Product review

Updated April 2021

Smoke alarms

We tested 12 models to see which respond fastest to smoke.

April 2018

Orca

OM107H-LS

Price

$22

Score

Good

Recommended

Why is this free?

This report is free thanks to funding from Tenancy Services.

Consumer NZ is non-profit. To help us get a fairer deal for all New Zealand consumers you can become a Consumer member or make a donation. We’ll use your contribution to investigate consumer issues and work for positive change.

Donate

Test results

65
Ease of use

More test results

Smouldering fire sensitivity
Good
Flaming fire sensitivity
Good

Model

Avg price
$22
Alarm type
Photoelectric
Noise
96dBA
Battery type
Sealed lithium
Size
Standard

Features

Battery life
10 years
Alarm life
10 years
Warranty
10 years
Hush period
9min
Carbon monoxide alarm
Alarms can be linked
Voice alerts

More info

Notes
-
Availability
-

Member reviews

6 Member reviews

False alarms galore

Pros

None

Cons

Out of 6 Orca alarms 4 have developed faults and cause false alarms within the first 2-3 years. We have been woken middle of night 3 times, and our neighbours have rung us while we were on holiday saying our smoke alarm has been going off all afternoon. Total waste of money - how we have to invest in replacements (will not be this brand) for them all as we don’t trust them.

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

James H.

11 Dec 2020

Used 6 months or more

Orca brand did not last one year let alone 10 years!

Pros

Big hush button, nothing much else going for it.

Cons

Of four Orca's, 3 would go off during the night as if I had a fire. I would hush then a few minutes later, the same thing. Swapped out in Dec 2019, deinstalled in March, May & June 2020, barely six months later. These were replacements from other photoelectric 10 year long life brands that had also failed. I'm left with lots of different holes in the ceiling depending on the size of their ceiling plates. Very unreliable. I am now trying Goldair brand. I've been labelling the units for dates I purchased and kept receipts although how ironic, the actual receipt ink faded to nothing on one!

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Rita M.

26 Jun 2020

Used 3 - 6 months

Don't buy

Pros

It worked for a few months

Cons

Alarm went off without warning and wouldn't stop. Luckily I had a spare red battery block thingy so ended up putting that back in to disconnect the power to the alarm. Crap brand as have also had problems with their 9v units

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Previous member

17 Dec 2019

Used 1 - 3 months

Low Battery beeping after 1 year

Pros

Nothing

Cons

Positioning checked by Fire Service following false alarms.
Now experiencing low battery beeping after 1 year.

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Murray S.

15 Jan 2019

Used 6 months or more

Keeps beeping as for low battery indication

Pros

Never had a need to go off so I assume it would have worked.

Cons

Was meant to last 10 years. After only one year the smoke alarm keeps beeping as in for low battery indication even after inserting a new battery.

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Claudia S.

19 Dec 2018

Used 6 months or more

Model OM.588H-LL manufactured 10/07/2112

Pros

Easy to install. Responded very loudly on the two or three occasions we burnt toast so badly the smoke drifted through to the living area. Claimed ten year lithium battery life

Cons

Started chirping last evening (31/07/2018) Phoned distributor. They considered six years was quite a reasonable life & suggested I fit an alkaline battery! Not at all impressed, particularly when you consider I can buy Consumer recommended alternative brands for just $20.00