Have you ever walked past one of those outdoor motion sensor lights and just get out of range when it goes off, leaving you in the dark.  Well so have I.  Many inexpensive units only look for movement when they are off, so they miss the fact that you have just walked by the unit.  Better units respond to motion all the time (during the night anyway) and stay on as long as there is motion.

I recommend the REGENT brand units.  **

The heads (sensors), REGENT model CMS401, can be purchased separately (to replace an existing head) OR units with single and dual lamps are available.

There is at least one model which comes with one of those 'high intensity rectangular lamp' assemblies.

Other features:

• Handles 500 Watts   (Most only handle 300 watts.)
• Stays OFF during the day.  (They all do that)
• Timing starts or re-starts (or is reset to the beginning) each time someone moves in front of the unit, whether the light is ON or OFF. (As long as there is activity every few minutes the unit will stay ON and will NOT flicker on and off.
• A momentary interruption of power (with the light switch) will cause the unit to stay ON all night.  The next morning when the sun comes up, this feature automatically resets and the light goes OFF during the day and will return to the automatic motion sensing (operating) mode that night.  All automatically.  (Other units will stay on forever until the ON mode is reset by using the light switch.)
• The heads (sensors), are also sold separately (REGENT model CMS401). They are supplied with an optional extension arm which allows for flexible positioning and aiming of the sensor.
• It is possible to wire two heads at a light unit.  Each head can point in a different direction.  This works well for walkways around the side of a house or building.  A person approaching from either direction will turn on the lights.

** Regent Lighting Corporation, Burlington NC.  http://www.regentlighting.com/
 

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August 10, 2000