Liftmaster 8500 vs 8550W

[drawz]

The Liftmaster 8500 seems quite popular around here and I'm leaning toward this one. The alternative in my mind would be the 8550 or 8550W. The cost difference seems negligible for the opener itself. I assume installation costs are similar if not less for a jackshaft style opener.

FWIW, this is for a new build 22x20 steel garage by Versatube with a single 18x8' door. The installer would have to figure out how to mount to the steel frame I suppose. Maybe they'd just add an extra bracket just for the 8500?

 

[k-os]

The majority of the mounting of the 8500 is on the jackshaft itself. The tabbed bracket (lower right hand side of the unit) is mainly to keep the unit from twisting. I really like the two I installed myself and have recommended them to friends and family.

 

[Sammgb]

I went with the 8500 specifically because it is a jack-shaft opener. I wanted the open space above the bay so that the cars on my lift could be raised as high as possible. It's weird to say, but I've never been happier with a garage door opener than I am with the 8500. If cost is the same, I'd go 8500 simply because it adds more versatility to how you can use the space.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Another 8500 owner and I must say very impressed with this unit and how quiet they are, do your self a favor and hook it up to wi-fi and use it with your smart phone!

 

[8mpg]

talk to your installer... not all garage door people will recommend them. They are usually only recommended in high lift doors

 

[vonhef]

I went with the 8500:

Because I didn't want the opener to be in the way of this:

 

[thymer]

Love my 8500's!

 

[jstroede]

It depends on what you are doing with the space. If you have low ceilings with this 18x8 door (9-10) I would just go with the 8550(w). The 8550(w) is very quiet as well, with all the bells and whistles you could ever want. If you have 12'+ high celings and want to high lift the door and add a lift some day, by all means go to the 8500.

John

 

[cspcrx]

8500 as well so I could do door lift the door could be open at full lift.

 

[Skyllz]

Oh my god... locash racing... flashback from my ef/crx days in the late 90...

 

[marcusicp]

How do you like the Versatube building? Any issues with it?

 

[cspcrx]

Oh my god... locash racing... flashback from my ef/crx days in the late 90...

I have known Joe for years. He still makes things today and runs an Integra that runs in the 7s trapping in the 180s.

 

[drawz]

Thanks for the info guys! Clearly people that have it seem happy with the 8500. I haven't really heard any major downsides and there's not a big cost difference.

It depends on what you are doing with the space. If you have low ceilings with this 18x8 door (9-10) I would just go with the 8550(w). The 8550(w) is very quiet as well, with all the bells and whistles you could ever want. If you have 12'+ high celings and want to high lift the door and add a lift some day, by all means go to the 8500.

John

Thanks for the tips. Ceiling (or really the frame) will be 9', so maybe not much advantage to the 8500 perhaps. I thought I could save some space by avoiding the rail. Although the rail would be between bays normally, I sometimes pull one vehicle in the center of the garage to have extra working room around the sides. Obviously not a lift situation though. Quickjack is probably the closest I would get to a lift.

How do you like the Versatube building? Any issues with it?

Ask me again in a few weeks once it's built!
I did check out another one my contractor had built and it seemed nice enough. Owner was happy, but anything was better than the steel garage he had before, which was falling over (literally).

 

[mmb617]

I'm a little late to the party but just wanted to add that I bought a liftmaster 8500 for the high lift door in my lift bay and really like it. I have the older non-jackshaft type openers in the other bays of the garage and the 8500 is almost silent compared to them. It's also much smoother in it's lifting action. I also appreciate the bolt shooting into the track to lock the door at the end. Overall it's a great opener.