by 1 reviews.
Protect Your Home Like Never Before with Ring Alarm Outdoor Contact Sensor
The Ring Alarm Outdoor Contact Sensor is a promising addition to any smart home security system, especially for those who are part of the Ring ecosystem. Designed to help secure your outdoor gates, sheds, guesthouses, and windows, it not only offers mobile alerts when your outdoor gate opens but can also trigger your Ring Alarm siren when set in Home or Away mode. But what truly sets this device apart is its weather-resistant design, capable of withstanding harsh outdoor conditions, making it a robust choice for securing vulnerable entry points.
With a generous communication range via Z-Wave connectivity, the hardware is built to last, powered by two AA alkaline batteries, boasting an impressive battery life expectancy of up to 5 years. The device has been engineered to withstand temperatures from -4°F to 120°F (-20°C to 49°C), making it viable for most climates. However, like most products on the market, the Ring Alarm Outdoor Contact Sensor has its strengths and weaknesses, based on user experience and community feedback. Let's dive deeper into the nitty-gritty of this product, examining its pros and cons.
Usability and Installation
The usability and installation of the Ring Alarm Outdoor Contact Sensor have garnered positive feedback from the majority of users. It offers a straightforward setup with simple instructions via the app, making it a user-friendly choice, especially for those who feel challenged by technology.
"Setting it up was a breeze," one user commented. "The instructions were straightforward, and the app guided me through the process." Easy installation was a recurring theme, as another user praised the ease of following instructions and having the sensor integrate seamlessly with other Ring devices, thus expanding the home security network.
However, installation does pose some challenges, notably with the mounting mechanism. While removable bases might initially sound convenient, they appear to be a point of weakness as well.
According to a review, "The mounting tabs that hold the sensor and magnet to their bases are thin and weak." This can become a problem, especially for outdoor installations, where a strong force like wind or accidental bumps can knock them off.
Quality and Durability
The construction quality of the sensor has been of some concern among users, though with a noted appreciation for its weather-resistant capabilities. It proves carrying robust outdoor use credentials; however, as pointed out by some users, concerns over fragile mounting need to be addressed firmly in future iterations.
One user mentioned, "Durability is impressive. It's built to withstand the elements, and it's held up perfectly through rain and varying temperatures." But contradictory to this glowing praise, another user noted a potential issue: "The provided double-sided tape is strong and working well so far, but the brown plastic case may not last long in hot California summers."
The sensor's robustness as a weather-proof device has mostly stood the test, but its durability in extreme climates has been debated. Many users have ingeniously adapted their installations, reinforcing the mounts with duct or zip ties, especially in high-flow areas or when subjected to frequent gate usage.
Performance and Functionality
The Ring Alarm Outdoor Contact Sensor shines in performance, being a reliable component in detecting activity and providing timely alerts, which is perhaps its most praised feature. Most reviews recount how the alert system and integration with Ring’s ecosystem are beneficial for strengthening home security measures extensively, thus contributing to a sense of heightened home safety.
As one satisfied customer shared, "The sensor’s performance is top-notch. It reliably detects any activity around my outdoor entry points and sends instant alerts to my phone." This sentiment is shared widely, with users emphasizing the practicality of getting real-time updates on their mobile devices.
On the downside, the main criticism levied has been regarding the tamper switch, which can sporadically trigger false alarms. "The tamper switch on the bottom can be flaky," admitted a reviewer, explaining scenarios where everyday actions like slamming the gate could trick the alarm into sensing tampering.
Overall Verdict
The product enjoys a commendable review rating due to its strong integration capabilities and reliable performance in weather-varied outdoor settings. When coupled with its low maintenance needs (owing to long battery life), the Ring Alarm Outdoor Contact Sensor becomes a sensible and capable choice for enhancing residential security efforts.
In conclusion, if you're invested in the Ring ecosystem or commencing your foray into smart home security infrastructure, this device offers valuable additions to your security framework. However, keep in mind the noted mounting issues; they offer opportunities for improvement and user problem-solving adaptation – often simply resolved with common household items like duct tape or zip ties. Customers who have addressed these minor setbacks state no hesitation in recommending it to friends and family, especially praising Ring's customer service for swift resolution of issues and ensuring customer satisfaction remains a top priority.
Final Thought: Reliable, yet not without its quirks, the Ring Alarm Outdoor Contact Sensor extends value but recommends user creativity to counter its minor mounting misgivings. For those willing to innovate, it is a capable asset that integrates effortlessly into a broader smart home framework.
Specification Ring Alarm Outdoor Contact Sensor:
Comments from Amazon:
This is huge which is fine for an outside sensor but it keeps sliding off the base just slightly every time I open the gate which is causing a tampered error. I don’t know if this is because it’s so large or a design flaw but it’s definitely frustrating and I get tired of fixing it. I have all things Ring and love their products but I wouldn’t buy this product again. Update: First, I am so blown away by the customer service offered by Amazon/Ring, I am very busy and missed several attempts to connect with them, but they kept trying. They are working on a solution and helped me with one of my other devices. Keep up the excellent customer service! I will post again if the issue is resolved. Final Update: Turns out my device was defective, they replaced my unit and I haven’t had any issues at all with a tamper error, even during setup which happened last time. Customer service was a jewel and also helped me fix one of my other device issues. I would definitely recommend this product now and kudos to their outstanding customer service!
I'm thrilled with the Ring Alarm Outdoor Contact Sensor! Setting it up was a breeze. The instructions were straightforward, and the app guided me through the process. The sensor's performance is top-notch. It reliably detects any activity around my outdoor entry points and sends instant alerts to my phone. This added layer of security brings peace of mind. Durability is impressive. It's built to withstand the elements, and it's held up perfectly through rain and varying temperatures. I appreciate the battery life; it's been months and it's still going strong. Plus, replacing the battery was a cinch. As part of my whole Ring security system, this sensor is a great addition. It seamlessly integrates with other Ring devices, expanding my home security network. In a nutshell, Ring Alarm Outdoor Contact Sensor is a must-have. Easy to set up, dependable, and durable. For anyone looking to enhance their home security, especially within a Ring ecosystem, this is a fantastic investment!
As others said, the range is good and it is good that the sensor is tolerant of a wide gap (~1 inch) between sensor and magnet. However, the tamper switch on the bottom can be flaky (the sensor incorrectly reports it has been tampered after gate is slammed close). Also, while it is nice that the mounting base for the sensor and magnet are removable, this is really a weakness. The mounting tabs that hold the sensor and magnet to their bases are thin and weak. On the first day after I installed this on my side gate my gardener knocked the magnet off its mount by slamming the gate. Also, I’m concerned how long the brown plastic case will last in hot California summers. UPDATE 2/2024: While the physical mounts are not robust, these sensors have proven to be reliable. I have 3 of these on outdoor gates and they are working reliably. The provided double-sided tape is strong and working well so far (must be mounted to a perfectly flat surface such as metal frame). One recurring issue is that the magnets easily slip off their mounts from normal gate use. The fix: a zip tie. A zip tie can be run through the slot on the mount and wrapped around the magnet to keep it secure.
I bought these to go with my Ring alarm system and to be placed on my wood fence gate. They are about twice the size of the Ring indoor sensors and come with a mount, and you can slide the sensors out to replace the batteries. We installed them with minimal issues on our wood gate door. The problem was when our weekly landscapers let the gate shut, they sensors would fly off. We noticed they were showing open when the gate was closed and found them in a nearby flowerbed. After the second time this happened, I added some duct tape to attach them to the mounting piece a little better and they have stayed put. They are a little pricey, but they work well once you figure out how to attach them properly and securely. I like getting notified when my gate opens and being able to check the app to confirm that the gate is shut. If you worry about your gates, it might be worth trying them if you already have a Ring alarm system. I do not know if they work just by having the doorbell or if you need the alarm system.
Easy install, easy to follow instructions. Doesn't fall off easy, with many cycles of open and close.
Facts no Fluff: + Zwave sensor works very well + Works with SmartThings + Distance is about 900ft from the main hub, though there are additional zwave devices between to repeat signal + The sensor is slightly large due to 2 AA batteries but the benefit will be long life hopefully and are easy to replace and buy - the Magnet side of the sensor is thin and the magnet itself does not snap securely to the mounting base. +- to fix this, I put a support block of wood next to the magnet so it won't easily slide off. There should almost be no reason to remove the magnet once you install the sensor. - Because it easily removes from the mounting plate, this might cause the magnet to accidentally fall off which would be bad if it triggers alarms. (I believe other reviews allude to the same thing, having the magnet fall off) I would buy another knowing how well the zwave works, smartthings compatibility and its weather resistant design. Ring needs to redesign the housing.
Bought this to add my shed to my Ring alarm system. Works great for that purpose. I installed it on the inside of the shed doors so any intruders don’t even see that it is attached to my alarm system.