When automating your smart home, much of the attention centers on cameras and lights, but I believe HomeKit door sensors are arguably among the most critical devices to add to your setup. I’ve written about Onvis before, but the Smart Security Alarm Contact Sensor (CS2) takes the concept of a simple door sensor and turns it into a lot more. It supports Thread, but the really cool add-on here is a 120dB siren built right into the sensor. Let’s take a look at the Onvis CS2.
Some of my favorite gear Aqara Smart Lock U50 Upgrade your doors with Apple Home Key and the Aqara U50.
HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything to do with Apple’s smart home framework.
More than just open and shut
Most HomeKit door sensors do one thing: tell you if a door is open or closed. The Onvis CS2 aims to be a “4-in-1” device. It handles open/close, but it also acts as a thermometer and hygrometer. However, the security bonus feature is 120dAlarm. Unlike standard sensors that silently send a push notification to your phone (which you might miss if you’re sleeping or driving), this sensor screams at you. It has different security modes (Stay, Away, Night, and Off) that let you decide when it should be silent and when it should make noise.
You might be wondering why you need an alarm on the door itself if you get alerts on your iPhone and Apple Watch. There are a few use cases where this is a game-changer:
Pool Safety: If you have a pool, you know the worry of a child wandering out the back door unnoticed. With the OnvisCS2, you can set it to chime or alarm immediately when that door opens, alerting you instantly, even if you don’t have your iPhone near you.
If you have a pool, you know the worry of a child wandering out the back door unnoticed. With the OnvisCS2, you can set it to chime or alarm immediately when that door opens, alerting you instantly, even if you don’t have your iPhone near you. Deterrence: If someone kicks in a door at 3:00 AM, a notification to your Apple Watch isn’t enough. A 120dB siren is loud enough to wake you up and, hopefully, scare off the intruder before they make it past the door.
If someone kicks in a door at 3:00 AM, a notification to your Apple Watch isn’t enough. A 120dB siren is loud enough to wake you up and, hopefully, scare off the intruder before they make it past the door. Cabinets: You can place this on a medicine or liquor cabinet or a pantry door and set a chime to know if the kids are getting into things they shouldn’t be.
Installation process of the Onvis CS2
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