![Motorized Blinds with Remote, [Free Solar Panels] Cordless Smart Blinds with Valance Cover, Blackout Electric Blinds with Remote Control, Automatic Roller Shades for Windows White 34" W x 72" H](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51l6vCMRypL._AC_.jpg)
Well Designed Quality Motorized Shades Update: Solar Panels Working 100% after One Year!
Precise measuement of your window frames (if you mount the shades inside the window frame) is important. In my case, some window frames had apparently been tweaked during installation with spackle at the very top, which made a tight fit for the shade assembly. It is best to pay particular attention to precise measurements at the TOP of the frame (where the shade unit will reside). In my case I just measured a couple of places to determine the smallest frame width, but did NOT actually measure where the shade assembly would be installed at the very top of the inside frame. My bad, but some sanding made the shade assembly fit properly.I installed five shades of verious sizes in my bedroom, so ordered a five-channel remote control, which works fine. I discovered that while the remote allows selection of each of the five blinds, there is a sixth "channel" where all five of the channel LED's on the remote remain lighted. This "phantom" channel (pressing the channel select button in sequence until all LEDs are ON, not just individual channel LEDs) allows all the five windows to be controlled simultaneously with a single presss of he shade up or down key, similar to channel zero on the 15-channel remote.Each window shade came programmed properly so that the remote controller had each of its channels linked to a specific window shade. Each shade had a label indicating all its particulars (size, window name). When a shade is lowered to fully closed positon, a moment before reaching the window sill the shade shows down and eases gently into its fully down position. Nice touch.I ordered the Solar Panels for each shade, and they appear to be working fine. Time will tell if I will need to occasionally directly charge their batteries, but early indications are that the solar panels are doing their job. Screened windows and those facing North are not ideal locations for window-mounted solar panels.Shipping and packing was exemplary. Double cardboard packaging, plastic interior corner protectors, foam, and every possible shipping safeguard was used and the shades arrived unscathed. I was concerned that standard shipping might subject the shades to rough handling, so opted for the $100 expedited shipping offered by Amazon. It was worth the cost: shipping was by UPS Expedited, and the entire custom order took eleven days from day of order to delivery (from China !!).As mentioned in the instructions, each shade motor is turned OFF during shipping and needs to be rutned ON for operation. The ON/OFF button and motor charge port are covered during shipping with a small soft horseshoe shaped foam shipping cover that needs to be pried out and discarded to expose the motor assembly.I ordered the Weffort Roller Fabric blackout fabric samples booklet and it was well worh the small charge (arrived next day Prime). Weffort offers a gazillion blackout fabric samples and having the actual fabric in hand made ordering much easier.One of my windows is fairly wide, and three mounting attachmens were included in the order for that shade (they come attached to the top of the shade assembly during shipment). Based on my previous experience with mounting a wide motorized shade, in order for the shade assembly to snap into the three attachments screwed to the top of the inside frame they need to be precisely alighed with each other. The instructions indicate that the attachment brackets should be attached to the top of the shade assembly in their final locations, which then gets held up in it final position inside the window frame and the front edges of the three bracket marked in sharp pencil on the eindow frame so the brackets can then be removed from the frame and screwed precisely to the top of the window frame in their aligned positons. In my case I was working alone and manhandling the shade assembly up it its final position so I could mark the three bracket locations was not workable.I installed the two outside brackets, and to install the center third bracket I used a laser to align the center bracket front face with the two already installed side brackets so they were all in a precise line. If the center bracket is out of line, snapping the shade assembly reliably into the three brackets can be problematic. First choice: follow the directions for marking the location of the three brackets while they are temporarily attached to the top of the shade assembly, but that means two people need to be involved. Alternative is to install the two outside brackets and then precisely align the third center bracked with a laser, or streatched string. Before finally attempting to attach the shade assembly to the installed brackets be sure to study exactly how the brackets work (they have a small movale spring assembly mechanism), and when you aligh everything the shade assembly snaps into plece in each of the three mounting brackets.Much has been said about the quality of the Weffort motorized shades in other comments, and I wholeheartely agree. Every elements of the shades was of the highest quality, and all shades were perfectly aligned with my windows (alas, measure carefully the width of the opening at the very top of inside mounted shades). Measure again just to be sure. Double check the order before you hit "Buy" so that every one of your double-checked correct measurements appear error free in your order.I installed blackout shades for a bedroom, and while there is a small area along each side of the shade where some light comes through, I find it totally acceptable. If this installation was for a home theater and total darkness was required I might have considered the optional side brackets that help block light.After ordering my shades I visited the Weffort web site to read the FAQ's, only to discover that they were offering a substantial seasonal discount on orders over $600 (mine was double that cost). Having ordered on Amazon I was unaware of the discount, so missed out. It might be worthwhile to check the Weffort web site to make sure they are not offering a seasonal discount before ordering shades.In summary, a great experience buying very high quality, meticulously assembled and packaged Weffort motorized shades.UPDATE March 2025: I ordered another two large outside-mount blackout shades on March 22 and they arrived (from China to Maryland, U.S.A.) on March 28 , for a total of six days from order to delivery! I did not pay for expedited shipping, and as usual, customer support kept me posted on progress of the order and shipping date. They were shipped UPS, and because of the very meticulous packaging they arrived in perfect condition. Another great job by a first-class and customer focused vendor.Update on Feb 27, 2026: I have been using the solar panels that were options with the shades and they have exceeded my expectations. I have them on a total of seven shaded windows and in over one year I have not had to manually recharge any shade. They have all worked a minimum of two times per day, wihout fail. I am located in Maryland (East coast U.S.) and the solar panels are on windows that face North, East, and West, and each is installed on a window that has a window screen. So even violating the standard solar panel rules of: No North facing window, and Not obstructed by a window screen, these solar panels are defying expectations and are doing better than I ever hoped. Over one year+ of flawless option (yikes: solar panels even on two North facing windows that are "obstructed" by window screens?? You bet) including the solar panels with your order is a low-risk upgrade to these excellent shades.