Garage door openers are the most convenient thing invented since sliced bread. Can you imagine pulling the entry into your parking lot open by hand? It's a necessary part of every house, and there's nothing like rolling home, clicking that little button, and cruising inside.
Unfortunately, like everything else on the planet, remotes break. One day, you'll press that button and it won't move, and that's when you'll understand the great convenience of it. Then, it's time to get it replaced.
It should be easy; just take your old one in and get the same thing. The only problem is that the remotes don't break so often, so by the time you're replacing it, that's an old model. Usually, you have to buy a new one, and there are a few things you should know.
What's The Frequency?
First, make sure you know what frequency your garage door opener operates on. These days most operate on a standard 315mhz, but they are made anywhere from 300 to 400mhz. The most common ones you'll find are 300, 310, 315, 318 and 390mhz.
The frequency should be written on the back of your old remote. You can also check on the motor. That's the part that hangs in the middle of the ceiling. The frequency should be printed somewhere on it.
Security With Intellicode
Look for a garage door opener remote with "Intellicode." Intellicode is a system that allows you to program it. It uses a technology called "rolling code." Basically, the transmitter creates a different code each time, and the receiver is programmed to recognize it. It uses a dip switch to generate up to 256 possible combinations. Your receiver is programmed with the "seed" for these combinations.
This keeps somebody else from getting into your parking lot because the codes are impossible to duplicate. The only downside is that you have to program the Intellicode system when you first buy it. It is fairly simple, but for those of us who are a little "technologically challenged," it might seem tricky. Each brand has a different way to program it, and they are all simple, so just follow the printed instructions that come with your remote.
Keypad Remotes
Some folks prefer the keypad remotes because of the added security. This type of remote has a numerical keypad, and you punch in your code each time you want to open it. The codes come in varying lengths, depending on the product. This little bit of added security can go a long way in stopping potential thieves.
If you go for the keypad, make sure you have one that is back lighted. If you come home at night and can't see your keypad, turning on your dome lights each time you want to open it gets to be a real pain.
Compare And Find The Right One
Check out all the remotes and get the one with the best feel. Nowadays, they are made to be very compact. Some can even be made to fit on your keychain. How it looks and feels is just as important as other considerations.
The major brands of garage door openers are Chamberlain, Liftmaster and Genie, and prices range anywhere from just over for the simplest single button transmitters, up to for the fancy ones with added features. Get that garage door opener remote pronto, and you won't have to lift it up yourself when you come home from a long day of work!
