Motion Sensors (recommendations)
- Thread starter dos46
- Start date
I would rethink your plan.
A PIR used for automation purposes, while it can be standard PIR, the location for effective use generally precludes a security application's location.
For wired, standard security, I would go with Bosch's Blueline Gen 2's or DS 835I's (somewhat harder to get now).
A PIR used for automation purposes, while it can be standard PIR, the location for effective use generally precludes a security application's location.
For wired, standard security, I would go with Bosch's Blueline Gen 2's or DS 835I's (somewhat harder to get now).
So it is recommended to use different motion sensors for security and different ones for automation purposes?
treo650
Active Member
I have bosch blue line and they work great. Excellent coverage too.
I installed installed 4 bosch blue and one smaller GE brand due to some door trimming getting in the way, but later found out the GE brand didn't pick up as strong motion as they should.
Because of that, I swapped it out for another bosch blue.
I highly recommend it.
Find them. On ebay, they are about $15
I installed installed 4 bosch blue and one smaller GE brand due to some door trimming getting in the way, but later found out the GE brand didn't pick up as strong motion as they should.
Because of that, I swapped it out for another bosch blue.
I highly recommend it.
Find them. On ebay, they are about $15
chedemefedeme
Member
I'm not sure you always have to go separate. There's nothing technically wrong with having the signal from a PIR used for both security and automation. It really just comes down to placement possibilities in your home. Sometimes the best placement for a security PIR may not be the best placement for one to set off your automation. In my house (a smaller home) the placements I have work well for both purposes. I end up using rules on my elk to specify how each one acts under different conditions anyway, and can thusly have them act as security and/or automation at different times.
As for are they all created equal? Heck no! I've got some no-name cheapies you can do a big fat dance underneath and they don't even see you. Then again the 15 year old ones in my parent's house from an old DSC alarm system will see you move just your arm from across the entire room.
Conclusion: Prewire for a bunch of stuff. Prewire everywhere you have the opportunity. Don't feel the need to start with separate security and automation PIRs, but be prepared to if you need to. And don't buy cheap, knockoff PIRs. They're generally horrible.
Had I known the bosch ones were $15 on ebay I'd have just done that.
As for are they all created equal? Heck no! I've got some no-name cheapies you can do a big fat dance underneath and they don't even see you. Then again the 15 year old ones in my parent's house from an old DSC alarm system will see you move just your arm from across the entire room.
Conclusion: Prewire for a bunch of stuff. Prewire everywhere you have the opportunity. Don't feel the need to start with separate security and automation PIRs, but be prepared to if you need to. And don't buy cheap, knockoff PIRs. They're generally horrible.
Had I known the bosch ones were $15 on ebay I'd have just done that.
While YMMV, in an automation sense, I'd recommend going ceiling mount or in the case of a hallway or similar, curtain based coverage, however for security, I generally prefer corner mount traditional units unless I'm doing commercial or similar where ceiling is prefered or would provide better coverage.
As far as the Bosch units go, you need to get the dualtecs and not the standard PIR units. Huge performance difference, small price difference.
As far as the Bosch units go, you need to get the dualtecs and not the standard PIR units. Huge performance difference, small price difference.
I just received my Bosch ISC-BDL2-WP12G and they are beautiful. I had heard that they are really hard to open but that is BS. They have a little unlock at the bottom that you turn with a screw driver a 1/4 turn, and they slide right off. When you open it, it goes back into locked positions so that when you reinstall, it is automatically locked. Inside has a little bubble level to help you keep it straight. Plus full adjustments for sensitivity, pet friendly, etc...
This is the dual sensor unit with pet friendly option. you can de-activate the pet friendly if desired.
I had a question on the pet friendly aspect. Their is a tab at the bottom that you are supposed to pull out to disable the pet option. Once this tab is removed, how to you mask the bottom sensor? Also, there seems to be a separate internal switch to disable the pet friendly. Is this to be used once you removed the tab?
Thanks.
This is the dual sensor unit with pet friendly option. you can de-activate the pet friendly if desired.
I had a question on the pet friendly aspect. Their is a tab at the bottom that you are supposed to pull out to disable the pet option. Once this tab is removed, how to you mask the bottom sensor? Also, there seems to be a separate internal switch to disable the pet friendly. Is this to be used once you removed the tab?
Thanks.
So how does the dial (pet immune on/off) work? Is this separate from the pull tab/bottom sensor? Just to confirm, once you pull that tab, there is no going back, unless you mask it externally, correct?
Well, the manual is not very clear (i guess they go the Ikea route with no words, just images). I am just trying to understand how it works. the bottom sensor I imagine would be nice for added coverage, but maybe you are right, no need to use it.
I have not seen too many installs where I failed to get the coverage I needed with the lookdown mask in place. The key is to walk test after installation. The microwave really doesn't need to be touched, however it can be tweaked if the sensor is too sensitive. I would not increase it's range.
The pet immunity enable/disable changes the pulse count and detection logic areas. I would still install 99% of these with the PI enabled and mask in place and have 0 coverage or performance issues, as well as be ahead of the curve if something changed in regards to pets.
The pet immunity enable/disable changes the pulse count and detection logic areas. I would still install 99% of these with the PI enabled and mask in place and have 0 coverage or performance issues, as well as be ahead of the curve if something changed in regards to pets.
Mp333
Active Member
Del
I set up three Blue Line Gen2 Tritech motions two the way you recommended and one with Pet Immune turned off. All of them had the mask on.I did a walk test and a crawl test with all of them. The walk test works just fine, but if you crawl in front of the Pet enable motion it does not pick up movement. I tried the same with PI disabled and it a better job picking up motion while crawling. I figure the burglar can do the same....
The crawl test was not fun
I set up three Blue Line Gen2 Tritech motions two the way you recommended and one with Pet Immune turned off. All of them had the mask on.I did a walk test and a crawl test with all of them. The walk test works just fine, but if you crawl in front of the Pet enable motion it does not pick up movement. I tried the same with PI disabled and it a better job picking up motion while crawling. I figure the burglar can do the same....
The crawl test was not fun
