I’m pretty secluded and have decided to get a driveway alarm, so I can know when anyone is entering the farm from my house.
For those of you who have them, what brand would you recommend – pros and cons.
TIA
We had one…I don’t even remember the brand…not very expensive, but so sensitive that blowing grass/weeds set it off even though it was mounted 4 feet off the ground. Made me…and the dogs crazy!! I ended up taking it down and just letting the dogs alert me!! I’m sure there are better products out there!!
We have this one: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/mighty-mule-fm231-wireless-driveway-alarm
Works great. Though sometimes when the neighbor has a huge shipment of fencing material brought in (he sells it), it sometimes rings for that. The alarm “sees” metal. So if you want an alarm that tells you if someone has walked on the property it does not catch that. We use a Logitech camera system for that.
I have a Dakota system and love it. The base station is in the house and there’s a handheld that I can carry if I’m out on the property somewhere. Range is excellent. The only downside is that a lot of lightning will sometimes set it off so I just turn the volume off during storms.
Thanks. The Mighty Mule was one of the ones I was looking at. I found it also on Amazon (prime) – even less expensive than at Tractor Supply. Seemed to get a ton of 5 star reviews. 
[QUOTE=Unfforgettable;8226682]
I have a Dakota system and love it. The base station is in the house and there’s a handheld that I can carry if I’m out on the property somewhere. Range is excellent. The only downside is that a lot of lightning will sometimes set it off so I just turn the volume off during storms.[/QUOTE]
I’ll check that out as well. I like the ability to have a hand-held. I have a fairly large farm (50+ acres) so when I’m out and about, that would be good to have.
Thanks.
We also have the Dakota Alert Wireless System. One receiver is is the house and the other in the barn. I have the volume on the barn unit turned up high and I can usually hear it when I am in the arena or behind the barn. Yes, lightening will trigger the unit, which is not always a bad thing … it sometimes lets me know a storm is coming while the sky is still rather calm. If it is a bad storm, i just turn off the receiver for the duration.
This is our second unit. The first one lasted 10+ years before the moisture and spiders killed the transmitter unit. The current set is now several years old and going strong. They redesigned the transmitter box and it is better sealed.
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Yes, their names are Patch and Jitterbug and they work great!
[QUOTE=OveroHunter;8227521]
Yes, their names are Patch and Jitterbug and they work great![/QUOTE]
I have this kind as well. I call it he D.D.A.S. (Ditch Dog Alarm System). Wireless, never needs batteries, works during power outages.
It’s a Smart System that has learned to recognize boarders’ and farrier’s vehicles, but goes off when any other thing comes up the driveway. Occasionally set off by deer, but shuts itself off by voice command.
Plus, cute.
Boarded where the driveway alarms, a cheap unit, sounded off when any car entered the horseshoe shaped driveway. Don’t remember the brand but it did work well.
My neighbor across the street has one… and this morning he called to tell me his had tripped, and lo and behold, there was a pony meandering up his driveway.
Think I may invest in one as well. LOL. I will see if I can find out what they have.
I have Dakota alert and some are a mile away, line of sight and still signal just fine.
Have not had any interference, from lightning or any other.
Have a little 400’ few dollar one by the barn that also works well, for the short distances.
That one will alert to anything moving and some times flocks of birds set it off.
It is something like this, but a different brand:
Also have this one over a cattleguard and let us know when someone drives up to the house:
This one is very sensitive and if the wind blows the gate a bit it will alarm, so we take care to tie the gate back well.
Mine does the same thing when the neighbor horses come to visit – quite handy.
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[QUOTE=rhymeswithfizz;8228797]
My neighbor across the street has one… and this morning he called to tell me his had tripped, and lo and behold, there was a pony meandering up his driveway.
Think I may invest in one as well. LOL. I will see if I can find out what they have.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Bluey;8228916]
I have Dakota alert and some are a mile away, line of sight and still signal just fine.
.[/QUOTE]
if you need greater distance you can use Linear Long range radio equipment, it is rated 11 miles but was tested out to 20 miles in west Texas
