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We had to wait a little while for Philips to create a range of outdoor Hue lamps for its impressive range of interior solutions, but the momentum is growing.
Last summer, we finally got our hands on Hue Calla's terminal lights and outdoor light strips – we found that they could complement, if they were expensive, the range. Now, this year, Philips doubles the lighting of its garden with two new wall lights and the subject of today's review, the Hue outdoor sensor at $ 50.
This device plays a similar role to the Hue motion sensor, available for interior systems since 2016, by illuminating exterior lights whenever a motion is detected. It is therefore the ideal partner for trail lighting such as Hue Calla, the company's new Ludere safety lamps and the selection of wall lanterns. As usual, you will need the Philips Hue Bridge (sold separately or in a starter kit) to connect the sensor to your system. We took the sensor outside for a test run. Here is how it happened.
Wireless, hassle free
For convenience, the Hue Outdoor Sensor is fully wireless, powered by two replaceable AA batteries, which should provide at least two years of service. As you can imagine, the sensor is perfectly weather resistant, with IP54 protection. Philips tells us that the device has undergone extensive testing and that it will withstand heavy rainfall (but not to a total immersion in the water), while a temperature range of Operating range from -4 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 to 55 degrees Celsius) ensures year-round suitability.
With a black and white color scheme that perfectly matches other Hue Outdoor products, the sensor is both compact and pretty, with a bulbous "eye" to monitor your trajectory. Designed to be mounted high on a wall, fence or other outdoor fixture, it detects motion up to 10 meters away with a generous 160 degree (7 meter) field of view.
The installation is easy thanks to the solid plastic brackets for wall and corner included in the box, as well as the screws and the dowels of accompaniment. If drilling walls seems too hard, you can be creative by inserting cable ties into the wall bracket to fix the sensor to drain pipes or other external fittings.
Simple configuration for day and night scenes
The sensor configuration is a simple task. Unlike Hue bulbs, there is no need to press a bridge button to connect the unit to your system. Just go to the Hue App Accessories area, select the sensor from the list of supported devices, tap a small configuration button located on the back of the sensor and you're connected.
It is an ideal partner for path lighting such as Hue Calla, as well as for security lamps and wall lanterns.
From there, you are free to configure the sensor settings as you wish. The Hue application makes it easy to set the interior and exterior lighting of the room during the day and evening. You can trigger the lighting of the lanes and corridors to welcome you at night. User configurable schedules define each time zone. It is therefore easy to program the reaction of your lamps to the movements detected during the day, with a totally different program for the evening. Each zone also supports an individual timeout after which your lights must return to their default state, from one minute to one hour. And as you can imagine, you can use the sensor to trigger a range of preconfigured or custom Hue scenes. If you want to surprise the intruders or greet the evening visitors with a profusion of colors, the Hue app can help you get there. some faucets.
We are big fans of the Philips Hue app, which perfectly combines simplicity and sophistication. This last iteration, which supports the outdoor sensor, receives a welcome design refresh. Fortunately, its use is just as simple, so you'll be up and running in minutes.
Finely balanced motion detection with easy control
Once mounted, you can adjust the sensor's motion detection sensitivity day and night. We tested the sensor in the middle of a winter ice storm in Canada, and our sensor and our Hue Calla lighting station test proved to be strong enough to handle the toughest elements. We found that the default settings were sufficiently balanced to avoid false alarms, but if you find that your lights are triggered by tree branches or traffic, you can adjust the sensitivity using a simple cursor.
Warranty information
The Philips Hue outdoor sensor is protected by a two-year warranty.
Our take
Whether you use a phalanx of Hue outdoor lamps, want to enhance the security of your home or just create a welcoming atmosphere after a long day of work, the Hue Outdoor Sensor is simple, rugged and versatile. more to your smart lighting toolbox.
Is there a better alternative?
If you are invested in the Philips Hue ecosystem and need an outdoor sensor, this is your only choice unless you want to experiment with IFTTT recipes. Our advice? Do not bother.
How long will it last?
We were pleased to see that the sensor was working well, even in winter conditions. As a leader in smart home lighting, Philips Hue is a brand in which you can trust. Invest with confidence.
Should you buy it?
Absolutely. The Philips Hue outdoor sensor is a simple but versatile addition to any home equipped with intelligent Hue lighting.
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