Apollo MSR-2 Review: The Best Presence Sensor for Home Assistant?
I've been testing the Apollo MSR-2 Presence Sensor throughout my Home Assistant smart home to find out whether it actually improves automations or if it's just another gadget with impressive specifications. In this review, I cover: • Unboxing and build quality • Setup and ESPHome integration • Multi-zone mmWave presence detection • Real-world testing in my kitchen and office • RGB LED and piezo buzzer automations • Reliability and day-to-day performance • Value for money • Who should buy it and who should skip it https://apolloautomation.com/products... - Apollo MSR 2 https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/ - Apollo Wiki The Apollo MSR-2 isn't just a presence sensor. It combines mmWave presence detection, motion sensing, light sensing, temperature monitoring, RGB notifications, and a piezo buzzer into one compact device. I'll show the automations I'm actually using, including zone-based kitchen lighting, office occupancy detection, desk-break reminders, and bin-day notifications. Apollo sent the device for review, but all opinions are based on my own testing and experience. If you're building a Home Assistant smart home and looking for more intelligent occupancy-based automations, this review should help you decide whether the Apollo MSR-2 is worth adding to your setup. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:20 What Is the Apollo MSR-2? 01:31 Unboxing and First Impressions 02:06 Hardware and Sensor Overview 04:55 Home Assistant Setup 05:18 ESPHome Integration 05:32 Understanding the 85 Entities 07:28 Placement and Installation Tips 07:40 Multi-Zone Detection Explained 08:30 Temperature and Light Sensor Performance 09:25 Real-World Kitchen Automation 10:41 Office Presence Detection Test 11:31 RGB LED and Buzzer Automations 12:50 Reliability After Daily Use 13:42 Pros and Cons 14:44 Value for Money 15:51 Who Should Buy It?

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