First Alert PIR720RN Motion Sensing Light Socket
by First Alert
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List Price: Our Price: $24.10 You Save: $10.89 (31%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $21.45 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of First Alert PIR720RN Motion Sensing Light Socket
Customer Review: Great While They Last...
Summary: 2 Stars
I've owned four of these, since I need two. That is, I first had two, then two replacements. I currently have none functioning, which is why I returned to this page.
I am pleased to see their price has come down a bit, since these are essentially disposable units. The reviewer who notes that she had one fail when the bulb burned out is not alone.
In fact, in my experience, all four of the units I have owned all failed the first time the the bulb in them failed. When a bulb in it blows, the unit simply fails and will never work again. I kept one alive a bit longer by being sure to swap out the bulb at regular intervals, trying to avoid having a bulb burn out in it.
Then I tried to get clever: In the last surviving unit, I put in a CFL bulb that claimed to last 5 times a normal bulb without burning out. I can now attest that the unit does not work well with CFL bulbs. The first time it came on it was dim, but functional. The next time it was flickering noticably, but I was on my way out and left the CFL in place. When I came home, both the brand new CFL bulb I had installed and the unit were dead.
All that being said, I may get another, since - as the title says - they're great while they last.
Customer Review: Let there be light!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am purchasing another of these incredible solutions for my basement lighting. Half of our light sockets, in the abyss commonly known as my basement, work. But they have lost their on and off function due to breakage of the pull chain, leaving only about an inch of chain,at high ceiling level. All fixtures were in an "on" position and to provide light, were used with the old, "twist the bulb in the socket", trick, if they could be reached. The addition of the light sensors to the sockets, works wonderfully. There is light, on cue, when you approach, lighting the way. Once you leave the area, they automatically turn off several minutes after leaving. These are perfect solutions for forgetful folks who can't always remember to shut off lights as well. They are a real safety feature in that they turn on when you are roughly 8 to 12 feet from the fixture. No more trips to the freezer, with a flashlight, for me! My only disappointment with them is that you must use only incandescent bulbs. The enclosed instructions are very complete with warnings and how to use the item. I am thrilled with this simple, inexpensive, solution for my long standing basement lighting problem.Customer Review: Awesome product!
Summary: 5 Stars
No more broken lamp chains, forgetting to turn off the lights, in short -- extremely useful product! I had some of the same problems mentioned, the wife keep bugging me on why it only seemed to turn on when she was standing directly under it in the closet. Of course I didn't read the instructions, I just unboxed it and screwed it in.
To those having problems -- there are 2 arrows on the bottom, one of these are supposed to face your entry door or the area you want turning on from the approached direction, the detection field is not circular, but is extremely elongated. It's in the instruction book I actually read with my second of these detectors.
I have 3 of these now, and all perform brilliantly in the closets they are in.
It has to be people or kid sized. Cats won't turn it on, even multiple cats playing on the floor or on the dryer. I don't know about large dogs, I don't have one.
The bonus is that now I'm not strangled by the chains as I walk by. And I never have to go back and check to see if I turned off the light.
Customer Review: Good unit
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had three of these for about 10 years. Two are still working after all this time and the third one failed when the bulb burned out and caused a momentary short circuit. The sensor failed a fraction of a second after the bulb. Shame but stuff sometimes happens. Replaced the failed unit with a spare and all is still well.
Another reviewer mentioned that the range is insufficient. I've found that while the units do respond to a 360 degree circle, they do not respond equally in all directions. The unit responds excellently in two opposite directions and poorly in between. The manufacturer must know this because the center terminal is spring loaded and makes electrical contact about a half turn before the sensor screws tight into the socket. Thus, you can unscrew the unit by about a half turn and still have it work. I've taken a few days and slowly unscrewed the sensor from the ceiling socket a few degrees at a time until the most sensative direction faces my single point of entry. Works much better that way. Doing similarly might help some folks.
Customer Review: I Guess It would work considering the fine print
Summary: 3 Stars
I was very happy to receive this item, and tested on the stair way of the apartment biulding where I live. However, once I installed this unit, it would never shut off the light bulb. Thus, I reached for the manual and became aware of the fine print on this:
* The motion detector must be at least 12 inches from the wall, I would say at least twice that much, due to a reflection issue with the infrared light that detects motion. The manual suggests using tape to cover the area facing the wall in order to improve performance.
* it will only work with incandescent light bulbs between 40 - 100 watts.
* If there are any heat sources in the proximity this unit will not work, so much for the laundry room?
* This motion detector cannot be enclosed in a lamp or any other arrangement that blocks the sensor unit. I will only work from the ceiling, unobstructed.
Taking all these factors into consideration, the item I received still didn't work. I guess you need to be lucky not to receive a lemon as well.