Invisible Door Sensor from Aeotec

Just got some information in a new invisible door sensor from aeotec. Since there is nothing available on their page I thought I post it here.

Looks perfect.
At around 10 millimetres in width, some might call it small and compact. We prefer to call it invisible. It’s the Z-Wave door sensor that’s been designed as the door sensor should have always been. For a start it doesn’t change your home’s aesthetic. It’s not plastic stuck on a door. Instead it’s a clever piece of technology that installs simply within your door’s frame. Aeotec’s Recessed Door Sensor is as beautiful as the rest of your home. You never see it, you just feel its benefits.

Simple idea. Powerful applications.
Recessed Door Sensor is a simple idea. It tells you and your Z-Wave network if a door is open or closed. Simple but powerful, Recessed Door Sensor enables you to create a whole new level of control through Z-Wave. Alarms. Safety. Intelligence. Automated decisions. All enabled by one simple, powerful and invisible device.

Simple to install.
The beauty of an invisible installation is complemented by the beauty of a simple installation. Installing Recessed Door Sensor is easy. Adding it to your home’s network takes no more than activating its battery and syncing it with your Z-Wave system. Making the whole thing invisible means little more than a slight drill hole hidden away on the top of your door. It’s the sort of installation that takes no more than 10 minutes but provides years’ worth of benefits.

It’s available now.
Made available as part of our current-generation of products, Recessed Door Sensor has just been released from Aeotec by Aeon Labs.
You can already purchase it online from:
Australian frequency: Home Automation Australia
EU / UK frequency: http://www.domadoo.fr/produit,3717,1,AEON-LABS--Capteur-d-ouverture-de-porte-à-encastrer-Z-Wave.htm

If I understood this correctly you drill a hole in your door to enter the sensor, so it will not fit in all doors. Would be nice to hear back from somebody who tested this with vera.

Yes would be nice to know if it works with Vera. Have had an email from aeotec about this sensor, and it does look good. I’d like to know more about sizes, 10mm wide sounds fairly small which is good. Wonder how deep it is. I have seen it in a online shop for ?65, so about ?55 which is not exactly cheap, but probably worth it as it is completely hidden

I got this email this morning and was curious about it as well. I’ve just tinkered with some door sensors so far . . .

My hardwired sensors are built this way and I really like it. From what I can tell, this is not currently available in US frequencies. This should work with Vera, however, being inset in the door, I would think you need a pretty solid network mesh around the door.

TECH SPECS :
  • Operating distance : up to 100 feet
  • Battery : lithium cell CR2, 3 Volt battery, 800 mAh
  • Operating temp. -10 C to 60 C
  • Relative humidity : 8% - 80%
  • Dimensions : 3/4" x 2.5"

I’ve seen these for sale in the U.S. on eBay for ~$45. I’ve not used this specific sensor, but I’ve used similar hidden sensors and they work fine.

There is zero reason for this particular sensor to not work with Vera. It will appear and work like any door sensor trip/uptrip.

There are a couple of things to be aware of when using these. Be conscious of the installation location. Inside metal doors or window frames will be problematic as the metal will block the radio signal. Be aware of the depth(2.5") when putting it into a door/window frame.

Well, I hope it is better than the multisensor.
Still issues with that one.
Regards
CE

“Should work” is by far not enough. As already mentioned not all Aeotec products are reliable, I returned my 4in1 sensor last week. Would be cool if somebody who actually tested the device could give some feedback.

I guess most of you already found it, a manual is available here:
http://support.domadoo.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/GetAttachment/2085/11208

I saw on a couple different web sites that it uses 908 frequency which is the US based frequency if memory serves me correctly so it should work on USA based z-wave controllers. I would sure love to know for sure so that I can use this in conjunction with my front door lock to properly determine open vs close states before automatic locking of the door. It will be so much better than a generic timer built into the door lock today.

I Just finished installing the Invisible Door Sensor in my main door and everything went as expected. I added it to Vera and it works like my other Motion sensors. now I just need to setup PLEG to automatically lock my door after it has been closed for X minutes.

To be clear, the manual says that the main body of the device is to be installed in the door frame, while the small magnet is to be installed in the door.

I’m guessing this is for several reasons:

  • The electronics and sensor won’t be jostled around all the time if they’re in the door frame, but if they were in the door they would.

  • You’re more likely to have a metal door than a metal frame, and embedding the transmitter in a metal door would block/weaken the signal.

  • The small magnet should fit in basically any door, whereas the longer main portion might not.

I got three of these sensors yesterday, and so far so good.

For those who have been using these… any new info to report? Reliability, battery life, etc?

Also, anywhere (online/instore) in the USA to purchase?

thx

I have 4 of them and they work well. Discussed more here:
http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=22739.0

After 2 months, battery life at 100%.