Is the Hosmart Driveway Alarm the best in its class?

Most wireless alarms have a passive infrared sensor that detects heat and motion, so they identify both humans and vehicles in motion. Because of the heat sensors they are not set-off by dead leaves or wind. Driveway alarm range varies from 30 or 50 feet to half a mile in ideal conditions. The build quality is an important factor in choosing the best driveway alarm systems because they need to weather extreme and changing weather conditions throughout the year. The Hosmart ½ mile driveway alarm is one such device that has stood the test of time and is still consistently highly reviewed by customers.

Think of your driveway alarm as a functional doorbell. If there is someone around the sensor, the base unit will ping to notify you of their presence. Whether you’re worried about deer and coyotes or you just want a notification when you Amazon parcel is delivered, a driveway alarm will satisfy both those needs and more.

Hosmart 1/2 Mile Rechargeable Driveway Alarm – Outdoor Motion Sensor & Detector

Hosmart driveway alarm is one of the longest-range driveway alarms and one that really works well. It is well-engineered with excellent quality industrial grade PVC housing, rubberized weather and water-resistant seal, and a sunshade. Both the PIR sensor and the base unit are very easy to set-up – see instructions below.

The weather resistant outdoor sensor is equipped with the latest infrared sensors to detect motion and heat so there are very few false alarms. The color is a natural beige that easily blends into the natural environment making it completely concealed. The system is expandable so add up to 4 sensors around the property and feed the notification to the same base unit. You can set different tones for each of the sensors so you can identify the source of the intrusion.

Customers have found that these sensors are excellent to monitor wildlife activity around the property, the most common intruders being deer and bears. The customer service is excellent in the rare case that you face any issues with any of the two devices. You can complement these sensors with a wider security camera system for complete security of your property.

Pros:

Excellent long range in most weather conditions.
Back by a 24-month warranty.
Well-built device.
Expandable system with more sensors.

Cons:

Device needs to be unscrewed to change the battery or the sensor settings.
Signals tend to interfere if neighbors have the same product.

Hosmart driveway alarm battery replacement

Hosmart uses an 18650 Li-battery which is wired into a plug inside the PIR sensor. The battery is rechargeable and lasts several months to a year depending on the number of times it is set-off. You should average about 30-45 beams before requiring a recharge.

Since it is a Lithium battery it will last you for years under normal use. Unless it’s damaged or corroded (unlikely), you will never need to replace it. If your battery does die and if it is still under warranty, you can send the device back to Hosmart for a replacement. However, in the unlikely event that you do need to change the battery, you can buy an aftermarket 18650 Li battery and plug it into the board. As always take all safety precautions before attempting the DIY replacement.

Hosmart driveway alarm manual

The instructions to set-up the PIR sensors and receiver are fairly straightforward. The package includes an installation card with everything you need to know. You can download the instruction manual here. We will summarize the set-up instructions, so you get an idea of what you’re in for.

You start by putting the 18650 battery in the PIR sensor and plugging in the wire to the board. Then put the AAA batteries in the receiver – while this is optional as you can just plug in the receiver, the batteries provide backup power for up to two weeks in case of a power outage. If you have multiple PIR sensors, you can differentiate the jingle for each of them so you can identify the location of the intrusion.

There are two small switches inside the PIR unit that let you adjust the tone and the distance you want to set. You can easily adjust these later on. Then screw o the back and swivel, decide on the installation location, and screw on the device. Try not to set it too low or the critters will keep setting it off. Test it by walking around it several times and make sure there is someone in the house to let you know if the receiver is functional as well.

Hosmart driveway alarm troubleshooting

The PIR motion sensor operates, but the base station does not respond.

Check the sensor switch settings and make sure the battery wire is secure plugged into the connector.

PIR motion sensor is detecting motion only part of the time.

Set the PIR motion sensor switch #1 to the high sensitivity setting. To detect vehicles, it is best to mount the PIR motion sensor at the height of the car’s motor and from 10 to 25 ft (3-7.5m) away from the road. Swivel the sensor to obtain the best line of sight to a vehicle.

Hosmart driveway alarm keeps going off.

Check for insects in the sensor window and remove as necessary. If there are tree branches or leaves blocking the sensor, considering placing it in another location with a clear line of sight. PIR motion sensors can also be triggered by light shining directly or reflecting into the sensor.

If you notice any condensation built up on or around the sensor, just wipe if off with a non-abrasive cloth or a cotton swab. Detach the battery inside the sensor and let it air-dry for a few hours. The sensor will recalibrate itself after it is dry.

The system is not getting the expected transmission range.

Ensure that the PIR sensors are vertically aligned, not attached to the far side of a tree, and away from metal objects. Ensure that the base station antennae is vertical and has the clearest possible line of sight to the sensors. The fewer objects between the devices, the longer the range.

FAQs:

How do I charge my Hosmart driveway alarm?

Hosmart has included an AC adapter to charge the driveway sensor and a microUSB cable to charge the base unit. The PIR device has A 18650 Li battery that lasts several months to a year on a single charge. The first time you charge the sensor, leave it for at least 4 hours until the blue light is off. The base unit also has 4 AAA batteries to work as backup in case of a power outage.

How does a wireless driveway alarm work?

Driveway alarms have a range from 30 or 50 feet to half a mile. They are a two-part system with a PIR sensor and a base unit or receiver. The PIR sensor is installed around the property. It detects heat and motion to stop intruders from gaining access to your property. Once motion or heat is detected, the receiver or base unit beeps to notify the owner of the property.

Hosmart company

Hosmart was founded by a group of ex-Motorola engineers in 2012. What started with one simple motion sensor product has now grown into a world leader in home intercom products and solutions. Hosmart designs, engineers, and manufactures their own products which results in consistently good quality devices that stand the test of time. They consistently test their products in varying weather conditions to ensure their functionality and to weed out any design flaws at the product development stage.