Safety Technology International, Inc.ED-55 Rex II, the electronic watchdog alarm

UPDATE: As stated in my original review's conclusion, I'm now back to buy another ED-55 Rex II. I've found my original unit temperamental: it occasionally states, "Warming Up!" in the middle of the day or night, for no apparent reasons. I suspect that its issue is a not-so-high-quality AC adapter (wall wart), as this is the behavior one would experience if unplugging and then plugging the unit back into the wall.Even with this provisio, Rex II is an excellent proximity alarm/burglar deterrent. I'm buying the second unit for the other end of my house.I took Rex out of the box, plugged "him" in, turned up the volume, placed him right up against my closed front door and I was set to go!Though I thought the barks sounded a bit fake, they caused the FedEx deliveryman to turn tail and head for the gate. Though frightening the FedEx man was not my intention, I believe he would know what a real bark sounds like, and he was fooled!Details:- Volume adjusts from very quiet to rather loud for such a small box.- Sensitivity range is fantastic! Though at high sensitivity, the unit will react to those who pass within 4 feet of it's back-side (a bit inconvenient), it responds to anyone who comes within 10 feet of my front door.- Rex Plus II offers multi-dog and a "bell" sound, as well. The multi-dog sounds don't do much for me, but I do use the bell wlhen my real dogs are present.- The unit runs by AC power by default via its included adapator, but it does support battery power, as well. I've not attempted battery usage.Rex Plus II provided the intruder discouragement I needed to leave on vacation. Now, while I'm home, it alerts me when folks arive at the house. All in all, a great product. I think I'll buy another!

Bought STI-ED55, REX PLUS II, ELECTRONIC WATCHDOG thinking it would be better and it is useless. Called Safe Technology International spoke with a Sasha who couldn't be bothered except to say return to Amazon. The range on this is very poor and did detect movement like the ED-50 Rex Plus Electronic Watchdog, Barking Dog Alarm did. The barks on this one are varied and that is a good feature but they are less realistic or scary because they sound muffled. I tested this with different sensitivity settings over a week and a half and am returning due to very poor quality product.

STI-ED-55, STI Rex Plus II, Barking Dog Alarm REVIEWOVERVIEW:This is the much better looking/stylish and more `advanced' version of STI's popular electronic watchdog.The STI Rex Plus II ED-55 now has MORE features and offers a more versatile way to deter intruders and/or receive visitor chime alerts, or trigger a siren upon motion detection.Rex Plus II claims to sense motion through thick doors, walls (not brick!) or glass.When motion is detected within the units range, the device sounds one of 8 selectable alerts, including a very angry barking watchdog. Rex II reportedly detects movement up to 26 of unrestricted feet away ('adjustable') within a supposed 150 degrees.Upon detection (sometimes seemingly without), the device will begin to produce the alert you have chosen. The closer an intruder gets, the more frequent the dog barking. Rex II can also be easily muted with a gentle pat on the "head."THREE ALERT CATEGORIES:1. DOGS: (3 options) - Dog 1, Dog 2 and Two dogs together.2. GREETINGS: (3 options) - "Ding", "Ding Dong", and a "Chirp" sound.3. ALARM: (2 options) - Siren 1 and Siren 2.VOICE MESSAGES/PROMPTS:1. "Warming up" - when power is applied.2. "Armed" - after warm up cycle is complete.3. "Growl sound" - when unit is muted (for dog sounds only).4. "Armed" - when coming out of mute.5. "Please replace batteries" - at power up or after mute button is pressed.CONTENTS: Rex Plus II with AC Adapter.DIMENSIONS: Height: 8.5" Width: 4.5" Depth: 5.5"I purchased the STI-ED-55 specifically to guard our apartment windowless front door which is solid wood and 1.75" thick . (According to the manual, this device can "see through" thick doors.)I'm only looking to cover a short 5 feet from unit to front door and 2 feet beyond, so it `should' work with out any problem over this short distance.Most of the reviews have been positive, so I ordered one from Amazon. If it didn't work for me, I could always return it without any issue.HOW WELL DOES IT WORK IN THE REAL WORLD.?VERY WELL FOR MY INTENDED PURPOSE.It CAN detect movement well beyond my solid 1.75" THICK SOLID WOOD front door with the unit on the inside about 7 feet away from my door.I MUST CONFESS I WAS SOMEWHAT SKEPTICAL, HOWEVER AFTER TESTING, I'M IMPRESSED!WHERE CAN THIS UNIT BE IMPROVED UPON?:1. I think the volume could certainly be improved upon which affects the realism to some degree (Loses ONE STAR* for limited volume)Although it's a little on the `expensive' side, if it could deter just one intruder, it would certainly pay for itselfPROS3 Selectable and fairly Realistic Dog/s Barking, which doesn't sound like a loop. (Dog Bark sounds a little muffled to my ear.)Door Chimes and Siren options as well.Nice compact contemporary design.Unit can also run on C batteries, making it VERY versatile.CAN see through 1.75" thick SOLID wood doors and also dry wall (as personally tested)MUTE featureWorks well, as advertised.CONSSomewhat Expensive.CAN'T pick up movement through brick walls like earlier models could.Shorter Range than previous models.Can sometimes go off for no apparent reason. (false alarms) and I don't have any nearby radio or microwave interference ?Does unfortunately pick up movement from sides and behind as well up to around 4 - 5 feet. NOT A DEAL BREAKER!Volume could be improved upon as well as the slightly muffled dog barking sound.RECOMMENDED.