‘Prevention is better than cure’, I am sure you must have heard this before. That’s precisely what driveway alarms can do. They can inform you about the presence of an intruder on the premises even before he gets too close to your home or finds time to enter. It can even inform you about your kids straying away from the perimeter. Your decision to install a driveway alarm system might be one of the best ones that you have taken till date. When combined with traditional home security devices, the driveway alarm system can be quite effective. Yes, it can be integrated into your existing home security system and you can be notified in just about any manner that you wish to be notified.
Types of driveway alarms
Once you have decided to install the driveway alarm, the next important thing is to decide which type of alarm to install. There are two different types of driveway alarm systems. These are Wired and wireless. Let us look into each one of these in detail.
Wired Driveway Alarms: As the name suggests, these are hard wired models that have a wire from the sensing unit outside that runs all the way inside to the monitor. A lot of people find wires to be an unwanted hassle. However, some people still prefer the wired version as they consider it to be more stable. If you are constructing a new home, then installing a wired driveway alarm will not cost you much. However, if you are installing it in your existing home, then you will have to bear the cost of burying the wires. Do not forget to include the cost of a conduit in case of a mole or gopher problem. Also, you have to be extremely precise with the installation as it isn’t portable as in case of a wireless model.
Wireless Driveway Alarm systems: As always, wireless models are extremely popular owing to their ease of installation and flexibility. No wires, easy to install and use! The wireless driveway alarm system varies vastly in detection ranges. While ordinary models have an average maximum detection range of 1000 feet, advanced models extend out to 2 miles or more. However, the maximum range mentioned by manufacturers is the max that you would get provided that there are no obstructions in between the sensor outside and the monitor inside (which is highly unlikely) The signal strength will decrease as per the number of obstructions in the line of sight.
There are different wireless driveway alarm systems with different functionalities. While some models will warn you about a visitor or an intruder with an alarm, others use pre-recorded messages. You can customize up to four different alert tunes for four different zones. Some advanced models on the other hand, have a built in intercom system that allows you to communicate with the visitor. This feature alone is enough to deter a burglar from proceeding further towards your home. Imagine a burglar sneaking up hoping to strike gold and being greeted with your voice instead! ‘Listen you freak, I am one step away from dialing 911!’
Although it is called a wireless driveway alarm, you can actually install it in any part of the home. There are people who install it on doorframes, passageways, beneath the eaves of the roof and around the perimeter of the property. Driveway alarm systems are built for the exteriors and can withstand extreme climatic conditions. You will not have to worry about the sensor being damaged due to rain or snow. Some newer high end models have a built in camera as part of the driveway alarm and this is used by concerned parents to keep an eye on kids playing outside and preventing them from drifting too far!
Types of wireless driveway alarms:
The metal detecting probe: It is common for motion detectors to be triggered by large animals like deer or a large dog which may occasionally cross the path and trip the alarm. However, if you only wish to be notified about the arrival of vehicles, then the metal detecting probe is the best bet. While it easily notifies you about the arrival of large metallic objects (typically vehicles) it skips animals completely. The metal detecting probe is buried in the driveway and requires a smallish cable to be dug right from the driveway to the home. However, it is not as long as some of the wired models.
The motion sensor: Motion sensors with passive infrared personnel sensors are extremely popular for their versatility and the ability to track people. These sensors can detect and follow any movement within the protected area and it can do it efficiently. Most people set these sensors at a particular height to avoid it getting triggered off by kids or pets. The alerts can of course be customized completely for different zones.
Attractive add on features
Most basic driveway alarm systems have basic features like using a relay to open a gate when a visitor arrives or activating a camera when the alarm is tripped. But now, some advanced models have brought improved features and functionality into the wireless driveway alarm system.
- Intercom: As we discussed earlier, the intercom wireless driveway alarm lets you listen to the sensor once it has been triggered. Then you can transmit your voice to and fro and actually communicate with the person who has triggered the alarm. This feature is ideal when you wish to know who is at the gate before letting the person in. You can of course, open the gate remotely.
- Camouflage: Concealed security systems that are hard to detect is one of the best ways to catch a burglar unaware. Hence some driveway alarm systems are camouflaged and hidden in ordinary objects like lawn lights and bird houses.
- Hand held monitor: If you have a large lawn and would like to be notified about a visitor when you roam around the home, then you can get handheld radios that do this. If you have security personnel at your home, then this feature can be a great advantage.
Always do your homework and carry out research before you decide on which model to buy.
