Nspanel Pro V2.2.0 Zigbee Update

Until now I did not find any real interests concerning the NSPanel Pro which is, it must be admitted, difficult to malleable, I am not talking about the original firmware, but the possibility of hacking ** in order to make it compatible with your favorite home automation assistant. NspanelPro like many other control screens, runs on Android and it must be admitted that it is far from being the operating system to choose for open source home automation. In addition, the Zigbee chip until now worked in **coordinator mode. Which restricted the system even more. But all this is about to change.

Sonoff Nspanel Pro Controller

By Sonoff

Sonoff Nspanel Pro controller with zigbee 3.0 and integrated wifi

Buy Now out of Aliexpress Buy Now out of Domadoo Buy Now out of Itead

Indeed since version 2.2.0 it is possible to configure the EFR32MG21 zigbee chip as a coordinator or as a router. Which will ultimately make it compatible with Zigbee2mqtt or ZHA and therefore easily integrate it into its opensource network Home-assistant, Jeedom, Gladys, openhab, etc… And that’s a big plus. Moreover, an integration request on the zigbee2mqtt github is in progress, see the link below.

Z2M issues Github

What’s new Version 2.1.0 and 2.2.0

Here are the new updates since the presentation of version 2.0.0:

1. Support SONOFF Zigbee thermostatic radiator valve. You can turn on and off, switch between manual/automatic modes and set the target temperature on NSPanel Pro.
2. Optimizes screen swiping experience. It’s more precise when you swipe down to access settings and swipe left or right to change screens.
3. Support for GSM switch and socket equipment.
4. Support switching NSPanel Pro from Zigbee gateway mode to Zigbee router mode. Click “Device Settings – Driver Features – Zigbee Mode” in the app to enable Zigbee router mode. After switching to a Zigbee router, you need to link it to other gateways.
5. Multi-channel Matter switches and sockets added to NSPanel Pro support All ON and All OFF control.
6. Support setting SNZB-06P as a trigger device for intelligent security.

Note: *The app needs to be upgraded to version 5.1.0 (It should be available at the end of this month for iOS users.)

But that’s not all

As listed in a previous article on the presentation of V1.7.0 of Nspanel Pro, Sonoff.tech has developed a complete web api for this product.

Which suggests perfect integration into Home Assistant, all that remains is to develop.

By looking more closely at the diagram you will realize that we can integrate almost everything and link many elements. Which would have the ultimate goal of not hacking the NSPanel Pro. And that’s a major asset.

Currently you can find on the net tutorials to operate the NSPanel pro with Home-assistant either by hacking or by using the web page. Domo-blog has produced an effective tutorial on this subject. However, the interface is not large enough for comfortable use. With these integrations the NSPanel Pro allows you to control everything but the interface and the commands are much too small and make the operation of the less clear.

In my opinion it is important to keep the original firmware whose commands are more refined and use WAF.

Sonoff Nspanel Pro Controller

By Sonoff

Sonoff Nspanel Pro controller with zigbee 3.0 and integrated wifi

Buy Now out of Aliexpress Buy Now out of Domadoo Buy Now out of Itead

Black Friday

Currently you will find the module at ridiculous prices Itead offers it at $67.90 for the purchase of a unit, until December 10, 2023.

Conclusion

From the beginning Sonoff.tech has promised us constant evolution of its NSPanel Pro module, and this has been the case, with the appearance of version v2.2.0, the NSPanel Pro becomes very interesting, the perspective of evolution and the fact of making the Zigbee component in router mode make it an essential control module. In addition, the screen scanning has been revised this is proof that the evolution of the firmware respects its users. In short, go buy this module, currently €62 at Itead.