I recently decided to add the aeotec gen 5 siren to a Z-Wave network because, truthfully, a smart home doesn't feel very "secure" if it can't create a huge scene when some thing goes wrong. All of us spend all of this period setting up doorway sensors, motion detectors, and cameras, but if a pipe bursts or someone kicks in the top door at several: 00 AM, the tiny notification on the silent phone isn't always going to cut it. You need something that's going to wake you up and probably annoy the neighbors a small bit too.
The aeotec gen 5 siren has been about for a while now. Within the world associated with smart home technology, where new variations of all things seem to drop every six months, five or even six years may feel like a good eternity. But there's something to be mentioned for "legacy" equipment that just functions. I wanted to see if this old model still holds its very own against the particular newer Gen 6 and Gen seven versions, or in the event that it's just a relic of Z-Wave times gone by.
From the Box plus Onto the Wall
When you first get your hands on this, the design is usually pretty straightforward. It's a white, rectangular block that plugs directly into a standard power outlet. One thing I immediately noticed—and this is the bit of the pet peeve of mine—is that it's chunky enough in order to potentially block the second outlet in the event that your wall sockets are spaced carefully together. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's something to keep in mind when you're tight on "plug real estate. "
The build quality feels solid. It doesn't possess that hollow, inexpensive plastic feel that will some budget sirens have. Seems like it could have a knock or 2 and keep upon screaming. There's a small Action Key on the underside for pairing and testing, and a ring of LEDs across the face that provides visual notifications.
Exactly how Loud is 105 Decibels, Really?
Aeotec claims the particular aeotec gen 5 siren hits 105dB. To give you a few context, that's about the same volume like a jackhammer or even a very noisy motorcycle engine revving right close to you. In a little hallway or a living room, it is absolutely piercing.
When I actually first tested this, I made the mistake of standing right in front of this. Don't do that. It's not just a loud noise; it's a high-pitched, aggressive sound designed in order to be uncomfortable. If an intruder listens to this, their 1st instinct isn't going to be "let me look about and find out what I actually can steal. " It's likely to become "I need to get away from this audio immediately. "
One of the particular cool reasons for this particular model is it isn't just one humdrum "beep" sound. You've got five various tones to choose from. You are able to set a specific build for a fire alarm, a different one for the security breach, plus maybe a shorter, less heart-attack-inducing one for something similar to a water leak within the basement.
The Visual Element
I truly appreciate that Aeotec included the LED flashers. While the sound is the main event, the particular visual strobe is a great backup. If you're someone who enjoys to blast music through headphones, a person might not listen to the siren if it's on the other side associated with the house, but you'll definitely notice the walls flashing red.
It's also a thoughtful feature for anybody with hearing impairments. In a clever home, accessibility is definitely huge, and possessing a device that communicates through both nicely light is a big win in my book.
The Secret Tool: Battery Backup
This really is probably the strongest feature with regard to the aeotec gen 5 siren even today. This has a pre-installed 430mAh backup battery power.
Think about it: in the event that a burglar is smart, the initial thing they might perform is cut the power to the house. If your siren relies solely on the wall outlet, it's today just a paperweight. But with the Gen 5, the siren could keep blaring for up to 3 hours even in the event that the power is cut. That's a massive peace associated with mind factor. This also means that will if you have an energy outage and your Z-Wave hub is on an UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), your own security system stays fully functional.
Received it Talking in order to Your Hub
Since this can be a Z-Wave Plus device, the particular pairing process is usually usually pretty painless. I tested this with a few different hubs—SmartThings, Hubitat, and Home Associate.
With SmartThings, it was recognized almost instantly because a "Siren/Alarm. " You can toggle it on and off easily through the app or include it into "Rules. " For illustration, I set a rule that states "If the multipurpose messfühler for the back doorway opens while the system is armed, turn on the particular Aeotec Siren. " It works flawlessly each time.
Nevertheless, if you want to get straight into the nitty-gritty—like modifying the default shade or adjusting the particular volume—you might have got to dive into the Z-Wave configuration variables. This is where things obtain a small "techy. " You'll need to look up the manual (or a forum post) to find away which parameter amount corresponds to which environment. It's less intuitive as a contemporary app-based interface, but once you arranged it, you seldom ever have in order to touch it again.
Why Select Gen 5 More than the Newer Versions?
You may be wondering, "Why wouldn't I just purchase the Gen six or Gen seven? " That's a reasonable question. The more recent models are smaller and use the particular latest Z-Wave 700 or 800 collection chips, which offer better range plus battery life.
But here's the thing: the aeotec gen 5 siren will be often significantly cheaper if you can think it is in stock or on the secondary market. For a device that spends 99% from the life doing absolutely nothing, saving twenty or thirty bucks is a big deal.
Also, the Gen 5 is usually purely a siren. A few of the newer Aeotec "Sirens" are actually Doorbell/Siren combos. While that sounds excellent on paper, occasionally you just want a dedicated alarm that doesn't attempt to do too many things at as soon as. The Gen 5 is a specialist. It has one job—to be loud plus annoying—and it does this exceptionally well.
Real-World Use Situations (Beyond Just Burglars)
We constantly think of sirens for security, yet I've found a number of ways the aeotec gen 5 siren makes living easier:
- Water Leak Alerts: I have a bunch of outflow sensors under our sinks and near the hot water heater. When one of individuals detects water, We have the siren set to a particular "pulsing" tone. It's loud enough in order to wake me upward before a small leak becomes a flooded basement.
- Panic Button: You can pair a little Z-Wave remote or a wall button to trigger the siren. If you possess an elderly comparative living with a person, this can work as an emergency "help" alarm which can be heard throughout the house and also by neighbors.
- Smoke/CO Interconnectivity: Even if your smoke cigarettes detectors aren't "smart, " you may use a listener module that triggers your Z-Wave network. Getting the Aeotec siren go off in the particular master bedroom when the basement smoke detector triggers could literally be a lifesaver.
The Not-So-Great Stuff
To keep it true, it's not perfect. Like I stated, the size will be a bit of an issue. If a person have a crowded power strip or a decorative store cover, it might find it difficult to fit.
Also, the "Z-Wave Plus" variety excellent, but it's not the "long range" stuff we're seeing with the particular newest 800-series products. If your centre is in the basement and a person want the siren on the third floor of a big house, a person might need some Z-Wave repeaters between to make sure the signal stays strong. Luckily, given that the siren is really a "mains-powered" device, it actually acts because a repeater by itself, helping to strengthen the rest of your mesh system.
Lastly, setting up the specific shades could be a bit associated with a headache based on which hub you utilize. If your center doesn't have the "template" for your Gen 5, you'll end up being staring at a screen of organic data trying in order to figure out steps to make it sound such as a police vehicle instead of a fire vehicle.
Final Ideas
All in all, typically the aeotec gen 5 siren is a workhorse. It's loud, it offers a battery backup, and it's dependable. It doesn't have the flashy "tiny" footprint of the particular newest tech, yet when it comes to home security, I'd go for something proven plus powerful than something which looks pretty nevertheless lacks an impact.
If you're building out a Z-Wave security system and want the dedicated siren that will won't break the particular bank, this is usually still an amazing choice. It will exactly what it says on the tin: it makes a load of noise plus flashes bright lighting when things proceed wrong. And actually, isn't that all you want from the siren? Just create sure you alert your family before you begin testing the different tones—trust me on that one.