The presence sensors have Important advantages over motion sensors for controlling lights and security systemsand today we tested one of the most affordable models on the market, compatible with Matter and HomeKit, the Meross MS600.
Surely you are used to seeing lights that are controlled with motion sensors in public bathrooms, entrances to buildings and other places, you may have even configured one at home to control the turning on of the lights in some area. You will therefore also know the main defect: if you stop moving, they are deactivated. Who hasn’t had to wave their hand back and forth in a public bathroom at some point for the light to turn on? Well, that problem is easily solved with a presence sensor, which It not only detects your movement, but also when you are stationarymaking this type of device much more useful for controlling your lights, even for use within a security system.
Features
- 2.4GHz WiFi connectivity (Matter)
- Tamaño 75.4 x 34.7 x 38.4mm
- Brightness sensor 0~8000 lux
- Range: presence 6 meters, movement 12 meters
- USB-C connection for power supply (not battery)
The Meross MS600 supports Matter over WiFi, so you will have to connect it to your home network. Furthermore, the mmWave technology used by this type of sensors requires them to be always activated, so energy consumption is too high to operate with batteries. This is why you must connect it to a nearby outlet using the cable and power adapter included in the box. Being Matter compatible means you’ll be able to use it on any of the major home automation platforms, including HomeKit. The MS600 is a 3-in-1 sensorbecause it includes a presence sensor with a range of 6 meters, a motion sensor with a range of 12 meters and a brightness sensor.
In the box we find, in addition to the sensor, the cable and the power adapter, several accessories to fix the cable using adhesives, another larger adhesive to fix the sensor, and a small cover that covers the bottom of the sensor to avoid, If necessary, “small things” can be detected, such as pets or a robot vacuum cleaner. The design of this small lid could be improved, since it is not fixed and you have to use a bit of double-sided tape so that it does not fall. The sensor does not differ much in design from a conventional motion sensoralthough it is more elongated. On the back it has a cover that can act as a support and also has a clip to catch the cable. It is not the most careful design, but it is still a small and discreet device that does not attract too much attention either.
Configuration
The setup process is a little different than what we’re used to, with more steps than usual to calibrate the device and check that everything is working correctly. In my case there was no problem with the procedure, which in addition to being simple is very well guided with instructions that tell you step by step what you should do. It’s a Matter device so we could add it to HomeKit directly, but It is best to use the Meross app to go through the entire necessary configuration process. Once added we have several options that we must configure so that the sensor’s operation is most appropriate to what we need.
Among the most important configuration options are the detection distance, in which we will have to take into account that only the first 6 meters work with the presence sensor, the other additional 6 meters up to 12 meters use the motion sensor. We can also establish the time from which the detector determines the absence, with a minimum of 15 seconds. And another important element is the type of detection, being able to alternate between biological detection mode and security mode in which the detection is more sensitive. Other additional settings that we can configure are the sensitivity level of the sensor, sending notifications and we can even test it from the application itself to check that it works correctly. We also have a record of all events detected over time.
HomeKit
In the home app, two sensors will automatically appear, the brightness one and the presence one. There will be no trace of the motion sensor. Both sensors can be used for automations, or to receive notifications if something is detected. In the Home app, the sensors have not had their own box for a long time, but instead appear at the top of the screen, something that I personally don’t like at all. In order to see the sensors you must enter the room where they are located, and look for them at the top of the screen. In the Home app we can only use the sensors to create automationsand this presence sensor is great for controlling the lights in a room or the living room itself. If they detect presence, they turn on, if they do not detect presence, they turn off. And here it won’t matter if you lie quietly on the couch, it will know you are there.
Another useful feature is that it can send you a notification to your phone when presence is detected. This setting can be refined to only do this if no one is home, or if you are not at home, and you can also use schedules so that it only notifies you at night, for example. It is not a security system in itself, but it can be useful in some situations.
Editor’s opinion
Presence sensors are more recent than motion sensors, much more widespread in the home automation of our homes, but if we want to control the lighting of a room with automatic on and off depending on whether there is someone in it or not, there is no better device than these new sensors, such as the MS600 that Meross has launched on the market and which with a price very similar to that of a motion sensor, offers you better performance. The only drawback is that you will need a plug to power it. You can buy this new MS600 for €27.99 on Amazon (link) during this Black Friday (official price €39.99) and in Meross for €29.73 (link).
- Editor’s rating
- Rating 4.5 stars
- Exceptional
27,99 a 39,99
- MS600 Presence Sensor
- Review of: Luis Padilla
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Last modification:
Pros
- Compatible con Matter
- Multiple configurable parameters
- Reliable operation
Source: www.actualidadiphone.com
