Motion detectors, Insteon or security based?

As I plan out a migration from Vista 20P alarm to an ELK M1G, I am wondering if there is any input on what type of motion detectors I should get, the wireless Insteon motion detectors or security system based ones.
I already have two inside security based motion detectors that I will move over to the ELK but I want to add a bunch of motion detectors inside and out for automation based control. I was all set to order the Insteon ones when I had a thought that it might be possible to simply use normal security based motion detectors and get dual use out of them for both security and home automation.

Is this possible and / or recomended?
I am already comitted to Insteon and have an ISY99i controlling a small (but growing) Insteon install, that's why I was leaning toward the Insteon motion detectors.

Are there decent wireless security based motion detectors that are reasonably priced like the Insteon detectors ($35)?

Thanks!

For security I always recommend the standard wired ones whenever possible. Second I would recommend something like the GE/Caddx ones. You want something that is built on a robust security minded protocol with 2 way feedback, battery status, etc. I'm not sure Insteon is robust enough for security. Also keep in mind the differences between motion and occupancy. And last, while a wireless detector is usually fine for security, they are usually very poor for automation because of the battery save features. Usually a wireless detector will only trip like once every 3 minutes or so which is not great for automation depending on what you are doing. No clue on specs of Insteon ones.

Steve said:

For security I always recommend the standard wired ones whenever possible. Second I would recommend something like the GE/Caddx ones. You want something that is built on a robust security minded protocol with 2 way feedback, battery status, etc. I'm not sure Insteon is robust enough for security. Also keep in mind the differences between motion and occupancy. And last, while a wireless detector is usually fine for security, they are usually very poor for automation because of the battery save features. Usually a wireless detector will only trip like once every 3 minutes or so which is not great for automation depending on what you are doing. No clue on specs of Insteon ones.

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I agree with the above. Since Elk meshes fine with Insteon, you can install the hardwired standard motion detectors to your Elk panel and still use that info to control your Insteon lights, etc as well as security. If this is for true security, I would only go this way. This is how I have my home setup and it works perfectly. These motion detectors don't latch "on" so it is a real-time sensor of motion.

If all you're after is occupancy, I think the Insteon one will work (though I haven't used it) and it can be plugged in to AC power if you don't want to mess with batteries. To get best function out of it I think you would want an ISY or other software control system. Unlike the regular motion detectors, this does have a "latching" period. Instead of closing/opening a circuit, it sends an "on" then "off" Insteon command after a time delay (the latching period) which you choose from a list, the shortest looks like 3.5 minutes (or 30 seconds using houselinc 2 software). If you have an ISY or other system, you don't necessarily need to have it directly link to the other Insteon device you want to control, but rather you could use it as a trigger for various programs and create a great deal of flexibility.

Thanks for help!

I only wanted the motions for automation but I figure if I went with high quality security based motion detectors, I could get dual use and increase my homes security by adding motion detectors all over the house and outside.

To sum it up it appears that yes, I can utilize security based wired motion detectors for proximity based automation.
Cool. Back to planning.

Thanks again!!!