Parkway alarms are an extremely practical device that can help you keep your business and home safe, and they can alert you in case there is anything that requires your immediate attention. If you have been looking at these devices, you’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of models that you can choose from. If you want to narrow your options and pick the right one for you, you’ve come to the right place. Use this 2023 buying guide to learn what you should be looking for in the best driveway alarm for long driveways.
Table of Contents
What to consider before getting one
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The first question that you want to ask yourself if you want to find the best alarm for your needs is what you are going to use it for. Consider if you want to get it for your private household, or if you need to install it in your offices. What do you expect from the device, and are there any characteristics that you are interested in having? You should consider the place where you want to put it, if you want it to detect motion only, and if you want it to work 24/7 or to be activated by the triggers. Do you want the unit to detect vehicles or do you want it to detect people and animals as well? Make a list of your preferred traits before you start narrowing your options down.
How are they going to be powered?
When choosing the power source, you will be faced with three main choices – solar-powered devices, battery, or electricity-powered ones. The first option is the best if you don’t want to be bothered by power outages or low battery, and this is an option that will let you forget that you need to do any maintenance. However, they can produce false alarms when the weather changes. The second option is great if you don’t want to have any limitations to where you put the device, however, you need to replace the batteries on time if you don’t want to experience a malfunction. The third option is used with the corded models, and even though it may be the best one when it comes to dependability, it may not be the best option in restricted areas.
Are they weather-proof?
When we install parkway triggers, that usually means that they are going to be placed outside, and they need to not be affected by the weather. No matter if there is the sun shining directly at them, or if it is pouring rain, the device has to be working at all times. You don’t want the unit to fail when temperatures drop, and you don’t want them to malfunction because there is high wind. Have these things in mind when searching for the right unit for your needs.
What is their range?
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The range of the unit for long trails is one of the most important elements that you should consider, and as absoluteautomation.com suggests, this characteristic is based on the direct line of sight without any obstructions. In most models, the shortest distance in which the trigger will pick up on changes is 50 feet or about 15 meters. Most of the good units will have a range between 500 and 1000 feet, or 150 and 300 meters.
Do you want to go with cables or a wireless unit?
There are two main traits that you can find in a parkway alarm – wireless units and corded ones. That is one of the first questions that the seller will ask you when you say that you are on the lookout for this device. The good thing about the cabled versions is that they are extremely dependable, and they will not suffer from any signal interruptions. Nevertheless, they need to be installed by a professional. The cordless models are far easier to set up and they will let you choose your own settings and preferences. However, you need to replace their batteries and there might be some signal distortion.
How advanced should they be?
There are many different devices and models that you can find on the market, and some of them are going to serve just one purpose, while others can come with a variety of characteristics for your convenience. Think about what you want to use the alarm for, and how sophisticated you want it to be. Note that on today’s market, you can find even smart devices that you can connect to your phone, and get notified whenever there is a movement and whenever the triggers pick up on something. They can be programmed to do different things to make your life much easier.
Who is going to install them?
Ease of installation is another thing that you need to pay attention to before you invest in a unit. Some of these models, no matter how good they are, can be pretty tricky to set up, so you need to consider all of your options. You don’t want to make a mistake and damage the item when you try to put it up on your own, and at the same time, everyone wants to save some cash when possible. The best parkway alarms will come with a user’s manual on how you can set them up, and if you have trouble, you can always reach out to installation service.
What is your budget?
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Finally, you need to think about your budget and how much you are willing to spend on this device. The great thing about them is that you can find units that start around 50 dollars. The premium models that offer the best characteristics will cost you less than 500 dollars, so it is up to you to choose how much you want to invest. Keep in mind that for amazing devices that will come with pretty much all the things you need, you won’t have to spend more than 200 dollars.
Have all these things in mind and know that in today’s market you can easily find what you are looking for. Make sure you make your purchase from a reputable seller and don’t forget to check the warranty and exchange policies.
