NSPanel Pro 120 Setup guide

[davidcoulson]

I just picked up a NSPanel Pro 120 (US version) on Amazon and was hoping someone might have a good pointer for a guide since I'm just going to run ha-paneld on it. Wasn't sure if there was a point of no return with 'official' updates to the device, or I need to target a specific release?

Is it still recommended to take them apart and adb over USB, or is there an OTA approach that works now?

[maxlyth]

Don't worry about the 'official' cutoff warning on firmware updates. There is already a discussion thread on this repo that automatically ingest every firmware release from Sonoff and once you have root access to your panel then you can easily downgrade as well as upgrade to any version that I force to be retained in the Internet Archive.

Seaky maintains a really useful tool that gives a nice workflow to manage this process and it has always worked for me. I already maintain a documentation page in this repo that explains the entire firmware maintenance process for Sonoff panels.

[davidcoulson]

I did grab the sneaky tool, but wasn't sure when my luck was going to run out :)

I think I'm on 4.0.12 right now - Will bump it to a later release just to see what happens if rollback is as easy as you say it is!

[davidcoulson]

And not to be a complete potato, but I can just copy CK_4.0.12_4.6.0V228-diff.zip up to /storage/emulated/0/ and apply it with the root tool like I did the 4.0.12 full zip?

[maxlyth]

I don't remember details but the Seaky root tool has never failed me for upgrades or downgrades. There was a whole thing about which firmware version was best because Sonoff kept removing features but I think they have reverted the downgrade of the proximity sensor in latest firmware so unless you care about the subtleties of Zigbee (IMO a panel is not fit for a coordinator unless you are desperate) the most recent is fine for now.

I have a table with the difference in all the firmware versions on my Sonoff hardware page and that should help you to choose.

[davidcoulson]

Do the directions for updates here https://github.com/maxlyth/ha-paneld/blob/main/docs/hardware/nspanel-pro-firmware.md apply to diff zips also?

[maxlyth]

TBH I wrote the Sonoff hardware docs a long time before ha-paneld existed and I'm pretty conservative so I likely ony used the full firmware builds. Most of my Sonoff panels are on the original firmware so I have the full gamut from 1.5.x to 4.x.

The apps in the stock firmware are pretty useless for HA users and the clutter was my inspiration for the 'Tame' feature in ha-paneld. Basically I don't think it matters which firmware you use because they all ship the same garbage webview which is the only thing that really matters

[davidcoulson]

I updated to 4.6.0 and while it worked fine, there isn't any obvious difference between the previous release - newer kernel build though.

As always with tech, "bigger number better", so we'll just go with it :)

[maxlyth]

bigger number better

Be careful with that principle with wall panels. Manufacturers often release early versions of their panels with less cynically restrictive settings and then tighten the screws over time. Things like ADB debug and su access can suddenly be disabled with later versions.

[maxlyth]

I'm glad 4.6.0 installed cleanly. The original setup question is resolved, so I’m closing this one.

Please start another discussion if the panel turns up anything unexpected.