Customer Reviews

Solar Centurion Motion Sensor Security Light

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

We bought this as a simple solution to provide lighting in an trash can area around our home so we weren't too concerned about its appearance. Thinking that solar might be a good idea, we thought it was worth a go. The item is pretty easy to install. You basically charge the battery overnight and then go about finding a place to screw it into the wall. It worked fine for about a week or so and then nothing. We recharged the battery out of concern that perhaps there was not enough sunlight and tested the light successfully but when it comes time to detecting motion, the thing is blind as a bat now. Not worth the money, in my opinion.

Works well. Have reasonable expectations -- it uses a 15 watt bulb so don't expect it anywhere near the power of an electric outlet powered light. It works well enough for small areas, however, which is all i needed it for. Motion sensor is nicely adjustable such that I could get it to exclude the dozens of numerous wandering cat's from triggering it. The only downside is the solar panel doesn't have a external frame included to mount on, which was a bummer since I mounted the light under a ceiling recess where minimal sunlight would reach, meaning I needed to separate the solar panel. However, my detached garage roof is flat, so I needed to custom build a mounting frame so the panel could be mounted at an angle to the south (most optimal position for a panel) to get maximum sunlight capture and prevent issues of trapped water sitting on the panel after a rainfall.

Edit: After 6 months, the unit is working flawlessly. I've never experienced any problem with the motion sensor failing or a lack of available power. It simply just works in the background without me ever thinking of it. Great unit.

Edit 2: It's been well over a year since I've installed this unit and it continues to perform like new. The only "false on's" I've had were doing very strong gusty rainstorms and fortunately those are quite rare.

Edit 3: It's now been over 2.5 years since I've installed the unit and guess what? It still works as good as the first day! Brightness and duration of battery life appear fine. I realize the battery will probably need to be changed within the next year or two but so far so good. All I can say is that this is a GREAT device. But keep in mind I installed this unit properly to ensure the maximum amount of sunlight reaches the panel.

I bought two of these outdoor lights, took them by plane to my place in Chile, and put them outdoors to charge for three days before testing, as per the directions. One of them was fried before I started to use it and the other stays on constantly unless you manually turn it off due to water entering the electronics. I called the manufacturer and told them what had happened, even offering to pay for new sealed electronics units, since the light and battery and sensor portions were still fine. They refused to help me, saying that the parts were made in Malaysia and they couldn't get just the electronics module and that my warranty was expired. So, I am out $200 plus shipping charges to Chile, and now I need to buy and install another product. Everyone should know not to buy Solar Masters' products.

The product worked somewhat as advertised at first but work rarely now. I charged the light as intructed and mounted. I had problems with the testing but it seemed to work so I left it now I don't think I can do anything except trash it. The warranty is 30 days from the manufacturer. I'm waiting to hear from them but don't expect much... I would not buy this. I also agree the light is pretty dim, but if in a dark secluded area it would be OK, only if it worked.....

My purchase was made elsewhere, and my review is pending there. I wanted to add my comments here as well, to help others before they make the mistake I did. I bought three of these, hopeful that they would be as good as the other sites' reviews said. Not so. These were received on 01/04/11 and will be going back shortly.

One unit basically never worked from out of the box. Two others were only set up in the kitchen, to test them. They get ample sunlight. A second unit is now doing what the first failed one did - even if plugged in, you have to toggle the switch that sets it to off/test/min multiple times and SOMETIMES the light that indicates it is active comes on. Then and ONLY then will sensor work, but that is hit or miss as well. The remaining one sits and collects sun-power. When it is dark, the red light comes on and it is "active". Although it seems to be working, it isn't consistent. It is about 6-7 feet from where I enter the kitchen and sometimes I have to pass through the same spot three times before it "senses" me and comes on.

The "active" light not coming on seems consistent with others comments that the light didn't work after it was mounted. It will NOT turn the light on if the red light isn't lit, and this seems to be the problem. I am glad we didn't mount these, as then we wouldn't see what the problem is. The comments about not sensing in some cases also applies. It is not consistent enough. A flashlight would work better for me to light the area when I get home - as long as I remember to bring it and keep the batteries up, it will do what I need better (light the area) and would be cheaper!

My quotations in the next paragraph come from the sun-mate website - I did not make them up. In the event that this is deemed wrong to post and is deleted, check out the warranty/return policy on the sun-mate website yourself before wasting your time, effort and money on this product.

Having read these reviews here I looked for the company website - they have the worst policies I have seen. The 30 day return is for an unopened box. If they determine it isn't a factory defect (of course they won't), you get charged a 15% restock fee. How about this: "We do not offer any refunds." That was copy/pasted from their website. Credit or replacement only. Hmmm, credit to buy another piece of junk? A replacement piece of junk? Fortunately for me the receipt I have gives me 90 days, so these are all going back. Their website also says "Our wholesale customers have 90 days from date of invoice to return defective merchandise to us." but then at the end of that page it says "YOUR CUSTOMERS... Have a 30-day warranty from time of purchase for factory defect(s). This means they could receive replacement(s), at no extra charge to them, but only within the 30-day warranty period and a copy of their original purchase receipt. "

The one or two people who posted good reviews must have gotten the only lights that were made that actually worked. As I said in my other site review, the only reason this has one star is because these review tools won't allow ZERO stars...

I just replaced the battery in my solar centurion, it has worked flawlessly for the last 5 years. It was awkward to replace but is OK now. I didn't expect to have to take the whole thing down to replace a battery. I am surprised at the negative reviews. I have a friend who also has one. I guess that is two working normally for several years.

The security light seems to work ok. I assumed the package came with an A/C charger, but the package did not have an A/C included with the product;

This light has not worked since the day we installed it. I have fooled around with it too many times to see if I could get it to sense an approaching auto/person. It is on my garage and should work whenever a car approachs....it worked one time when I was walking up the drive, but has not responded to anything else since. If it wasn't so much trouble I would take it down, but I cannot climb ladders and my grandson is much too busy to keep coming here to adjust it. Sorry I spent so much money on it.

Shirley Dilsworth

Bought one. First they send an ordinary garden light. It took them forever to send the replacement. Got it and it worked well for a few weeks. Now the motion sensor work only when it feels like or it comes on and instantly goes dull and starts a struggling sireen sound, even though the sireen is off. The motion sensor is the worst part of this device and there seem not to be a replacement just for the motion sensor portion of the device. Customer service is not good from this company either. Not worth it. They need to fix the motion sensor on the device.

I bought 3 of these units. The motion detection sensor is not very effective and I would classify this unit as a utility light and certainly not a security light. Of the three I bought, 1 failed within one month.