Favorite Motion Sensor?

[davidology]

I've been trying to replace my Insteon motion sensors with a Z-Wave version. I've yet to find anything that comes close to the sensitivity of the Insteons, and it's driving me crazy!

I had high hopes for the Multisensor 6. That thing can barely detect a charging buffalo at 1-foot away (I have parm 4 set to 5). I just bought a few of the Besense ceiling-mounted sensors, but even these aren't very sensitive.

What do you guys use? The Insteon at the top of my stairs picks me up after I hit stair #2 on the way up. Neither the Multisensor 6 nor the Besense notice me until I get to the top of the stairs and do a little dance. It's crazy!

[Michael McSharry]

My experience for sensitivity without false alarms. 1. Microwave radar. 2. Iris Zigbee. 3. Dakota exterior. 4. X10 Hawkeye indoor. The last three are all PIR with different false trigger suppression. Microwave works great for detecting animals as it is not affected by shadows, wind, bugs etc. as well as having 360 degree detection.

[logman]

I've tried them all, and the best Z-Wave sensor by far is the Ecolink. You can find them on Amazon often at $39.95, but lately I have noticed they are closer to $49.95. I have these in use both indoors and outdoors, and they have excellent sensitivity. They often pickup up human motion at 50' - 75' outdoors.

If you are not afraid of trying Zigbee, the SmartThings (Samjin) motion sensor is also excellent and can also be used outdoors. They can normally be bought for $19.95 - $24.95 on Amazon. The JowiHue plugin and Conbee/deCONZ controller supports the sensor natively.

As for the Aeotec Multisensor 6, I have no idea why, but they seem to detect motion better when flush mounted in a ceiling and pointed down. Amazon sells the flush mount kit for $16.99. I use a 3" hole saw to cut a hole and then the sensor and mount just pop into the hole and are held in place with spring-loaded arms (similar to a recessed can light).

--Barry

[logbuilder]

Have used Insteon for many years. You are right, they respond very well. I've quit buying them and have several others that I've tried. To be honest, the ones I like most are the DIY arduinos with a PIR and an app I wrote. It is important for the sensor to tell me every time it sees motion regardless of when it last saw. Then I handle it the way I want in events.

The other sensor I like is the Zooz ZSE18. I use it always plugged in to usb. It has two parms that I have changed. Parm 12 sets the sensitivity. There are 8 levels. Different locations need different settings. The other parm is 18 which is how quickly it will reset and trigger again. I have it set to the fastest which is 6 seconds.

[RoChess]

For a long range sensitive motion sensor the GE one is supposed to be very good.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KQDIU52

Can be powered by the 2x CR123A or via USB and has a 45' range with 15' off to each side.

[macromark]

Maybe give one of ours a try?

https://shop.homeseer.com/collection..._motion-sensor

[logbuilder]

Maybe give one of ours a try?

https://shop.homeseer.com/collection..._motion-sensor

Mark, as noted above, I like the Zooz ZSE18. On the surface, your HS-MS100+ appears to be the same device. Other than branding, is there a difference?

[RoChess]

Maybe give one of ours a try?

macromark Is it possible for HomeSeer to publish the PIR details?

Aeon 6 wall mounted = https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshde...png?1443511700
Aeon 6 ceiling mounted = https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshde...png?1484725690
GE = https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/...SR970,300_.png

I've personally skipped over the HS models due to lack of that info as I needed to fulfill a special use case that required those details. Ended up with Enerwave sensors at the time.

[macromark]

macromark Is it possible for HomeSeer to publish the PIR details?

Aeon 6 wall mounted = https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshde...png?1443511700
Aeon 6 ceiling mounted = https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshde...png?1484725690
GE = https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/...SR970,300_.png

I've personally skipped over the HS models due to lack of that info as I needed to fulfill a special use case that required those details. Ended up with Enerwave sensors at the time.

What information are you looking for?

[macromark]

Mark, as noted above, I like the Zooz ZSE18. On the surface, your HS-MS100+ appears to be the same device. Other than branding, is there a difference?

They are similar but ours is an updated version with a larger lens.

[Dweber85rc]

My experience for sensitivity without false alarms. 1. Microwave radar. 2. Iris Zigbee. 3. Dakota exterior. 4. X10 Hawkeye indoor. The last three are all PIR with different false trigger suppression. Microwave works great for detecting animals as it is not affected by shadows, wind, bugs etc. as well as having 360 degree detection.

Dakota also has a magnetic option for detection. I use that on my driveway. I live in a rural area and don't want to be bothered when a deer walks across the driveway. However the Dakota does not directly integrate to homeseer. It is through a dry contact sensor such as a mimolite or other similar device to get it into homeseer.

[RoChess]

What information are you looking for?

The manuals/guides of all the other Z-Wave PIR sensors (or any PIR sensor in general) include a coverage area overview, to highlight strengths/limitations. Linked to three examples as I don't expect or need a detailed datasheet such as: https://3dlens.com/prodimages/pir-se...-datasheet.png (also incomplete as it only covers the lens/cover and not the combination with PIR sensor used)

It should provide rough info on distance in all directions, detection zones, etc.

Getting ready soon to convert the main floor, which includes adding about 30 sensors, so it would help. At least 10 of those will have to also support temperature, humidity, and preferably Lux levels, but I'm fine with sticking to Aeon for those otherwise. Due to quantity I'm still investigating if Zigbee might be better alternative to keep cost down, but being more clear on PIR limits must assist others who like me were hesitant without it.

[macromark]

The manuals/guides of all the other Z-Wave PIR sensors (or any PIR sensor in general) include a coverage area overview, to highlight strengths/limitations.

OK, here's the coverage map:

[RoChess]

macromark perfect!

Just what I needed and my recommendation would be to add that to product page or at least update manual/guide.

Do you have one for the HS-FLS100+ as well?

[MFULLER]

I think I know the answer already, but thought best to ask.

I take it there's not an EU version of the HomeSeer HS-MS100+?