I received the Hue Outdoor motion sensor and spent the day trying to make it work with little succeess. Connecting the outdoor sensor to the Hue app is easy and painless, but that's where the ease of use ends. First, I noticed the light sensor is stuck at 1 lux no matter what light enviroment it's in. Searching online, this appears to be a known issue and one solution was to remove it from the Hue app, reset it, and add it back to the Hue app. This method didn't work for me. There is a software update coming out that is suppose to fix it, so I will wait and see if it really fixes this problem.
The sensitivity option is also problematic. The Hue indoor motion sensor has a High, Medium, and Low setting for the sensitivity. The Hue outdoor motion sensor has a slider instead, which gives you finer control over the sensitivity option. The issue is, no matter how low you set this option, the sensor appears to be still too sensitive. Everytime a car drives past my house, the sensor goes off. Again, even if the sensitivty option is at the lowest setting, it still triggers. The sensitivity option is the only option available to the user to reduce unwanted notifications. But it doesn't work. So, depending on far the sidewalk is outside your house, this device is going to notify you of people walking by, as well as cars driving by.
Update 03-14-19
The firmware update fixed the light sensitivity issue. So, now the light sensor reports the right values. However, the sensitivity problem remains in that it picks up people walking on the sidewalk and cars moving on the street at the lowest setting. But on the whole, the product works much better with the firmware update now.
Update 3-19-2019
During the day, I get a lot of false possitives from the motion sensor when it's sunny outside. The sensor detects shadows, caused by th sun moving across it's view, and thinks it's human movement. Thereby tiggering the motion sensor. Again, the sensitivity setting isn't very useful here as well. Lowering the sensitivy doesn't help. You will just have to play with different placement to minimize these false positives. However, the temperature sensor seems accurate though.
First, I love the Hue products and even had to go to 2 bridges. For the most part it works great and has excellent range. One screw attaches the mount to your house, and then you hang your sensor on that mount. It seems pretty secure. I put it at an elevation of 8’2” to maximize the area of coverage.
When I first got the motion sensor, the dusk to dark light sensor in it did not work, always triggering the lights even in bright daylight. This was at firmware version 6.1.0.25261. However, a firmware update came through, and now the sensors works perfectly!
I have it triggering floodlights outside. With Apple Home Kit it’s super nice because I have it buzzing my Apple Watch too, and also it gives you a temperature sensor out there as well, which is a nice added bonus and appears to be accurate (without rigid testing of it).
Very happy with this Philips sensor, now that they have updated the firmware and made the light sensor work properly.
I bought this in conjunction with several Hue outdoor lights (Two Callas and three Lilies). As with the indoor sensor, placement is everything, and there is no easy way to mount this temporarily - I used Gorilla tape to hold it in place while I tested locations. The mounting kit is interesting, and can be used in corners (inward or outward) but a flush mount is impossible and it's not adjustable. I do wish Philips had thought to include an adjustable visor for the sensor, because the sensitivity setting in the app is only so good. I wanted to capture movement to the end of my property but not on the road in front of the house. I ended up using a piece of black electrician's tape to cover about 1/4" of the sensor to prevent passing cars from setting it off. So - aside from the mounting and sensitivity options, it's a great little addition, and well worth the investment.
More than for security purposes I lighting outdoor that reacts to me. Normally I keep the outside lights rather bright in case I am out there in the evening. Now with this I can keep them on but dimmed (a bit more neighbor friendly) and when I drive up or go out back all the lights back there come on full bright..., Gives you what a motion sensor would do but in a more flexible way.
Update: still working without the hub still showing 100% battery after almost 2 weeks.
Original review:
Required a device handler to work with smart things without a hue hub. Which shouldn't be an issue for anyone that is familiar with such things. I ended up mounting with outdoor rated Velcro rather then drilling holes I think that easier for battery replacements. Gets good coverage both distance and radius on my long driveway.
Feature Product
- ENHANCE YOUR SMART HOME EXPERIENCE: The Philips Hue Outdoor Motion Sensor detects outdoor motion and can trigger both Philips Hue Indoor and Outdoor lights. Set your Hue sensor to welcome you or guests home with lights, or detect intruders or potential package thieves with pre-set light scenes. Philips Hue Hub and Hue Smart lights required and sold separately.
- MAXIMUM SECURITY: Scare away potential package thieves or intruders. Thanks to the large view angle and detection range the outdoor sensor will spot any movement near your smart home. It can directly turn on your outdoor lights to expose intruders while turning on indoor Hue smart bulbs so it looks like you're home, even when you're not.
- EXTREME RESISTENCE: Resistant to all weather conditions, this Philips Hue outdoor sensor is designed for use in outdoor environments and has undergone rigorous tests to ensure its performance. Certified by UL, the product will withstand heavy rainfall and other weather conditions.
- EASY INSTALLATION: Installed in a matter of minutes, the outdoor motion sensor is easy to mount and is fully wireless. You don't need an electrician to have it installed. Just unpack the sensor, set it up through the Philips Hue app and install it wherever you like. Configuring the outdoor sensor and setting the daylight and motion sensitivity is also done via the Philips Hue app.
- LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES: Place the Philips Hue Outdoor Motion Sensor where you want. The kit comes equipped with different mounting components. You can mount it on a flat wall, on the inner or outer corner of a wall or post, or on a pole or rain pipe. It's perfect for front yard lighting, deck lighting, porch lighting, around the door, garage or any place around your smart home where it matters. One lens to see it all: The lens of the outdoor sensor is custom designed to detect movement directly below the sensor - for example when you step out of the door or are at a longer distance it detects you. When closely examining the lens you can see how the lens pattern changes to detect movement at close range and the upper part at long range.
Description
The Philips Hue Outdoor Motion Sensor automatically turns on the Philips Hue Smart Lights you want, both outdoor and indoor.The sensor detects variations in infrared radiation in its environment, allowing it to detect human movement and automatically turn on the lights (sensor motion sensitivity can be adjusted in the app). By connecting the motion sensor to your Hue hub via the Philips Hue app, you can choose which of your Philips Hue lights go on, both inside and outside your house. Also choose the scene or light setting that should be triggered. The integrated dusk-to-dawn sensor ensures your lights only switch on when it is actually dark outside helping you to conserve energy. This Philips Hue outdoor sensor is specially designed for use in outdoor environments and has undergone rigorous tests to ensure its performance. Certified by UL, the product will withstand heavy rainfall and other weather conditions. 160 degree horizontal/80 degree verticle view angle with 39 ft x 8 ft detection radius. Optimized for far range and close proximity (antering and leaving home). Able to fix the motion sensor on both a flat wall and corner.
I love the fact that Hue Labs is producing automation scripts for the device.
I can see the current brightness outside, and the current temperature. Also can be alerted when motion is detected, and can be configured to not notify you at specified times.
Oh and it can turn lights on when motion is detected as well (you know, what it’s advertised as?) day or night.
Only gripe, wish I could trigger other non Hue devices to receive an audiable tone on phone or in home when motion is detected.
May order a second unit for perimeter of house.
This motion detector works fantastically. It’s easy to install and isn’t too big. I love that I can use it to control other non-Hue smart items in my home using the Home app on my iPhone. So while you can use it to control your Hue Lights, you can also use it to control any other items that you can add to HomeKit on iOS. Pretty fantastic. Damn worth the money.
My whole house runs HUE and these sensors were just what I needed to compliment my outside lights. Compared to the indoor sensor this thing is built really solid, it’s heavy and clearly designed to withstand the elements. The more granular sensitivity control compared to the indoor unit is a great feature too.
This sensor is a nice addition to my hue collection...I included it into the system and mounted it under the eave on my shed...I adjusted the settings and now if someone walks within 20 feet of the shed the lights come on ..Feels well made plus philips hue makes nice stuff...
Philips hue out motion sensor are awesome.. Install is easy to install. Yes I recommend!!
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