UPDATE: I think I know why these lights continuously stop responding now - nothing to do with the lights themselves). I noticed that if I keep the Apple Home App closed on my iPhone, the lights seem to work fine, even if I connect my iPhone to my 5GHz Wifi. (The lights only support 2.4GHz).
It appears the home app automatically (and without any warning or request for confirmation from the user) tries to connect the lights to whatever network the iPhone is connected to.
I usually keep my iPhone connected to my 5GHz network. As a result, if I open the home app (while the iPhone is connected to 5GHz), it forces the lights to connect to the 5GHz network and the lights stop working. Switching the phone back to 2.4GHz network seems to switch the lights back to the 2.4GHz network, and the lights start working again.
So, the requirement is that, if I need to open the Home App on my iPhone for any reason, I need to make sure my iPhone is connected to my 2.4GHz network first.
This is a really annoying automated feature in the Home App. I will share this info with Apple. At the very least, they should ‘ask’ the user if they agree to switch/change the network config on already connected devices, instead of assuming that the network the iPhone/Home App is connect to is the one all devices should connect to automatically!!!
Past review:
I have six of these light bulbs. I kept buying them because for the first year, they worked great! For the past six months, I constantly needed to reset them to get them to work, and lately, even if I manage to get them reconnected (which has become REALLY HARD), they work fine for 4-5 days, then stop working. Impossible to get them working properly and consistently with either the Apple Home app or the vendor’s own app. My thinking is that firmware is not updated and causing all kinds of Wi-Fi connectivity issues. I’ve tried all sorts of recommended ‘fixes’ from the vendor, and nothing works. Now, I’m stuck with smart bulbs that are dumber than dumb! They will be headed to the trash!!!!! What a waste of time and money, and massive source of utter frustration!!!!!
| Brand | VOCOlinc |
|---|---|
| Light Type | LED |
| Special Feature | Color Changing |
| Wattage | 9.5 watts |
| Bulb Shape Size | A21 |
| Bulb Base | E26 |
| Incandescent Equivalent Wattage | 60 Watts |
| Specific Uses For Product | Photography |
| Light Color | Warm White |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Color Temperature | 7000 Kelvin |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Brightness | 850 Lumen |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
| Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Indoor |
| Controller Type | Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Included Components | L3 Smart Wi-Fi A21 Light Bulb, Quick Start Guide, Happy Card |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Connectivity Protocol | Wi-Fi |
| Color Rendering Index | 60 |
| Beam Angle | 220 Degrees |
| Power Consumption | 9.5 Watts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Light Source Type | Led |
| Specification Met | FCC, ETL, RoHS |
| Item Weight | 0.12 Kilograms |
| Light Source Wattage | 9.5 Watts |
| Product Dimensions | 2.56"W x 5.04"H |
| Control Method | App, Voice |
| Average Life | 25000 Hours |
| White Brightness | 850 Lumens |
| Is Electric | Yes |
| Manufacturer | VOCOlinc |
| Part Number | L3 |
| Item Weight | 4.2 ounces |
| Item model number | L4 |
| Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
| Color | White |
| Style | L3-1P |
| Special Features | Color Changing |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
