Optex Driveway Alarm By xshellyx on - Updated Oct 15, 2011
We have a fairly long hedge lined driveway and it is impossible to see people coming and going from the inside of our house. We also have no windows on the side of the house facing the driveway (not a well thought out house design). We bought this system from a friend who sells alarm systems. He assured us that it was professional grade and a high quality system. He even gave us his cost of $100. The only problem was that we had to install it ourselves.
It took my husband a few attempts to get the sensor angled just right but now that it's in place it works most of the time. There are occasions where it will go off and nobody is there. We assume it was birds or maybe the wind blowing around the hedges. There are also rare occasions where it will miss a vehicle, mostly my husbands large box truck. I'd say it works correctly over 90% of the time and that does help give us piece of mind. It dings everytime someone walks down the driveway also. It scans in a fan pattern, not just a flat beam so that it catches more movement than some other systems.
The receptor "dinger" is kept in our dining room and can be plugged in or ran off of batteries. The dinger is loud enough to be heard throughout the house. The sensor in our driveway is visible and we hope that in itself would be a deterrant to anyone thinking about burglarizing our home. It was money well spent in our book.
About The Author:
Optex Wireless 1000 Purchased at: Securetech Price: 100.00
We have a lot of deer, I wonder if it would set this off? My guess is that it would. I bet you can angle it high enough to not catch small wildlife, but larger dogs and deer, wouldn't it set it off? We need something like this a lot because we live really remote and our driveway is long. Once you turn into the driveway, no one can see you walking or driving. It worries us all the time. the only alarm we have now is dogs barking. And of course - they bark at the deer!
Yes, you can angle it up a ways but a deer would definitely set it off. You could aim above a deer but then you might miss a small car setting it off. It does have it's drawbacks in that regard.
Seems to be a good warning system and a precaution that will deter burglars from entering your property. You got it for a good price, but it worries me a little that it can miss your husband's box truck.
I had never heard of a driveway alarm. I think it's a wonderful idea to give you a "heads up" when someone comes on your property.
Very inexpensive for some peace of mind!
I have seen these & you truly got a wonderful price on this!!! I hope you will never have to utilize this for burglars!
Very interesting product, I like the concept of this.
It is indeed money well spent since it keeps us on alert of what is happening in our driveway.
I have never seen this. Very interesting. I am always looking for something to help with the safety and security of my home and family. I may need to look into this in the near future. Thanks for sharing your experience with this great product.
In todays day ,everyone needs one of these.