First Alert Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm #SC05CN | 
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| Brand: First Alert
Category: Home Improvement
List Price: $42.99
Buy New: $29.95
You Save: $13.04 (30%)
New (21) from $29.95
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 391
Media: Tools & Hardware
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 10 x 6.5 x 2.6
MPN: SCO5CN
Model: SC05CN
UPC: 029054856920
EAN: 0029054856920
ASIN: B000MXJ498
Release Date: May 2, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Battery-operated combination carbon monoxide alarm and smoke alarm | | • | Uses electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor--the most accurate technology available | | • | Photoelectric sensing technology reduces nuisance smoke alarms | | • | Simple to use silence/test button; low battery warning; unique horn sounds and light | | • | Includes 2 AA batteries; 5 year limited warranty |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, yet many people don't know they are suffering from CO poisoning until its too late. Since symptoms of CO poisoning are like the flu, you might not even know you're in danger at first. That's why a carbon monoxide alarm is an excellent way to protect your family. It can detect the CO you can't see, smell or taste in the air. The First Alert SCO5CN carbon monoxide and smoke alarm uses an electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor-the most accurate technology available. The alarm uses photoelectric smoke sensing technology which is environmentally friendlier and which reduces nuisance alarms, making it ideal for cooking areas. It is also great for sensing slow smoldering fires quickly. The permanent sensors last the lifetime of the alarm. The test/silence button both silences a non-threatening alarm or low battery warning and allows you to test the unit's functionality. The alarm uses different 85-decibel horns and lights depending on whether it's alerting you to smoke or carbon monoxide. A low battery signal alerts you to replace the battery and end-of-life alarm of three chirps alerts you to replace the unit. Two AA batteries are included. 5-year limited warranty. UL listed. Not available for sale in Massachusetts.--Bree Norlander What's in the Box
One combination carbon monoxide and smoke alarm, two AA batteries, and user's manual
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 An Excellent Combo Alarm August 26, 2008
Curmudgeon (Chicago)
Of course, First Alert is known for quality products, but this device is better yet. Very easy to install, easy to maintain (uses double A instead of 9 volt), relatively inexpensive and sounds an alarm shrill enough to wake up my 10 year old dog. Buy it!
 Good, not great July 24, 2008
SplitEdit (Los Angeles)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
I replaced a hard-wired alarm that was 20 years old with an SCO5 that I bought locally (and paid more). It looks identical to the SCO5CN and may be identical. The only difference I can see in the description is that the CN version apparently has two different alarms -- mine has only one (three beeps for fire, four for CO). Two would be better. (The SCO7CN talks and tells you whether you have a CO problem or a smoke problem. You need to know the difference, because in the case of CO, you want to get the heck out of there, and in the case of fire, you want to find an extinguisher and put it out.)
I disconnected the old unit and took it down, capping all the wires with screw-on plastic wire nuts. This unit nicely fit the old junction box, so screwing it in was trivial. First Alert tech support recommended covering the junction box but that wasn't practical and I can't see how it makes a difference since there's a plastic base in the new unit that covers everything.
The good news:
The SCO5 looks nice and does double duty as a CO alarm. The smoke alarm is photoelectric, which is safer (no radioactivity) and less sensitive to false alarms from steam (it's outside a bathroom and, so far, no a false alarms). It attaches easily and bayonets off easily. You can change the batteries without taking the unit down, but frankly, it's not all that easy to change the batteries while looking up at the thing and I expect that I'll take the whole thing down to do it. It uses readily available AA batteries, but apparently can't use rechargeables. You're supposed to change them once a year, and it will beep at you if the batteries are low.
The bad news:
First, the instructions are just terrible, a jumbled mess. Way too much to wade through. Small type. Disorganized. Not simple at all.
Second, the alarm is SO LOUD! First Alert recommends that you test this thing once a week! To do that, you must hold down the plastic button for 3-5 seconds. The result is 3 blasts of the alarm for smoke, followed by four blasts for CO. You better wear strong ear protection when you do this because from the distance you will be standing, it will nearly blow your eardrums out. I didn't realize how many blasts were coming (bad manual!) and took my hands away from my ears too quickly. Big mistake! If it ever goes off, you have to hold that same button down, again for three to five seconds, to shut it down. That's a long time to stand near that much noise. Holding the button down takes some pressure and in the middle of a fire, I doubt that anybody will hold it down that long. It should shut it off instantly.
Finally, there is no indication that the machine is working -- no steady light or flashing light that says "all is well, I have power." Maybe none of the battery operated units do this, I don't know. One of the LEDs is labeled "power/smoke" -- but, as far as I can tell, it does nothing regarding power.
Last, a disappointment -- I would have preferred a unit that hooks up to AC power. I've got the hookup and would have used it. But as far as I can tell, nobody makes a combo smoke/CO alarm that uses photoelectric detection and also plugs in.
I'm reasonably satisfied with this thing but I expect that if it ever goes off I'm going to be heading to an ear doctor. And the manual needs a complete rewrite for clarity and simplicity.
Good value for replacement May 30, 2008
Woody (NH)
Needed to replace my old fire detector and carbon monoxide unit. Got rid of both and now one small unit that was easy to install. Battery easy to replace. Price was right on Amazon and got it in one day. Great service.
All homes should have at least two April 6, 2008
M. Carlson
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
Bought this to have an additional CO detector upstairs. So far, so good. If it works you can't complain. I guess if it doesn't work you can't complain either.
 So far so good March 3, 2008
B. Gordon
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
So far it seems to work great. Very loud alarm. Nice aesthetic design. Hopefully won't ever need it.
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