What Driveway Alarm to get?

[horsinaround]

I have a "Reporter" driveway alert that worked just about perfect for 8 years. It died.

I purchased the Chaimberlain replacement and put it in the same spot. It didn't work, missing probably 1/3 of the cars. It would get a car once, then miss it the next time.

I worked with the supplier, they sent me another one. I put it in... Same thing.

The supplier had some old Reporter systems... He sent me one. It didn't work either.

So I sent it all back and am in the market for a good system.

I have read most of the posts here about Chaimberlain, Reporter, Mier, Dakota....

Seems that over the years folks opinions have changed....

I am looking for recent experience/advice on which one to purchase. Thanks.

 

[Thomas]

We gave camera shot also try alarm system no luck maybe do to harsh winters mostly,spring thru autumn was our main concern and I think we have found the best alarm going...UPS won't deliver,sales etc. won't stop,crime seems to be at zero since the word is out.

Not saying this type of alarm system fits all needs,but package or two of Oreo's and donuts now and than pretty cheap...and yes it keeps me on my toes also.

 

[Fanlo2300]

Hello,

I installed a Dakota Alert MURS driveway alarm last November and I am very satisfied with it.

The unit still function with the original set of alcaline batteries (after 6 months of realy cold weather). I plan to replace the batteries each 6 months).

The probe is buried on the side of the (dirt) road, and the transmitter is fixed nearby on a tree (about 600 feet from the house).

I first bought the fixed base station transceiver (M538-BS), and later added the mobile hend Held transceiver (M538-HT) to monitor the driveway while working away from the house on the property.

Everything works just as advertised. Recommended

Pierre

 

[horsinaround]

Hello,

I installed a Dakota Alert MURS driveway alarm last November and I am very satisfied with it.

The unit still function with the original set of alcaline batteries (after 6 months of realy cold weather). I plan to replace the batteries each 6 months).

The probe is buried on the side of the (dirt) road, and the transmitter is fixed nearby on a tree (about 600 feet from the house).

I first bought the fixed base station transceiver (M538-BS), and later added the mobile hend Held transceiver (M538-HT) to monitor the driveway while working away from the house on the property.

Everything works just as advertised. Recommended

Pierre

What made you choose the MURS vs. the 2500 or 3500? The 2500 has an advertised distande from the base of 2500 ft.

 

[BrierPatch]

I had the reporter. Maybe 5 years ago. Maybe they changed the design from yours because mine never seemed to work very well for me. Way too many false alarms. The range and batteries worked great, but deer, turkey, and bugs that like to make a home in the sensor cave wasn't working. Also if you drove by fast it would not see you. I now have the dakota alert for about 2-3 years and it has worked well. I think it is the 3000 with the probe that is next to the drive. It has very good range, very similar to the reporter, doesn't have the false alarms except from strong lightning once in awhile. I put crystal clear paint on the circuit board to protect it from corrosion, but it must be more conductive than I thought and I don't get the battery life I should. I think it may suffer from the same speed issue as the reporter, but it may just be the sensitivty setting which is really easy to adjust.

Good Luck.

 

[heehaw]

i have gone thru several different brands, the dakota with the hose across the drive has proven to be the most reliable: never a false alarm an never missed a vehicle....same battery for over two years....just waiting to see how long it will last...transmitting about 300 ft....i have had several reporters, an other motion types, an they all missed vehicles, especially white ones, an all falsed, unless you don't consider spiders as being a false alarm?
heehaw

 

[kco]

What made you choose the MURS vs. the 2500 or 3500? The 2500 has an advertised distande from the base of 2500 ft.

I also have a Dakota Alert MURS and am reasonably happy with it. I got the MURS because it is about 600' from the house and I was concerned the lower range ones would not transmit as advertised when considering weather, walls, etc.

My alarm just uses a motion sensor and works quite well. It works quite well but does miss some activity. It seems to miss the first activity of the day more often than others. That is, the first car past it.

I have the motion sensor alarm because we often have neighbours who walk in to visit. At times we missed them because we did not know they had come to the door. I'd like to combine the motion sensor with a vehicle sensing coil as I think it would be more reliable.

At any rate, the Dakota Alert works quite well except for the occasional miss.

 

[grsthegreat]

The MURS system with buried coil works great with vehicles..but wont pivk up human traffic. I also hate the battery replacement. I am planning on adding the system soon, but will modify mine to run off a battery replacer unit (place unit in sealed box by driveway). I need the MURS to reach my barn and house.

 

[Fanlo2300]

What made you choose the MURS vs. the 2500 or 3500? The 2500 has an advertised distande from the base of 2500 ft.

The 2500 is a new model that was not available when I purchased my MURS.

 

[DennisArrow]

I have been using the Dakota Alert system for perhaps 6 years now. Specifically the 3000 series of reciever and transmitters. I truly could not be happier with the product and especially the service from this company.
When I have had a technical question the people there are helpful, kind, and courteous. When there has been a problem with equipment it has been taken care of and most often expedited for immediate solution.
Yes, the wireless units will false if you set them up so that can happen. We use two transmitters on each of our 2 road entrances. We place them a few yards apart with settings that for sure they will go off, range and sensitivity. Then, if one falses we KNOW it is a false; but if BOTH go off a few seconds apart we KNOW it is someone or something coming up the road and take appropriate action.
The biggest problem is fooling with them to eliminate false alarms and takes a bit of common sense and effort; but it can be done.
Hint: I put my land line phone on speakerphone and place it by the Alarm reciever. Then I call my cell phone and go out and fool with the transmitters with the cell phone on speakerphone...........This allows me to "mess" with the unit to get proper placement and be able to tell when it "triggers". Yes, I always take a dog with me to make sure that the height is set so they do not set if off...............

Anyway.....for me......Dakota Alert is the way to go.........God bless........Dennis