What Driveway Alarm to get?

[North Country]

I've got a Dakota with the "metal detector" and it's great. Lithium 9v battery is entering its 3rd year.

False positives - walking over the buried sensor with a chainsaw or aluminum ladder will set it off.

False negatives - large trucks backing trailers up the drive go so slowly that it doesn't go off.

Other than those two scenarios, it's accurate and reliable.

 

[horsinaround]

I ordered the Dakota alert 2500. Hopefully it will get here in a few days. Will see how it does. Thanks for all your input.

 

[Pirate]

I had the Dakota 2500 and 3000 on my drive. Neither system worked reliably at a distance of 500'. Dense woods and hill. After mucking around for a couple of years, ended up with the MURS which works perfectly. I wish they offered the MURS with updated receivers, different chimes, etc. but Dakota said they will not update the MURS system. It is what it is. Batteries last forever.

 

[fuseboxer]

Mine has a problem with the batteries going dead fast in the cold winter. In the moderate weather the batteries in the sender unit last about 2month. I do not know who made it, bought is at Lowes about 5years ago.

 

[beenthere]

I've had the Reporter for 7 years now, and no complaints. I'm impressed how long the batteries last and how well the two sensors pick up the vehicles and yes...deer and turkeys

I added a third unit to keep track of just the animals near the woods and really enjoy having a heads-up when they move around.

A few misses, but that seems to be certain types of cars. The low, sleek ones that are "stealth" cars. I've been surprised this reasonably-priced system has lasted as long as it has. I'd replace with another Reporter if/when this one gives up.

Certainly a benefit to know when a vehicle moves up the drive. With the two sensors about 120 feet apart, we can usually tell if the alarm signal is an animal or a car because of the second signal. The furtherest sender is line-of-sight and about 350'.

 

[Egon]

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.

A spike belt should not miss any and would definitely keep traffic to a minimum!!:laughing:

 

[grsthegreat]

A spike belt should not miss any and would definitely keep traffic to a minimum!!:laughing:

good idea:thumbsup:

 

[redberankubota]

I've had the Reporter for 7 years now, and no complaints. I'm impressed how long the batteries last and how well the two sensors pick up the vehicles and yes...deer and turkeys

I added a third unit to keep track of just the animals near the woods and really enjoy having a heads-up when they move around.

A few misses, but that seems to be certain types of cars. The low, sleek ones that are "stealth" cars. I've been surprised this reasonably-priced system has lasted as long as it has. I'd replace with another Reporter if/when this one gives up.

Certainly a benefit to know when a vehicle moves up the drive. With the two sensors about 120 feet apart, we can usually tell if the alarm signal is an animal or a car because of the second signal. The furtherest sender is line-of-sight and about 350'.

...you will be sadly disappointed as the "new" version is not nearly as good as the old one , and the "new" sensors won`t work with the old reciever as they work off of different frequencies !!!

I just went through the same thing when we moved to our new place...luckily i was able to find some new "old" ones on e-bay.

Although it worked nearly flawlessly at our other home ,for about five years, it`s hit or miss here , and I may look into the Dakota system in the near future.

 

[DanD78]

Metal Enclosures, Rack Mount Lockboxes, Cam Locks from Mier Products, Inc.

I have had the DA-500 with two sensors for 18 years with the only issue the phone company cut the wire one day when I was not home.

Dan

 

[horsinaround]

Metal Enclosures, Rack Mount Lockboxes, Cam Locks from Mier Products, Inc.

I have had the DA-500 with two sensors for 18 years with the only issue the phone company cut the wire one day when I was not home.

Dan

Send them a bill. That is what they would do if you cut their wire.