Garage door opener suggestions please

[hookedontronics]

I am looking for 2 new garage door openers. I have 2 standard size doors, currently one is powered by a garage door opener and the other is not. The one that has an opener works well but has no clicker. I'd like to add two new door openers both with clickers (prefer to have one clicker for the two combined if possible). Looking s for something that has a couple lights on it as well. My garage is detached so sound is not an issue or a deciding factor for me, and for this reason i'd probably prefer a chain to a belt for longevity. I've looked at quite a few, I have a budget in mind of $200 a piece, so about $400 total plus tax and/or freight. I have been eying up some craftsman's but I am unsure of the quality, I first looked to genie but I do not like to looks of the new ones personally.

What do you guys suggest?

Thanks in advance

 

[GreenNV]

I own the Genie brand and I am quite satisfied with it. I have one double door unit and another for the single door. The remote has multiple buttons which means you can program one remote to operate multiple doors. You can buy additional remotes that are compatible with many of their models. My newer car has a electronic rear view mirror that can be programmed to operate the garage door as well.

I had the screw type at my other house. It was noisier but reliable. I currently have chain models on my current house. One third HP models should be enough for single doors.

 

[R_adams81]

I just installed a Craftsman Model # 139.53985 chain garage door opener in a detached garage a couple weeks ago. The package includes the opener, 2 visor remotes, premium control wall console, and a wireless keypad, saftey sensors. Seems like a solid unit, and operates relatively quietly. It's a good deal for around $160 to get all that in one package. The opener has 2 lights on it too, while some others only have one. If you are installing it on a door higher than 7' tall, you would need an extension kit (so it may not be such a good deal if your doors are taller than 7'). I have another Sears opener from 2003, and it still works great. My parents have an early 1980's model, and that still works fine for them.

 

[AndyL]

Not a fan of genies - some work well and go forever, but if/when they need parts - almost impossible... They seem to rejig their whole line every few years and discontinue the old...

I'm generally telling my customers to stick to chamberlain - who also make craftsman (about the only difference are the plastic bits). You'll find lots of people who have nothing bad to say about the whisper drive (belt drive) or whisper drive + - both of those should be available to you in that price range.

Best part about Chamberlain - every door tech stocks parts for them (and the designs are so rarely overhauled - its only a few parts) the basic design that came out in the early 90s just got its first real revision recently (and even still mechanically its largely backwards compatible)

 

[neverenoughtools]

I have a Craftsman opener.....for about 25 years. Replaced the nylon gears after 18 years of operation. I believe it was lack of maintenance on my part ( lube on the gears ). The parts were inexpensive & readily available. Took about ten minutes to change out.

 

[Gary S]

I've had a number of different openers, and they all worked great.
I bought a Genie in 1976. It is still running every day with no problems.
I bought a Stanley in 1992. It too is still working great with no problems.
I bought two old used 1960s Linear openers in 2004. They work great every day even though they are about 40 years old.

 

[gahrajmahal]

We just got the Liftmaster belt drive with the iQ system that automatically closes after a set time limit ( we set ours at 15 minutes) . It is more than $200 but the peace of mind is worth it plus it is so quiet now you can hardly hear it operate.
http://www.liftmaster.com/lmcv2/connectedhome.htm

 

[Falcon67]

We have a Craftsman belt drive unit - one of the nice ones that went for $280 on sale. Been in operation now for almost three years, never even think about it. I was able to sync it with the new Dart so that the in car control opens the door. The newer models have more features including internet IIRC. The only "problem" I had with the unit was having to use incandescent bulbs. The motion sensor is like a lot of regular motion sensors in that it's not compatible with CFLs.