This is an old thread but here are my findings.
Everywhere I asked for outdoor detectors, I was reccomended Optex.
But having two big dogs and wanting dual technology, I had to exclude them. For big pets I found Risco WatchOut Extreme (IP65) or WatchU (IP54), Maximum Out-Smart and Crow EDS-2000 and EDS-3000, all 3 made in Israel.
From the reviews I read the WathOut is the most reliable, the Out-Smart is difficult to set (so many things to adjust that they even sell a remote control for it), and the Crow is heavyduty, beeing used by the israeli army.
I bought 1 WatchOut (carefull if you buy it from Italy. I payed for WatchOut and got a WatchU, and it was difficult to have a refund) and 1 Out-Smart (I confirm it is very difficult to set and the maximum instalation height is 2m – for me it is a drawback).
WatchU: 2MW + 2 PIR. Anti-masking. 4 different lenses for different situations. Sway recognition.
Out-Smart: 1MW + 2 PIR. Anti-masking. Anti-shock/vibration detection. It is multi-directional (rotates inside) and has “blockers” that you can use inside to reduce the horizontal detection coverage.
Auto-night mode (different detection range at night, but needs remote control for programing).
It has a Camera/DVR-NVR trigger: the relay can be activated for 10 seconds after detection.
My oppinion after 2 months (I prefer Risco WatchU)
WatchU Sway recognition is good: plant leaves moving with wind more than 5 m away don´t trigger the alarm.
Maximum sensitivity setting looses pet immunity and medium or minimum sensitivity don´t catch a moving person as well as a normal indoor detector . Heavy rain triggers the MW channel continously, so only PIR channels left for alarm condition. Temperature compensation works fine: sun suddenly appearing after a cloud does'nt trigger PIR channel.
No false alarms as long as maximum sentitivity is not set.
Not tested with a thunderstorm/lightning yet.
Pet immunity conditions are changed if detector is pointed down (only recommended in a sloped ground).
Everywhere I asked for outdoor detectors, I was reccomended Optex.
But having two big dogs and wanting dual technology, I had to exclude them. For big pets I found Risco WatchOut Extreme (IP65) or WatchU (IP54), Maximum Out-Smart and Crow EDS-2000 and EDS-3000, all 3 made in Israel.
From the reviews I read the WathOut is the most reliable, the Out-Smart is difficult to set (so many things to adjust that they even sell a remote control for it), and the Crow is heavyduty, beeing used by the israeli army.
I bought 1 WatchOut (carefull if you buy it from Italy. I payed for WatchOut and got a WatchU, and it was difficult to have a refund) and 1 Out-Smart (I confirm it is very difficult to set and the maximum instalation height is 2m – for me it is a drawback).
WatchU: 2MW + 2 PIR. Anti-masking. 4 different lenses for different situations. Sway recognition.
Out-Smart: 1MW + 2 PIR. Anti-masking. Anti-shock/vibration detection. It is multi-directional (rotates inside) and has “blockers” that you can use inside to reduce the horizontal detection coverage.
Auto-night mode (different detection range at night, but needs remote control for programing).
It has a Camera/DVR-NVR trigger: the relay can be activated for 10 seconds after detection.
My oppinion after 2 months (I prefer Risco WatchU)
WatchU Sway recognition is good: plant leaves moving with wind more than 5 m away don´t trigger the alarm.
Maximum sensitivity setting looses pet immunity and medium or minimum sensitivity don´t catch a moving person as well as a normal indoor detector . Heavy rain triggers the MW channel continously, so only PIR channels left for alarm condition. Temperature compensation works fine: sun suddenly appearing after a cloud does'nt trigger PIR channel.
No false alarms as long as maximum sentitivity is not set.
Not tested with a thunderstorm/lightning yet.
I'd also like to find a nice over the door motion sensor thats more than just PIR since it will be outdoors and temperatures in colorado wreak havoc on my PIR lights; if anyone has any ideas... mebe the above dual detector mounted on the overhang pointed down? I have about 3ft overhang and only want objects within a few feet to set it off.
Pet immunity conditions are changed if detector is pointed down (only recommended in a sloped ground).