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First Alert CO615 Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm with Battery Backup and Digital Display

Other products by First Alert

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List Price: $59.99
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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21 in Home Improvement
• Brand: First Alert
• Model: CO615
• Released on: 2007-05-02
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 3.25" h x 7.00" w x 8.50" l, .60 pounds

Features

• Plug-in carbon monoxide alarm with battery back-up and digital display
• Uses electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor--the most accurate technology available
• Simple to use silence/test button
• Low battery warning; end-of-life timer
• Includes 2 AA batteries; 5 year limited warranty

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Customer Reviews:

“Seems OK, but have several concerns...”,
Review Date : June 1, 2009
Reviewed By : Paul Robinson -

This review is from: First Alert CO615 Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm with Battery Backup and Digital Display (Tools & Hardware)

We bought this to supplement our Kidde Nighthawk CO detectors, the 900-0234 curved model with a 7-year warranty (we didn't want to put all our eggs in one basket!). The First Alert looks to be a fine CO detector.

Here are some positives:

1) It has the plug on a wire, so that you can put the detector somewhere other than right in the outlet. That's helpful as outlets can have other adapters in them making it hard to plug it in or be behind something rendering the CO detection harder.

2) It can be tested or silenced with a remote (hold down the volume or channel button for 5 seconds) (our Tivo remote worked!). (Some of their other products with the remote features have received critical reviews as regular remote operation has set them off!)

3) Operates on AC with a battery backup (2 AAs)

4) Batteries ARE included!!

Here are several negatives:

1) 5-year warranty unlike the Kidde's 7-year.

2) A "manual" that's a huge, cumbersome, folded sheet, with small print that's blurry and hard to read. They should supply a magnifying glass with it! This is a major concern as one needs to refer to the text for installation, for operation, to determine what to do under certain conditions, etc.

3) Yes, one can park the detector on a bookshelf (with the cord going to the outlet), but the detector itself wobbles! The previous Kidde CO detector Nighthawk model--the COPP-3 -- has the plug on a cord feature, along with a nifty slide out stand that makes it stable. (We had good luck with that model, but many did not. Plus, it's an older model, with only a 5-year warranty which is why we went for the 900-0234).

4) The CO level only shows up if one presses a button. It's a cool blue light, but unlike the Nighthawk's red LED that shows you the current CO level at all times (a reassuring 0), this displays a blank screen with a recessed green light. For some, it could be a plus as it would be less intrusive especially as the Kidde's red LED seems to be much brighter on their latest model.

5) The detector displays a battery icon when it's plugged into AC and the battery back up is installed! That's unnerving as it makes it seem as if it's running on the battery! Very odd design choice!

6) The test alarm didn't seem as loud as the Kidde's.

7) Battery cover is the front of the device, which the manual didn't explain or illustrate, and it doesn't shut well--or rather, it's awkward and you feel as if you're about to break the lightweight plastic parts.

8) One other issue, which plagues all the CO detectors and many other products on the market, is the infuriating, hard plastic packaging. It's hard to open and I even cut myself on it. There are alternatives that are just as secure but much friendlier to the environment and the customer!

In comparing the two (Kidde Nighthawk 900-0234 and the First Alert CO615), the advantage clearly goes to the Kidde. It just seems a more professional, better designed, and better thought out product. Part of that is because we're used to the Kidde design and like the red LED, but it also seems more solid (the First Alert has the seemingly fragile/flimsy cover), and has a higher quality, usable manual--it's a real booklet that's more readable and better organized (it also has a bigger font than FA's, but still could be larger).

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“Great feature - battery backup”,
Review Date : January 17, 2009
Reviewed By : CastletonTrader "Mom" (Northern NY) -

This review is from: First Alert CO615 Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm with Battery Backup and Digital Display (Tools & Hardware)

I bought this to replace my older detector. We lost power for 4 days and that's when I realized that without battery backup my carbon monoxide detector was useless. I needed it because we were using a kerosene heater for some heat and we got a bit ill from it. So next time we lose power and have to use emergency heaters at least we will know if the carbon monoxide levels become unsafe.

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“First Alert CO615 Carbon Monoxide Alarm”,
Review Date : December 30, 2008
Reviewed By : G. Ewing (Ashtabula, Ohio) -

This review is from: First Alert CO615 Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm with Battery Backup and Digital Display (Tools & Hardware)

I ordered and received this item timely from Amazon. The product was well packaged and the directions for use were easy to follow. The product is nicely constructed, easy to use, and seems to work well. I like the fact I can push one of the buttons located on the front of the unit to see if the unit has picked up any CO levels from the area it is located. It is designed to plug into a wall electrical outlet and also has a battery backup. The unit is small and appears out of the way when it is plugged in and being used. So far, the two units I bought are working well so I give this product a rating of 5 stars.