wireless driveway motion alert/alarm

[RussMan]

I am considering buying a wireless unit for my driveway, and was curious if anyone could recommend a brand they like or for that matter one to avoid. My driveway distance to transmit would be approximately 500'. I see some in Northern Tool made by Chamberlain but don't know if they are value or junk. Any comments/recommendations welcome.

 

[beenthere]

I can't say if it is the same, but have a reasonably-priced system (< $100) from Radio Shack.

It is a wireless pedestrian & vehicle alert. I've had it installed with two motion sensors along the drive and one receiver in the house. I can attest that it works at 300', but not tried the 500'. Bought the system in 2004 and it only occasionally lets a car slip through. I have it wired to trigger my home doorbell system so not depending on just being close to the receiver when it sounds off.

It is a great feeling to have advanced warning when guests arrive, or un-invited traffic wanders in by surprise.

I built a box using parts from a motion-detector to accept the short signal from the driveway detector and trigger the light-timing circuit so it would turn on house lights for a brief time. Figured when we were gone, the inside lights coming on briefly would warn potential intruders/visitors that their presence might be known. The lightning strike took that box out and have not replaced it.

 

[nikdfish]

We've had reasonably good luck with the Chamberlain CWA2000. Radio Shack carries it for $90 or so, but you can find it online for less than $50. It claims a LOS max range of 1/2 mile, with a recommended max of 1000'. Ours is at about 200'. You can add up to a total of 4 detectors on one receiver, with each having a distinctive alert beep pattern. Receiver & detectors are paired by the user at setup so detectors can only link to a single receiver.

Amazon ratings for it average on the low side, apparently largely because of a perception that the receiver's alert volume is too low. For us it has been fine when set at the max. The receiver is AC powered, the detector uses 4 AA batteries which need replacement annually.

Since it is a PIR detection system, you can get false alerts from animals or something casting/removing a shadow periodically. It might also miss a vehicle that has not warmed up or cooled by rain. These have been pretty rare for us. It did lose it's link once after a power outage, but cycling the receiver off and on took care of the problem.


Nick

 

[DennisArrow]

Do a search for "Dakota Alert". I think you will find a LOT of information about wireless alarm systems, recommendations, and criticisms......For me, they are the only way to go........Good luck and God bless......Dennis

 

[beenthere]

That is another possibility and another option. A bit more expensive.
From the service I've received from the RS system, I can't see any improvement needed.

 

[sweettractors]

Do a search for "Dakota Alert". I think you will find a LOT of information about wireless alarm systems, recommendations, and criticisms......For me, they are the only way to go........Good luck and God bless......Dennis

Another vote for Dakota Alert. Been a satisfied user for 15 years. Ken Sweet

 

[SARG]

The X10 site below has tons of electronic stuff.

Driveway alerts starting at $20.




X10 Motion-Activated Driveway Sensor Starter Kit - Only $19.99! Order Today!

 

[zzvyb6]

I have a system made by Miltronics. Its a 1000'+ system. Sensors are battery bowered. Receivers are battery or 12v powered. A 2500' model is available.

I even have a receiver mounted in my golf cart. There is a jack for a 12v relay which I got from a car parts store. The relay fires a buzzer and a revolving light on the golf cart. No matter where I'm parked on the property, I know who's at the gate. I have another receiver in the house that the dogs have picked up on. They even know the difference between us and visitors !

 

[Pirate]

I've had Miltronics and almost every version of Dakota. I prefer Dakota and think their system offers the most features. One system provides from 4 different tunes. That being said, I had nothing but problems on the Dakota 3000 and 2500 systems. It turns out I have a frequency interference issue and those systems and Miltronics use the same frequency or close to it. I finally went with Dakota MURS. It does not offer the same features but if works flawlessly. I bought a separate chime unit to attach to the MURS relay output so I could have a real loud chime. I also had the rubber hose, buried magnetic probe, and motion.

 

[JRobyn]

My FIL is looking for one, but he's out in the woods, so does NOT want a PIR type. I see numerous mostly positive reviews for the Mighty Mule with a buried vehicle sensor so we are thinking about getting that one for him. My BIL has a Mighty Mule gate operator that uses (what I suspect is exactly) the same sensor very reliably, so the only question for me is the reliability/weather proofness/range of the transmitter. Sorry, I have no experience with this... yet.

- Jay