Motion Sensor Feedback - From Wife

[fergalmccarthy 5]

I just thought i'd share some feedback on the Fibaro Motion Sensor, and in some cases I have to agree with her.

First thing she said was, what are all these balls doing popping up all over the place. I've got 9 motion sensors around the house and although the shape to me looks nice, it is very different from a traditional motion sensor, and as such stands out a bit more. Also the shape can make it somewhat difficult to mount discretely. Obviously the most lilkely place to mount them, is in the top corner of a room, but i've found that given the round shape, its not very easy to mount into an angle, which then requires some form of mount, i.e. triangular block of wood.

Second thing is the motion detection flash. I know this can be controlled via parameters, but just wondering if its just me. I know this is what sets it apart from other sensors, and it gives feedback on temperature, but do others feel with default parameters, that the flashing is intrusive. For example, at night, in a dark room, you turn over in the bed, you get a bright enough flash of light every time you move. Its a novelty at the start, but i've since disabled it via parameters.

Any comments?

[Dalle1985 16]

To be brutally honest, I don't want any sort of flamboyance from my HA devices at all. They should be as unintrusive as possible. If I want color in my rooms I'll make it myself. So I think the "cats eye" is a gimmick at the best. Same goes for the colored lighting in the plugs. I've disabled it completely because I don't want colored lighting in odd places around the house.

[Guest Kuuno]

i use it in most installation now for one reason - good coverage regarding z wave network.

we have large building with many hops in zwave network and other sensors were not reliable.

have not had yet any problems with the eye

the flashing light also seems little unusable but the night lamp mode is a good idea. only would like to adjust the time it is on

[Dalle1985 16]

Kuuno

Do they have better range than other motion detectors? I have an issue with the fact that they can't be connected to a permanent power source. My aeon detectors function as routing devices as they are connected to permanent power. So they actually extend the range.

[StarkJohan 6]

I can't see why attaching a permanent power source shouldn't be possible with som pretty basig modding. I'd never rely on battery operated devices for basic functions.

[Guest Kuuno]

Kuuno

Do they have better range than other motion detectors? I have an issue with the fact that they can't be connected to a permanent power source. My aeon detectors function as routing devices as they are connected to permanent power. So they actually extend the range.

w fibaro controller they definetly have better range! tested it out couple of times. we are also connecting mains power to the sensor to see what happens, 5V should be ok but this is at your own risk

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[Dalle1985 16]

I can't see why attaching a permanent power source shouldn't be possible with som pretty basig modding. I'd never rely on battery operated devices for basic functions.

I know, and I was thinking about it, but it really doesn't chamge much, because as the device has not been built to be permanent power operated, it will still act as a battery operated device. I don't care about changing batteries, but as my scenes are lux dependent, I want updated lux values constantly. My aeons report lux value every 15 seconds and they function as range extenders for the z-wave network. The fibaro motion detector won't act as a range extender and I'm not sure that I can get it to report as often as I want. So if it updates the lux value just after I turn on a light, it will lock the lux value for i.e. Ten minutes, effectively blocking my scene from functioning for ten minutes or whatever polling interval the device will accept.

For me it would have made more sense to make the device external powersource operated - that would allow for an even smaller package and for all the benefits of powered devices.

[diderik 6]

True, although basic modding should add a permanent power supply, it will not the make sensor a z-wave repeater, but you could set automatic lux reporting ever so often without having to worry about battery life.

I am wondering whether to get the aeotec or the fibaro multi sensor. The aeotec can be dc-powered and is weatherproof, but only reports up 1000 lux. (I want high lux levels to trigger my blinds.) The fibaro is battery powered (moddable, I guess, and I do not need to use it as a repeater) and it reports way higher lux levels.

I have to get one of each, I guess, and mod teh fibaro one if I get tired of changing batteries.

[Dalle1985 16]

True, although basic modding should add a permanent power supply, it will not the make sensor a z-wave repeater, but you could set automatic lux reporting ever so often without having to worry about battery life.

I am wondering whether to get the aeotec or the fibaro multi sensor. The aeotec can be dc-powered and is weatherproof, but only reports up 1000 lux. (I want high lux levels to trigger my blinds.) The fibaro is battery powered (moddable, I guess, and I do not need to use it as a repeater) and it reports way higher lux levels.

I have to get one of each, I guess, and mod teh fibaro one if I get tired of changing batteries.

It is a tough choice for sure. I'm moving to a new house soon and need to buy an at least 8 more motion detectors. Here is my thoughts:

I like the look of the Fibaro better (because it is much smaller) but I don't like that I can't use it as a routing device and that I need to mod it to supply external power (how about a connected version Fibaro? The Z-wave chipset already supports routing state and you'd save the cost of a battery). But as it is a big house (360 m2) in three levels, I want as many routing devices as possible to ensure proper coverage.

Regarding the high lux value, I see your point, but will the Fibaro work for you? I read somewhere on here that the Fibaro lux sensor is extremely directionalized (I think it was robmac who wrote it in a review post) whereas the Aeon is very omnidirectional.

My guess is that the aeon has it's light sensor placed behind the light deflector registering the entire deflector whereas the fibaro is placed in the "black spot" of the cats eye in the deflector to avoid registering the light from the LEDs. Therefore it will only meassure in one spot instead of the room in general. So you need to decide where in the room you want the sensor to look at and make sure that that one spot is representative of the room and isn't affected by "sun spots". I'm also planning to include curtain controls, but I don't think I will be using lux values for that anyway - it will be event triggered instead.

Weather proofing... If we are talking the same Aeon detector (the ball shaped one) then it is anything but weather proof! Check out the picture I've attached. That is one of my detectors. I think the fibaro unit will be far easier to weather proof as the deflector is already weather tight. The deflector in the Aeon units is loose so water can get in there.

Also, if you look closely, you can see the recess for the power cord which has no seal on it. It comes with 0 sealing so I guess it is IP00

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So the quick summary of my "winner by category":

Design:

Fibaro

Power/routing options:

Aeon multi

Light detection:

Aeon multi (for me as it gives a more representative reading of the entire room and 1000 lux is more than enough for me).

Weather proofing:

Fibaro (neither are weather proof out of the box, but the Fibaro is easier to mod)

Overall:

VERY DIFFICULT! I still haven't decided - but if Fibaro comes out with a connected device, I'll buy the first 8 of them. (Not a legal binding contract, but I will

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[deanrparry 19]

Fibaro Motion Sensor the only issue i have had is range... sensor does not reflect true value as it is just a touch to far away but this happens with aeon aswell... i have just sold x 10 aeon and replaced with fibaro... forget the power as the battery life on these lttle bad boys is remarkable! i would not swap back EVER i hated the aeon ugly/slow and never felt as if they were configured quite right!

Hope this helps!

I have now had some of my motion sensors since release day or maybe a few days after and 100% battery level still!

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[ Added: 2014-05-18, 10:21 ]

And this is from someone who moaned they would never buy battery operated motion sensors

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/emoticons/default_smile.png" alt=":)" srcset="https://forum.fibaro.com/uploads/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> i take it back with a sincere apology to fibaro! my favorite device to date!

[diderik 6]

@dalle:

I am talking about this Aeotec one:http://aeotec.com/z-wave-sensor

It is rated IP42 and the specs state that you can place it outside.

I agree, the fibaro looks a lot nicer, and, yes, I've read that it is very directional. I thought I'd place it in the upper part of the windowsill behind the blinds, and point it at the sky. Hopefully, that will work. If not, I'll use it for something different.

[Dalle1985 16]

Diderik

Yeah... That's the detector I have... And I know that it is rated at IP 42 but knowing a little about IP-code, I doubt that the rating is correct. That is not a weather proof device... That is the minimum rating for bathroom use strangely enough

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/emoticons/default_icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" /> ). For weatherproof, you are looking at IP44.

IP4x means that no object larger than 1 mm can be able to enter the housing. The hole for the usb-cable means that it won't even conform to IP3x, so the real rating should be IP2x

IPx2 means that the housing must withstand spray from a 15 degree angle. It will withstand the direct spray, but it won't keep drops caught on the deflector out of the housing. So yes it is IPx2, but I doubt it will live for very long.

For weatherproof you really should be looking for IPx4. Unfortunately I can't seem to find an IP-code for the fibaro unit but I'm certain that it is at least as good!

Deanrperry,

But the battery life is on the cost of reporting frequency. So as I described further up, if I walk into a dark room and the fibaro then registers the light level just before I leave and the light turns off, it will register the lights in lux value and then it won't turn on the light until 15 minutes later, which really isn't acceptable. Then you are back to hooking up an external powersupply. But you are still short a routing device.

[deanrparry 19]

i tried these outside and both times got false breach i have no idea why? uv? lux? heat? wind? but as soon as i put the motion sensor the other side of the door it worked perfect again! so i do not think spray will help to waterproof them... i also go bad results outdoors with aeon aswell!

[diderik 6]

@dalle

I quite agree. The aeotec does not really seem to be weatherproof, but it is marketed as an indoor/OUTDOOR device. Maybe I should be looking for a different outdoor sensor?

[Dalle1985 16]

I definitely would... Especially if it doesn't work outside as deanrparry suggests - and which sort of makes sense. You would have to crank the sensitivity right down to avoid the pir picking up on all sorts of IR disturbance outside (car headlights, hot engines, sun reflection from a water puddle etc.)

[Guest mhn]

I have an Aeon in my carport it works fairly well.

Regards

Morten

[domoticapassie 0]

can anyone help me with programming a PSM02 motion sensor to the hc2.

I can't find parameter settings

thanks

[deanrparry 19]

I definitely would... Especially if it doesn't work outside as deanrparry suggests - and which sort of makes sense. You would have to crank the sensitivity right down to avoid the pir picking up on all sorts of IR disturbance outside (car headlights, hot engines, sun reflection from a water puddle etc.)

i tried to find a happy medium regards sensitivity, number of movements and timing but either false alerts, stuck on breach or nothing!

If anyone finds a nice settings with the 3 main parameters PLEASE tell me!

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Fibaro seem to have special settings as the video clearly has the sensor on a patio

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[ Added: 2014-05-21, 10:17 ]

I have an Aeon in my carport it works fairly well.

Regards

Morten

fairly?

[diderik 6]

We seem to have drifted off topic, but anyways.

@deanrparry

If I were to get an aeon sensor for outdoor use, I would not use the motion sensor, I would use the light, temperature and humidity sensor, and, yes, it would be partially exposed to rain. What are your thoughts? Has your sensor been exposed to rain, and how has it been holding up? Would you recommend the aeotec for my needs?

[deanrparry 19]

We seem to have drifted off topic, but anyways.

@deanrparry

If I were to get an aeon sensor for outdoor use, I would not use the motion sensor, I would use the light, temperature and humidity sensor, and, yes, it would be partially exposed to rain. What are your thoughts? Has your sensor been exposed to rain, and how has it been holding up? Would you recommend the aeotec for my needs?

No motion use then aeon is perfect and it was exposed to the wettest period in the uk in many years

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