+9 votes
by (1.1k points)
Why do I need a Ring Bridge just to have a floodlight camera without the camera?  I have porch lights that I would like to replace with these. A floodlight camera can cause other devices to turn on their lights, what’s different about the no camera devices in how they talk to my account? I can have my floodlight camera turn on all the lights in my front yard. Why can’t the floodlight wired (no camera) do the same? Just curious about the way they communicate and why yet another hub in my house is necessary?  
Why do I need a Ring Bridge just to have a floodlight camera without the camera?

7 Answers

+5 votes
by (22.1k points)
 
Best answer
You don’t need a bridge if you don’t want to control or link it.  
by (1.1k points)
@pentosan53231 I updated my post a bit.  
by (22.1k points)
@tbilisi so the smart lights actually run off RF instead of WiFi. The bridge is the connector between WiFi and RF, that’s the reason it is needed.  
by (1.1k points)
@pentosan53231 That’s an interesting choice. I wonder why the fork in the way their devices communicate. Other that to sell another piece of hardware.  
by (22.1k points)
@tbilisi I believe Mr Beams is who made this before and the tech was in place already, so I’m guessing the bridge was the easiest way to get the other tech to talk to their tech?  
by (1.1k points)
@pentosan53231 oh! That makes sense. Neat! The bridge doesn’t look to expensive. Just complicates the integration into my Hubitat setup.  
by (22.1k points)
@tbilisi oh I get it, it’s kind of a pain, but being able to link RF to WiFi is quite nice. I’m glad they integrated it.  
by (1.1k points)
@pentosan53231 nice!  
by (680 points)
It's a signal thing. The Smart Lights RF band has a massive range compared to WiFi, and does a much better job at penetrating solid walls.  
by (1.1k points)
Interesting. I have Ring cameras 100 feet away from the house and they work just fine. Either way, glad they are continuing to improve the technology.  
+4 votes
by (370 points)
All of the Ring lighting runs through the bridge.  
+5 votes
by (380 points)
Also with the bridge you receive alerts on your phone when they are triggered.  
+5 votes
by (2.7k points)
They also connect to Alexa
+5 votes
by (610 points)
I replaced my porch lights with the Spotlight Mount model. I'll see if I can find a picture. No bridge needed.  
by (610 points)
Note on the deck porch night shot, I didn't have my motion flood light on at the time
+6 votes
by (480 points)
I appreciate the ring bridge, it's got a much further range than my wifi. My motion sensor is about two hundred feet away and my lights are about 150 in the other direction where my house is in the middle. Linked them up to control my wired outside Philips hue lights via Amazon alexa routines. Works a charm except for occasional false motion during the day but I don't need lights then.  
+6 votes
by (6k points)
Buy LIFX bulbs. No bridge required then link to ring using IFTTT My porch light comes on as soon as my r2db detects motion. I have set it to stay on for one minute. At the back of my house. I have a outside light with a lifx bulb. Again when my ring stick up camera at the back of my house detects motion the light comes on. I use IFFFT linked to ring to make these work. White bulbs cost £20 each. So for the two lights a total of £40 Much cheaper than £200 plus each for spotlights. IFFFT is a free to use app.  
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