You know that moment when you've settled into the couch, popcorn in hand, and you're about to press play on the latest binge-worthy show? As the opening credits roll, you want the lighting to be just right to set the mood. Wouldn't it be perfect if you could dim the lights with a simple twist, like a classic dimmer switch? No fumbling for your phone or asking a voice assistant - just an intuitive dial to tune the ambience.
Well, thanks to a new smart home gadget, this dream is now a reality. UK home automation expert Paul Hibbert recently reviewed the Flic Twist, a wireless smart dimmer that makes movie night magic effortless. Let's take a closer look at how this clever device works, why Hibbert calls it a game-changer, and how it can upgrade your next Netflix and chill session.
Introducing the Flic Twist
Hibbert, who boasts over 240k YouTube subscribers, published his hand-on review of the Flic Twist in early January. This Bluetooth gadget features a simple twist dial and center button to give you manual, tactile control over lighting. Just connect it to your existing smart bulbs or switches via the Flic app. A twist to the left dims the lights down, while twisting right brightens things up. The round button in the middle toggles the lights on and off.
During his 14-minute video, Hibbert demonstrates the straightforward set up process. He easily pairs it with his Philips Hue bulbs, then shows how smoothly rotating the dial up and down dims the lighting. With a click of the middle button, the lights toggle on and off. The interface is super intuitive and makes it effortless to set the perfect ambience.
Automation Possibilities
But Hibbert also highlights how integrating Flic Twist into a home automation hub like Home Assistant unlocks even more potential. By linking it to scenes, the twist gestures can activate all kinds of preset mood lighting.
For example, Hibbert configured his Flic Twist so that twisting left triggers his bedtime "Goodnight" routine. This instantly turns off all the lights in his smart home. Twisting right activates a "Movie Time" scene that dims the living room lights, turns down the hallway lighting, and sets his color-changing lights to a cozy amber.
With simple rotations of the dial, Hibbert can now kickback and relax with lighting optimized for movie watching. The Flic Twist integrates a classic manual control experience into a high-tech smart home.
Why Hibbert Loves It
So what makes this dimmer switch one of Hibbert's favorite new smart home gadgets? For starters, the tactile dial makes it incredibly easy and satisfying to control lights. There's no need to pick up your phone or talk to a voice assistant. Just reach over and twist - it's as simple as using a classic light switch.
Secondly, it offers flexibility for basic on/off/dimming control, while also enabling advanced automations through integration with a smart home hub. For Hibbert's tech-savvy viewers, this combination of manual control and automation power hits the sweet spot.
Finally, Hibbert explains that the Flic Twist opens up creative possibilities for gesture-based controls. Like his movie time twist, you can configure it to activate any scene or routine with a simple turn of the wrist. This unlocks seamless lighting experiences specialized for watching movies, reading books, having dinner parties or setting any mood.
Potential Downsides
Hibbert does note a few potential downsides for some users. The Flic Twist currently only comes in a wired version that must be plugged in - there is no battery powered model yet. It also lacks native integration with some popular smart home platforms like SmartThings and Hubitat. However, connecting through Home Assistant or IFTTT helps bridge this gap.
The other drawback is that the Twist works best with individual smart bulbs. Using it to control traditional wired lighting circuits may require extra components. Savvy users like Hibbert don't see this as a dealbreaker, but it does limit out-of-the-box use cases.
Should You Try It?
Given Hibbert's glowing endorsement, should you add a Flic Twist to your own home theater or living room? If you love leveraging home automation but still want manual override, then this smart dimmer deserves a look. Twisting a dial to dim the lights delivers nostalgic satisfaction, while enabling high-tech control.
The Twist brings a tactile and intuitive lighting experience that perfectly sets the mood for movie night. For under $60, it can make your next Netflix binge even more enjoyable. And if you're a home automation enthusiast like Hibbert, the creative options through integration with hubs like Home Assistant unlock next-level immersive environments.
So if you long for an effortless way to dim the lights as you settle into your cozy spot on the couch, give the Flic Twist a try. This clever wireless dimmer switch makes it oh so easy to dial in that perfect movie watching ambience. Now excuse me while I twist away the daylight, grab the popcorn, and get lost in a new series!
Paul Hibbert (Hibbert Home Tech)'s Recent Data
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Subscribers | 241000 |
| Total Views | 37397255 |
| Number of Videos | 385 |
| Average View Count (90 days) | 55377 |
| Average Comments (90 days) | 285 |
| Average Engagement Rate | 6.87% |
| Viewership/Fan Ratio | 22.98% |
| Comment/View Ratio | 0.52% |
