Do not buy one of these for their smart features unless everything else is worse.
I’m in a rural area and my options for garage door service people are limited. They only install liftmaster. I have 2 garage doors, and wanted a simple external pad to operate both, while also letting me program temp codes for when i have someone performing work.
Somehow the dealer programed one PIN code to both door motors. I told them I would take care of it using the app.
These liftmaster devices are the worst. Some wireless pads simply dont pair to the app, so programing PINs from the app won’t work. This was the first sign of trouble. I contacted their support, which was available on the weekend, a real human, and was honestly very helpful.
Program the wrong PIN, or want to change one? Can’t do it through the app. You’ll need to get a ladder out so you can unplug the motor power, disconnect the built-in battery, and do a full reset.
A full reset means you’ll need to program the door max open and max close locations. You’ll also need to reprogram the wired pads (why???). The learn button on the wired pad? can’t be used to program the remotes. oh don’t forget the homelink buttons on your vehicles.
Here’s what i had to do to remove a single PIN and get the wireless pad minimally working:
- Disconnect battery on door motor 1
- disconnect power door motor for 30 seconds.
- reset door motor 1
- program door motor min/max locations
- program wired pad (why??)
- futz with wired pad screwdown connectors because they don’t ground to the screw, they ground to small pads around the screw (why???)
- program wireless outdoor pad to motor 1.
- program remote 1 to door motor 1
- program remote 2 to door motor 1
- program car1 homelink to remote 1
- program car 2 homelink to remote 1
- reconnect battery.
- set up wifi using mobile app.
- Disconnect battery on door motor 2
- disconnect power door motor for 30 seconds.
- reset door motor 2
- program door motor min/max locations
- program wired pad (why??)
- futz with wired pad screwdown connectors because they don’t ground to the screw, they ground to small pads around the screw (why???)
- prorgram wireless outdoor pad to door motor 2
- program remote 1 to door motor 2
- program remote 2 to door motor 2
- program car1 homelink to remote 2
- program car 2 homelink to remote 2
- reconnect battery.
- set up wifi using mobile app.
After installation from previous owner, one fine morning in new home we awoke to our garage door opening at 4am.(semi rural, garage under bedroom) to headlights in my drive way. What the actually fuck. Bat in hand underwear on running down to see what the fuck was going on. AMAZON DELIVERY HAS PRE ARRANGED AUTHORIZATION TO OPEN YOUR LIFTMASTER DOOR AND WAS ALSO PRE AUTHORIZED FOR EARLY DELIVERIES. LET ME FUCKING REPEAT THAT AMAZON DELIVERY DRIVER IN A FUCKING UNMARKED VEHICLE OPENED OUR LIFTMASTER GARAGE DOOR BECAUSE WE DIDNT EVEN KNOW IT WAS A THING AND HAD TO OPT OUT OF IT BECAUSE IT IS A FUCKING THING.
It’s very clear during setup that the amazon thing is opt in.
My experience is that any object dependent on an app is invariably worse than the manual/old version.
I got an air conditioner for super cheap because the app integration was broken.
Still came with a traditional remote, which worked fine.
I was delighted because no app is not a problem - in fact it’s a straight upgrade.
True.
Have liftmaster. I haven’t used another brand but I can’t imagine anything worse. And my liftmaster is app free. There’s no way I’d pair an app to a door to my house.
Cool thanks for the input.
I installed my Genie myself almost 30 years ago, so no messing around with apps, etc. Don’t they sell basic openers with simple remote buttons anymore?
I don’t want workers in my garage when I am not there, so I don’t need that. Why does a garage door opener need wifi access? Sounds like a bunch of “features” no one needs, or at least I don’t need them because I’ve never had them, and I can’t imagine what more I’d want a garage door opener to do, but open the door when I pull up and push the button.
I have a chamberlain (also crap, but for different reasons) that allows Amazon drivers to deliver packages inside the garage.
My SO regularly leaves the door open. I sometimes get anxious that I left it open.
I like opening the door remotely and remotely starting my vehicle.
I want to see if the door opens while we’re away from the home.
There are a number of reasons to want some of these features.
just build your own with a pi pico
No you.
I did, that’s why I mentioned it.
It runs esphome, and it has a web server built in. It’s obviously made to integrate to home assistant but it works very well in an isolated network.
But, but, it only has to open and close. Why would you need a smart one unless you enjoy giving companies all your data?
Opening remotely from the house so I can remotely start the car.
Shutting the door when my SO forgets to.
Creating temp PIN codes for guests.
