Long-range driveway alarm with non-chiming alerts

[RobA]

Does anyone use the Dakota MURS long-range driveway alarm? What do the alerts sound like? I need an long-range alarm with an alert that doesn't sound like a doorbell.

I have been using a Dakota DCR-2500 driveway alarm with a buried probe about 900 from the house (a really good product). My driveway is 2,000 feet long and I am thinking of a longer-range alarm. However, the bigger problem is the alarm itself. The DCR-2500 alert is like a doorbell chime and the dogs go crazy when they hear it. You may say that is a good thing but I would rather have a system where I can select a different type of alert. I think the MURS system has a voice alert which may be a better option.

 

[Deerherd]

Regardless of which tone/sound you pick, it's only going to work for a little while to stop the barking. Even the dumbest of dogs is going to learn pretty quick that after hearing a certain tone/voice, 30 seconds later somebody will be at the house. My golden retriever would take three times, tops.

Heck, he would appreciate the "heads up" so he could get off the couch and onto the floor before anybody noticed! :thumbsup:

 

[mark02tj]

check this out...

From page 5:


Just curious why you don't want the dogs barking with the alarm. I have the Dakota 2500 and the dog heard it at 3:00 a.m. and woke me up in time to find some juvenile delinquent in our driveway. I originally had the receiver in my basement office so I could hear if someone pulled in while I was working during the day so the dog heard it from downstairs where I would have slept right through it. I've since moved it to where I can here it during the day and it's loud enough to wake us up at night.

For anyone interested - the Dakota alarms are pretty good stuff!! More expensive than other options but work well so far. I've had cheaper options but they didn't work nearly as well.

 

[Locoweed]

Mine says "Alert zone one" or which ever zone go's off.

 

[TnAndy]

For anyone interested - the Dakota alarms are pretty good stuff!! More expensive than other options but work well so far. I've had cheaper options but they didn't work nearly as well.

I'll second that. Tried a bunch of different driveway systems, but this one has been the most reliable long term ( going on 5 years now ).

The "tone" for the MURS system is a computer voice that goes off "ALERT ZONE (#)" three times in a row.

You can use up to four sensors on one base unit, and set them to zones 1,2,3,4.

 

[RobA]

Just curious why you don't want the dogs barking with the alarm.

Hearing the alarm isn't a problem for us and there is a clear line of sight for the last 900 feet of the driveway. We have 4 cars and there are people coming and going frequently and the tractor sets it off too. I agree that barking dogs can be good but they can be a bit much. Just looking for different options to limit the barking.

 

[Fossil Farm]

On the 3000 series, you can change the dip switches for 4 different tones. I have it on the default of Classical, but can be changed to Westminster, Ding Dong or Whistle. I added a second whistle on the receiver with door bell wire for the basement, but it only has one tone - the whistle.

 

[nybirdman]

They sound like; alert zone one and alert zone two.My dogs know the difference between the two!Start barking when it says alert zone one,nothing on alert zone two.They are a pretty good unit,I have had mine for about three years,just put new batteries in today.Batteries last about six months.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Does anyone know if the Dakota systems are line of site only or will they work over a hill?

 

[TnAndy]

The MURS unit will work over a hill, thru trees, whatever. They claim a range of several miles. The longest distance I have one is about 1500', not anything close to line of sight, and it works fine.