Zwave and ZigBee sensors

Roen

In this thread:

Zwave and ZigBee sensors, what you've got, how you are using them and how good are they.

To kick things off I have the following:

1 x Aeotec Window/Door sensor 6
Quite a lot bigger than it would appear from the blurb and the frame on the window on their website must be big! I initially wanted to install mine up high on the window so it would be permanently hidden by the blind, even when it was fully open. As it was it couldn't pick up the magnet and the odd time it did it wouldn't relay back to the hub so I was forced to drop it to the bottom of the window frame. Working fine now but doesn't look the best where it is.

It was the first Zwave device I installed so maybe now with a couple more other Zwave devices about it might be able to hop back to the hub more easily. I will look into repositioning it soon.

Using it to inform me when I've left the window it is on open for more than 25 mins. Also used as part of the Smartthings alarm set up so it alerts when opened and everyone is out.

1 x Sensative strip (on the way)
Can't say much about this as it is shipping from Amazon soon.

1 x Aeotec Recessed Door Sensor
Like this guy a lot, pretty much invisible as I drilled it in to the top of the door rather than the side.
Contrary to the instructions I drilled the sensor into the door and put the magnet into the frame. Not sure if they are thinking purely of the American market but I don't think I have 6.5cm of frame before I hit brick.

Only installed it today in the one room that didn't have a PIR alarm sensor in it.
Doesn't beat a proper intrusion sensor on the window but it's something and will alert if someone opens the door when we're away.
Will eventually hook it to a Hue light so the light comes on after dark only.


I picked up a Samsung Smartthings starter pack in the Black Friday sales and it shipped with the following sensors.
They are Zigbee to my surprise. I though that pretty much only Philips were using that standard for Hue.

1 x Multi Sensor
It's ugly, but it's out of the way so can't really be noticed. Love the fact that it alerts on vibration as well as open/close so even a firm knock on the door will trigger it. Again I am using this to augment the existing conventional alarm as these are on a door that was not wired for an alarm.

1 x Power Outlet
Again it's ugly, but then again all wall warts are, give me a face plate replacement any day! Using this to trigger an Ikea lamp with a couple of cheap Ikea E14 led bulbs in it. It triggers on whether the Hue bulb is on or off. So when I walk in to the living room the motion sensor picks me up and lights up the lamp, which in turn switches on the floor lamp.
Hasn't missed a beat since I got it but I'd only consider using it as it's out of the way and can't be seen behind the lamp.

1 x Presence Sensor
Not even switched this on as I use our mobiles as presence sensors. Might use it for a guest if we're on hols and someone is house minding. Have the feeling some people might interpret it as a tracking device though

1 x Motion Sensor
Was using this to trigger Hue lights but have since replaced it with a Hue motion sensor as the Hue ones also expose Lux and Temp. Currently has no role and never seemed as sensitive as the Philips ones anyway.


I like the look of these Fibaro ones. The eye of Sauron thing does it for me.

Will definitely need something that does outdoor gates too, anyone aware of anything that has been weather proofed in someway?

So what's every one got? How are you using it and does it perform well?
R.