Forget Garage Door Open

[excenent]

We'd like to hear what you guys think about this garage door accessory, you just attach it to the inside of the garage door (no wiring) and it closes the garage door for you when you forget, thanks

http://www.closethegarage.com

http://www.closethegarage.com

 

[Finley]

i dont see anything about it on the site, since obviously you work for the company you posted about, being your first post and all...but what about the safety sensors on most doors? if the garage door tried to go down, and the sensor sees that somethings in the way, what then? surely it cant override the safety feature in the opener. or will it just try it once, and then not attempt again? is it designed to keep trying if it doesnt close on the first go round?

 

[trovato]

Personally, I don't care for this approach. I don't want the door moving on its own. It may lock people or animals in or out, and it may crash the door into obstacles. I prefer to use an open door indicator device that gives me a warning that the door is open. Then, if I decide I want it closed, I can close it.

 

[excenent]

Hi yes I work for the company, I initially came up with the idea several years ago when I kept forgetting to close my garage, I went on a trip for 5 days to come back to a much cleaner/emptier home

Regarding your question, Yes the device will keep trying to close the garage door after the set delay time until the door closes or the unit is turned off.

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have, thanks

i dont see anything about it on the site, since obviously you work for the company you posted about, being your first post and all...but what about the safety sensors on most doors? if the garage door tried to go down, and the sensor sees that somethings in the way, what then? surely it cant override the safety feature in the opener. or will it just try it once, and then not attempt again? is it designed to keep trying if it doesnt close on the first go round?

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Get to know the site, make a few good posts then start selling. We would like that.

 

[tunnelengineer]

I personally don't see the point. And I can think of far more occasions where I wouldn't want that device than I can find times when I would.

I can see a lawsuit on your hands the first time the door comes down and hit someone or a pet.

 

[trovato]

Also, isn't this basically the same thing that smarthome has been selling for a while now?

http://www.smarthome.com/7137.html

 

[excenent]

Hi, the functionality of Protectrix is close to the smart home unit, garage buttler, and skylink for that matter; the major difference is for the installer, Protectrix takes about 3-5 minutes to install whereas the garage door installation companies we deal with have said the other units typically take upto an hour.

There's more information on the difference at:http://www.protectrix.com/ if you're interested, thanks

Also, isn't this basically the same thing that smarthome has been selling for a while now?

 

[dps]

I could see the usefulness of such a device. We've even turned around and driven back to see if we remembered to close the door, and in fact want to install something one day soon. We'll file it under "peace of mind" expenses along with insurances and firearms. Or maybe under utility savings since one night of our heated garage left opened in winter would put a ding in our gas bill...

 

[Junkman]

I personally don't see the point. And I can think of far more occasions where I wouldn't want that device than I can find times when I would.

I can see a lawsuit on your hands the first time the door comes down and hit someone or a pet.

I can't see how the garage door can do any damage, unless it isn't working properly. All this does is to activate the door closer and then the door closer safety features take over. If something is in the way of the electric eye, then it will just go back to the top. If the door were to hit an obstruction, then it will just return to the top open position also. Having said all that, I still don't think that I would purchase a unit, since, if I leave the door open, it is for a reason, and I can see how one of the dogs could get locked in the garage if the door were to close. I can also see where a stranger might get into the garage and have the door close, and then what would happen????? Personally, I will stick with my door closer button and push the button when I want the door closed....

 

[excenent]

Thank you guys for your opinions, we are a little surprised by some of the comments, it's almost the exact oposite of what we've heard from others, although I must agree that the product is not for everyone. Thanks for your help,

 

[BoCRon]

Most likely the reason for the alternate opinions of the product is your audience here. I'm guessing most of your previous input has been from your average homeowner who pulls into their garage, goes in the house and that is the extent of their garage activity. Most members here at GJ use their garage to work or to engage in some sort of car hobby. Usually if the door is left open it is on purpose so maybe having to override a safety feature might seem redundant or pointless.
Personally I usually wait to make sure the door is down if I'm going out and checking that the doors are closed at night is something I check when I let the dogs in before bed. I could see this being a good product for my neighbors, or for people who live in a neighborhood that requires doors be shut (my old neighborhood actually had that written into the covenants!).

Annette

 

[bluesman2a]

Most likely the reason for the alternate opinions of the product is your audience here. I'm guessing most of your previous input has been from your average homeowner who pulls into their garage, goes in the house and that is the extent of their garage activity. Most members here at GJ use their garage to work or to engage in some sort of car hobby.

I'll second that... Understand, for most average homeowners leaving your garage open is like forgetting to water the lawn. No big deal, just do it tomorrow.

Many people here (myself included) have MAJOR investments housed in their garages, in the form of highly portable tools, toys and/or projects. For people like us, "forgetting" to close the garage door is something akin to "forgetting" to pick up your post-pubescent-cheerleader-daughter from her late night-ride home with the football team. Just doesn't happen, and we can't relate to people who WOULD let it happen.

 

[BoCRon]

Bluesman2a said it so much more effectively that I did!!! That's pretty much what I was trying to say, leaving the door open for folks here just wouldn't really be a common occurrence.

Annette

 

[Down Under Bloke]

What I don't understand is: Sure it shuts the door when you forget to shut it, but how does it help you when you forget to put your pants on in the morning.