Which is the best garage door opener company?

I have never bought a garage door opener (GDO). I did some research and it looks like all brands have some negative reviews.

What should I look for in a GDO? A lot of the product descriptions tout quiet operation, however, I like to know when my GDO is in operation because my wife frequently forgets to close it. That said, I don't want one that is going to vibrate like hell.

Do you prefer Genie, Chamberlin, Craftsman, Sommer, or another brand?

Sommer GDOs are made in Germany which for me automatically give it an edge over the others. Anyone own a Direct Drive?

TIA,
Run

I installed one of these in my detached garage. If you're replacing an opener, and have an outlet within 6' of the top of the door, I go this route in a second.

It's an easy DIY project.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...5714FHQF93YBEN

^ Thanks sammm! I didn't know this type of opener existed - very interesting.

^They are super quiet, and have a built-in electronic deadbolt that goes thru the track the doors run in. Makes it very secure.

The associated light is wireless, and you can connect a 2nd one to the opener if you want to.

Thanks again, sammm.

I don't have tall / wide cars do the overhead space is not precious. The security features are nice to haves, not must haves for me. I would get this in a hot New York second if the price was closer to $200...

Nice one Sammm, I know what's going in my next house. Seems the direct drive tech has gotten better and more compact since the last time I looked for an opener several years ago. And the price has come down to a much more reasonable level. The direct drive openers I saw back then were 2-3 times the size and more in the $600-800 range.

What I did get back then was a Chamberlin belt drive with battery backup. Smooth, quiet, and basically maintenance free. The battery backup has come in handy quite a few times. It's been operating a 2 car garage door for about 8 years without any issues other than replacing the backup battery once or twice. I think the battery was about $20.

I know Magma has a screw drive, Genie I think, and it's relatively quiet as well. My previous chain drive was "builder special" loud POS and finally failed when the bushing supporting the drive sprocket cracked.

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Originally Posted by sammm

I installed one of these in my detached garage. If you're replacing an opener, and have an outlet within 6' of the top of the door, I go this route in a second.

It's an easy DIY project.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...5714FHQF93YBEN

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Dang.. that is awesome! I think that may be my next shop purchase!

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Originally Posted by Nexus Flux

What I did get back then was a Chamberlin belt drive with battery backup. Smooth, quiet, and basically maintenance free. The battery backup has come in handy quite a few times. It's been operating a 2 car garage door for about 8 years without any issues other than replacing the backup battery once or twice. I think the battery was about $20.

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Thank you for sharing your experience. So far I Chamberlain seems to be the best value - this is probably what I will get.

The LM 8500 will go on the wish list.

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Originally Posted by Run_Amok

Thank you for sharing your experience. So far I Chamberlain seems to be the best value - this is probably what I will get.

The LM 8500 will go on the wish list.

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Don't forget to weigh in the install cost of a 'regular' opener. Like I said, 8500 is easy DIY.

Openers are relatively easy to swap out. A new install that might be a pain if you have to install the ceiling brackets and run wires for the sensors. I swapped mine out myself and got lucky that the old sensors worked with the new opener. Their wires and the control panel wires are in the ceiling/walls so I didn't want to try and snake the new ones or have to tack them outside the sheetrock. The other option might have been to just splice the new sensors to use the old wire runs. I did that on the control panel.

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Originally Posted by sammm

Don't forget to weigh in the install cost of a 'regular' opener. Like I said, 8500 is easy DIY.

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Great point. I will keep that in mind.

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Originally Posted by Nexus Flux

Openers are relatively easy to swap out. A new install that might be a pain if you have to install the ceiling brackets and run wires for the sensors. I swapped mine out myself and got lucky that the old sensors worked with the new opener. Their wires and the control panel wires are in the ceiling/walls so I didn't want to try and snake the new ones or have to tack them outside the sheetrock. The other option might have been to just splice the new sensors to use the old wire runs. I did that on the control panel.

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I am starting from scratch, unfortunately, and that's what makes sammm's idea really strong.

That's pretty cool, I've never seen a direct drive opener. Here's a comprehensive review (from the Dallas area to boot).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OvASlrpBns

C

At a rent house I own I just replaced a two year old Genie screw drive (POS) with a chain drive Chamberlin, it works great. I have an ancient Sears chain drive at my house (30 years old) and it still works great.

I replaced a chain drive opener with a Craftsman screw drive 10 years ago with absolutely no issues.

I got a 22+ year old Genie Screw Drive works great. YMMV

Be aware that if you have an older car (and even some newer ones) with HomeLink, the newer openers will NOT work with your old HomeLink. I have the jackshaft Chamberlain above and had to get a "repeater". Something they don't bother to tell you until you can't get it programmed and go hunting with Google.

^I had to do that to get my M3 to talk to my LiftMaster MYq belt drive opener.

C

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Originally Posted by chriscar

That's pretty cool, I've never seen a direct drive opener. Here's a comprehensive review (from the Dallas area to boot).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OvASlrpBns

C

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Thanks for sharing the video, chriscar. How do you guys feel about the host's comments on getting the door balanced / adjusted or some form of optimization prior to installing the LM?

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Originally Posted by VFR750

At a rent house I own I just replaced a two year old Genie screw drive (POS) with a chain drive Chamberlin, it works great. I have an ancient Sears chain drive at my house (30 years old) and it still works great.

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Originally Posted by motorollow

I replaced a chain drive opener with a Craftsman screw drive 10 years ago with absolutely no issues.

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

I got a 22+ year old Genie Screw Drive works great. YMMV

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Thanks fellas!

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Originally Posted by Mikey

Be aware that if you have an older car (and even some newer ones) with HomeLink, the newer openers will NOT work with your old HomeLink. I have the jackshaft Chamberlain above and had to get a "repeater". Something they don't bother to tell you until you can't get it programmed and go hunting with Google.

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Originally Posted by chriscar

^I had to do that to get my M3 to talk to my LiftMaster MYq belt drive opener.

C

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Good to know and thanks!

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Originally Posted by sammm

I installed one of these in my detached garage. If you're replacing an opener, and have an outlet within 6' of the top of the door, I go this route in a second.

It's an easy DIY project.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...5714FHQF93YBEN

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Got my Liftmaster 8500 installed on my shop last week and I am loving it! Thanks Sammm ;-)

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Originally Posted by Titus

Got my Liftmaster 8500 installed on my shop last week and I am loving it! Thanks Sammm ;-)

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Awesome! :clap:

Finally ordered the 8500.

Thanks sammm!

^Nice! Good choice. :clap:

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Originally Posted by sammm

^Nice! Good choice. :clap:

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sammm and the others that have the 8500: Does the package include one or two remotes?

^I think it was just 1, but I'm not positive. Should be listed where you ordered it from?

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Originally Posted by sammm

^I think it was just 1, but I'm not positive. Should be listed where you ordered it from?

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The pictures on Amazon show one remote and their product description doesn't specify...

Mine just came with one. You can add a keychain remote for about $20, or they also sell an internet gateway device that allows you to control it from your phone.

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Originally Posted by Titus

Mine just came with one. You can add a keychain remote for about $20, or they also sell an internet gateway device that allows you to control it from your phone.

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Thank you, that's what I thought. Just wanted to make sure :)

So, I installed the LM 8500 and it works great. This is an awesome value given the DIY-ness, quality, performance and number of components that make up the kit.

Thanks again sammm.

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Originally Posted by Run_Amok

So, I installed the LM 8500 and it works great. This is an awesome value given the DIY-ness, quality, performance and number of components that make up the kit.

Thanks again sammm.

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You're welcome. Glad it worked out for you.

Has anyone seen or tried one of these?

http://www.ryobitools.com/gdo/

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Originally Posted by Dave04

Has anyone seen or tried one of these?

http://www.ryobitools.com/gdo/

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Looks pretty cool!

OT:
In CA, home garages have two vents near the floor and one larger vent near the ceiling, which helps heat escape to the atmosphere. Most of the residential garages that I have seen in TX do not have vents, which is probably due to the very low temps during the winter months?

The LM 8500's side-mount design frees up overhead space (and ideal location) for a ceiling fan, which is what I have done in my garage. Now, when hot cars are in the garage I can leave the door open a few inches and use the fan to circulate air / push out the heat.

BTW, this GDO is the first that I have had equipped with a motion sensor for the light. It's so dang convenient! I love this feature!

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Originally Posted by Run_Amok

OT:
In CA, home garages have two vents near the floor and one larger vent near the ceiling, which helps heat escape to the atmosphere. Most of the residential garages that I have seen in TX do not have vents, which is probably due to the very low temps during the winter months?

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What type of vents? It doesn't really get that cold here, at least not for long stretches. My attic access is in the garage, and I keep it propped open a bit during the summer so some of the garage hot air will get sucked up in to the attic.

I'd guess its a combination of the colder winters and more humid air, compared to large swaths of California.