There are several types of controllers that can be used to control permanent holiday lights. The best controller for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Some popular options include:
- Timers: Timers can be used to turn your lights on and off at specific times, allowing you to schedule your lights to come on in the evening and turn off in the morning, for example.
- Smart controllers: Smart controllers can be controlled via a smartphone app or voice commands, allowing you to control your lights from anywhere. Some popular options include Wi-Fi enabled controllers that can be controlled through a smart phone app, or controllers that are compatible with voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
- Remote controls: Remote controls allow you to turn your lights on and off and change the settings from a distance. This is useful if you want to control your lights without having to physically go to the location.
- DMX controllers: DMX controllers are typically used for commercial or professional lighting applications. It allows you to control multiple lights and create more complex lighting scenes.
- RGB controllers: RGB controllers are designed to control RGB (red, green and blue) lights. They allow you to change the color of the lights and create different lighting effects.
The most sophisticated controllers on the Canadian market today are the “Gemstone” and “Gouly 3rd Generation” (May 2023). Both models can do a great job, but unfortunately, users are still reporting many minor issues with each of these controllers, especially often-mentioned issues with connectivity.