Deciding between a thru-beam safety photoeye and a resistive/optical position sensor comes down to one question: are you protecting a doorway or reading a position? In the world of sensors, encoders, and machine safety, the EMX Industries IRB-MON 2 and the Honeywell C0401196 sit on opposite sides of that divide. The EMX is a monitored, weather-proof thru-beam photometer for entrapment protection on doors, gates, and barriers. The Honeywell is the lower-priced sensor in this head-to-head.
Quick verdict
If your application involves a monitored door, gate, or barrier, the EMX IRB-MON 2 is the sensor to choose. If you need position sensing for an industrial control circuit, the Honeywell C0401196 is the right pick. The deciding factor is the type of safety or sensing job you're trying to do.
At a glance
| Feature | EMX IRB-MON 2 | Honeywell C0401196 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | EMX | Honeywell |
| Listed price | USD 45.00 | USD 39.99 |
| Condition | New | New |
| Sensor type | Thru-beam infrared photometer | 10K Ohm resistive & optical |
| Primary application | Monitored entrapment protection for doors, gates, barriers | Industrial motion and position sensing |
Where each product wins
EMX IRB-MON 2 wins for entrapment protection
The EMX IRB-MON 2 is the clear winner when your safety goal is to prevent entrapment at a moving door, gate, or barrier. Its IP65 rated enclosure is weather-proof for indoor and outdoor use, and the UL325 compliance makes it a fit for monitored operators. The kit includes the transmitter, receiver, integrated protective hoods, and a removable lens sunshield, so you get the core components in one package. It's also designed to work with most non-monitored legacy photoeyes, which can make retrofits easier. The robust construction helps minimize fogging and false triggering, and the compact design keeps the profile low.
Honeywell C0401196 wins for position sensing and price
The Honeywell C0401196 takes the cost advantage with a listed price of $39.99, while the EMX is listed at $45.00. The price spread is $5.01. But price is only part of the story. As a resistive/optical sensor, it's built for position feedback duties rather than door/gate entrapment detection. If your control circuit needs a position signal, this new-condition Honeywell sensor delivers. Its blue housing can also help with visual identification.
Product notes
EMX Industries Thru-Beam Photometer Sensor IRB-MON 2 photo eye
The EMX IRB-MON 2 is built for one specific job: monitored entrapment protection for doors, gates, and barriers. The included transmitter, receiver, integrated protective hoods, and removable lens sunshield make it a ready-to-mount kit, and the IP65 enclosure means it can live outdoors as well as indoors. The integrated sensor hood protects the element while keeping alignment easy. Its UL325 compliance and compatibility with most legacy non-monitored photoeyes are strong points if you're upgrading an existing operator. The trade-off is that it's a dedicated safety photoeye, not a general-purpose position sensor. For a motion-control feedback loop, you'd want a sensor like the Honeywell C0401196 instead.
Honeywell C0401196 Industrial Motion & Position Sensors 10K Ohm RESISTIVE & OPTICAL
This Honeywell sensor is aimed at position feedback, with a 10K Ohm resistive and optical element. If you're wiring a control circuit that needs a position input, this new-condition sensor from Honeywell is a straightforward way to get it. The blue housing can help you spot it in a panel, and the new-condition status is a plus for a fresh build. The limitation is that it's not a thru-beam photoeye, so it won't serve entrapment protection for a door or gate. For that safety duty, the EMX IRB-MON 2 is the one to pick.
Final choice by use case
For monitored door, gate, or barrier entrapment protection, the EMX IRB-MON 2 is the sensor to install. For a resistive/optical sensing role with the lower price, the Honeywell C0401196 is the sensible alternative. Choose based on whether your machine safety requirement is a physical safety loop or a control signal.
