Future-proof your windows with the latest technology from Hunter Douglas®. Control your window coverings with the sleek PowerView® Pebble® Remote or right from your smartphone. Whether it’s blinds, shades, or shutters, your window treatments move with your schedule.
For homeowners in Arizona seeking advanced window treatment control, understanding the differences between PowerView® Automation and SoftTouch® Motorization is key to selecting the best fit for convenience, safety, and smart home integration. Superior Blinds, serving the Greater Phoenix area since 2003, offers expertise in both systems.
Key insights
- PowerView Activation Methods: Offers control via remote, smartphone app, automation schedules, or voice commands, emphasizing connectivity.
- SoftTouch Activation Methods: Activated by a gentle pull on the shade or wand, providing immediate, tactile response.
- Safety Focus: Both systems prioritize safety by eliminating lift cords, making them child and pet friendly.
- Power Options: Both systems share common power solutions, including the Rechargeable Battery Wand, Solar Charger, and Dual Charging Station.
- Smart Home Capability: PowerView offers robust integration with major smart home platforms, while SoftTouch focuses on simple, localized convenience.
PowerView Activation Methods
PowerView® Automation is designed for comprehensive, scheduled, and remote control of window coverings. This system allows users to manage their shades effortlessly through various digital and physical interfaces.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Push of a Button | Control via the sleek PowerView® Pebble® Remote or Pebble Surface Remote. |
| Mobile Device Tap | Control through a smartphone application. |
| Automation | Shades move according to pre-set schedules for convenience, security, and energy efficiency. |
| Voice Commands | Integration allows operation using voice commands via smart home assistants. |
PowerView® Automation provides added convenience through effortless control, increased privacy via automatic closing schedules, better energy efficiency through programmed adjustments, and enhanced security by simulating occupancy when you are away. Furthermore, with no lift cords, these smart shades offer a safer solution for homes with young children or pets. Window treatments compatible with PowerView include Heritance® Wood Shutters, Palm Beach™ Polysatin™ Vinyl Shutters, Silhouette® Sheer Shades, and many others.
SoftTouch Pull Activation Explained
SoftTouch® Motorization focuses on immediate, localized control activated by a simple physical interaction. This system is built around user responsiveness and safety.
- Simple Convenience: Shades are controlled with a gentle tap or pull, offering smooth, responsive operation right at your fingertips.
- Everyday Privacy: Allows users to lower shades quickly and quietly when more privacy is desired.
- Energy Efficiency Made Easy: Facilitates easy adjustment of shades to manage sunlight and temperature for year-round comfort.
- Subtle Security: Users can adjust shades before leaving to make the home appear occupied.
- Child & Pet Friendly: Like PowerView, SoftTouch eliminates lift cords, making it a safer option for households with children or pets.
A unique safety feature of the SoftTouch system is the Detachable Wand. The wand uses a magnetic connection that detaches if pulled with too much force, protecting the internal lever from damage and reducing wear. Reattaching the wand is simple; the magnets reconnect when the ends are brought close together, ensuring a secure connection during normal use but allowing release under excessive strain. Window treatments compatible with SoftTouch include Duette® Cellular Shades, Designer Roller Shades, and Silhouette® Sheer Shades.
Smart Home Integration Differences
The primary functional difference between the two systems lies in their approach to connectivity and automation scheduling.
| Feature | PowerView® Automation | SoftTouch® Motorization |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Control | App, Voice Command, Remote | Gentle Pull/Tap on Shade or Wand |
| Scheduling | Robust, fully programmable schedules | Primarily manual adjustment via pull |
| Smart Home Ecosystem | Built for seamless integration (Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home) | Focuses on localized, tactile control |
| Remote Access | Full remote control via smartphone | No remote access outside immediate vicinity |
User Experience Contrast
The choice between PowerView and SoftTouch often comes down to the desired level of interaction and integration within the home environment.
- Automation vs. Tactile Response: PowerView excels when users prioritize setting schedules and controlling shades remotely or via voice commands, embodying a high-tech, set-it-and-forget-it approach.
- Simplicity vs. Complexity: SoftTouch offers a more direct, intuitive experience, requiring only a gentle pull to operate, which some users prefer for immediate, non-digital adjustments.
- Smart Home Depth: PowerView is the superior choice for comprehensive smart home ecosystems, allowing shades to interact with lighting and climate control systems.
- Safety Mechanism: Both are cord-free, but SoftTouch adds an extra layer of physical protection via its magnetic, detachable wand feature.
Conclusion
For Arizona homeowners prioritizing cutting-edge technology, integration with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home, and the ability to schedule adjustments for energy savings and security, PowerView® Automation is the ideal solution. Conversely, residents seeking simple, immediate, and tactile control, combined with excellent child and pet safety features, will find SoftTouch® Motorization highly convenient. Both systems utilize similar reliable power options, including the Solar Charger, ensuring consistent operation.
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are both systems safe for children and pets? | Yes, both PowerView and SoftTouch systems operate without hazardous lift cords, making them inherently safer options. |
| How is SoftTouch activated? | SoftTouch is activated by a gentle pull on the shade or the attached wand, which initiates smooth, quiet movement. |
| Can PowerView shades be controlled remotely? | Yes, PowerView allows control via a smartphone app, enabling users to adjust shades even when away from home. |
| What power options are available for these motorized shades? | Both systems can use a UL Certified Rechargeable Battery Wand, a Solar Charger that uses ambient light, or a Dual Charging Station for convenience. |
