Review - MonoPrice motion Sensor vs. Schlage Nexia Motion Sensor

Other Devices & Integrations Door Locks & Sensors
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The MonoPrice Z-Wave Motion Detector with Temperature Sensor(PID:10796) is made by Vision Automotive Electronics. This is the same company that manufactures the Schlage RS200HC Motion Sensor. The two devices are very similar physically with a few exceptions.

Externally, the two devices are similar in dimensions. The most notable exception is the way that the MonoPrice unit’s face is angled downward at about 20 degrees, while the Schlage looks straight ahead. The Schlage unit comes with a mounting bracket which the motion sensor clips onto whereas the MonoPrice has no mounting bracket and only offers double-sided tape to stick the sensor onto the wall. This could present an issue when trying to replace the battery in the MonoPrice unit, since it may be cumbersome to remove the cover while the unit is attached to the wall.

While the internal circuitry looks identical, the MonoPrice has an angled PIR sensor to match its angled case. It also contains an integrated temperature sensor that I think is part of the Z-Wave chip. The Schlage unit has no temperature sensor.

Both devices have jumper pins labeled PET1, PET2 and TEST. The MonoPrice manual makes no reference to these pins. The Schlage manual explains that the PET jumpers decrease the sensitivity of the motion sensor so that small pets(PET1) and large pets(PET2) do not trigger the sensor. It further explains that the TEST jumper causes the no-motion untrip time to change to 5 seconds for testing and setup purposes. However, the TEST jumper does not seem to have any effect on the MonoPrice unit.

With Vera, the temperature reading from the MonoPrice motion sensor can be viewed on the Advanced tab in the Vera GUI. The variable can also be used in scenes, LUA code and PLEG. However if you wish to have the temperature displayed on the GUI or in a mobile app, you will need to add the iDoorContact plugin to Vera. Hopefully MCV will improve support for this device and eliminate the need for the plugin in the future.

Setup of the MonoPrice motion sensor is straightforward and adequately described in the manual. Some people on the forum seem to have had some difficulty understanding the process. Two important things to remember is that when a device does not seem to want to include, you should first exclude it and then include it. Also, the MonoPrice motion sensor’s cover should remain off, keeping the device awake, until the device is included and configured properly. Once the cover is installed, the device goes to sleep and may not configure properly.

Both the MonoPrice and the Schlage units work well with Vera. Battery life on the Schlage has been excellent. After six months, configured with the fast 5 second TEST reset, my Schlage batteries still show 100%. The Schlage manual claims a 3 year battery life expectancy and I expect the MonoPrice battery life to be equally as good. I was disappointed to not have any other choices but the 3 minute untrip reset interval with the MonoPrice motion sensor. I prefer a faster reset for more active scenes, but it is still perfectly usable with 3-5 minutes being fairly standard for motion sensors.

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Picture of internals.

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@Z-Waver, are there at least key holes on the back of the monoprice one for hanging or is double sided tape the only solution for the monoprice ones? I have 3 of the Schlage and I am very happy with them so far. I wouldn’t mind the Temp sensor though.

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Excellent write up, Z-waver.

With all that being said, and price is not a factor, which one do you recommend/prefer? While I would love to have an integrated temp sensor (one less device to hang), reliability in motion sense is the main factor.

Are they identical in this regard? The physical angle of the lens can make a difference.

-TC

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@SirMeili - There are none visible from the exterior. However, if you remove the circuit board you find that thy are molded into the case, like knockouts, so you could use screws if you wish.

@TC1 - I need to test it for a little bit more, before final judgment. I’ll update this post in a day or so.

Edit: There is a difference in the area coverage pattern of the two devices, primarily due to the angle of the lens. The forward looking Schlage unit has a fairly complete coverage pattern when mounted low, acting like a solid plane even over a large area. This makes it very sensitive and suits my active automation style very well.

The MonoPrice unit with its angled face must be mounted higher. While providing acceptable coverage, it does have some “dead zones” when used in large rooms which can cause it to seem less sensitive or “slow” to respond to motion. It’s fine for smaller/average rooms and for alarm like purposes. However, some of my scenes are intended to light a room instantly and turn back off in a minute or less and the better sensitivity of the Schlage, along with the TEST mode that allows 5 second trip resets fits my application better than the MonoPrice.

Except for the temperature sensor feature, I will tend to lean toward the Schlage for my specific application. But, I see nothing wrong with the MonoPrice motion sensors, especially in average or small rooms and I like the temperature sensor.

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Great writeup. Thanks for the info!

I’m surprised to hear the monoprice version doesn’t give you the 5 second untrip option when test is jumpered like on the Schalge. Does it seem like there’s a way to hack this in? A 3 minute untrip is too long for our purposes.

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Nice review, thank you a ton.

Since the Monoprice is angled down, I’m wondering what the coverage is, and how well it would work, if mounted on a wall 10-15’ up an entry motion alert? I need it to cover about 6-8’ away from the way it would be mounted on.

Anyway you could test the coverage zone at a few different heights (10’, 12’, 15’)?

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Check the manual, here. It has a diagram showing angles and distances.

The manual recommends a mounting height of 2 meters(6feet). At 10 feet, mine trip ~10 feet from the wall.

You’ll want to mount your sensor opposite your entry with the sensor facing your door. Alternatively, you can follow the directions and mount it lower on the wall.

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I have two of the monoprice units. One in my garage, all the way in the back facing the overhead door. It seems to catch any motion that I care about. The other is down a 33 foot hall, monitoring the hall and the front door. Well, because of this post, I just checked the distance for tripping it and it is probably about 10 feet when placed at a height of 7 feet. It appears that the pointing down limits the range. Still not a problem for me, but I will be moving it today.

My biggest complaint is the mounting. It would be very difficult to get the cover off to replace the batter with it mounted on the wall. For now, I am just using a light tape until I can figure out a better mounting plan. The unit is so light that this isn’t a problem. I think that if you used the mounting tape they send, then it will eventually become non sticky.

I really like having the temperature sensor, especially in the garage. I never knew it stayed so warm in there. I had purchased a z-wave thermostat for my wine cellar just to get the temperature. I will probably get another monoprice for the cellar and kill two birds with one stone.

Right now, Monoprice is out of these sensors. I think for the price it is quite the good deal. I hope Monoprice will see the market and add more offerings.

Z-waver, thank you so much for the writeup. I didn’t even know about the pins even though I saw the jumper in the box. I would also like to have the 5 second reset so if you figure out how to make that work, please advise. You did a great job and I appreciate it.

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[quote=“pentium, post:9, topic:180007”]I have two of the monoprice units. One in my garage, all the way in the back facing the overhead door. It seems to catch any motion that I care about. The other is down a 33 foot hall, monitoring the hall and the front door. Well, because of this post, I just checked the distance for tripping it and it is probably about 10 feet when placed at a height of 7 feet. It appears that the pointing down limits the range. Still not a problem for me, but I will be moving it today.

My biggest complaint is the mounting. It would be very difficult to get the cover off to replace the batter with it mounted on the wall. For now, I am just using a light tape until I can figure out a better mounting plan. The unit is so light that this isn’t a problem. I think that if you used the mounting tape they send, then it will eventually become non sticky.

I really like having the temperature sensor, especially in the garage. I never knew it stayed so warm in there. I had purchased a z-wave thermostat for my wine cellar just to get the temperature. I will probably get another monoprice for the cellar and kill two birds with one stone.

Right now, Monoprice is out of these sensors. I think for the price it is quite the good deal. I hope Monoprice will see the market and add more offerings.

Z-waver, thank you so much for the writeup. I didn’t even know about the pins even though I saw the jumper in the box. I would also like to have the 5 second reset so if you figure out how to make that work, please advise. You did a great job and I appreciate it.[/quote]

Just and idea, but command makes those “picture” velcro strips. Put on one the wall, one on the back of the unit. That way if you decide to move it, you won’t damage the wall, but taking it off the wall to replace batteries is easy because it’s just velcro’d up there.

(linky: http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/NACommand/Command/Products/Catalog/?N=5584766+5924736+3294529207&rt=r3)

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I use command strips for all my door and motion sensors

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

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looking for ideas…

I’m trying to figure out how to mount these in the back yard patio. It is a small patio (12x8) so I’m not sure it mounting to the house wall would cover the patio properly… meaning someone could not hug the wall and avoid detection?

I wonder how the Monoprice Sensors will work mounted on a Patio ceiling (10’ high & flat). Since they are angled, they should still have some coverage outward?

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Too bad this wasn’t discontinued (and not plagued by Everprings ever silent support department) for your outdoor needs:
http://www.everspring.com/SP103.aspx

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[quote=“Aaron, post:12, topic:180007”]looking for ideas…

I’m trying to figure out how to mount these in the back yard patio. It is a small patio (12x8) so I’m not sure it mounting to the house wall would cover the patio properly… meaning someone could not hug the wall and avoid detection?

I wonder how the Monoprice Sensors will work mounted on a Patio ceiling (10’ high & flat). Since they are angled, they should still have some coverage outward?[/quote]
I’d try mounting it low, if you can. At about 3 feet off the ground, you should be able to completely blanket the patio. If commandos come in on their bellies, you might have an issue.

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The Monoprice device is really a Vision ZP3102.

You can modify the On time via parameter 1 (1 byte hex). The default is 3 and valid values are 1 → 127 minutes.

There is a forum topic here [url=http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,13041.msg146816.html#msg146816]http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,13041.msg146816.html#msg146816[/url]

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[quote=“asterix406, post:15, topic:180007”]The Monoprice device is really a Vision ZP3102.

You can modify the On time via parameter 1 (1 byte hex). The default is 3 and valid values are 1 → 127 minutes.

There is a forum topic here [url=http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,13041.msg146816.html#msg146816]http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,13041.msg146816.html#msg146816[/url][/quote]

UPDATE: Figured it out, thanks.

Could you elaborate (steps if possible) on how to set this parameter through Vera Light? I checked the thread you pointed to, but it does not contain instructions; just mentions that it is possible.

Thanks

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Just installed 3 of these yesterday. Noticed the nice 45 degree beveled edges which are wide enough for some double sided tape. Making mounting them in the corner a piece of strawberry shortcake. Also makes it easier to open them. Trying to find out what the cut off is for the ‘large pet’ setting as I have a K9 GSD team ranging from 70lbs to 85lbs roving my home. :wink:

These are supported by UI7 (7.04) and a breeze to add.

  1. Click Add Device
  2. Select the Motion sensor device
  3. Click next and insert the battery in the unit. Vera picks it right up.

The only thing I’ve not been able to get working is the temp sensor. Even following the instructions I found on the forum.

Next time these things are on sale again, I’ll get a couple more.

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I have two of them. To get the temp sensor working, I installed the idoorcontact app. Just add the device ID’s for the sensors into the app settings and it displays the Temp.

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Installed the app and figured out to use a space between the device ID’s. But both are showing 0F for the temp. Are you using it on UI5 or Ui7 and what else do I have to tweak to get the temp showing?

Thanks for the pointer to this app.

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[quote=“BOFH, post:19, topic:180007”]Installed the app and figured out to use a space between the device ID’s. But both are showing 0F for the temp. Are you using it on UI5 or Ui7 and what else do I have to tweak to get the temp showing?

Thanks for the pointer to this app.[/quote]

I put a comma between the devices, no spaces. I believe I had the 0F for a while but eventually it updated. I am using UI7.