My driveway isn’t visible from the house, but I want to know when a vehicle passes through a certain point. Is there a simple standalone buzzer or sensor I can get for this? Bonus if I can get two sensors, one for the back lot as well.
What you’re looking for is a ‘driveway alarm.’ I’m doing some research myself, but haven’t found the perfect brand yet.
Christine3 said:
What you’re looking for is a ‘driveway alarm.’ I’m doing some research myself, but haven’t found the perfect brand yet.
You might want to check out Optex. We used to sell them a lot before our supplier stopped carrying them. They’re super reliable and should last you a long time. If you need something cheaper for short-term use, the ones from Amazon or Harbor Freight might work for a few years.
Christine3 said:
What you’re looking for is a ‘driveway alarm.’ I’m doing some research myself, but haven’t found the perfect brand yet.
Have you found any brands worth looking at? I’m trying to replace mine, but all I see are no-name brands on Amazon or internet-connected ones. I want something simple.
@Ashley
We’ve had the 1ByOne with two sensors and a base station for years. It works well, but both sensors trigger the same alarm sound. We got it from Amazon, and it’s held up longer than other brands we tried.
Christine3 said:
What you’re looking for is a ‘driveway alarm.’ I’m doing some research myself, but haven’t found the perfect brand yet.
I’ve been using this one from Amazon: Amazon.com. It’s not ‘smart,’ but it has relays you can use to trigger other devices like lights. The receiver supports up to four zones if you add more sensors, and it can detect people walking by too.
I got this one from Amazon, and it works great. It has volume settings, and you can change the alarm tones. Amazon.com: Driveway Alarm- 1/2 Mile Long Range Wireless Driveway Alarm Outdoor Weather Resistant Motion Sensor & Detector - DIY Security Alert - Monitor & Protect Outdoor/Indoor Property - 1 Receiver and 2 Sensors : Automotive
@Davis
Be aware it’s very sensitive to motion—birds or even sun-warmed trees can set it off. If you want fewer false alarms, check out HTZSAFE’s beam sensor: Amazon.com. It triggers fewer false positives and can be wired to trigger lights or smart devices.
Check out Dakota: Vehicle Sensing Probe – Dakota Alert
I’ve been using this driveway alarm, and it works well with some quirks. It sometimes misses cars when it’s raining, and occasionally I’ll get a false alarm on sunny days with shadows from trees. Still, I’m happy with it overall.
They sell doorbell-style sensors that work for driveways too. My mom had one, and I’ve seen them at Walmart near the smart home devices. Just make sure to check the distance it can handle—some go up to 100 yards. But be warned: wildlife can set them off frequently!
Harbor Freight has a simple option: https://www.harborfreight.com/home/security-safes/timers-detectors-alarms/wireless-security-alert-system-57937.html.
EvansBrown1 said:
Harbor Freight has a simple option: https://www.harborfreight.com/home/security-safes/timers-detectors-alarms/wireless-security-alert-system-57937.html.
That product is pretty basic, and the manual says the receiver can’t be placed where it might get wet. It also doesn’t notify your phone. If you’re looking for something more rugged with notifications, check out this IP67-rated option: https://www.amazon.com/Driveway-Property-Invasion-Tresspassing-Assistant/dp/B08ZXVK1XZ. It has a greater range and works with smart home systems.
@Wyatt
I have that one, and it can get wet. Mine has been through some heavy rains. Only issue is a tree that moves in the wind and sets it off sometimes, but overall it’s solid.
MR.GREEN said:
@Wyatt
I have that one, and it can get wet. Mine has been through some heavy rains. Only issue is a tree that moves in the wind and sets it off sometimes, but overall it’s solid.
You’re right! The manual says only the receiver shouldn’t get wet, which makes sense. Thanks for pointing that out.
Magnetic sensors are really common for this. Here’s a good resource: https://www.absoluteautomation.ca/collections/wired-driveway-alarms. There are also IR sensors if you want it to detect people or bikes too, but they tend to trigger more false alarms from wildlife or moving leaves.
Driveway alarms work great for walkways too!
Why not put a camera down there? It’ll alert you and record the event too.
Paige said:
Why not put a camera down there? It’ll alert you and record the event too.
I have a camera system in my shop, but I want something that will give me an audible alert inside my house, not just a notification on my phone.
@Isabelle
If you set it up with a computer, it can give you an alert when it detects motion.