Outdoor Motion Sensing Security Light

I am shopping around for an outdoor motion sensing security light to install at the rear entrance of our office building.

The ones I have found on Amazon have less than desirable reviews for the most part.

Anybody have one of these that they really like?

Here are some that I have looked at on Amazon so far...

Heath Zenith SL-5512-BZ 300-Watt Quartz Halogen Motion-Sensing Twin Security Light, Bronze

http://www.amazon.com/Heath-Zenith-...&sr=1-3&keywords=Outdoor+Motion+Sensing+Light

Heath Zenith SL-5525-WH 250-Watt Quartz Motion-Sensing Light, White

http://www.amazon.com/Heath-Zenith-...&sr=1-9&keywords=Outdoor+Motion+Sensing+Light

Heath/Zenith SL-5630-BZ-D 180-Degree Halogen Motion-Sensing Security Light, Bronze

http://www.amazon.com/Heath-Zenith-...sr=1-13&keywords=Outdoor+Motion+Sensing+Light

I don't necessarily need anything that is blindingly bring - I just want something bright enough to deter a burglar that may attempt to break in through the back door p).

So far, I am leaning towards this one - Heath Zenith SL-5630-BZ-D.

Any input you guys can provide on lights like this will be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

Fink

 

I like that one and the first one you listed. Can't go wrong with either. I have an older one that uses 2 screw-in floodlights, kind of prefer the 2 bulb one in case one goes out you still have the other at the moment.

 

That's a good point.

I like all the ones I linked to, but some of the reviews are just plain awful.

A lot of them say that simply the reflection of the light can cause it to go crazy. I don't want this thing becoming a strobe light as it will be on the side of the office that is right next to a neighboring business.

I like the one I linked to at the end the most, as it has a shorter range which makes me hopeful that passing cars won't trigger it. It also seems like it would be bright enough to light up the area pretty well.

The alternative to this is we add a light to our existing timed light system - but the quote for that was $800. Way too damn much.

Fink

 

The first one doesn't seem to get too many good reviews (3 stars after 57 reviews). Check the negatives to make sure what they're complaining about doesn't apply to you.

 

I currently own the 1st one you listed. Note that it is warranted for 10 years... keep your receipt. The 1st one I bought lasted about 5 months. It was great. Then it started being intermittent and ultimately failed all together. I called their customer service dept. and answered all their questions, tried their "tape" test (block off the sensor) and called back the next day. Told them I tried their test and that it didn't work. They had me fax a copy of my receipt and they'd send me a new unit. A few days later I got a completely new unit. The new unit works but I think the sensor is miss aligned because I have it in the same exact location as the other but I had to rotate the sensor head way to the right to get it to pick up motion at the point I want it to... but it's working.

FWIW, I took the old sensor head apart as I was curious if water had seeped in or shoddy soldering had done it in. I can't tell you how many electronic items I've resuscitated by touching up poor solder joints. But to my surprise the unit was sealed tightly, had a quality rubber gasket, and the solder joints looked good. Must have been a component problem.

 

That's what I'm seeing with a lot of them. The ones that have the best reviews have four of five stars after 1-5 reviews.

I checked the legit negative ones (by verified purchasers through Amazon) and most of the time they are complaining at the sensor failing over time.

Thanks for the reply!

Great info! The warranty is a huge selling point for me. May have to just go with that one. I mean, afterall, it is company money and not my own so as long as it's under warranty, that sounds like a safe gamble.

Again, thanks for posting this - great info and I'm glad you actually own one of the ones I listed. Helps a ton.

Fink

 

Sure, Glad to help.