Motion detectors that work?

[KAR120C]

I've got your typical cheap motion detector. It is less than worthless. Freqeuntly goes on in the middle of the day. Freqyuently won't go on at night unless I walk up to it and wave, unless it's windy, then it turns on/off all night long.

Is there a source for quality motion detectors?

[jondar]

A few months ago I bought three at, I can't remember, Home Depot or Lowe's, I didn't buy the cheapest (around $8) or the most expensive ($40 something) I think these were about $15. All work flawlessly tho some did require some fiddling and resetting. Sensitivity mostly. Cats won't trigger them but large dogs will. Just right.

[Oldtimer]

I have to "guess" that you bought some of the "Driveway Patrol", or something similar, motion detectors (?) Well, if applied properly, they actually DO work!

I bought 6 of the "Driveway Patrol" motion sensors for camp security. I often go out to remote spots in the desert, for shooting, and wanted something to give me an "early warning", since I am inside my trailer and somewhat of a heavy sleeper.

At first, I cussed the "Driveway Patrol" sensors, for it was sensing the movement of brush being moved by moderate wind. I re-positioned them, so that they weren't aimed toward the brush and trees, and they now give me 360-degrees of "early warning". On one particular night, however, they picked up the motion of a very active fox that ventured near my trailer. I had to re-adjust the elevation of sensors so that only "two-legged" varmints and vehicles would set them off. Also, I set one of the sensors up at a dirt road that would most likely be used for any approaching vehicles.
So far, they've worked GREAT!

I also modified some cheapie window/door alarms for perimeter usage. Normally, they are mounted to either a window or door, and if those are opened, it activates a shrill "siren", due to the two pieces of the alarms being separated (it works off of a magnetic contact). I can merely string some fishing monofilament across wherever I feel would be an entry point, and attach it to one of the pieces of the alarm. When the pieces are separated, the alarm goes off. I had to use a rubber band on the two pieces, however, to make them stay in contact unless the "trip wire" put enough force to pull them apart.

Heck, you can spend hundreds of dollars on "seismic" sensors, but I'm not sure if they'd work any better than the "cheapies"! You just have to experiment with the positioning of them.

[Fly320s]

Kar,

I bought some stuff from this company: www.smarthome.com/prodindex.asp?catid=159

It has worked well for me, and it's adjustable for day/night operation.

[silverlance]

it works very well for me, thank you very much.

however, i am still on the lookout for another brand of DP-like sensor system so i can put one in the back. that way, depending on which chime i hear, i will know where the breach is.

for those of you who can, a dog is an awesome secondary perimeter alarm system. they've been doing it for thousands of years.