RAB Lighting SL500 Smart Lantern, 500W Power, 120V AC, 60 Hz, 180 Degrees View, White, Multicolor

This was my second purchase of the SL500 Smart Lantern. I use the product to equip existing lights on the outdoor walls of the house with light and motion detectors. Thus, when when a visitor approaches an entry at night, a light will come on automatically to light the approach. The sensor has all the adjustments typical of such products to control its sensitivity and the length of time the light stays on. It is relatively easy to install. However, installation time will depend on the existing location of the lamp and the quality of the previous installation. I found the instructions to be quite clear.This product contains is a sensor with material for the electrical connections, some of which you will not need. It also has two decorative plastic plates that provide a way for attaching the sensor to the wall. Because the square plate for the back of the lantern does not fit the shingles on my house, I have not used (or needed) it. (The square and oblong plates appear in the picture of the product.) I use only the oblong plastic piece and the sensor itself.The instructions tell you to cut the oblong plate to the length needed. If you replace the bulb by reaching through the bottom of your lantern, as I do, be sure to leave enough length so the sensor does not interfere with getting your hand in or the bulb out! On my first installation, I cut the piece a little too short. I have enough room to get it out, but just enough. I did not make the same mistake with my most recent installation.)Ordering through Amazon was less expensive and provided much quicker delivery than my previous purchase from a local lighting store. (In that instance, I had no idea what to look for.) After installing the product this time, I did wonder if I might have simply bought a sensor for less cost. Of course, I would have had to figure out how to attach it to the wall. I have seen replacement sensors for floodlights, but they are designed to attach to a specific device.This is a very good product. I have had one operating for at least seven years without any difficulty.

There's a lot about this product which is positive, see the manufacturer's site rabweb.com for the features in the Installation Manual. Read this document completely BEFORE you buy, and study your light fixture carefully. Too short sensor wires is a major shortcoming of this product. Read on. Your experience may vary.There are several points I encountered during installation which may affect your installation. 1) The sensor wires reach only to the top of the extender. This is too short. If your installation allows shortening the extender, like you have a light fixture similar to the one pictured on the Installation Manual, then the sensor wires MAY be long enough to make up your electrical connections. If your light fixture, like mine, shines down out of the bottom of the fixture, then you will want the sensor to be as far away as possible from the light fixture, so you will want the extender at it's full factory length, and the sensor wires will be too short. I had to add 12 inches of wire to all three sensor wires to make up my electrical connections. Purchase of the proper colored wire for the three 12 inch extension wires, and heat shrink tubing to cover the soldered wire connections cost nearly as much as the SmartLantern. Too short sensor wires is a major shortcoming of this product. 2) Based on your light fixture style, there may be a certain amount of customization required: a) my lamp base is more that the 6 x 6 inch SmartLantern base, so a 8 x 10 inch piece of Lexan was required. b) mounting screws had to be installed as studs on the wall box to place the SmartLantern base, the Lexan sheet, and the heavy light fixture over them, then make up electrical connections. c) a 2.5 inch hole had to be drilled through the SmartLantern base and Lexan to run all the wires. d) stud holes had be drilled through the Lexan and SmartLantern base in the correct locations. Definitely not Plug-and-Play.I suggest that you carefully study your light fixture design after completely reading the Installation Manual and consider my experience. If this all seems too daunting, consult a good electrician or two for their ideas before buying anything. If I knew what I now know, I would have done things differently, without a SmartLantern.My installation is now complete and all works fine. But the cost in time, money, and hassle made this a poor value.

My porch light was oversized, so none of the conventional sensor add-ons were going to work. Even when I looked at this RAB unit it would not fit in the typical vertical orientation due to the size of the light. But I was able to install it horizontally, and then with sufficient caulking so that no rain will get in from above, it is working perfectly. I have always been impressed with the "cut-above" quality of RAB products before, and this did not disappoint despite the unconventional installation.

Fantastic product!!! This worked wonderfully with my existing fixture!!! So happy I found it (been looking and finding options that didnt work for years). Easy to install!! Dusk to dawn combined with motion .... bonus of being able to customize either of those settings!!!!

The low profile design is nice, but the unit lacks the dusk to dawn Hi/Lo features mentioned both on the box and in the manual. Apparently, the manufacturer discontinued those features due to issues with CFL bulbs. I wish RAB would produce their stealth sensor in this form factor. Their stealth sensor features are robust.

Works fantastic on our outdoor light . Worth investing in if your outdoor motion sensor needs help

Bought two, one had to be replaced after a few months, but it was easy getting the replacement from the manufacturer.