Customer Reviews

Sylvania 72178 Motion Activated Battery Powered Safety Light

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

This item works just as advertised. One complaint (and this is minor), is that it gives a 'flashlight-like' light...with a beam...rather than a soft 'glow'. That's probably because it doesn't have a diffuser over the LED's (which would also diminish the light). But with some scotch tape over the 'lens', I was easily able to diffuse the light. (And besides, once the beam 'hits' the 'other wall' in my room, the light 'spreads-out'.) But if you need this type of light for a larger area, I'd definitely recommend this one. In addition, the 'description' on Amazon said it stays on for 12 seconds, I believe, but mine (happily) stays on more like 20 seconds. Another complaint is that you have to mount it at least 5 feet off the ground for the motion sensor to activate the light without having to 'get almost right next to it' for the light to turn on. Another complaint I have is that you can't absolutely count on the two-sided sticky tape, that came with the light, to hold it up. Mine fell off the wall within a short period of time. But there are holes for using mounting screws which I would recommend using. (It also comes with a fairly strong magnet to hold to metal objects, which works well.)

I have put these all around inside the house and put some outdoors (sheltered from the snow but still exposed to subzero temperatures). They are awesome! They put out a good deal of light which is nice in the winter in Alaska and save on electricity because they are motion detecting. I was so impressed that I bought all that they had at Ft. Wainwright commissary. They are cheaper on post!

First let me say that I do not have any vested interested in Sylvania or this product, and that this is an unbiased review. I recently installed Panasonic cameras in every room of my house except for bedrooms and bathrooms. The problem was that at night, the cameras couldn't see anything if an intruder wasn't shining a flashlight on himself...and even burglars aren't that dumb. My choices were to keep the lights on all the time or install night lights throughout the house. Unfortunately night lights did not give me the light intensity that my video cameras need. So, I installed one of these lights at every camera location, and they work fantastic! The trigger level of these lights seems to complement the light sensitivity of the Panasonic webcams almost perfectly. As you walk through my house with the lights off, these lights flick on like magic at just the same time as the webcams start taking your picture. Even if you don't have webcams, this would be a really cool night light and even act as a deterrant. I've had 13 of the lights for three weeks now, and they get constant use at night because I like to play around with them, and none of them as run out of battery power yet. This product is really practical as well as cool!

This light works fine EXCEPT.....

1) it's clearly marked with a warning for "inside". The product description says indoor or outdoor.

2) on "auto", the light only stays on 12 seconds; it can't be changed. Maybe that's long enough to locate the light and switch it to "On"???

Would be fine for an indoor application, but I was looking for an outdoor use. I didn't discover the shortcomings until I'd already tossed the packaging and loaded the batteries.

Bummer.

I purchased a 2-pack of Sylvania 72178 Motion Activated Battery Powered Safety Lights about a year ago. I use them to illuminate stairs at my condo at night. I attached them using included magnetic holder (no screws) to metal posts on two of the flights of stairs. I positioned these lights in the middle of the flight of stairs halfway down from the hand rail with the sensor pointing up.

The motion detection works perfectly and there is enough light for safety. The option to use it as a flash light is much appreciated. These lights have a built-in photo sensor, so they do not turn on other than at night - a great battery-saving feature. Batteries have not died after a year of use, but once they do, I'll switch to rechargeable AAA such as Eneloops. The lights are shaped attractively and are relatively small, so they are not an eye sore.

The fact that Sylvania 72178 Motion Activated Battery Powered Safety Lights use AAA batteries rather than C-cells like other products in this category was important to me because AAAs help to keep the light's size small and are easier to find and cheaper than C-cells.

I am very happy with these lights and I would recommend them.

I searched for weeks for a simple, reasonably priced battery operated motion detector light. Amazon.com offered the best choices for the best price and with free shipping it was a simple choice. They arrived promptly. They have just enough light to light up my back door so I can see the keyhole, and enough light to shine on my otherwise dark back steps. The light stays on for as long as there is movement, yet goes off just a few seconds after the movement stops. The three LERD lights are not blinding. The light on my steps does not go on when my car passes, yet I get out of my car and walk towards it and it goes on. This is good - I guess my car lights do not set it off. It has an excellent sense of movement meaning it senses you just far enough and at a wide angle before it switches on. So far, it has withstood very cold temperatures, rain and snow. The batteries were enclosed and working fine, so I do not have a sense of battery life yet. Although I used screws to mount these, the magnetic mounting was very secure and held tight to the metal surface. The only negative aspect was that the holes for mounting with screws are very tiny and I had difficulty finding screws to fit and it was a little difficult to screw in. A minor problem when everything else seems great.

I am writting this review for I think you should know about this little light. I tested 8 other battery op. lights at the same time all was motion all pointed the same way all level with each other each with new batteries . ( side note this one was the only one that came with batteries inside already ) To be honest this one was the smallest one of the 8 . And I was thinking I would be returning this one for a refund . That was before I tested it . WOW I was so shoked when this one was the best . It came on first , lasted the longest and was the brightest of all of them . Comes with stick tape and screws with it . Came with its own batteries and rady to go . It also adjusts to different agles . Some others did as well but this one stayed the others fell back . In short if you want a cheap bright motion light that is very good this would be it .

Not only motion sensing, but light sensitive as well. This won't work during the daylight hours, which made me wonder why it was working so erratically when I put in the batteries. Once the lights were off, however - it worked like a charm. It's three LED's are a bit too focused for use in a hallway, but putting it up outside in a sheltered area, it lights up our door enough to see the keys in your hand and the keyhole in the door.

Pros: Mountable, light sensitive, long lasting.

Cons: Could be brighter, could cast a wider beam.

For hallways indoors, I recommend Wireless Motion Sensor Light - 10 Super-Bright LED - Install Anywhere in 30 Seconds!

This light did not have three led's like the product review stated, one picture showed, a single light, the product reveiw picture showed three lights...

The light started to turn on erratically, with a delay when motion was present.
Now the motion sensor is not working, and the light comes on with darkness, and stays on. Not what I bought it for. The light worked as advertised only for a few weeks, maybe a bit longer... Bad Buy.
Sylvania 72178 Motion Activated Battery Powered Safety Light

This is a really, really well-thought out device. Kudos to Sylvania. I bought two of these to light up dark closets. The price was great, and they came with batteries included, which is an added value. The sensors and lights work great, and the ability adjust the head makes it easy to position in any location. In addition, you have the option to attach the light's snap-in wall mount with screws, a magnet (another great touch) or enclosed double-sided adhesive tape. I was in a hurry, and close the last option. The tape seemed sturdy enough, and I was not going to be moving the lights once installed.
Unfortunately, after about a month, and the onset of more humid weather, the adhesive tape failed, and the lights fell on the floor and broke.
The moral of the story is- if you are mounting these on a wall, use screws or a more sturdy method than the tape enclosed. Otherwise these lights are wonderful.