Anybody own a Guardline Driveway Sensor?

[Industrial Toys]

I'm impressed and surprised that a detector would detect a rifle! My Sure Action system has coils (two for directional information) in the ground that see the Earths Magnetic Field. When a vehicle goes over, that changes and they alarm. Because the Earths field changes, you need to reduce the sensitivity. I could probably detect a Rifle, but then the thing would be falsing all the time.

Also, lightning storms, even at a distance just drives the thing nuts! There is an optional lighting probe that cancels that out.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

I'm impressed and surprised that a detector would detect a rifle! My Sure Action system has coils (two for directional information) in the ground that see the Earths Magnetic Field. When a vehicle goes over, that changes and they alarm. Because the Earths field changes, you need to reduce the sensitivity. I could probably detect a Rifle, but then the thing would be falsing all the time.

Also, lightning storms, even at a distance just drives the thing nuts! There is an optional lighting probe that cancels that out.

I guess I'm not we have the mighty mule. When we first tested it we used metal bar and it detects a bicycle. We have no issues with false alarms, like lightning. The kid set it up, so not sure if they turned it down sensitivity or not. detects cars just fine.

 

[Xfaxman]

I just ordered one, so hope it will transmit the 1/2 mile rated distance :thumbsup:


If it doesn't it will be easy to move it closer until it works

It is the model that Eddie linked to made by Dakota.

Got it on eBay: Dakota Duty Cycle Probe Transmitter Long Driveway Vehicle Alarm Alert DCRH-25 89117958 | eBay

Well it quit raining, so I set the receiver in a upstairs window, put a short hose on the transmitter and took it to the gate. Held the transmitter above my head, it worked from the gate posts on either side, but there were a lot of dead spots also. Move it two inches and it would work, just like any UHF radio system.

Google maps shows it to be 1800 feet, the first 200 feet is through the trees, so it might not work when the leaves turn green.

Of course it worked fine on the downhill side of the trees, it is line of sight to the window.

View attachment 584721

View attachment 584742

Update:
The Dakota Alert hose model has been installed on the south post for 5 months now and the trees are completely leafed out. It transmits fine though the trees. It has always alerted when someone drove in.

And no false alerts :thumbsup:.

The view toward the gate, from the window where the receiver is:

 

[mpsmith60]

I guess I'm not we have the mighty mule. When we first tested it we used metal bar and it detects a bicycle. We have no issues with false alarms, like lightning. The kid set it up, so not sure if they turned it down sensitivity or not. detects cars just fine.

I switch from the Guardline to the Might Mule about a year ago. While the Guardline had great transmission distance, it false alarmed a lot since it uses an IR motion detector. The Mighty Mule has been great because it only triggers on vehicles and other large metal things entering the driveway. I also created an interface for the receiver to send a signal to an I/O module connected to my home server. I wrote a Python program that monitors it and sends us an alert on our phones. Also at night it turns on the house front flood lights and front porch lights. Anyone coming up the driveway at night is greeted by a well-lit house. The lights also help the cameras record the approaching vehicle. Peace of mind... it's priceless!

 

[Industrial Toys]

To me, it's unacceptable to have a system that false alarms at three in the morning due to wildlife. There is ZERO peace of mind in that.

 

[mpsmith60]

To me, it's unacceptable to have a system that false alarms at three in the morning due to wildlife. There is ZERO peace of mind in that.

Exactly! Which is why I switched to the Mighty Mule with the magnetic sensor. No false alarms. Whereas, LOTS of false alarms with the Guardline.

 

[Rebeldad1]

We retired to a rural area to enjoy the wildlife
installed a 3 sensor guardline alarm to cover a little over a 1/4 mile driveway. If the first 2 are triggered we have a vehicle approaching. The 3rd tells us they are close to the house.
And yes we do get big and little critters setting it off which is ok. We got to see 3 big 6 point elk wonder up to the house, deer, coyotes etc that we wouldnt see if the alarm didnt go off. Thats just fine.

Of those of you who were disappointed in false alarms because of animals...... Non have mentioned fine tuning the alarm dip switches to prevent this. Didnt that help?
BTW just ordered sensor #4 today. Its going in the orchard to remind us to check the game camera. Have had elk, deer bear and cougar.

 

[EddieWalker]

... remind us to check the game camera. Have had elk, deer bear and cougar.

Have you posted any of those pictures?

 

[truckdiagnostics]

I switch from the Guardline to the Might Mule about a year ago. While the Guardline had great transmission distance, it false alarmed a lot since it uses an IR motion detector. The Mighty Mule has been great because it only triggers on vehicles and other large metal things entering the driveway. I also created an interface for the receiver to send a signal to an I/O module connected to my home server. I wrote a Python program that monitors it and sends us an alert on our phones. Also at night it turns on the house front flood lights and front porch lights. Anyone coming up the driveway at night is greeted by a well-lit house. The lights also help the cameras record the approaching vehicle. Peace of mind... it's priceless!

How did you get from the mighty mule to your network?
What are you using for input module to your network? I have not been able to find what I consider a cost effective input module. The output side is easy. We are using x-10 signals now and it is problematic. The mighty mule receiver does not have an output for a relay coil like the gaurdline did. We went a crossed the speaker output on the mighty mule and was able to get to trigger an x-10 module. How did you do it? It worked 10 years ago and what we have been using since.
The cost on the network output device has come down and time to look at different system. There are certain power supplies that mess with the x-10 signal. That is really annoying. time to look at changing.
thanks

 

[Kingsqueak]

I have a Guardline, just a two zone, one for the driveway and one for the porch as a doorbell. They definitely take a bit of fiddling to get the angle right as they are quite sensitive. I was fully aware of the chipmunk on my porch wood pile until I got around to moving the angle it was pointed. I had it on the roof of the porch facing down thinking I was clever and it picked up the chipmunk perfectly. Once I moved it to waist height, it was fixed.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I am still using X-10 with a Sundowner to turn on my lights for the last 30 or so years. Never missed a beat. Also just got some new/old X-10 Chimes for use with the trigger module to connect to the driveway system. Guess I don't have too many noisy PSUs. Handy to get driveway alert in various buildings. I am still trying to find a paging system I could use for that purpose.

 

[RalphVa]

Here's one we have: Dakota Alert Wireless Rubber Hose Transmitter, Model# DCHT-25 | Northern Tool + Equipment

Uses the old fashioned air hose like service station alarms used to have. Just activates a transmitter working on 9v battery to transmit to the house.

We have 2 of them: 1 for the driveway and another for the mail box.

Our mail box is about 500 to 700 ft from the house. Just have to replace the battery about once/yr.

Very reliable. Tried another type before. Didn't work well.

Ralph

 

[mpsmith60]

How did you get from the mighty mule to your network?
What are you using for input module to your network? I have not been able to find what I consider a cost effective input module. The output side is easy. We are using x-10 signals now and it is problematic. The mighty mule receiver does not have an output for a relay coil like the gaurdline did. We went a crossed the speaker output on the mighty mule and was able to get to trigger an x-10 module. How did you do it? It worked 10 years ago and what we have been using since.
The cost on the network output device has come down and time to look at different system. There are certain power supplies that mess with the x-10 signal. That is really annoying. time to look at changing.
thanks

I used a photosensitive sensor module powered by and interfaced to a LabJack USB I/O module. I got a pack of ten of these sensor modules for about $10 from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1FKS4L/). I used the digital output of the sensor to transmit changes in the state of the LED on the Mule to the LabJack. The Python program sends alerts to my phone via the PushOver service (pushover.net). It also sends a command to my camera system to trigger the cameras looking at the driveway in advance of the vehicle coming in sight. If it is night time, the camera system send a command to my X10 system to turn on the front flood lights and front porch lights. Hope this helps!

 

[truckdiagnostics]

I used a photosensitive sensor module powered by and interfaced to a LabJack USB I/O module. I got a pack of ten of these sensor modules for about $10 from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1FKS4L/). I used the digital output of the sensor to transmit changes in the state of the LED on the Mule to the LabJack. The Python program sends alerts to my phone via the PushOver service (pushover.net). It also sends a command to my camera system to trigger the cameras looking at the driveway in advance of the vehicle coming in sight. If it is night time, the camera system send a command to my X10 system to turn on the front flood lights and front porch lights. Hope this helps!

thanks,
looked at the Labjack, i have three different locations I want to input to the network on so the labjack gets expensive. I am actually looking at these.
Sonoff TH 1/16 - ITEAD Wiki and inputting fixed resistance values. Round numbers they are $10 a piece. Your digital sensor got me thinking. Looked/tried x-10 but I have to go a crossed/through a transformer to other buildings. Where our network goes from building to building.
thanks again.

 

[dlctcg]

truckdiagnostics - X-10 can be finicky on transmitting its signals, especially if there are multiple panels, noise on the line (yes some power supplies cause this) or an additional transformer.... although not as price friendly you could look at Pulseworx which uses UPB technology to communicate over the electrical wire. They have a Split Phase Repeaters & Split Phase Couplers to overcome such issues & should be able to overcome the transformer issue. They also have a module allowing X-10 signals to communicate to & from their devices so you can mix & match..

I did a lot of X-10 back in the day (started 20+ yrs ago), still have a bunch of it on my shelves, for lighting control am currently certified for Pulseworx, Lutron (Ra, Ra2, Homeworks), Vantage & Centralite lighting control systems & the one thing I can say about X-10 is either you have great results with it (like industrial Toys) or you are chasing demons... Pulseworx just works better... if there is an issue they have the work around. I have residential sites that have over 220 controlled loads in multiple building & if designed correctly work flawlessly... Just another option for UPB lighting...

For control options you could also look at Global Cashe & Control By Web they both offer very reliable hardware with Web Interfaces built-in (not inexpensive but very reliable).

I have a Dakota Alerts MURS system (we are also dealers for) with 2 probes in our driveway (little over a 1/2 mile long) which work great, zero false alerts. I use their base stations N/O contact relay to signal our ELANg home automation system, then based on events / status / time of day, I can trigger different events such as lighting, email notifications, camera snapshots ect....

 

[Industrial Toys]

Any time I ever tried to promote X-10, even going back twenty or more years, I had nothing but problems. Now, if I tried to have my tractor or truck warm on a cold morning relying on X-10, I bet you, they would be stone cold! It only works well for me, because the application is totally non-critical. And then it works flawlessly.

 

[dlctcg]

Any time I ever tried to promote X-10, even going back twenty or more years, I had nothing but problems. Now, if I tried to have my tractor or truck warm on a cold morning relying on X-10, I bet you, they would be stone cold! It only works well for me, because the application is totally non-critical. And then it works flawlessly.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: I completely agree... if I installed it for someone as a "nice to have" = great solution... X-10 is not close to prefect.... Pulseworx.. very, very close... we do a lot of it here in New England as most of our installs are retrofit... & it is easy to retrofit...