Seven Things to Consider When Selecting A Driveway Alarm System

Are you having trouble making a decision about which of the many +wireless driveway alarms is the right system for your needs? Check out these seven things to consider when choosing a driveway alarm system.

Transmission Distance

Today’s driveway alarm systems have an incredible range of effective distance – anywhere from 600 feet to more than two miles. Obviously, the further your transmitter can reach, the more expensive it will be. Measure the distance between the place where you want to locate the transmitter and the place where you’ll put the receiver, inside your home or business property.

Landscape

Trees, hills and buildings can interfere with the signal from the transmitter to the receiver, requiring a more powerful driveway alarm system. If you’re trying to protect a heavily wooded area or one with a lot of buildings, for example, you’ll need to choose driveway sensors with a longer range than if your property is essentially flat and clear.

Sensor Sensitivity

The different types of driveway alarm systems have different levels of sensitivity to movement in their area. Some, such as magnetic driveway sensors, will only detect metal objects, while others can detect animals as small as dogs and cats. Depending on the sophistication of the system, you may even be able to set unique alarm sounds for different types of incursions so that you can tell if the transmitter has sensed a vehicle approaching your house or a deer getting into your garden.

Number of Entry Points

Do you only have one driveway or do you want to cover multiple entry points on your property? Many driveway alarms can be expanded with multiple transmitters, and some can even be set to sound different tones depending on the transmitter sending the signal. If it’s important to you to know which entry point is being accessed, look for a system that’s sophisticated enough to handle this.

Mobility

In addition to wireless alarm transmitters, you can also buy wireless alarm receivers that you can carry with you. A wireless driveway alarm with a portable, handheld receiver will allow you to move around your property and still be alerted when you have a visitor – or an intruder.

Durability

You’ll be putting the transmitter outdoors, so you really do want a durable, waterproof transmitter with high ratings for sturdiness. In addition, look for a wireless driveway alarm that has a long battery life. The last thing you want is to be surprised by an intruder because the batteries in your alarm needs changing.

Installation

Are you looking for a driveway alarm system that you can install yourself or are you willing to pay for professional installation? There are plenty of wireless driveway alarms that are DIY-friendly, but if you want one of the higher-end systems with all the bells and whistles, you may need to call in an electrician or specialty installer.

Budget-Sensitive Wireless Driveway Alarms for Home Use

So you’re sold on the idea of installing a wireless driveway alarm system for home protection, but you don’t have the budget of a business owner. You don’t have to resort to DIY wireless driveway alarms of the pioneer type. There are many driveway alerts from major manufacturers that will do a great job of protecting your home without emptying your wallet, as well as some tips that can help you reduce the cost of alarming your driveway.

Professional Quality – Economical Price: Dakota Wireless Driveway Alarms

Dakota is one of the big names in the home alarm market. The company’s Alert 3000 alarm provides many features you’d expect to find in a high-end driveway alert, but will run you less than $200 at companies like +Wireless Driveway Alarms. The Alert 3000 uses a pressure hose driveway alert, making it ideal if your intent is to be warned when a car comes up your driveway. The transmitters can send a signal up to 600 feet, and the receiver can be programmed to emit a different tone for up to four separate transmitters, allowing you to monitor four different zones. The system comes with the receiver and one hose/transmitter. You can add additional transmitters and sensors for about $100 each, making it one of the most economical and versatile systems for home monitoring.

Lowest Price – Great Convenience: Driveway Patrol Driveway Alert

If your finances are super-tight, Driveway Patrol offers one of the lowest priced driveway alarm systems on the market. The two piece system includes a wireless transmitter and receiver, and has a range of about 150 feet (line of sight). It uses passive infrared technology to detect motion, which makes it useful if you want to detect all movement, including people on foot and larger animals, within its range of detection. The Driveway Patrol is suitable for outdoor use within 75-125 feet with one exterior wall between receiver and transmitter. At less than $40, it’s the least expensive way to protect your property and be alerted if someone approaches your house.

Versatility Plus – Optex Wireless 2000 Driveway Alarm

At about $150, the Optex Wireless 2000 driveway alarm is the ideal choice if you’re looking for ways to automate your home. Its multiple benefits include the choice of a fan or narrow-beam detection setting, two-way RF transmission to send a signal to other devices on activation, and up to 2000 feet of transmission range. In addition, the Optex Wireless 2000 can handle alerts for up to twelve wireless transmitters, giving you an amazing amount of flexibility for a very low price.

Don’t go unprotected because your budget is small. There are many low-priced wireless driveway alarms that will fit your budget and security needs to a tee.