Smartphone Garage Door Openers

Anyone got one of these?

My apartment complex only gave us one. To buy another is $16 and probably can only be used with Genie garage door openers. If I use a smartphone based opener, all I have to do is wire it (reversible) to the positive and negative wired opener. When we move out, I can unwire it and use it at the next place.

Thoughts?

My thought is that I'd take a close look at how they work security-wise before using them, the idea of having your typical "user-friendly" consumer-grade software security attached to a garage door is frightening.

Otherwise there's nothing wrong with the idea. If you want a more geeky and secure solution and aren't afraid to do some DIYing, you could make your own system with a VoCore or maybe an old wifi router flashed to OpenWRT.

I've been using these for several years with openers that weren't otherwise compatible with the ones built into our cars. Have held up well.

http://www.amazon.com/635LM-Craftsman-LiftMaster-Chamberlain-Universal/dp/B00283QF10

Another $16 one is cheaper though.

GameboyRMH wrote: My thought is that I'd take a close look at how they work security-wise before using them, the idea of having your typical "user-friendly" consumer-grade software security attached to a garage door is frightening.

It's not like a standard garage door opener is particularly secure either.

To me the main downside would be that it's a lot more of a PITA to play with my smartphone than to just hit a single button attached to the visor.

Newer cars have built-in "HomeLink" openers, which are programmable. Can you get standalone homelink remotes and use one of those to clone the remote that the complex gave you?

Is your time installing this contraption worth more or less than $16?

Well the thing is I'd want two of them, one for her, one for me, and keep the expensive one the apartment complex has lent us at home. They want $100 if we lose that one.

Another issue is that when we move, who's to say the next place will have a Genie Intellicode? It may be a classic opener with dip switches. Then those two openers go to waste, $36 down the drain.

We're also not using the garage for our vehicles. This is primarily bike storage and workshop, most of the time when we're on the bikes we've got a phone with us. Currently we carry the garage door opener as well, making it more likely we could lose it.

Enyar wrote: Is your time installing this contraption worth more or less than $16?

It's two wires to connect at the inside button, and an application to download. I think we'll be ok.

Used homelink module from a junkyard and you could wire it up in your car. I have converted all my cars to homelink using various chrysler parts. They draw negligible power when not being used so any +12v is fine. I use the feeder for my vanity lights in the Corvette and the feeder for the overhead compass/temperature in the F250

93gsxturbo wrote: Used homelink module from a junkyard and you could wire it up in your car. I have converted all my cars to homelink using various chrysler parts. They draw negligible power when not being used so any +12v is fine. I use the feeder for my vanity lights in the Corvette and the feeder for the overhead compass/temperature in the F250

I've been debating doing this or just disassembling the garage door opener I have and installing it to a factory switch in my car.

I homebrewed mine with a raspberry pi and a relay. I think I have about $100 in it, but it also has a camera module that lets me check if its open when I'm not home or before bed. It also plays music for my patio, garage, and driveway. I have it secured with a password. It also makes it great when we are gone and people come to feed the cats.

I should figure out a good cat feeder with a similar setup!

http://lifehacker.com/5812718/control-your-garage-door-with-your-smartphone