Thursday, October 23, 2014

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.

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