Question

What is everyone's favorite indoor motion detector?  
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F8ZHBL...AGR7M

Answer 1

I find aeotec multisensor 6 good. Am considering konnected. io alarm board addon though. This uses my alarm sensors in ST and they seem to trigger alot better than any sensor I have. They also plan to run local in api at some stage. Plus NO BATTERIES.  

Comments

I have both the SmartThings Sensor and the Aeotec Multisensor 6. I actually bought the latter for the RH and illuminance and consequently I put it in my office measuring things and watching the door in order to trigger the light, replacing the ST motion sensor. At first, I was disappointed: what good is a temperature that is an hour old? But when I plugged in the USB I got real-time readings. I like it, but I think it may be a little slower to respond. With the old sensor I barely got in the door before the light came on. With the "6" I take several steps into the dark before it lights. It is acceptable, just a tad slower, I think. But I also have one in the living room adjusting the lights as the illuminance changes.  

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@troopship85109 mine on usb too which helps

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@facing, this is what I did and used a Honeywell wired motion sensor from Amazon. I’m disappointed with the reaction time to turn on lights however. I can get about 4-5 steps into the basement before lights come on. Not sure what to do to improve that. Was thinking about using the @vouchsafe12715sung one, but hate using batteries.  

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@troopship85109 did you customize your DH? The lag is next to nothing if you set up selective reporting

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@hugo4 I don't use WebCore. This is all done on the new App. I've resisted any custom code. I programmed professionally for almost 40 years and during that time custom code, although it may have been necessary and effective, always bit me every time we had to migrate the system. I'm hearing flavors of this right now in this group as the ST app environment changes. Consequently, although I am REALLY tempted to dive into the IDE from time to time if nothing more than to increase the number of Location "modes", I've resisted the temptation to this point.  

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@troopship85109 . I didnt say webcore. I said DH - device handler. That's handled in the IDE, not in the app.  

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@hugo4 sorry. new at this. since I haven't done anything with the IDE I had it confused with webcore. I just have shied away from modifying anything, at least until I'm better versed in it. In any case, the delay mentioned is minor and not a problem. I just have had the opportunity to use both sensors for the same purpose as a comparison.  

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@troopship85109 hey no problem. I can understand your approach. changing a device handler changes the "device driver" and exposes additional settings in the app for devices you have. As I use the classic still, I'm not sure if all settings in the DH show up in the new app. The custom DH for the multisensor 6 that I have allows you to change the reporting to get a faster response . obviously they time these things for less network traffic and longer battery life so the responses are conservative out of the box. Many smart apps and DHs are available on the general internet or via the vendors websites, that allow for these kinds of customizations. I would not generally feel like a DH can do too much to hurt anything, other than the device itself in theory - but I have yet to encounter a DH that did me harm.  

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@hugo4 cool. I suspect I will get there. I'm still trying to say "@synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a" instead of "@synthetic5778is"! :) BTW: adding @synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a to the system enabled me to move some automations into @synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a routines, freeing up space for ST automations for things @synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a/activity" class="qa-user-link">synthetic5778a can't do (like reference the RH of the multisensor 6). This enables me to avoid hitting a limit on the new App. Stuff is working and I am starting to feel good. Today, I get to install an Echo Studio speaker that has a Zigbee hub in it and do so without conflicting with my ST hub.  

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@facing I find it much slower to trigger vs SmartThings zigbee motion sensors.  

Answer 2

This one works for me just fine.  

Answer 3

I prefer iris third gens when I can snatch a deal on EBay.  

Comments

@yaker9825 that's the one. The second gens are okay too but they don't have the humidity sensor in them. Battery is killer, in eighth month and still reading 100%

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@deceit66750 this. I love the Iris ones.  

Answer 4

I just ordered one of those earlier today. Most reviews are good. Will see how it goes :)

Answer 5

I have one of these, it's an unreliable piece of crap

Comments

I bought two and they are absolute garbage.  

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@hypabyssal agree I bought 2 and they don’t work well at all.  

Answer 6

I've had one in for a few weeks, been great so far

Answer 7

I have the GE motion sensors and then use USB to power them. Never have to worry about batteries that way.  

Answer 8

Aeotec Multisensor 6, it measures so much stuff that I use them for a ton of automations, batteries last forever, can be powered via USB, the mounting is very versatile, has even the accessory to mount it "flush" in the drywall. Just perfect.  

Answer 9

Xiaomi aqara human body sensors

Comments

I found these just randomly stop working on smart things.  

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@rosenblum mine was like this too. But when i put som zigbee repeaters around, they never fails. I use ikea trådfri outlets

Answer 10

Which ever one you go with, make sure your zwave or zigbee network is strong - this shouldn’t be confused with WiFi network - sure you knew this but some don’t. I have zwave and zigbee repeaters all way to garage and around house to ensure no drop outs.  

Comments

@libove what’s your favorite repeater?  

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@concise I have so many cant remember but from memory ST smart plug, Aeotec Sirens and Aeotec smart plug. And also Qubino 1D relays too. Spent ages getting everything working with quick response times and no connection issues.  

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Securifi Peanut plugs work as well and are pretty cheap. If you want a zigbee and zwave repeater in one plug you can find the old Iris plugs on eBay.  

Answer 11

Works well but does not repeat / relay. What would you recommend instead?  

Comments

@calculated anything that is battery operated will not serve as a repeater. I personally believe that outlets make the best repeaters as they are supplied power continuously. I also use a few Sylvania Smart+ bulbs that serve as repeaters too, just had to put a cap over the switch to make sure it is always on.  

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@deceit66750 thank you

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@deceit66750 yep. I've put several Peanut Zigbee plugs around the house as repeaters. They're cheap at Amazon, as low as $10ea when they go on sale.  

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@calculated The Zooz ZSE18 can be a repeater when it is USB powered. That's what I use, works great.  
http://www.getzooz.com/zooz-zse18-s....html

Answer 12

Anyone have luck with the monoprice or zooz?  

Answer 13

I have always found the super large ugly ones are the best. They have the best battery life. I think one is like 5 years old on the original battery.  

Answer 14

I’ve had great luck with Lowe’s Iris branded motion and door sensors. battery lasts 18+ months, triggering is instant.  

Comments

@publia Wren I have two of the second gen that work with Smartthings. Probably 3+ years old. Fabulous, so disappointed Lowe's dropped the product. Any idea who was making it for them?  

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@publia I think "centralite" made most of the Iris products, but cannot confirm if that's who made the motion sensors.  

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@creon thanks

Answer 15

Thar samsung works pretty great. Mine is in my garage.  

Comments

I was going to do so, but my garage is not connected with the house and doesn't have any heat. I was worried about the low temperature draining the battery, since it's frequently below -4ºF here in New England so I decided to use the motion sensor on a cam instead. It's working ok, but I was curious if you've seen the cold drain the battery in the sensor quicker than those in the house? For the same reason, rather than sticking the Arrival Sensor in the glove box of my car I've got it in my pocket for the winter. I've had it for two months . and I have had to change its battery already! That is bad enough!  

Answer 16

Are these indoor only? Or can you put them outside?  

Answer 17

I use the Aeotec multisensor 6. Very good

Answer 18

I use Iris gen2 motion sensors but find that when the battery gets low they start randomly detecting motion and trigger my SHM setting off a siren. Anyone have a similar experience or can recommend a sensor that doesn’t do this when the battery is low?  

Comments

@inviolate8632 same here, till the best sensor

Answer 19

Iris purple box. I got a large bundle of them on eBay last year. They're the best I've used

Answer 20

Using Iris sensors since 2016 . 1 battery change

Answer 21

Ecolink hands down, battery lasts forever too

Answer 22

I've had good luck with the wyze motion sensors, very quick with wyze bulbs and maybe 3 second delay with a wyze+IFTTT+smartthings link to GE switches. Using it in 4 rooms successfully. Haven't compared to much else, just the old smartthings motion sensor that's 2X the size and battery drains.  

Answer 23

Always go with Fibaro motion sensor and just like many others it measures a whole range of things.  
https://amzn.to/37OSf7J

Answer 24

@vouchsafe12715sung sensors

Answer 25

My favorite was the Iris. If your asking about currently available for purchase motion sensors, my favs are the new ST motion sensors, and the Zooz z-wave 4-in-1.  

Answer 26

I use the Zooz USB/Battery powered motion sensors. On battery they're a regular motion sensor but when USB powered they can act as repeaters too. I like the flexibility, reliability and they're affordable.  
http://www.getzooz.com/zooz-zse18-s....html

Answer 27

Iris motion sensor

Answer 28

Aeotec trisenor

Answer 29

GE. They work good and best of all, I can use all those rechargeable batteries I used in my old Arlo camera.  

Answer 30

I really like this generation of the SmartThings (the one in your post). They are solid as all get out - and I’ve only had to replace the battery once a year. I wish they were slightly smaller though. The smallest (and most attractive) are the Xiaomi Aqara Motion Sensors, and I’m sure others will recommend them. They’re also quite a bit cheaper. However, they are very high maintenance to connect and make work with SmartThings (I have a ton of them). Don’t get into them unless you want to spend a lot of time repairing and understanding which devices work with them and which don’t.  

Answer 31

Kind of depends on what you want it to detect. Do you need something really sensitive, focusable and or adjustable? Would Zigbee, Z-wave or WiFi work best for what you are trying to do?  

Comments

@facing Abigt i have quite a few of both z-wave and Zigbee devices. They’re both good as long as you have enough repeaters.  

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These are VERY sensitive  
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product...PWMW6

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Though if you using it to switch Hue lighting I'd go with theirs. A bit more and narrower view angle but talks device to device so real quick.  
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product...GK22M

Answer 32

Also Iris. Cheap and dependable. Got over 10 and never had one fail yet.