Hue sensor connect via Hue Bridge or direct to HE

[veeceeoh]

@Townsmcp

eems like these Xaimo sensors are something to definetly have a look into as long as @veeceeoh can confirm motion isnt required for the sensors to update lux levels

From my Xiaomi device driver thread.

@veeceeoh

• The Aqara Motion Sensor sends an illuminance report message in two cases:

1. When motion is detected - more precisely, some milliseconds prior to the motion detected message being sent, which can create a chicken & egg situation depending on how your automation is set up, for example if some lights in the same room as the sensor are switched on with motion detection used as a trigger, the lux value state will still be a low value (because the illuminance report message was received before the motion detection message triggered the lights to turn on.)
2. When it checks in every 50-60 minutes (along with the battery voltage report).

However, if you're handy with a soldering iron (or 4B pencil!) and not afraid to open up the Aqara Motion Sensor, there is "hack" to put it permanently in "test mode", which means it checks for motion every 3-5 seconds & sends lux reports if motion is detected:

Making Xiaomi Motion Sensor a Super Motion Sensor

I haven't tried this, but the person who "discovered" it says it doesn't seem to majorly impact battery life. Honestly, I think I should have tried doing this ages ago, because it's a total win-win hardware modification.

Just keep in mind: Even with the hardware modification, a lux report is only sent when motion is detected. But with the higher frequency of motion detection, a "correct" lux reading can be obtained after an automation has turned on lights in a room.