# ISO clever (but not "Smart") solution to this communication issue

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-clever-but-not-smart-solution-to-this-communication-issue/1024487>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 1, 2025, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-clever-but-not-smart-solution-to-this-communication-issue/1024487 "2025-11-01T22:05:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-clever-but-not-smart-solution-to-this-communication-issue/1024487/21 "2025-11-02T23:07:03Z")

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So the RF remote controls the bulb directly, instead of the plug that it’s connected to? Sounds interesting.

Is [this](https://www.amazon.com/Feit-Electric-Medium-Changing-Equivalence/dp/B0BZQR93BD?crid=2F6UHRAOU7EQ7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qw2Pfjm5maPoy2OXMOYle9k3mJsBTt6P1AuPqPhdmmHaqxdkZkKkn0vlXsiLfygePKTSBeZ5AZvvFO3EwkdDma2g98YJxoj-dg-gC1dhhL_MKgMhc2ch7-aQrZcESxbPv76SS7zCI9Kv8aBV7pSLyejcT1Gq_6u6_2mQhwFqMW1zCph1hnGH7qfLmDEJ8OOSOR4jRUh6x7OX80vEWmGBi-wriOVQ2ARXUy1QllbOb6kxV3Jik-FhdgonmmOcaYCHX2NdO1PSRLUkOMxgjm9AvQTlZbVdiPzpRqneN4ef5mM.OCf9l06vR5imwmdKviU-xto2ucTC7i-IkSR8cu7C94s&dib_tag=se&keywords=led+bulb+with+RF+control&qid=1762124750&sprefix=led+bulb+with+rf+control%252Caps%252C190&sr=8-3) the sort of thing you’re talking about?

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**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-clever-but-not-smart-solution-to-this-communication-issue/1024487/22 "2025-11-02T23:31:06Z")

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Yes. Sorry, I meant to include an example link.

I don’t have any myself so I can’t speak to their lifespan, but they’re pretty popular so perhaps another Doper has some experience.

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**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-clever-but-not-smart-solution-to-this-communication-issue/1024487/23 "2025-11-03T02:23:34Z")

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I’ve used a few RF bulbs, and they’re great for their intended use (bulbs that don’t need to be wired to the switch) where you can see them.

But when you’re using them between floors, the problem is that you have no feedback to tell if it worked. You click the button and you can’t tell if the light turned on or if it was out of range or maybe there was some interference or the remote is out of batteries or whatever. Maybe that risk is small enough as to be acceptable (and thus worth trying), but it’ll never be as reliable as an old fashioned hardwired light switch.

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