Introduction: Meet the Capture CD‑W Dual‑Tech Ceiling Detector
Capture CD‑W (GDE‑0001)is a wireless, ceiling‑mounted dual‑technology motion detector designed to deliver dependable 360° protection across an approximate 8 m radius. Blending a quad‑element passive infrared (PIR) array with a K‑band microwave sensor, this compact unit targets accurate detection while reducing false alarms. Built for quick installation and battery operation, the CD‑W communicates over the Texecom Ricochet™ wireless mesh and meets EN50131/PD6662 Grade 2 standards, making it suitable for a wide range of residential and commercial intruder alarm applications.
- 8 m / 360° omni‑directional coverage— ideal for retail, open rooms and many corridor configurations.
- Dual‑technology sensing— quad PIR + K‑band microwave for improved false alarm rejection.
- Multiple detection modes— Low Sensitivity (LW), CloakWise (CW) and Dual Tech (DT) for flexible tuning.
- Ricochet™ wireless mesh— resilient communication and simplified commissioning.
- Grade 2 compliant— EN50131‑2‑4 and UK PD6662:2017 certification for Grade 2 intruder systems.
Detailed specifications and benefits
The CD‑W packs a surprising amount of capability into a low‑profile ceiling form factor (diameter ≈125 mm, depth ≈43 mm). Below are the key specifications and what they mean in practical use.
- Model / Part:Capture CD‑W / GDE‑0001.
- Coverage:8 m radius, 360° ceiling mount — designed to cover open spaces without the sight‑line limitations of wall mounting.
- Detection technology:Quad PIR + K‑band microwave (dual‑tech) for balanced sensitivity and false alarm rejection.
- Detection modes:LW (Low Sensitivity), CW (CloakWise) and DT (Dual Tech) — offering installers flexible tuning to suit the protected environment.
- Standards:EN50131‑2‑4 Grade 2; UK PD6662:2017 Grade 2 — compliant with common intruder system requirements.
- Recommended mount height:2.4–3.6 m — typical ceiling heights for offices, retail and homes.
- Dimensions & weight:Diameter ≈125 mm, depth ≈43 mm, weight ≈98 g — discreet and low profile.
- Environmental:Operating −10 °C to +55 °C; 0–95% RH non‑condensing.
- Wireless frequency:868.2–868.4 MHz with Ricochet mesh — licensed ISM band region compatibility and mesh resilience.
- RF power & duty:Max 10 mW; transmitter duty cycle <1% — low RF impact and reduced battery drain.
- Receiver:Category 1, Class 2 with LBT (Listen Before Talk) for reliable radio behaviour.
- Power / battery:Operating 3.0 V; typical battery capacity 1250 mAh (specified cell per datasheet).
- Quiescent current:≈22 µA — extremely low standby draw that supports multi‑year battery life under normal conditions.
- Alarm pulse current:≈38 mA (40 ms) — short transmit bursts keep overall energy use low.
- Mounting:Ceiling mount with omni‑directional coverage; installer features include automatic wireless setup and laser‑etched cover instructions.
Benefits stemming from these specifications include long battery life (typical multi‑year operation depending on reporting frequency and environmental activity), minimal maintenance, and a compact aesthetic that fits ceiling plaster or suspended ceilings. The tri‑colour LED indication and straightforward commissioning tools make installation quicker and reduce callbacks.
Why dual‑tech and ceiling mount matter
Dual‑technology combines the strengths of two sensing principles. The quad PIR array is sensitive to thermal changes caused by moving people, while the K‑band microwave provides active, doppler‑style motion sensing. When used in Dual Tech mode, both sensors must indicate motion to trigger an alarm — dramatically lowering false positives from pets, drafts or sudden temperature changes. Alternatively, LW or CW modes let installers bias performance toward PIR sensitivity or cloak detection in specialized environments.
Ceiling mounting delivers true 360° coverage and avoids blind spots that can occur with wall sensors in wide or busy spaces. For retail stores, open plan offices and larger rooms, a ceiling detector with omni‑directional coverage reduces the number of devices needed and provides a neater, less obtrusive installation.
Use cases and scenarios where the CD‑W excels
The Capture CD‑W is well suited to environments where broad, unobstructed coverage and dependable alarm decisioning are priorities.
- Retail spaces:Sales floors, boutiques and shops benefit from 360° coverage to protect merchandising areas without multiple wall sensors. Dual‑tech sensing reduces alarms caused by large window temperature swings or nearby HVAC drafts.
- Open plan offices and meeting rooms:Single ceiling detectors can protect larger rooms while preserving ceiling aesthetics and avoiding wall clutter.
- Corridors and lobbies:In wide corridors and building lobbies the omni‑directional pattern ensures motion is captured across the space, making it easier to secure entry points without complex sensor placement.
- Residential open spaces:Living rooms and halls in larger properties often require devices less visually intrusive than wall mounts; ceiling mounting keeps the detector unobtrusive.
- Installer‑centric deployments:Rapid wireless setup, Ricochet mesh resilience and laser‑etched guidance speed up commissioning and maintenance, saving time on multi‑unit installs.
How it compares with similar products on the market
When evaluating motion detectors, there are a few common categories: single‑technology PIR ceiling detectors, wall‑mounted dual‑tech detectors and wired dual‑tech ceiling detectors. The CD‑W sits in the wireless dual‑tech ceiling niche and competes by offering a balance of coverage, reliability and installer convenience.
Single‑tech PIR devices are inexpensive and energy efficient but can be vulnerable to false alarms from sudden temperature changes, strong sunlight, or HVAC drafts. The CD‑W's K‑band microwave layer reduces these false activations without sacrificing coverage, making it better suited to commercial environments or mixed‑use spaces where nuisance alarms are costly.
Wall detectors can offer excellent directional coverage and are often used in corridors or rooms with obstructions. However, they can leave blind spots in open areas and sometimes require multiple units to match the CD‑W's 8 m radius. For open plan areas, the ceiling‑mounted CD‑W can reduce the total device count and provide a cleaner aesthetic.
Wired units remove battery maintenance and can offer continuous power for additional features, but they add installation time and cost. The CD‑W's Ricochet wireless mesh simplifies retrofits and reduces wiring labor. For new builds, wired options remain compelling; for retrofit or multi‑site rollouts, the wireless capture a lower total cost of ownership in many cases.
Ricochet™ mesh is a proven wireless infrastructure in security applications. Compared with proprietary single‑hop solutions or consumer Wi‑Fi based sensors, a purpose‑built security mesh provides redundancy, route diversity and lower RF contention. For installers managing multiple devices across a site, mesh behaviour improves consistency and reduces the chance of dropped devices.
Customer feedback and installer impressions
The following anonymized feedback reflects typical remarks from installers and end users testing or deploying the CD‑W in real‑world environments:
- Installer, regional security firm:"Setup was straightforward — the automatic wireless setup and laser‑etched instructions saved a lot of time. Devices joined the Ricochet mesh quickly and the tri‑colour LED made walk testing simple."
- Retail manager, boutique store:"We moved the detector after a display change and noticed a big drop in nuisance alarms compared to our old PIRs. Coverage is excellent and the unit blends into the ceiling."
- Homeowner (large open plan living area):"I wanted something discreet that wouldn’t need wiring. The CD‑W keeps watch without being obtrusive and the battery life has been reassuring so far."
Conclusion: Why the Capture CD‑W is a strong choice
The Capture CD‑W Dual‑Tech Ceiling Detector is a compelling option where reliable, wide‑area detection and low nuisance alarms are important. Its combination of quad PIR and K‑band microwave sensing, flexible detection modes, and EN50131 Grade 2 compliance makes it suitable for both commercial and higher‑end residential installations. The ceiling form factor delivers true 360° coverage, often reducing the number of devices required compared with wall sensors, and Ricochet™ wireless mesh offers robust connectivity for larger deployments or retrofit works where running cable is impractical.
With low standby current and efficient transmit pulses, the CD‑W supports multi‑year battery operation under normal conditions, and installer‑focused touches such as automatic setup and laser‑etched guidance speed commissioning. Priced competitively at a suggested retail around 115.07 (check local currency and vendor pricing), it represents a balanced blend of performance, convenience and standards compliance. For projects that demand dependable ceiling coverage with an emphasis on false alarm rejection and simple wireless deployment, the Capture CD‑W is an excellent choice.
