I just bought a house with two light fixtures in the back, one of which has a motion sensor. I was thinking about setting them both up for use in detecting varmints around my house, mostly at night. Which motion sensor unit has the best sensetivity/range for that purpose? Could one use red flood light bulbs as well?

the red light omes on the cop car after the sensor located the varmit

I've installed four different brands of motion detectors over the years.

I found the best ones are the most expensive ones for the most part, and have the best adjustability.
Don't buy a cheapie unless it was a better model on closeout, etc.
On the cheap ones, the adjustments don't work as well. I took a cheap one back because it could not be adjusted good enough to function properly.

All of the good ones I have used had no problem being set light enough for a 35 lb dog to set it off and could be set lighter.

Oh yeah BTW, good one butchloc!
---Mike

What color bulbs do you use?

quote:

Originally posted by slancey:
What color bulbs do you use?

I use halogen capsule bulbs in white. They seem to be the most durable.

Halogen Bulbs

(You can find them cheaper, the link is to show you what I was referring to)

I suppose one could use red or infrared bulbs (if your have the "night vision" option on your video or IR surveillance cameras, IR would be my choice) never thought of it before you mentioned it.

I believe most game around houses become accustomed to motion sensor lights.

Never thought of using colored bulbs before.

Two people I know set up bait piles for coyotes out in their backyard. They have the sensor set to activate a ringer in their bedroom. When the ringer goes off, they quietly open the window, point their rifle at the pile and then flip on the light switch. After the shot it's back to bed - pick up the carcass in the morning. Very effective, according to them.

quote:

Originally posted by erict:
They have the sensor set to activate a ringer in their bedroom.

Now that is a stellar idea.

For warm weather areas make sure the "eye" does not see your heat emitting AC condenser .

What erict said,those babys work great.Its just a little eye that you can mount on a block of wood at the height you want and make it portable
and when the varmint crosses in front it signals a beeper alarm master unit in the home they run off 2volt battery,very effective and have a good range...will catch prowlers/2legged varmints/ also,everyone needs one of these little units for home protection as well...

quote:

Originally posted by blackbearhunter:
What erict said,those babys work great.Its just a little eye that you can mount on a block of wood at the height you want and make it portable
and when the varmint crosses in front it signals a beeper alarm master unit in the home they run off 2volt battery,very effective and have a good range...will catch prowlers/2legged varmints/ also,everyone needs one of these little units for home protection as well...

You are talking about the wireless ones like the alarm companies use.

Another great idea. I am surprised I did not think of that.

My brother used to install home alarm systems. I will have to give him a call and see if he has any left overs...

If anyone has the make and model that would be good, too.
I'm still convinced the motion sensor with flood light fixture will work as well. How about the red bulbs used at Christmas time?

GE wireless motion kit


Tiger Direct may have one cheaper.

I bought 2 units from Heath-Zenith. They are all steel and have a Range Boost feature for very high sensitivity. I've had a challenge getting them adjusted properly, but now they work very well. I'm using 2 white 90-watt bulbs in one and 2 red 85-watt bulbs in the other. Their fields-of-view are very wide and they actually overlap. I haven't gotten the one with red bulbs to light up a varmint yet so I can't yet speak to its utility. More to come...

I use a bow and arrow, much more quiet. We are over-run with yotes and foxes here.

quote:

Originally posted by erict:
Two people I know set up bait piles for coyotes out in their backyard. They have the sensor set to activate a ringer in their bedroom. When the ringer goes off, they quietly open the window, point their rifle at the pile and then flip on the light switch. After the shot it's back to bed - pick up the carcass in the morning. Very effective, according to them.