Exterior motion sensor

[PaulD]

Looking for options on an weatherproof exterior motion sensor that can tie back into my Omni Pro II. First choice would be a wireless sensor compatible with my GE wireless receiver that is attached to my OPII so I would not need to run wire. I could deal with a wired solution if I had to but I would prefer wireless.

Primary use would be to monitor a driveway area that is not visible from my house and trigger a camera. Sensor distance would be 100 ft or less from OPII and GE wireless receiver.

What equipment are you using or otherwise recommend I look at?

 

[pete_c]

I use Optex wired sensors.

 

[dutchyn]

Paradox DG-85 wired -- but be careful, they come with different lenses for pet motion, draperies, etc. I got two with pet motion lenses, but one other with a "curtains" lens. So far it hasn't mattered, but my supplier couldn't get replacement lenses so I was stuck with a non-pet version (I painted it black before noticing the sticker).

 

[blmxm]

I've been very happy with rokonet WatchOUT DT eXtreme. When sway recognition is on I've had no false trips. One step up from that I gain detection distance but get an occasional false on windy days due to several large trees over the driveway. It has two PIR and two microwave channels that can be set for cross check, or individual detection.
http://www.riscogroup.com/Products.aspx?proid=69

 

[AnthonyZ]

I use an overweight Chihuahua with killer ears. Nobody gets close to the house without him "registering" an alarm condition

 

[Kevin L]

I use an Optex wireless. Haven't had any problems with it and seems to do the job. You do have to add a wireless sensor to it for transmission to your receiver. Here's a link.

Kevin

 

[signal15]

I use the Bosch Blue Line indoor sensors with Microwave/PIR. I take them apart and seal all seams with silicone caulk, drop a packet of silica gel in them, and then wrap some weatherproof tape around the seams where the thing snaps together. You could use caulk for that also, but I wanted it to be easy to take apart.

I went with the microwave/PIR combo units because BOTH have to trip for it to alert. I don't get any false positives. I also have a GE indoor wireless sensor that I mounted outside the front door. I sealed it up the same way, but I need to adjust the sensitivity on it. It picks up cars driving by, but only picks up people walking up the front steps about half the time. Go figure.

 

[pete_c]

My Optex have been good for about 5 years now. I have an issue with one relating to sunlight reflections in the afternoon. I am impressed with the construction of said device. I have another generic "test" indoor PIR outside which I weather sealed about 3 years ago. It still works at about 10-15 feet it is much less sensative outside that when first installed.

 

[Dave X10]

What equipment are you using or otherwise recommend I look at?

I originally purchased cameras because I couldn't see my driveway [ether]! But after I got the cameras... I didn't want to set around glued to a TV waiting for a service person to show ether.

My problem was traffic on the street in front of my house caused sensors to give false triggers. I ended up using a Driveway Patrol (as seen on TV). Now I just use it for the chime.. but at one time I had hacked it to trigger a PowerFlash Module.

To overcome the traffic problem I modified a lawn Lamp to hold the sensor. Then I placed the "new" lawn light in a flower bed and aimed the sensor toward the driveway but pointed toward the house.

 

[pete_c]

Actually my driveway sensors are similiar with one pointing down the driveway and a second at the end of the driveway pointing towards the house. My second one is on my brick mailbox.

 

[PaulD]

I ended up using a Driveway Patrol (as seen on TV). Now I just use it for the chime.. but at one time I had hacked it to trigger a PowerFlash Module.

I am curious what your hack looked like. I have seen those advertised and eBay is full of them. However, I have never seen one in person to see how the receiver was built and if I could hack it into something I could monitor as a NO or NC trigger. I need about 2 or 3 to cover the areas I want to monitor and they are a ton cheaper than a GE outdoor PIR ($100+) that would link to my existing GE wireless receiver. Are they paired together so that you can have multiple units within range of each other and be able to tell which xmitter was triggered?

I would like to monitor a simple NO or NC condition with my OPII and use that as a trigger to display a IP camera on my touchscreen. I work out of an office at home and I am blind to anything outside while I am in my office. I have a touchscreen on my desk and I would like my cameras to pop up on my touchscreen whenever something triggers the ourside sensor.

 

[Dave X10]

I am curious what your hack looked like. I have seen those advertised and eBay is full of them. However, I have never seen one in person to see how the receiver was built and if I could hack it into something I could monitor as a NO or NC trigger.

My hack was simple enough... I soldered speaker wire on ether side of its sounder. Then attached the speaker wire to an (X10) PowerFlash Module set to as dry contact and to trigger a preset signal. I don't think the DriveWay Alert can tell one sensor from another... I believe they are all the same RF and signal.