MoesGo 2nd Generation Smart Bluetooth Fingerbot Plus for Wireless Smart Light Switch Control with Remote Tuya App. Enhance Compatibility with Fingerbot Hub

This was bought as a Christmas present for the “family household” so we can turn on a light when we are away from home. I never did get to try the product because setting it up is not clear. The instructions come in a font size of about 1 (had put my cheaters on). I scanned the QR code to install the software that was going to connect and control the Fingerbot. It’s an app called “Moes”. Makes sense. I create an account and the next step is to pair. Great. I open up the unit, take the “pull” tab out from the battery, and push the button so that the button blinks. The app doesn’t find anything. My bluetooth is on. OK, now what. Oh, there’s an option to manually pair the unit. Great. I scroll through every single Moes option and Fingerbot is not one of them. So I cannot pair automatically and I cannot pair manually. Off to the internet to find a solution. Most videos, reviews, etc that I find don’t actually tell you what app they are using. There were a few sites, including the main one for Fingerbot that tells you to connect to a completely different app and the unit even has a different manufacturer (I can only assume the product or company was sold to another company, or the company itself changed names). I try the new app only to find it is talking about a bunch of wifi stuff. This unit isn’t supposed to use wifi – only Bluetooth. Oh, that’s ok, it’s not connecting anyway. An hour on Christmas day wasted trying to get this thing connected when most electronic products these days take 5 seconds to connect and install. Shrug of the shoulders – returning to amazon. All it takes are clear instructions which there are none for this product.

 Setup wasn’t extremely difficult but wasn’t easy. Takes some time to really calibrate it to the sweet spot. Once I got it setup well, it works just fine. I understand the purpose and necessity of the design, but it looks ugly and clunky on the wall. It’s also louder than I expected it to be.

Pros:

Modular Design: The Fingerbot’s modular design offers versatility by allowing users to replace its arm with various tool pack options, catering to different scenarios.

Scheduling Capabilities: The product supports scheduling, enabling users to set timers for automated on/off functions, providing flexibility in managing smart home routines.

Cons:

Limited Connectivity: One significant drawback is its exclusive reliance on Bluetooth. The absence of Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi connectivity restricts its range and may pose limitations in certain smart home setups.

Dependency on App: The Fingerbot requires the app to be open and running in the foreground for operation, undermining its efficiency in smart home automation. Additionally, accessing advanced functions necessitates navigating deep into the app, making the user experience less seamless.

Touch Control Issues: Despite being enabled in the app, there are reported issues with the touch control feature, adding an element of frustration to the user experience.

Unmet Expectations with Alexa Integration: While the Fingerbot appears in the Alexa ecosystem, its functionality is compromised due to the aforementioned limitations, leading to a less-than-optimal integration with popular voice assistants.

Detailed Review:

Upon initial excitement, I found the Fingerbot to be a promising addition to my smart home. However, the exclusive reliance on Bluetooth technology proved to be a limiting factor. Despite having a compatible Moe’s Smart Hub using Tuya, the device still connects directly to the phone. This not only diminishes its smart home automation potential but also requires the app to be actively running for basic functionality.

Digging deeper into the app settings, I encountered a frustrating scenario where the touch control feature ceased to function, even though it was seemingly activated. This issue significantly impacted the overall usability and convenience promised by the product.

Furthermore, the advertised compatibility with popular voice assistants like Alexa fell short of expectations. While the Fingerbot showed up in the Alexa ecosystem, its practical integration was hindered by the need for constant app interaction and the absence of robust connectivity options.

Disappointingly, attempts to seek assistance from Tuya developers yielded unresponsive emails, leaving me with a sense of dissatisfaction and a product that did not meet my expectations. Consequently, I’ve decided to return the Fingerbot, hoping that the company acknowledges the product’s limitations and takes steps to improve its functionality.

In conclusion, while the Fingerbot has some redeeming features, its connectivity issues, app dependency, and unmet promises in integration leave much to be desired. Potential buyers should carefully consider these factors before making a purchase, weighing the convenience of its modular design against the practical limitations outlined in this review.