I remember, quite a few years back we published a blog article about remotely controlled motorised blinds, titled “Master the remote or be left behind”. Going through all the benefits of using remote controls, we imagined that one day the handheld remote would be the standard way of operating any type of window blinds, just like the TV. That was when smart home technology had just begun becoming the worldwide phenomenon and linking it with the window shadings industry was envisioned only by a few.
Fast-forward a few years and we can voice-operate our blinds now, control them from the other side of the world using smartphones, create automations and connect them with other systems as the range of devices compatible with smart home technology grows literally on a daily basis. Now, I should rather be saying – master the smart home tech or be left behind as it makes our lives easier, and easier is always better. However, when it comes to blinds motorisation, the good old handheld remote still remains the most popular way of operating window blinds. Why? I suppose, there isn’t one, definitive answer. It could be the price or a fact that smart home technology is relatively new and surely for some may seem complicated and daunting. On the contrary, the remote is a familiar device, used for decades and unlike smart home devices, it isn’t dependent on the internet connection. Both control options have their pros and cons. Smart home systems for window blinds are getting better and cheaper, and remotes will surely be staying with us for a little longer. So I think, we need to find the equilibrium. Ensure we’re up to date with the new, effectively accommodating the ever-growing demand for the latest technology. And, also keep improving what’s taken for granted –Â the handheld remotes.
In this blog, I’m going to focus on the remotes or better put, on one specific handheld remote – our recently upgraded Dream 15-Channel Remote as it comes with a couple of nifty improvements. Don’t worry though, it hasn’t changed much, it looks and operates the same and programming options haven’t been touched either. What’s new then? I’m going to cover that and a few other aspects by answering the five most commonly asked questions about our remote. Here we go.
QUESTION 1
Does the remote come paired with my blinds?
Yes, we pair and preprogram the top and bottom limits of every motorised blind for a perfect experience out of the box. The limits are set to the blind drop measurement found on the works order. However, you can also request us to set the limits to a specific position, just let us know when placing your order. If ordering motorised Double Roller Blinds we also preprogram a favourite position for you.
MOTORISED ROLLER BLINDS: PAIRED, TOP AND BOTTOM LIMITS SET
MOTORISED DOUBLE ROLLER BLINDS: PAIRED, TOP AND BOTTOM LIMITS, AND FAVOURITE POSITION SET
MOTORISED STANDARD AND XL ROMAN BLINDS: PAIRED, TOP AND BOTTOM LIMITS SET
MOTORISED PLEATED BLINDS: PAIRED, TOP AND BOTTOM LIMITS SET
You’ll know for sure your remote has been paired and preprogrammed with your blinds if it’s supplied with a blue sticker on the box.
QUESTION 2
Why does my remote come with the battery out?
If we’ve left the battery inside, the remote may activate in transit and start operating boxed blinds that are paired to it. This can affect your blinds in a number of ways. There is a chance that the activated motor will start turning inside the box and drain its battery but what’s much worse, crease the fabric and ruin your blind. Also, an activated remote with its buttons randomly pressed in the box may cause erasing or messing up all options that we’ve preprogrammed for you.
In other words, leaving the battery out is a precautionary measure that we take to protect your motorised blinds and save you from having to make return visits to the site which will cost extra money and reputation.
QUESTION 3
How to insert and remove the battery?
The way the battery is put in and out is one of the improvements I mentioned earlier. The battery cover plate slides on and off in a slightly different way than with its successor. You’ll need to depress the spring with a pin or a pen to remove it but the idea is to make sure that it holds firmly in place which wasn’t often the case with the previous version. The cover plate was often getting loose and lost, exposing the battery and setting buttons. Not the greatest look, not to mention safety.
QUESTION 4
Is the remote supplied with wall fixings?
You’ll receive your remote supplied with a magnetic holder with a plate, screws and wall plugs. Once the magnetic holder is fitted, your remote will stick to it without any other support. And again, mounting the remote or rather its holder has been improved too. The magnetic holder comes with a mounting plate that easily slides in and out making the whole process a breeze compared to the previous version where both were clipped together and taking them apart was a very frustrating task to do.
QUESTION 5
Where can I find programming instructions for my remote ?
With every order that we send out, we supply our Dream Range User’s Guide which contains comprehensive information about all our Dream Range motors and controls, including step-by-step programming instructions for your remote.
The guide is a great tool, not only to grasp the concept of pairing and programming a remote or motors but also to learn about our motorisation options and products – so you can become an expert almost instantaneously.
We have printed, digital or video versions available to you. The idea is – quick access, wherever and whenever.
You can also find the guide in the following places:
