Honeywell DT8050A

Dual Tec Motion Sensor w/ Anti-Mask

Average rating:

(based upon one review)

The Honeywell DT8050A with anti-mask serves as an effective hardwired motion detecting sensor. The dual-tech device offers both PIR detection and microwave detection to reduce false alarms. The sensor has a coverage area of 53 feet by 72 feet. Buy the Honeywell DT8050A Motion Sensor here.

This product has been discontinued and is no longer in stock.

Description

The Honeywell DT8050A Dual Tec Motion Sensor is a great hardwired motion detector for virtually any home. This device offers an anti-masking feature to prevent others from obscuring the lens. As a a dual-tech sensor, both passive infrared (PIR) and microwave detection methods are provided.

In order for the DT8050A to activate, both the PIR and the microwave sensors must be triggered. The PIR sensor works by detecting the change in infrared energy that occurs when a person or object comes into the sensor's coverage area. The microwave sensor works by sending out microwave signals and recognizing how the signals return to the sensor as they bounce off of objects. By requiring both sensors to activate, the DT8050A works to prevent false alarms, while still responding when needed. A user can adjust the sensitivity of the PIR sensor by increasing or decreasing its pulse count. The signal range and strength of the microwave sensor can also be adjusted accordingly.

The maximum coverage area of the DT8050A is 53 feet by 72 feet, and this achieved by mounting the sensor from a recommended height. For best results, the sensor should be installed between 6'9" and 8'9" high, with the ideal height being 7'6". Another feature for the sensor is its integrated LED light that is used for testing and troubleshooting purposes. A zero-clearance bug guard is also included to prevent insects from tampering with the device. The fresnel lens provides uniform sensitivity optics to ensure that detection is consistent across the coverage area. The PIR sensor also uses dual slope temperature compensation so that it works properly in any ambient temperature.

Note: Honeywell offers the DT8050M, which is the same version as this sensor but with mirror optics.

Brand: Honeywell

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Reviews
Great Dual-Tech Motion
Submitted on 05/13/2020 Alarm Grid

The Honeywell DT8050A is a dual-tech motion sensor that features anti-masking to prevent others from disabling the sensor. It offers a wide coverage area of 72 feet by 53 feet, and it uses PIR and microwave technology to detect movement. Both the PIR and microwave sensors must be triggered for the device to activate. The wired sensor must connect with either a wired panel or a hardwired to wireless converter in order to be used. Overall, we think the Honeywell DT8050A is an excellent sensor, and we give it a 5 Star rating.

There are many aspects we appreciate about the Honeywell DT8050A. For one, using both microwave and PIR technology helps prevent false alarms. Even if one sensor is activated, no alarm will occur unless the other is activated. This ensures a reliable response during true motion events, while preventing any false alarms from occurring. We also like the large coverage area of the DT8050A. And the anti-masking is a great feature, as it alerts the system if someone applies a substance to the detection lens that could otherwise prevent the sensor from working properly. The DT8050A also features a bug guard to keep out any unwanted insects. And the fact that you can adjust the sensitivity for both the microwave and PIR sensors is a nice touch. And it has an LED light for walk testing and troubleshooting.

There are not many downsides for the Honeywell DT8050A. The sensor must be physically connected with the panel or a wired to wireless converter, and it will draw a small amount of power, so keep that in mind. But really the Honeywell DT8050 is great for anyone who needs a hardwired dual-tech motion sensors. It earns 5 Stars.

Good: Dual-Tech, Prevents False Alarms, Reliable, Anti-Masking, Bug Guard, Sensitivity Adjustments, LED Light

Bad: Must be Wired, Draws Power

Bottom Line: 5 Stars

If I have a couple of 8050 units pointing at each other, will they get confused by each other's microwave output? Will everything work okay with several sensors in the same room? Thanks
Here's a link to <a href="https://www.alarmgrid.com/faq/what-does-the-w1-jumper-do-on-the-honeywell-dt8050a">that FAQ</a> in case it is helpful to anyone else who may read this thread.
p.s. got it working using the 2nd option in my table. Thanks for the note - confirmed that I was on the right track.
Ha - great minds think alike! I actually went back and read the instructions - looking at the different wiring diagrams. As it turns out if you just use C and NC with an EOLR it will work; but you won't get a trouble condition if you run into an anti-mask issue. (i.e. sensor intentionally blocked = mask). You have a bunch of different wiring options: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/81b4d1fda17403cb8b6230076f5036458695ceca87d7fc07f6e1b76f69389261.gif
Hi Jon, I'm actually writing an FAQ about the W1 Jumper right now. I thought I'd get it done today, but looks like it'll be tomorrow. Whether or not you snip the W1 Jumper will depend on how you want to wire the motion to the zone. If you plan to use all of the motion's outputs (Alarm, Tamper, and Trouble) then you want to leave W1 intact and wire as shown in the image below. What W1 does is put a jumper between Terminal 7 and Terminal 3 internally. This basically puts all three of the motions zones in series and allows you to wire them to a single normally closed zone using the internal resistor. I edited the image to show that internal jumper for purposes of my FAQ. The drawback here is that if you get a tamper or a trouble, you won't be able to tell it from an alarm or regular fault. I'll have the FAQ done tomorrow and maybe that will be more helpful. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/31b6e34405bad1cd223b51dd4e0319d28175f83d0481380e36551e87e7172947.png
Ah, I did nothing with the W1 jumper. Should I have snipped that? Didn't seem clear on the installation sheet.
When you wired, did you wire to C and NC only on the DT8050A? I ask because wiring can get complicated with these motions. The dips for 2.2 and 5.6 should both be off. Assuming they are, I'd try powering down the motion, and toggling all the dips to the wrong position, then back to the correct position, being sure that they all seat properly. If one of the other resistor value dips was on, though it appeared to be off (possibly it wasn't seated properly) then it would be as if that resistor value and the 2K value were wired in parallel with one another. That would cause a fault. It could also be wiring, depending on which wiring configuration you chose to use, and whether you set the dips and configured the W1 jumper, or not correctly.
I updated my 8035 to 8050 units because I liked the anti-masking feature. I also thought that the built-in EOLR would be nice. However when I installed the 8050A and flipped the dip switch the 2 (for 2K resistor) I had a 'fault'. I restored my resistor to the green wire (which goes to the common side of the zone, and it was fine. Did I miss a trick here to get the internal EOLR to work? The plus side is that there is more room inside for the EOLR than the 8035; but I'm still wondering what I did wrong. Any thoughts on this?
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