Eve's new motion sensor arrives with a revamped design and support for Thread which promises a faster response and more stable connection. We test it and explain to you what you can use it for.
The meaning of home automation is that everything works automatically, or almost. Using our iPhone to control the lights at home (or any other device) is much more inconvenient than flipping a switch, however doing it through our smart speaker while sitting on the sofa is a joy. But more enjoyable is not even having to do it, and that is the ultimate goal of home automation. The automations that interconnect some devices with others so that things work by themselves are the most of the most, and for this an essential movement sensor. However, the experience with many of them is not very gratifying, due to the delay in executing the action, or because they fail and never execute it. the Thread protocol arrives to correct this problem, and Eve has upgraded her motion sensor so that she is compatible with this new system.
Features
This is the second generation of Eve's Motion Sensor and it has several major changes from the previous generation. The first and most visible is a smaller size and more modern design. Another detail that is not seen, but is noticeable (and appreciated): it's cheaper. The smaller size makes everything smaller, and the batteries used by this new model are AAA (x2), while the previous one used AA (also two). The lower consumption of the Thread connection protocol means that the autonomy is the same, up to one year with normal use. You can use it outdoors, although not in places where it will rain directly, because it has IPX3 certification, which gives it some resistance to water. It is also perfect to be placed in the bathroom. And it also has a light sensor, which is very useful for use in automation as we will see later.
In order to take advantage of the Thread connection you will need a HomePod mini, an Apple TV 4K 2nd Gen or a 4K 3rd Gen 128GB. If you do not have any of these devices as an accessory center, it will use the Bluetooth LE connection, and you will not be able to take advantage of the Thread protocol (better connection and faster). Hubs not compatible with Thread are the original HomePod, the new Apple TV 4K 64GB, and Apple TV 4K 1st Gen or earlier.
Eve Motion Sensor 1st Gen (left) and 2nd Gen (right)
Automating
Despite being one of the most affordable accessories that we can buy to dogmatize our home, a motion sensor like this new Eve Motion Sensor offers many possibilities. The first and most obvious of these is create an automation that turns on a light when motion is detected. In HomeKit automations it allows you to fine-tune a lot and in addition to detecting a presence you can define what hours you want it to be active (only at night, for example), you can even limit the automation to only when you are at home, so if you have a animal does not activate it if you are outside. The same automation can be created using the light sensor that Eve Motion includes so that the lights turn on automatically when the lighting in the room falls below an intensity that you can predefine.
One last feature of this sensor: motion detector for your security system. If you turn on notifications in your device settings, Whenever it detects a presence, you will be notified by phone. As before, you can define the time at which you want notifications to be sent, and also if you want them to always arrive or only when you are not at home. A cheap and very simple way to know if someone has entered a room, directly on your iPhone.
Editor's opinion
With much more reliable and faster operation than the previous model, thanks to compatibility with Thread, this new model of Eve Motion Sensor is a basic accessory for anyone who wants to domotize their home. Smaller, more reliable and cheaper, plus with a light sensor included, the possibilities to automate your devices are enormous. Its price, €39,95 on Amazon (link)
- Editor's rating
- 4.5 star rating
- Exceptional
- Eve Motion Sensor
- Review of: Luis Padilla
- Posted on:
- Last modification:
- Integrated
- Durability
- Finishes
- Price quality
Pros
- more compact
- Thread-compatible
- integrated light sensor
Cons
- You need a Thread router to take advantage of its potential
Pros
- more compact
- Thread-compatible
- integrated light sensor
Cons
- You need a Thread router to take advantage of its potential