Meross has announced a new version of its MS600 occupancy sensor that is now battery-powered, so installation is not limited to areas where the power cord can be hidden.
One CR123A battery powers the new MS605 occupancy sensor for up to three years. Battery life may be reduced in high traffic areas if the sensor is activated more frequently. His available for pre-order now via the Meross online store, discounted to $34.99 for a limited time.
Switching to battery power is made possible by another new feature: support for Matter over the low-power Thread protocol. MS605 predecessor a year ago was also compatible with Matter, but via Wi-Fi. You'll need to make sure you have a Thread-enabled hub somewhere in your home to use the MS605 with Google Home, Apple Home, or Alexa, but it doesn't have to be a Meross hub.
The MS605 has a similar design to the older MS600, with an articulated mounting plate positioned forward to allow the sensor to be tilted up to 90 degrees and rotated 360 degrees. It has an IP67 waterproof rating, so it can now be used outdoors. It also offers the same combination of light, passive infrared (PIR) and 24 GHz millimeter wave radar sensors that are used to detect people moving or standing still, and to distinguish inanimate moving objects, such as a window curtain, from people. The only real downside to the battery is that the MS605's range is reduced to 6 meters (from 12) for movement and to 4 meters (from 6) for presence detection.
