RAB Security Lights With Stealth Motion Sensor Are My Choice As Installer

RAB security lights are the motion sensor security lighting solution that I use and install. They’re perfect for both home residential and commercial business use. What makes them unique is the RAB Stealth motion sensor itself and its many attributes (listed below). Excellent at deterring trespassing, or simply lighting the way as you enter the premises.

RAB makes a variety of outdoor exterior motion sensors. I definitely have a favorite sensor which I will detail in a minute…having installed lots of them.

RAB makes reliable superior quality motion lights (and other lighting too).

RAB Security MOTION SENSOR LIGHTS – Why I Install Them:

Here’s WHY as an installer I have no doubt whatsoever – THE best outdoor security motion lights: RAB Super Stealth 360, made in the USA. RAB makes the highest quality consumer-available motion sensor on the market, in my opinion.

Why do I say that? I have installed lots of them! Moreover I have been completely satisfied with their outstanding performance over the years.

Continue reading for the technical reasons why I believe they’re the best motion sensor security lights.
– the criteria, features & FAQ
– specifications
– installation tips

Best Outdoor Motion Light - RAB Super Stealth 360
RAB ‘Super Stealth’ outdoor motion sensor lights mounted on my deck

First, to view the exact RAB security lights that I’m referring to, here’s their storefront on amzn which I’ve linked their brown and white version of the Super Stealth 360.

RAB (brown)

RAB (white)

Update on my RAB Security Lights

(ANOTHER RAB UPDATE – 2022) The RAB motion lights that I have installed have been in service for MANY years without any problems whatsoever! In fact, I have installed several more here on the property this year.

The reason I’m updating this post again, is to show you how I handled a particular issue with wind-blown tree branches sometimes setting it off, triggering motion. And I solved it without having to reduce the sensitivity of the sensor! (How-to section added below).

I am also updated the fact that my LED Flood Lights have been operational for many years outdoors (in all sorts of weather) with no issues at all. I’ve been using LED floods in my RAB security lights without any problems (the following LED flood lights are rated for outdoors).

Waterproof PAR38 LED, Dimmable, 5000K Daylight, 1600 Lumens
(view on amzn)

[ Read: Replace Flood Lights With LED Equivalent – Saves LOTS Of Electricity ]

What makes the RAB Super Stealth 360 the best outdoor motion sensor security lights?

(Keep reading!)

(jump to my reasons)

best outdoor motion sensor light with longest range

I installed several more of the RAB Super Stealth 360’s to beef up my home security. They compliment the motion sensor lights that I installed a number of years ago. I was pleasantly surprised to discover even more improvements to this stellar product!

They’re still the best outdoor motion sensor lights, and here’s why:

RAB Security Lights

Motion Light Features | Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best features of the RAB motion sensor?

– Motion Detection Distance
– Motion Sensing Angle (detection pattern width)
– False Triggering Stability
– Power Handling (watts)
– Surge Protection
– Reputation!

How far will the RAB security light motion sensor detect?

While the majority of ordinary outdoor motion lights may sense and trigger out to 30 or 40 feet, the RAB Super Stealth sensor will detect motion out to 60 feet when installed correctly.

How can the RAB Super Stealth detect 360 degrees all around?

It has two sensors. One detects 180 degrees out to 60 feet, while the other (mounted underneath) detects down (under the unit) and 360 degrees around to 15 feet. There’s no escaping it’s sensors!

Are the RAB Super Stealth security lights worth the extra money?

In most installations which focus on security, yes, it’s worth it. The additional features, functionality, and reliable reputation of a quality brand is worth the peace of mind.


Best Outdoor Motion Light: mounted on my deck

RAB Motion Sensor Security Lights On Each Corner Of The House

I mounted this motion sensor light on one end of the deck. The other ‘RAB’ is mounted on the other side. I have a total of four covering the entire perimeter of the house for better security.

Burglars ARE deterred when a motion light is triggered.
Long distance matters and RAB Super Stealth senses the longest.

The RAB Stealth will detect out to 60 feet!

The Best Outdoor Motion Light with the longest range

Why it’s the best sensor

ABOUT the RAB Motion Sensor “Super Stealth”

Long Range Motion Sensor Detection

The primary motion light sensor (there are 2 built in) has very long distance sensitivity compared with other cheaper brands.

60 feet detection in a 180 degree pattern on primary sensor.
(proper mounting required)

[ Read: The Best Way To Set Up Motion Lights Outdoors ]

This criteria is very important to me because I want the earliest notification and deterrence possible. High quality motion detectors pay off in this area – the maximum distance possible.

RAB motion light sensor

RAB Security Light 360 Degree Motion Sensor

The RAB Super Stealth 360 has two sensor detectors!
One reaches out for distance as mentioned above.

A secondary sensor ‘looks’ BEHIND, including UNDERNEATH and itself has a reach of about 10 – 15 feet. That, combined with the 60 foot reach of the front 180 degree swath makes it a true 360 degree motion light!

Outdoor motion sensor lights are also rated by their detection pattern. That includes sensor coverage width – their sensing angle measured in degrees. For ultimate security protection a 360 degree full circle coverage is absolutely the best. This will leave no dead zones whatsoever.

There is NO sneaking up on this motion light without it turning on!

How-to Stop Windblown Trees & Branches From Triggering Motion Detector

(This is a new update)
I had recently installed another unit. Later I discovered that when it was windy, some trees were setting it off when they blew around. Same thing could happen with bushes, branches, etc. However, here’s another nice thing about the RAB motion sensor design… This can be mitigated. And you might be able to do it without having to turn down the motion sensitivity, depending on your unique installation. A picture is worth a thousand words:

It comes with a set of tabs that can be trimmed (bent back-and-forth and snapped to what you need). They can be positioned anywhere on the face of the sensor. They snap on. In my case, about 40 feet away, there’s a stand of pine trees that were setting off the detector when it was very windy. Being on the side, I was able to position a strip of the blocking tabs to eliminate sensing on that edge. This way I could keep the sensitivity set to maximum.

RAB Motion Sensor Temperature Compensation

The outdoor temperature affects motion sensing ability. The RAB Super Stealth automatically adjusts for outdoor temperature to optimize motion detection regardless of the degree of hot or cold.

Surge Protection for the Sensor

Built in surge protection up to 6,000 volts will protect your investment. This could be caused by voltage spikes from thunderstorms, lightning, power tools, etc..

My RAB Super Stealth outdoor motion light

RF Immunity Sensor Protection

This motion sensor is protected from Radio Frequency interference potentially caused by wireless and other devices.

Scanning LEDs

Three Red LEDs are always scanning across the face of the motion sesnor. This feature itself is a great deterrent!

RAB Motion Sensor Security Lights >> Advanced Logic

They have figured out a way to minimize false triggers. While no motion light is completely immune, this is where many others fail. You can be confident that when this light turns on, there’s a reason…

Hight Wattage Capacity

An outdoor motion light is also rated by how many watts (adding up the total watts of the bulbs). The typical maximum for outdoor motion lights is usually 300 watts (e.g. two 150-watt bulbs).

The RAB Stealth can switch up to 1,000 watts by adding additional external fixtures.

Ease of Installation

It’s not that difficult to install an outdoor motion light for an electrician or those who know what they’re doing. With that said, some light fixtures are easier to install than others.

Note: The RAB Stealth comes with a convenience hanger for the light fixture while connecting the wiring. This greatly simplifies the installation:

RAB installation hanger

My First RAB Motion Sensor Light

For the sake of my own nostalgia, here’s my first RAB motion light from ~ 10 years ago. I upgraded my existing motion light at the time with just a RAB motion sensor (which you can purchase separately, rather than the entire assembly with the lights).

You can get just the sensor:
RAB STL360
(amzn)

RAB Super Stealth 360

CONCLUSION

The Best Motion Light For Outdoors

There are additional features too, but those listed above are important to me and part of the reason I choose RAB security lights.

A very important part of general preparedness is one’s home security. Outdoor motion lights are one of the best deterrents you can have for a first level security defense at night.

Note: I have a background in electronics (among other things) and installed these motion lights myself. I can tell you that RAB has made it very accommodating for the installer (or electrician). There are several thoughtful and helpful inclusions to make the installation go smoothly. 1st class all the way.

Remember, “you get what you pay for”, and this one is worth the money.

RAB (WHITE)
(view on amzn)

RAB (BROWN)

[ Read: Best Color Temperature For Security Lights ]

34 Comments

  1. Back in my retail lighting days sold a lot of RAB was a great product back then also.

  2. Good Morning Ken,

    Quick question for you. I am seeing a review that puts forward the following: “The RAB factory tech explained that LED lights interact and burn out the sensor circuitry on these lights, so only old halogen or incandescent flood lights will work with this model (STL360H).”

    I do not have these lights at this time but I am in the market for some replacements on our old but new to us home. What is your experience with the LED bulbs and these fixtures?

    I know that you have the solar system and power consumption is a factor to you, so lower usage is better right? Thus the LED question. TIA, Loclyokel

    1. loclyokel,

      I have been using LED flood light bulbs on all RAB Stealth sensor (specifically those mentioned in the article) for years.

      I have had ZERO burnouts of either the bulbs or the sensors. And that’s in weather extremes from the -30’s to the 90’s.

      I may try and contact them myself to get a more technical explanation. Given my experience, I have had no problems with LED bulbs in those fixtures.

      1. Thanks Ken
        this is good to know (your experience with them) I used a different LED when we were in FLA but they weren’t that good. It may have been the big box store fixtures also. The comment from the reviewer didn’t sit well with my partial electrical/electronics brain also. To me, it would require these led bulbs to be generating a field or some kind of feedback to damage the sensors if that is at all possible.

        I believe I will give both the fixtures and the LED bulbs you recommend a try and we will go from there. Great site, one of my favorites, and I’m here most days.

        1. Also, given that a motion light will only be ‘on’ for a few minutes – maybe 10 – before it’s off again, it doesn’t use that much electricity. So using LED flood lights instead of ordinary incandescent floods only saves a little bit of utility $.

          Since I’m hooked up with off-grid solar for some circuits (I also have grid power), I did switch ALL of my bulbs to LED. So if it’s a concern (their apparent statement) regular good-ol’ incandescent floodlight bulbs are fine…

  3. To me, solar is essential.

    I live in a very safe area unless something really bad happens.

    If the power goes out, that is when I will need security lights. All of my motion detector lights and other outdoor lights are solar.

  4. I installed one a few years ago and bought LED floods for it. I haven’t had any problems. It’s installed under the front eave of my house in NW Georgia.

  5. I have RABs with LED bulbs on five corners of my house and they work great. I highly recommend these light fixtures as they are worth the price.

    1. Thanks for sharing your positive experience. I have a number of articles on these motion sensor lights here on the blog – because I’m so convinced of their superior performance. Home security is important. And these RAB’s are a very good way to illuminate the perimeter!

  6. I purchased these lights after reading your last write.

    All i can say is, pay the money and get these lights.

    Everything about the lights are true. These are the best you can buy.

    Along with Led bulbs, perfect combo. I live in the woods and did not like the standard color lights of 4000k or higher. I use bulbs that are 2700k. Nice warm light for the woods.

  7. I am thinking of getting the RAB SUPER STEALTH for my daughter.

    She has a front garage with about a 20 foot drive and another 10-15 feet to a street with a lot of traffic.

    Will she be able to adjust sensors so the cars going by do not cause the lights to go on all the time?

    I want her to have a good system because she recently had her car broken into in the driveway.

    1. Yes, there is a sensitivity adjustment for the range/distance on the RAB Stealth.

      At maximum, given your footage, the cars will definitely set it off. No worries though. Just dial it down until they don’t…

  8. I had two Stealth (STL360Q3W) motion lights installed in 2006. Both worked great until this past fall (2018). Neither will now turn on with motion. Instead they both stay on all night. (1) Should I buy a new sensor for them; and (2) if I need new sensors, will any brand work or does it have to be a Stealth?

    1. D. DuHadway — please don’t take this as being snarky…but have you tried “cleaning” the sensors? Any chance they are just dirty?

    2. @ D. DuHadway, One thing to check is this: Turn off the power (or circuit breaker) for the light. Wait 10 seconds. Turn it back on. This resets the Stealth sensor. The reason I suggest this is because it does have a feature to stay on all night (Evening Timer). It may have accidentally been set.

      You can check it:

      “If the EVENING TIMER has been activated during daytime, the middle LED should start blinking, indicating that the EVENING TIMER will start when dusk is detected.”

      Also, double check the position of the lights with respect to the sensor. If the sensor is ‘seeing’ the heat from the light fixture, it may stay on. Just double check that the fixtures are not too close to the sensor.

      Apart from that, sounds like the sensor head. They can be replaced with any sensor. Though RAB Stealth is by far the best.

      Hope this helps.

  9. Thanks for the great thread on this…so where can I buy these lights and how much are they? Do any large retailers carry them? I am looking for products manufactured in Canada or the USA only. Thanks! Brenda

  10. Fantastic review and very thorough!
    I just read the RAB website and reviewed the STL360H and they say DO NOT USE LED BULBS as they will cause interference. Have you had any issues using the Hyperikon PAR38 LED Bulb, 100 Watt. 5000K?

    1. John,
      Though RAB made that statement, my own experience with using the Hyperikon LED floods has been fine. With that said, I’m sure there’s a reason that RAB recommends using regular incandescent traditional floods/spots. Perhaps certain LED bulbs have proven to be problematic with their sensor circuitry.

      If the reason to consider LED bulbs are for energy savings, here’s my recommendation:

      When using the RAB outdoor motion light for motion detection (rather than simply being on all night dusk-to-dawn), electricity consumption will be very minimal. That’s because the lights are only “ON” for only up to ~10 minutes at a time. No big deal. Therefore, one might as well use the regular traditional floods/spots (given RAB’s recommendation).

      However, the reason that I chose the LED floodlights is because I have Off-Grid solar power integrated into my home. Therefore I’m concerned about every watt. Otherwise, I might have simply gone with standard bulbs.

      Hope that helps.

  11. Hi, is there any additional hardware needed for installation? I plan on buying on amazon.
    thank you.

    1. Allthumbs;
      I have installed these, no “extra” hardware needed if you have existing lighting there.
      Usually will mount right to the existing “can”.
      BTW make darn sure to turn off the power before working on any electrical device, AND make sure you know how to mount/install/wire correctly, if not, get some assistance from an Electrician.

  12. I just installed the SBL360 unit, and it did not work correctly. I got a replacement sensor from RAB, and it has exactly the same problem as the first unit. Some evenings, after dark, it will have automatically switched to auto mode and will work correctly to detect motion. Some evenings, I have to manually turn off and turn back on the electrical circuit that controls the lights to get it to work as it should. Anyone have any suggestions for what might cause this?

  13. Ken, great article…we are looking at new motion sensor lights to put out by the shop building. We’ll check into these. Also, know of any good security cameras for outdoor use along with the lights? My thanks.

  14. Wow !
    How did people ever survive without Security Lights ?
    It might be hard to believe, but there are those (like myself) that like to keep things in the dark, and adapt to it.
    I operate better that way. As nature intended.
    Tune in your senses, and sharpen them to the surrounding environment.
    Become part of the night.
    I suppose if you’re not an avid Outdoorsman/woman, it would be very difficult to do.
    And, if outdoor lighting gives you a ‘sense of security’, by all means go ahead with it.

  15. I live in Southern Indiana. I’ve done my homework and NOBODY sells RAB here. I got on Amazon and looked at the reviews. More than one person claimed RAB will not stand behind their products sold on Amazon. Anybody have any experience with this?

  16. A year or so ago, I had a problem with one of my RAB light sensor and when I called RAB the spokesman they said do not use LED light bulbs as it will ruin the sensor and since I purchased them on Amazon it was not covered by their warranty.

    1. I have installed RAB motion lights for years at my homestead and they are the best I’ve ever had!

  17. That’s interesting because I’ve been using LED floodlights with my RAB motion lights for years without issue…

    1. I switched to regular 150w bulbs and have had no problems since. I prefer the LED for their brightness but I don’t want to take a chance on ruining my sensors. I did purchase 5 solar powered security lights that were on close out at Lowes to have as back ups as well as 5 of the large brood lights with cage and clamps that I put the LED security lights in. I can place these around my railing, out along my fence and run them with a small Generac generator.

  18. Will these operate in -50F temperature? I live in Alaska, gets cold up here.

    1. To Snack,
      I can tell you they have operated for me at -32 F without issue. That’s so ridiculously cold, What’s another 18 degrees, right? 🥶

  19. I have RAB motion sensors that worked fine with incandescent floods, but when I put in LED floodlights to save energy they went wonky – cycled on / off… I got DIMMABLE LED floodlights and the problem disappeared… I think most if not all the people here using LED lights fortunately got DIMMABLE LEDs without even realizing it… also RAB now makes an STL200 specifically for LED lights (they don’t have to be DIMMABLE)…

    1. Dragonfly, Thanks for that observation! Yes Ive used dimmable LED floods/spots for my RAB’s.

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