Liftmaster 3800 vs 8500 differences?

[Daekwan]

I'm a new homeowner and looking to install one of these wall mount units onto my two car wide garage door. At first I thought the were the same unit, but it seems the radio components and access panel have been upgraded on the 8500.

The 8500 also seems like a much newer model that was released earlier this year. Any info you guys can provide on Liftmaster, these wall mount units and installation tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[PCO6]

The difference is 4700 (8500 - 3800 = 4700).

Seriously, I'm not aware of the 8500's but I am very happy with my 3800 - also on a double wide door.

 

[jstroede]

They are basically the same thing, just the 8500 is compatible with all the My-Q stuff like the remote gateway, rolling frequency, etc. Liftmaster has basically been updating all of their older units to this.

John

 

[AndyL]

The actual drive is unchanged... the only real difference is you get the retrofit myq wall station instead of the fancy lcd display unit... and a more basic remote (not the chrome blinky leds one)

 

[Jeff d]

I'm looking at the same two openers as the OP.

Being that I have 2 older vehicles (a 2003 and 2007) with Homelink I am considering just ordering a 3800 since it's directly compatible without a repeater. Not sure why the 8500 is cheaper but then I need a $40 home link repeater to make my vehicles work with it.

The price difference is negligible but I figure if the mechanics are the same then I'd rather have the opener be directly compatible with my HomeLink openers vs. having an add on repeater to translate the signal. Is there any compelling reason to go with the 8500 in this scenario?

 

[HAP]

The 3800 is actually rated for a slightly larger door than the 8500.

 

[Jeff d]

The 3800 is actually rated for a slightly larger door than the 8500.

It's not really a factor with the door on my garage but that info does potentially make the 3800 even more appealing.