched Zigbee 3.0 LED Controller Pro and other Pro series models. But the question remains, should you trust them now?

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Contents

The Flaw: Previous Gledopto Zigbee Products Didn't Route Traffic

The most critical issue with earlier Gledopto LED controllers was their inability to function as routers. Zigbee's effectiveness largely hinges on mains-powered devices acting as routers to enhance network coverage through meshing capabilities. This means that even if an endpoint is out of the hub's reach, it can still communicate within the Zigbee network.

Ideally, all mains-powered devices, like those from Gledopto, would serve as routers. Their potential to expand network coverage is significant, especially considering the likelihood of having multiple LED strips. This routing issue was widely reported by users, with evidence on platforms like GitHub and Reddit.

A screenshot of the Zigbee2MQTT dashboard showing a Gledopto controller that does not route traffic.
This Gledopto controller does not route
A screenshot of the Zigbee2MQTT dashboard showing a Gledopto controller that does not route traffic.
This Gledopto controller does route traffic

The Lack of Public OTA Updates from Gledopto

The routing problem could have potentially been resolved with an update. However, Gledopto has been unable to offer OTA updates at this time, citing the absence of their proprietary hub. This situation is somewhat understandable, as seen with IKEA TRÅDFRI bulbs, which also require their hub for updates. Despite their relatively lower cost, I believe Gledopto should seek a resolution, possibly by providing firmware updates compatible with platforms like Zigbee2MQTT, ZHA, and SmartThings.

Do Gledopto Updates Exist?

While unconfirmed by me, some Reddit users assert that Gledopto does release firmware updates. They claim to have received updated versions of products. If true, Gledopto should ideally make these updates publicly available.

Introducing the Gledopto Zigbee 3.0 LED Controller Pro

The 'Pro' in its name suggests this model is an advanced version. It's easily distinguishable by its black colour, contrasting the white of its predecessors. Gledopto lists several enhancements for the Zigbee 3.0 LED Controller Pro:

These upgrades seem plausible, given the new chip's capabilities. However, it's advisable to await thorough testing and reviews before purchasing.

ProductCC2530EFR32MG21
Output PowerUp to 4.5 dBmUp to 10 dBm
RAM8 kB64 kB
SoC8051 Microcontroller CoreARM Cortex-M33
Flash storageUp to 256 kB768 kB
An isolated image of the Gledopto GL-C-008P LED strip controller. The device is a black rectangle.

Certification Status

Like its predecessors, the Gledopto Zigbee 3.0 LED Controller Pro isn't certified by the Zigbee Alliance. While it might meet the necessary standards, official certification would provide assurance of its performance and compatibility.

Potential Flickering Issue

There are limited reviews available, but one Amazon review mentions flickering at low brightness with the new controller. While this wasn't an issue with previous models, the lower minimum brightness of the Pro version could potentially introduce this problem.

Should You Buy the Gledopto Zigbee 3.0 LED Controller Pro?

Currently, I advise against purchasing this product until more reviews and reports emerge. The Gledopto Zigbee 3.0 LED Controller Pro has the potential to be what its predecessor should have been, but Gledopto still needs to address certain areas, particularly OTA updates.

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About Liam Alexander Colman

is an experienced Home Assistant user who has been utilizing the platform for a variety of projects over an extended period. His journey began with a Raspberry Pi, which quickly grew to three Raspberry Pis and eventually a full-fledged server. Liam's current operating system of choice is Unraid, with Home Assistant comfortably running in a Docker container.
With a deep understanding of the intricacies of Home Assistant, Liam has an impressive setup, consisting of various Zigbee devices, and seamless integrations with existing products such as his Android TV box. For those interested in learning more about Liam's experience with Home Assistant, he shares his insights on how he first started using the platform and his subsequent journey.

Comments

  1. Mind the difference between Gledopto 1ID and 2ID RGBCCT controllers.

    1ID works like the color bulbs, either you have RGB leds or CW/WW, but not both at the same time. With 2ID you can have The RGB and the CCT LEDs on at the same time, which gives way much more flexibility in terms of saturation.

    As far as I recall, the Pro controllers are only available in 1ID.

    Reply
    • I can confirm that the Pro is only available in 1ID (I have purchased one). I don’t mind as I never mixed the white and RGB LEDs in my previous setup.

      Reply
  2. Very good writting, I second every word you said.
    What a pitty that GLEDOPTO is not providing firmware updates that we could apply with ZHA/Zigbee2MQTT. They could do it for free and have happier customers.

    Reply
  3. Is this a bug or a feature?
    When I send (through z2m on HomeAssistant) rgb_color:[0,0,0] to a GLEDOPTO (I happen to have quite a few of them, the Pro ones) the LED strip lights up in blue while I expected it to black-out. Anyone can let me know if that is an expected behavior and why – please lemme know by email.
    Thank you in advance.

    Reply

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