Summary:
Not sure which version of PowerView® you have? Use this guide to tell the difference between PowerView® Gen 3 and Legacy PowerView® systems. You may even have a mix of both in your home.
Applies To:
PowerView® Gen 3 (after Spring 2022), Legacy PowerView® (prior to Fall 2022)
General Info
1. Manufacturing Date
2. Mixed Systems Are Possible
How to Identify by Product
3. Remote Control Differences
4. Programming Differences
5. Gateway vs. Hub Differences
6. Motor LED Colors
7. Shade Button Behavior
8. Repeater Presence
Manufacturing Date
PowerView® Gen 3 was launched on May 3, 2022. If your shade or system was purchased after that date, there’s a good chance it is PowerView Gen 3.
Mixed Systems Are Possible
You may have both Gen 3 and Legacy PowerView® in your home. It’s common for upgraded rooms to use Gen 3 while others still run on Gen 2.
Remote Control Differences
PowerView® Gen 3 Remote:
No hard edges on the buttons
Icons have a more modern look, including the Hunter Douglas spark logo
Stop icon = open square
Legacy PowerView® Remote:
Buttons have harder edges
Stop icon = filled-in square
Programming Differences
Gen 3 remotes are programmed in the PowerView® App
Legacy PowerView remotes are programmed by pressing buttons directly on the remote and shade headrail
Gateway vs. Hub Differences
The PowerView® Gen 3 Gateway and Legacy Gen 2 Hub have nearly identical shapes, so it’s easy to confuse them. Here’s how to tell the difference:
1. Check for an Ethernet port
Standard Gen 3 Gateway: Does not have an Ethernet port
Gen 3 Gateway Pro and Gen 2 Hub: Do have an Ethernet port
Since the Pro and Gen 2 look nearly identical, you’ll need to check the label to be sure
2. Look at the label on the bottom. A Gen 3 Gateway will have:
A blue ring around the PowerView text
An Apple HomeKit QR code
The printed name: “PowerView® Gen 3 Gateway” or “PowerView® Gen 3 Gateway Pro”
If the label does not show any of these details, it’s likely a Gen 2 Hub.
Motor LED Colors
When plugging in the shade:
Gen 3 motor: Blinks blue twice, then green once
Legacy motor: Blinks green only
Note: Palm Beach™ Shutters behave slightly differently:
Gen 3 motors will blink green
Look for the “heartbeat” LED (a slow pulse) to confirm Gen 3
Shade Button Behavior
When you press and hold the control button on the shade headrail:
Gen 3: LED turns amber and the PowerView App opens an action sheet
Legacy: Shade begins a calibration sequence (jogs, moves through limits, then jogs again)
Repeater Presence
If your system has PowerView Repeaters installed (small plug-in signal boosters), then you are using Legacy PowerView (Gen 2).
Gen 3 does not use or support repeaters.