I am getting ready to order garage doors for my build and am looking at the two openers. Anyone have feed back on the units. I have heard good things about both. I want the unit to be out of the way so it doesn't take away from the 12' ceilings. Thanks
Lift Master 3800 vs I Drive Pro
- Thread starter JUSTA50
- Start date
Piper
Well-known member
i'm getting 2 3800's installed today. I'll let you know when they're done if you like. My ceiling is 11' fyi
nova65ss
Well-known member
I would run as fast as you can from the I drive and go with the Liftmaster!!
momswgn
Well-known member
3800 user here. No problems so far.
I bought mine on Ebay for 290.00 ea with free shipping and received them in 4 days. opendoorllc was the seller.
ovilla
Well-known member
I Drive Pro
The first thing you will notice when you open the brand new box for the I Drive Pro is about 4-5 stickers that say DO NOT RETURN ITEM TO STORE, please call 800 number for support. I have both of these units and believe me when I say that the 800 number will be used within the first week of ownership. Set up is easy enough but programming will drive you crazy. You'll follow the simple directions to the "T" and all of the wireless remotes still won't work and neither will the wireless base unit or light.
Liftmaster 3800
The Liftmaster 3800 opener will not have all of these warning stickers and will be an absolute breeze to set up and install. It will take you longer to set up the sensors and run the wire than it will to hang the 3800 opener and attach it to the wall with ONE lag screw. It's ease of use and especially programming will make this a superior opener.
Interesting scenario to consider
Most people never think of this until it happens to them (ask me later how I know about it). If your door opener fails while the door is half way open/closed, how will you remove the opener? The Liftmaster 3800 is mounted on the side and can be easily loosened from the SIDE of the torsion bar. How would you remove the CENTRALLY MOUNTED I Drive when the door panels are blocking your access to the unit?
Finally, the biggest issue with the I Drive Pro design - NO DRUM CABLE SLACK MONITOR. If your door gets hung up for any reason during it's downward/closing descent, the I Drive will keep spinning the torsion bar while the Liftmaster 3800 will stop the motor (thanks to the electronic cable tension monitor).
Electronic deadbolt - Only the Liftmaster 3800 offers this very cool safety feature (which is well worth the extra cost of the 3800).
Back up battery - I think this is only offered on the 3800 and still not available on the I Drive.
Support - Call any 4-5 garage door opener companies from the phone book and ask them which units they service, and what their thoughts are on both openers. I bet you anything that none of them will service the I Drive unit but will definitley service a 3800.
The first thing you will notice when you open the brand new box for the I Drive Pro is about 4-5 stickers that say DO NOT RETURN ITEM TO STORE, please call 800 number for support. I have both of these units and believe me when I say that the 800 number will be used within the first week of ownership. Set up is easy enough but programming will drive you crazy. You'll follow the simple directions to the "T" and all of the wireless remotes still won't work and neither will the wireless base unit or light.
Liftmaster 3800
The Liftmaster 3800 opener will not have all of these warning stickers and will be an absolute breeze to set up and install. It will take you longer to set up the sensors and run the wire than it will to hang the 3800 opener and attach it to the wall with ONE lag screw. It's ease of use and especially programming will make this a superior opener.
Interesting scenario to consider
Most people never think of this until it happens to them (ask me later how I know about it). If your door opener fails while the door is half way open/closed, how will you remove the opener? The Liftmaster 3800 is mounted on the side and can be easily loosened from the SIDE of the torsion bar. How would you remove the CENTRALLY MOUNTED I Drive when the door panels are blocking your access to the unit?
Finally, the biggest issue with the I Drive Pro design - NO DRUM CABLE SLACK MONITOR. If your door gets hung up for any reason during it's downward/closing descent, the I Drive will keep spinning the torsion bar while the Liftmaster 3800 will stop the motor (thanks to the electronic cable tension monitor).
Electronic deadbolt - Only the Liftmaster 3800 offers this very cool safety feature (which is well worth the extra cost of the 3800).
Back up battery - I think this is only offered on the 3800 and still not available on the I Drive.
Support - Call any 4-5 garage door opener companies from the phone book and ask them which units they service, and what their thoughts are on both openers. I bet you anything that none of them will service the I Drive unit but will definitley service a 3800.
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kenners
Well-known member
I have two Liftmaster 3800's, each one is on a 10' X 10' uninsulated shop door. Fairly easy to install and have had no problems. Probably had them a couple months.
larry4406
Well-known member
I had an I-Drive (not sure if it was "Pro" model). It was a POS. Door worked ok for about a month, had to readust, etc, etc. Then starting not rolling up evenly (one side higher than other), door came off track, cables came off drums, bent door, and it hit me on the head as it came down (previously, I had had a belt drive unit for 7 years on the door with no issues other than the unit was noisy and the belt had stretched beyond adjustment). Had to get authorization from manufacturer to let Lowe's refund my money. By then, Lowes no longer had them and apparently they were "discontinued" - wonder if the "Pro" is a new and improved POS.
Now have 3 LM3800's - nice units, no issues.
Now have 3 LM3800's - nice units, no issues.
katit
Well-known member
Even if PRO better then original one - It will take them long time to rebuild my confidence. I had I-Drive despite all negative reviews and it gave the ghost in 2 years. All seems OK but it wouldn't close a door (not enough juice). I balanced, rebalanced, called specialists, spent money with no luch.
Switched to 3800 and all is good from day 1 til now. Plus I like deadbolt and other stuff mentioned. Too bad 3800 wasn't on a market when I got IDrive.
Switched to 3800 and all is good from day 1 til now. Plus I like deadbolt and other stuff mentioned. Too bad 3800 wasn't on a market when I got IDrive.
Kirkz28
Well-known member
Another vote for the Lift Master here. I have 2 installed, had them for about a year and a half, no issues.
I looked into the I Drive (not the Pro at the time), and every single installer I talked to told me to steer clear of them due to all the problems with them. That was enough for me.
I looked into the I Drive (not the Pro at the time), and every single installer I talked to told me to steer clear of them due to all the problems with them. That was enough for me.