Customer Reviews

Control Products MA-S01 Battery-Powered MiniAlarm Motion Sensor

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a very reliable functional unit, easy to set up and use. Very loud siren and range of motion. Only the boldest of burglars will continue to prowl after this thing starts chirping. And if you set it a about the height of a 5' or over tall person, the DOG will NOT set it off. Very affordable alternative to the monthly security company units, unless you live in an absolutely horrible part of town, then I would suggest the Mossberg 500 .12 Guage cruiser with pistol grip!!

Before you buy ANYTHING like this, check the 'entry delay'. I have seen similar items with entry delays of up to 30 seconds...you have to be kidding me! Someone could break in and slay my whole family in 30 seconds.

The entry delay on this model is 4 seconds. I wish it was 2 seconds, but I'll settle for 4. I had a little trouble getting the battery cover off, but other than that, this thing works great. I arm it before going up to bed at night and disarm it on the way down in the morning (it always chirps when it sees me come down the stairs). I've had no false alarms after using it for about 3-4 weeks. I have no pets, so I can't speak to how it behaves with them.

I am buying another one today to maximize my coverage. There are several security codes to choose from, so I can set up two remotes.

Item uses passive infrared motion detector with a detection range of 60 degrees horizontally, 30 degrees vertically, and a max distance of 20 feet. I agree with the others that the detector's back compartment cover and the remote's battery compartment cover are very hard to take off. The reasons I knocked off a star is someone could use too much force and break these covers. Plus, for this price the detection angles are relatively narrow.

You'll need to have four AA batteries for the detector (not included, but unit takes Lithium or Alkaline). The three batteries for the remote are included.

After arming the unit, you have a 30 seconds grace period. The red LED light on the detector will flash once to indicate the 30 seconds are over. This same LED light will stay lit to indicate low battery. You also have the option of attaching a AC adapter (not included).

The package came with two screws for mounting on a wall but the unit has a flat bottom so it's relatively stable on a table or other flat surface.

This Minialarm Motion Sensor lives up to its claims - and more. For apartment dwellers, it is ideal. For those who have pets, it is perfect. And even though it may not be meant for outdoor use, I have found that it works great when placed in a window to deter inconsiderate people from trampling over my flowers, with very rare "false" alarms due to weather flucuations.

This is a good product, but not many bells or whistles. It's loud - which is good - and accurately detects motion. If nothing else, this has given us tremendous peace of mind.

Drawbacks:
* Only the key fob can turn the alarm on and off, and you only get one key fob. If my wife takes the key fob and I come home early, the alarm will sound for 30 seconds, and then go off again in 4 seconds for 30 seconds, etc.

* The alarm sounds 4 seconds after detecting motion. This is great when someone tries to break in; it's not so great when you enter the house holding a baby. My preference would be to give you 10 seconds to disarm the alarm.

All in all it's a good product, but it has room for improvement.

I have had the MA-SO1 for several months now, I use it in a small storage shed where I keep tools that had been broken into and my overall evaluation of it is positive.

It is in a place where I come and go frequently, not uncommon for it to be switched on and off 8 - 10 times in a week as I take tools out, and return them later in the day.

It has never mis-fired or gone off for no reason. The remote works fine and is sensitive enough to operate effectively. I have no idea how old the batteries were that came with the remote, I've replaced the orginals with a new set but I think I got 6 months with the one's that it came with.

I wish the company included two remotes, if there is a draw back that is the only thing I can think of, this stuff is made in China, the gross cost of another remote would probably be under a buck wholesale so I don't understand why they don't do it.

But outside of that it has worked fine for me, I installed new AA batteries in the main unit when I bought it and have not changed them out yet.

I would re-iterate that I use it in a small space, a shed the size of a closet, but again, no problems.

The device is effective if used in a very small area. However, it really does not work in the 20ft range as listed. I put it on the top of my stairs, hoping the alarm would go off when someone started up the bottom of the stairs and it did not work. It is also easy to get around the alarm without being detected. I crept passed it several times without the alarm sounding. I did find it to be effective if you place it facing the ray to run across the step. One must actually step on the step for the alarm to go off.. The volume of the alarm is good. Tne deactivation is also good.

I've been using this product for about a year now. No false alarms. Its very loud, but thats what I needed.

We think this product is great - it was inexpensive so we didn't know what to expect but it performs well and is easily worth the money. There are more expensive versions of this product but we will buy another one in a few weeks time.

This thing works like it says it will. Key fob allows you to arm and disarm it easily. I think it's a great little security device. It's a little expensive,but does what it says it will do. I wish there were two key fob control devices, so two people could arm/disarm it, but there is only one. That's my only wish for this item.