Motion Lighting - Specific brands/makers?

[Magoo]

I've just moved into a new place and am in the "hardening the home" phase of things. The place came with pretty good coverage by motion sensing lighting already installed- I'd really only want to add 2-4 more. The problem is that only 3 of the existing units work at all, and those not so well. So I'm looking at purchasing 8-12 new units, pretty evenly spread between the normal degree of coverage ranges (90/110, 180, 240).

What I'm hoping for in posting this is a few recommendations of brands/manufacturers I should be looking at. I don't have an unlimited budget, but I'm a long believer of buy once-cry once and I've seen my share of crapped out motion sensor lights. I don't need the biggest, brightest, baddest lights out there- I just want some "normal performance" lights that will last. Some locations are under an eave, some are fully out in the elements.

Web searches have been frustrating for me on this one. RAB Lighting is one brand that got a lot of good reviews, but there's no distributor within 3 hours of me.

 

[rcmodel]

Go to Westlake hardware and buy Heath Zenith lights.

http://westlake.bozell.com/videos/product-videos/single/heath-zenith-motion-light-features

I have had one on each corner of my house with two bulbs pointing 90 degress along side the house.
Plus one +2 haligen on the front porch since I wired them up in 1970 something.

Nobody can get within threat range of the house or cars with five motion sensors and 10 bulbs lighting up the whole outside along any two walls at the same time.


Unless you live in the Playboy mansion?

4-5 sensors and 8-10 bulds will be more upkeep then you will be willing to keep up with in a few years.

rc

 

[hso]

Try looking at the Home Depot and Lowes customer reviews for the subjective.

 

[Magoo]

I've gotta say I'm happy as can be to get my first two responses from two board members whose posts I read with great respect.

RC: It ain't the Playboy Mansion, but this place is plenty convaluted. I've got [current light positions] the main house (3), a guest cabin (2), two shed/workshops (2), a garage (2), a covered porch (0), an uncovered porch/deck (1), the front door with its deck (1), and a covered parking area (0) that's going to hold yard tools. I've got a lot of places to light, and the way all these things are arranged tucked back in this holler makes need for lots of lighting positions.

HSO: I've read all of that. Aside from the fact that I'm in a rural enough area of eastern TN that HD hasn't yet seen fit to compete with the Lowe's, I'm less than thrilled with the quality of the lights offered by either of those stores. For several of the more exposed and key security locations (not convenience lights) I'd much rather buy commercial grade equuipment. HD and Lowes will let you pay a lot for a light, but you're buying bulb technology, not necessarily quality construction (from what I can tell).