Garage door opener recommendations

[maxsmart]

I like some of the Chamberlain features like: ease of programming remote, ability to shut off the operator light quickly along with being able to turn the light on w/o operating the door, battery back up...... The competition probably has most of these features too. This operator is very quiet if that is important.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by maxsmart

I like some of the Chamberlain features like: ease of programming remote, ability to shut off the operator light quickly along with being able to turn the light on w/o operating the door, battery back up...... The competition probably has most of these features too. This operator is very quiet if that is important.

Thanks -- all models are competitive amoungst their competitors. Your comments are appreciated and will be taken into account.

Chamberlains are very good & at the top of the GDO ladder IMO.

Bob

[vintage_tube]

Just found this on the web --

I need to take a few moments and read & take notes during reading --

One important fact mentioned:

Chamberlain Group manufactures garage door openers for Sears and has for many years. Inaddition Chamberlain Group also has thier own brand of do-it-yourself models.

About garage door openers and remotes

Bob

[vintage_tube]

Alright, I made a purchase this afternoon at Home Depot consisting of two Chamberlain model HD920EV garage door openers w/installation. I visited Sears, Lowes & Home Depot and compared features of their top 2 models which included features, such as motor horsepower, items included in the box, their installation prices and the warranty period on motors and belts/chain (there no model I was interested in of the screw drive transmission). I wasn’t concerned about the quietness of operation – for heaves sake, it’s a GDO not a baby crib. I changed my mind with milliseconds when I recall my late night/early morning entry method to the house – when I drive into the garage and get out, and walk to the door to the house, I always close the GD first & when it has closed, then enter the house. If the door to the house is open during the GD closing, the sound resonates to the bedroom – where the boss is sleeping. So, I opted to be concerned about quietness in that regard.

1st to Home Depot. Distance from the house --1 mile. Met a very nice associate named Al who knew all about the Chamberlain & Genie GD’s they offered. The Top of the line, Chamberlain of which I purchased, offered 3/4 HP, belt drive, was the quietest of the Chamberlains/Genies they offered, offered rolling code technology (basically like a learning button for programming codes), safety sensors (by law), 200watts illumination (2 ea 100W bulbs) & motion activated light , 12v sealed lead-acid battery backup (really wasn’t looking for a unit with it), a closer timer, and is HomeLink compatible (with iphone, etc). The price was $268 each and the installation is performed by Clopay (the GD door company) for $97 each. Additionally, Home Depot offers a 10% military discount to service members on merchandise (not on labor). The Chamberlain offered a Lifetime warranty on motor and belt & 5 year on parts & Home Depot will accept a 90day return (no plans of doing that, of course). Finally, the Chamberlain was the quietest of the models offered at HD.

2d to Sears. Distance from the house - 4 miles. Met an associate name Sanji who wasn’t up to the speed on GDO’s as like Al at Home Depot. The model I looked at was their top of the line, a DC model 3043x which was on sale from $329 to $249 ($80 off). This unit is 100% DC operated & there was no power specification that I could see on the box. Specific questions were delayed – ‘let me check my ipad or let me check.” Installation is $119 for the first GDO and $99 for the 2d and is performed by Overhead Door Company. It came in the box with some bells and whistles of the Chamberlain, but what turned me off was the sales guy & warranty on motor and belt. The motor was warranted for 10 years and the belt for 3 years. The Sears didn’t mention or have a statement on the box that it was for instance 5 star quiet (and when looking on the shelves for their 2d best model was say, 4 start quiet. Sears offers the 10% military discount, but not on discounted/sale merchandise. After gathering my info, I told Sanji thanks for his help & departed saying I may be back.

Earlier in the week I went to Lowes (4 miles from the house) and compared their Chamberlains/Genies & obtained a comparison chart which I referred to. The top-of-the line model ¾ HP offered by Lowes is model 248754 for $268 each. It is very similar to the Chamberlain sold at HD, but has a 10 year belt warranty vice the lifetime on the unit sold at HD. Installation is $97 each and is performed by a local contractor (not a GD/door company). Lowes also offers the 10% military discount.

3d back to Home Depot. Found Al who was walking up the aisle, without his HD bib and said I’m back & asked if he was leaving for lunch or for the day. He said leaving , but he would write up the order/installation as he said he would If I returned. Anyway, after awhile, the order was written & I walked out a happy customer. Installation will be scheduled next week during a phone call from Clopay.

Thanks to all for their recommendations and data. I learned a lot today about GDO's.



Bob

P.S. The two major GDO companies are Chamberlain & Genie. Chamberlain makes the high end brand, Liftmaster. Chamberlain also makes all Sears GDO.s Genie was acquired by Overhead Door and makes all Genies and OHD's & has since been bought by Sanwa Shutters.

[jdandy]

Bob.......Sounds like you made a wise purchase decision.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Bob.......Sounds like you made a wise purchase decision.

I did my homework and am very happy with the customer support/product offered by HD and can't thank Al enough.

Thanks Dan!

Bob

[Masterlu]

Bob... Good to hear, these are the kind of things we so often just take for granted.

PS> Donna wore out her GDO first too!

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Bob... Good to hear, these are the kind of things we so often just take for granted.

PS> Donna wore out her GDO first too!

Thanks Ivan -- yes, one of those items we rarely buy and when we do, the technological improvements between old and new is quite astonishing & somewhat more complicated.

Hey, my door worked fine & I was happy (like you) .

Primarily, hope this thread helps other AA members comtemplating a GDO purchase.

Bob

[maxsmart]

I hope the story ends well.

[bradleyc]

Originally Posted by maxsmart

I hope the story ends well.

It will have it's ups and downs