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In 2021 when i moved into my place, i got some IKEA honeycomb blinds (Trippevals), and while you aren't meant to cut them to size, i did anyway.
Since i had sliding windows, i decided to install "split" honeycomb blinds (2 per window, next to each other).
This means for a 153w x 135h window, i'd buy two 80cm w x 192 h blinds ($69) then cut them to 76cm wide.
I was able to save a ton of cash by just cutting these (you can cut them on either side by 5cm~ due to how the mechanism is stored).
However, due to poor design, one of the blinds in the master bedroom snapped. I did a bodgy repair but the blind was lopsided while going up/down. It couldn't hold itself in position quite right. I was starting to do home automation, so I wanted to get something that i could open/close using RF443. I could then "learn" the pattern using Homeassistant then fully automate due to triggers like Co2, external conditions, internal room conditions.
I did some research on My Efficient Electric Home on Facebook - there was one vendor everyone recommended (Persilux) and I got a price of around $680 for two blinds for the Master bedroom, though it was automated. I found a "newer" vendor called SmartMatters, and they quoted $600.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002616936439.html
I was then able to stack some nifty discounts on the 15th anniversary of Aliexpress and some cashback to get the price down to $400-440~. This was due to 20% discount and 15% discounts stacking together. Not bad for getting two blinds motorised cheaper than a single non-motorized one locally!
Locally, motorised blinds were through the roof - $1019 * 2 if I wanted split, or $1204 to cover the entire window.
Ikea also had smart blinds. They were on sale, but I didn't get them. This would have been the optimal choice, had they not been discontinued shortly after. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/865431. When the deal was posted, they only had 140cm and 60cm; no 80cm or 100cm which is the sizes I needed. Approx cost full price for 2x100 wide = $600, 80 would have been a bit cheaper = ~$560. But at 60% off, It was 2x100 for $240, and $224 for the 2x 80w. Too bad there was no stock!
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