Since Z-Wave Long Range functionality is still new, I thought I'd start this thread where we can share observations and notes, about how it's working (or not) for you. This is after you get it working and successfully add LR device(s).

Here are my notes so far, including my initial observations first reported in the ZMatter dongle firmware update thread (and lets keep using that thread for "getting it to work".

Testing of LR range: a bit disappointing. I don't know how this compares to a Yolink device, but going through concrete foundation walls seems to really limit range. I first tried my Shelly LR device where I usually plug in my pool pump, which is the corner of my property. Two inside walls, two concrete foundation walls (the house has been expanded) and through two walls of an aluminium above ground pool. Total distance, about 80 feet. No go. Next was in the standalone garage, which subtracts the two pool walls but adds steel cladding on the garage, About 60 feet. No go. Next was inside the basement workshop, which brings it down to just the two inside walls and one concrete foundation wall. That works. Now I'm testing this with my trusty test Polisy, which is near my computer in the basement, and the dongle is at desktop level. I suspect that moving the dongle higher up, ideally above ground, would help. I'll test that when I implement the LR function on my production eisy, it's dongle is almost at ground level.

Update: I now deleted the Shelly device from my test Polisy and added it my production Eisy. The dongle antennas on that one are higher, just below the ground floor joists. I retested the garage location as described above. The higher dongle location eliminates the need for the signal to go through foundation walls. It now works, but there is sometimes a delay (up to a couple of seconds) before the on or off status updates in eisy-ui when I send a command. So LR is likely doing some kind of retry on communications. The same module responds immediately when it's closer to the dongle. I'll be retrying the pool location later. The pool location is interesting because I also have a Yolink hub near my ZMatter dongle, and a Yolink temperature sensor at the same pool location. It's been quite reliable though not perfect. This will allow me to compare how well the two long range technologies work.

Today I got to do the test of putting it out near the pool. Same results as with the garage: it works, with the odd update delay every now and then. I do like that it does what's needed to get through, repeats or whatever.

I also did a bit of Google searching on the subject of Zwave LR vs Yolink, and the general consensus seems to be that Yolink beats out LR on the reliable long range communications.

I had the same experience. The higher the dongle, the better the results.

Now the dongle is basically in the attic at the end of a usb cable, things appear to be going well. (Single story wood framed house and outbuildings.)

I did install a range extender, spread zwave devices out and around the property to leverage the mesh.

I also think that it's best to do a temporary install of a new z wave devices close to the dongle, activate them and watch status change in Eisy , move them to their intended location, Eisy activate and verify.

Easy to do with plug in devices. Built in devices slightly more complicated. For them I do the temp install in a metal outlet box with grounded cord. This may be extreme, but it does avoid the issue I was having with messed up device additions.

I am using mostly LR rated devices and believe that I installed them in mesh instead of long range.

I recently came across the across the "getting it to work" thread and am in the process of building up the courage to update UD matter dongle and re-install the zwave devices as long range.

I also feel that the Eisy-ui is making the process easier, seems to make more sense.

If you haven't updated your dongle yet, then your existing devices will certainly be in mesh. Re-installing everything in LR when it's working fine in mesh might not be the best idea. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I think this will be a dilemma for everyone with an existing Z-Wave setup that's only beginning to get LR devices. The beauty of Z-Wave is that your network can use both LR or mesh, so it might be an idea to try LR if you've been having signal reliability problems with particular devices.

If you do reconfigure some devices to LR, let us know how it goes.

COULD NOT RESIST THE TEMPTATION!

Updated the dongle to 7.45 using multiple steps. Deleted a Zooz multi relay out of mesh and re installed it into LR using a picture of the QRcode.

Extremely easy from what I have come to expect with Zwave. I think it also picked up all of the device's attributes.

I saw the LR options and used it. It appears to have installed correctly in the first LR position. ZY256, and nothing else has released smoke (yet).

As before, I did install close to the dongle. I will be moving it far away to see how it performs.

So far, I like what I'm seeing.

Welcome into the LR sect!

Now that you know the secret handshake, let us know how your tests go.