Liftmaster has some great optional security features as well.

A few weeks ago, I talked about the Liftmaster light control that can be operated using your garage door remote control (if you have an extra button). Liftmaster also has the MyQ system that has even better features than the Garage Butler and Genie systems I have just described.

For one thing, the Liftmaster MyQ systemcan be integrated with the "Nest" electronic home controls which have a variety of features that I am not going to talk about. Look it up. BUT as part of this integration, you can mount a camera in your garage and view it on your smart phone. One advantage is if you are closing your garage door remotely, you can watch to be sure nothing is in the way of the door closing. Also, you can monitor the garage for security. Way cool, especially if you are a 'techie'.

888LM MyQ
Wall Console
w/ photoeye

Some of the MyQ wall consoles have a photoeye (such as the 888LM), so if you walk into the garage, it automatically turns on the garage door light. That way you aren't feeling your way in the dark to find a light switch. Of course the wall consoles have a separate button to turn on (only) the garage door operator light, and to lock the garage door operator so no remote devices will operate. Good for vacation or extra security at night, if you think someone unauthorized may be able to open your garage door. This feature also disables your outside wireless keypad.

888LM Internet Gateway
for MyQ

If your machine has a (new) yellow learn button, you can program your new remote control from the wall console, instead of having to climb up to the machine to do it. Just flip up the big button, and push the learn button underneath the open/close button.

For information on these products, call the experts at www.gargedoorsupplyco.com at phone number (888)346-3173

Another neat security accessory just announced by Genie:

the Aladdin Connect works on any brand of garage door opener with 1) safety sensors (post-1993), and 2) a wall button (or wall console) used to operate the door.

This particular accessory works like the Garage Butler, with some notable differences. First, it gives the opportunity to monitor and control your garage door operator using any IOS or Android compatible smart phone, tablet, or computer from anywhere you may be, with a free app from Genie. it should work on any garage door opener with safety sensors, --except a Liftmaster variety with the (new) yellow learn button, because it conflicts with a similar capability built in to these Liftmaster models.--

Aladdin Connect allows you to control up to three garage doors with the app. It comes with one set of sensors (for one door), and you can buy additional ones for the number of doors you want to control (max three). You receive notifications every time the garage door is operated, whether it was opened electrically or manually. You can monitor the times of day the garage door has been accessed (opened or closed) in the Genie app. You can open the garage door and close it remotely, so you do not need to give a neighbor or technician your remote or your keypad's PIN. Needless to say, this security system costs more than the Garage Butler, and provides a higher level of security and convenience.

Call 888-519-2391 or visit genie-remotes.net for more information or to order this system.

Neat accessories that provide extended security to your garage:

Genie and Liftmaster are battling to come into the 21st century with some pretty nifty accessories. Also, there is a somewhat simpler and less expensive entry into garage door opener security that I will discuss in the next few blogs.

Garage Butler
Automatic garage door closer
Security system

First, there is the economical solution. It is called the Garage Butler. The Garage Butler works with ANY garage door opener that has an open/close button and safety sensors, meaning it is not brand specific. This system consists of a wall station that mounts near your garage exit door. You can use it to open and close your door via a button on the Butler. That way, it can replace the single button or wall console at the back door. It connects using the existing wiring for the wall console if you prefer. The kit includes a two-piece proximity switch that mounts one part on the garage door and another part adjacent to it on the door frame. That way the Butler can determine if the door is closed.

Proximity switches detect switch closure without direct contact, but simply being close to each contact. Kind of like dancing: close counts.

The Butler has six timer settings so it will close an open garage door after a pre-set interval that YOU determine, anywhere from 3 minutes to 60 minutes. It works by sensing that the door is not in a closed position and automatically operating the door to close after the set time interval. You can also over-ride the automatic closing feature if you are accessing the garage door for an extended period, and then reactivate it when you are done.

It has a couple of safety features so if it gets dark in the garage, the closing feature will reactivate itself if you forget to. It will also beep for 30 seconds every time before it closes the door to alert you it is acting automatically. Pretty handy device. Especially for those who, like me, are somewhat forgetful. Saves you from turning around a few blocks or miles away and going back just to verify that your door is securely shut.

For further information or to order at a special sale price right now, call 888-346-3173, or visit www.garagedoorsupplyco.com to see and order.

Genie Intellicode Remotes:

Besides the DIPswitch alternatives, Genie has a few different remotes that program to the newer (post-1995) Intellicode (rolling code) technology. Actually, these alternative newer remotes are easier to program than the master remote, because they are only designed for Intellicode. There are several different styles to match a person's needs. A classy visor mount, a convenient keychain remote, and a tiny little thing about the size of your thumb.   www.genie-remotes.net is the place to go to learn more. Visit or call them at 888-519-2391

Genie G1T-BX w/visor clip

Most of Genie's current remotes, as well as those of many other so-called mainstream gdo manufacturers are three button. I think they figure that 90% of people with garages have three or fewer garage doors to operate, so they reduce inventory and production line complication by producing one remote instead of three different ones. It is more efficient for them.

The one exception in Genie's current line-up is the G1T-BX. It is the thumb-size remote with one button. I hesitate to recommend it to anyone with a machine older than about 7-8 years because some older Intellicode machines seem to have a range problem with it. That means you have to be practically under the gdo before it will operate the door. That may not be the case for you, but that is what some people I have talked to have said. Therefore, caveat emptor.

Genie GITR-3
"Bowtie" Remote

The visor remote is the GITR-3, which is called the "bowtie" remote because of its shape and mounting orientation. It is a sharp looking remote, sturdy and functional. I recommend this remote to anyone with a single door that is older than year 2000, or up to three doors if your gdo's are newer than 2000. This is because the Intellicode technology from 1995 to 1999 has been improved, and not backward compatible. Genie has encoded button number 1 (the right hand button) with the older technology as well, so it can still be used on one garage door opener made from 1995 to today. The other two buttons can program gdo's made from year 2000 to today. Since I imagine that >75% of homes have a single garage door, this should not be a major impediment. IF you have two or more Genie Intellicode garage door openers that were made between 1995 and 1999, you can still use the Genie Master remote (GM3T-BX).

Genie G3T-BX
Keychain remote w/visor clip

The last remote I will talk about here is the G3T-BX. It replaces the variety of keychain-size Intellicode remotes that Genie has now discontinued making. It also has three buttons, and all will program to any Genie Intellicode gdo. Lots of folk like these for their motorcycles or golf carts, or just to slip in a pocket to take walking or jogging.

Something for anyone.

Other Genie Remote Controls of Note:

Genie has come along with technology as well as the next guy (meaning other garage door operator manufacturers), so they graduated from the DIPswitch technology to the "smart" button technology in the mid-90's. I have discussed the Genie Master remote earlier in my blog, but there are other remotes for Genie operators that deserve discussion as well.

Genie Master Remote
GM3T-BX

Today, I am going to talk about some Genie alternate (or alternative) DIPswitch remotes to consider. First off, the Genie Master Remote is the only Genie brand remote that can be programmed to older Genie DIPswitch machines. Note that Genie gdo's older than the late 1980's use various frequencies that are not supported any longer, and are not available. Only the 390 Mhz (and 315 Mhz) frequencies are currently supported by Genie.

As an alternative, the Stinger model 390GED21V remote will program to Genie 12 DIPswitch machines ONLY. It will not work with the older Genie 9 DIPswitch machines, nor the Genie  9 DIPSwitch gate operators. On the plus side, it is inexpensive, easy to program and it has one button to open one door. It is also very reliable. The Firefly 390GED21V is the same remote in a keychain-size, which may be more convenient in some applications.

Stinger 390GED21V
Genie-compatible
Visor remote

Firefly 390GED21V
Genie-compatible keychain remote

The other alternative is the Liftmaster 375UT remote. It will program to many different brands of operators including all the Genie DIPswitch operators that receive on 390 Mhz, but is a bit trickier to program, as I described earlier on a previous blog.

For any of these alternatives, you can shop at genie-remotes.net or call 888-519-2391 for assistance

Liftmaster 375UT
Universal remote

Waiting for Sommer....

No, that is not a mis-spelling. Sommer is a relatively unknown but intriguing and innovative garage door opener (gdo) manufacturer. I think I have alluded to them before, but here are some of the highlights:

There is only one moving part on the operator, therefore vitrually nothing to wear out, and carries a lifetime warranty. The motor itself moves back and forth on the rail. It is attached to the door arm directly to raise and lower the door. That means that there is virtually nothing to wear out or go bad. It still has all the other common features of gdo's: a motor-less head with lights that come on when the gdo is operated, a rail for the motor to ride in, safety sensors and remote. The remote is quite space-age looking as well. Looks like something out of Star Trek.

Sommer motor
(only moving part)

Sommer Garage Door Opener
available in 3/4 h.p. and 1 h.p.

 
The price is reasonable, as well, from what I have seen, for a gdo that will likely last a lifetime, as it has a lifetime warranty. Sure, its not "mainstream", but that does not mean it isn't quality machinery. Some of that good old German engineering.... like Harley-Davidson... and the starship Enterprise (okay, that's a stretch, but not by much).

Sommer 2- and 4-button
remote controls with
sliding button cover*

Sommer wireless keypad

 
Dealers may be a bit thin, but garagedoorsupplyco.com can deliver them anywhere in the country in short order. They should be easy to install and simple to maintain. You can contact them at 888-346-3173

* "Kirk to bridge. Prepare to beam me down"