Garage Door Opener Recommendations?

[Chips]

So the time has come to replace the 20+ year old Genie chain drive GDO. Suggestions? Recommendations? Ones to avoid? I see a some on the market that have battery backup, allow you to set a preset height to open/close to (to allow cables or pets underneath), accessories (camera, fan, speaker, retractable power cord, etc), and have an IOS app . What ones have you found work best with your Tesla or, on the flip-side, don't work so well so I should avoid?

And GO

 

[Maximapolak]

I bought a belt driven 3/4HP chamberlain with battery backup (in case of power outage) for my double garage door and it's been wonderful. Connected to the internet, it's quiet, etc.

 

[Joe F]

+1 on Chamberlain. Had a package delivered while 100 miles out, called neighbor, opened garage remotely and package secured. Battery backup a plus too.

 

[BrettS]

My house came with a reasonably new chamberlain MyQ opener. It has an iOS app which I find very useful to check to make sure that I remembered to close the garage door, as well as opening it remotely occasionally.

It’s also worked flawlessly with my Model S (although I only open and close it manually. I haven’t tried auto open or close yet, but I don’t think that would be an issue. I can trigger it from the car from the end of the driveway)

However, I had a lot of issues with the door opener and my 2010 Prius. Apparently it uses a newer frequency or something that the homelink in the Prius didn’t support. Chamberlain sent me some sort of bridge module that was supposed to help, but it was very unreliable. I could open or close the door from the the Prius in maybe 1 out of every 3 or 4 attempts. The iOS app was very handy while I had the Prius because I could always use that if I couldn’t trigger the door from the car.

If you have homelink in another older car then you might have issues, but it’s been flawless with the Tesla.

 

[patrick40363]

I have an internet connected, battery back-up liftmaster. It is belt driven so very quiet. It also has an auto close function that closes the door after a set time. You can monitor online and open/close from anywhere.

 

[Qbenjamin]

As others have already stated, go with a belt drive for a significant noise reduction. Chamberlain seems to work pretty well with the Tesla sending a signal to it. The battery back-ups are a plus, but they're also overrated. I found this out during Hurricane Irma, as my battery back-up worked for maybe 2 days when we didn't have power, and that was with me only actually using it once.

 

[TexasTeslaRacing]

I’ve used Guardian products in my homes and they are more reliable than the major well known brands. Also less expensive. This particular model has a built in Bluetooth speaker. They also have other models with battery pack ups. Pairing with the Tesla was easy.

MODEL 628FCA | Guardian

 

[Daniellane]

I have 3 Chamberlain’s (MyQ) battery backed up openers.
Very happy.
Installed all 3 myself (at the same time)
Pretty easy. Especially the last 2.
FYI
Liftmaster & Chamberlain are the same company.
Liftmaster brand exclusive to installers.
Chamberlain Available at LOWE’S & Home Depot & sometimes & Costco.
Also works perfectly with my 2017 MS 90D

 

[GaryREM]

2 Chamberlain (MyQ) belt driven, battery backed belt driven. Word with Google Assistant, IFTTT, Apple Homekit, Nest, Wink...

Been great for last few years.

Worked fine with my Infiniti, 2013 Tesla, 2017 Tesla, 2018 Subaru.

 

[cwellsatl]

Liftmaster 8550W

a friend of mine is an installer and this is what he has in his garage. i have one as well and highly recommend it.

 

[GaryREM]

Chamberlain Group is parent of Chamberlain and LiftMaster. Chamberlain is consumer version, LiftMaster is pro installer/commercial version.

 

[moore101]

I was in the same boat, replaced a very old Genie screw drive (sounded like a chainsaw) with a Liftmaster 8500. I really like that it mounts to the side of the roll up door instead of the middle of the garage ceiling. Very easy install and works great with the MS.

 

[brkaus]

I was in the same boat, replaced a very old Genie screw drive (sounded like a chainsaw) with a Liftmaster 8500. I really like that it mounts to the side of the roll up door instead of the middle of the garage ceiling. Very easy install and works great with the MS.

I did same. It’s super quiet. Also got the battery backup.

More importantly, it enabled me to have a high lift door so I will someday be able to put a 4 post lift in the garage.

One negative - the light is separate (communication via wireless) - sometimes it misses the off command

 

[Mike in CO]

I was in the same boat, replaced a very old Genie screw drive (sounded like a chainsaw) with a Liftmaster 8500. I really like that it mounts to the side of the roll up door instead of the middle of the garage ceiling. Very easy install and works great with the MS.

I did same. It’s super quiet. Also got the battery backup.
More importantly, it enabled me to have a high lift door so I will someday be able to put a 4 post lift in the garage.
One negative - the light is separate (communication via wireless) - sometimes it misses the off command

I also have Liftmaster 8500 jackshaft openers on all three of my garage doors. They work great and are extremely quiet. Two of the doors were high lifted at the same time as the opener install. I installed the third myself on my standard height door because I couldn't stand the comparative noise from the conventional opener on that door.

 

[arcus]

I bought a belt driven 3/4HP chamberlain with battery backup (in case of power outage) for my double garage door and it's been wonderful. Connected to the internet, it's quiet, etc.

+1 on the belt-driven Chamberlain and BBU. Mine was purchased without the Internet gateway, but the new ones come with it.

 

[Gr8pursuit]

+1 Liftmaster 8500

 

[SoCalNick]

I have a liftmaster, and it's great.
I have the belt-drive model, and it's really quiet.

I recently came across their 8500 line - which operate on the main bar that the spring is attached to - they don't directly touch the door.
https://www.liftmaster.com/for-home...battery-backup-garage-door-openers/model-8500
It's an awesome space-saving design, and you no longer have a bar down the center of your garage.
The only down side is you need to make sure your garage lights work, as you can no longer rely on the lights in the opener to light up your garage for you.

 

[Skotty]

Battery back up is a mixed bag. It works, but is rarely ever needed and also costs more due to occasional battery replacements. However, if you are getting a nicer unit, it may very well have battery backup whether you want it or not.

I recommend belt drive.

One issue I had, which has hopefully be fixed either by Chamberlain or LED bulb manufacturers, is that some LED bulbs have points that aren't long enough to reach the contacts on the sockets. I had to put a small bead of solder on the contacts for the LED bulbs I had to work in it.

Coincidentally, I had a similar issue in the last couple years with AAA batteries in children's toys. Some brands had points that were not long enough to reach the contacts in some brands of children's toys. Really obnoxious. Standards need to be more rigorous. I think it was Duracell batteries that had the shorter points. IIRC, one of the affected toys is a ladybug light that shines stars onto the ceiling.

 

[Chips]

Wow, sounds like everyone that has a Chamberlin/Liftmaster unit is pleased. I had not heard of the kind that mounts along the side wall and uses the spring bar but is a VERY interesting idea. I installed a Ryobi at one of my rental houses and my renter is very pleased thus far. Even worked well during Irma for the 2-ish days with no power. For my own use I want something that integrates with the vehicle (knows when i am approaching and when i have left) better than what i think the Ryobi can and it sounds like the Chamber/Lift lines do that. Off I go to read specs and reviews. thanks again !!!

 

[Gr8pursuit]

The only down side is you need to make sure your garage lights work, as you can no longer rely on the lights in the opener to light up your garage for you.

I just tap my 8500 wall controller to control my lights on/off as needed when hanging out in the garage, although the supplied overhead light is not that bright compared to my led overhead lights.