armoredsaintt
Well-known member
Your opinions? I really like the iDrive's concept of being mounted above the door and it doesn't have the rail and it looks really clean, but I read that it's problematic.
WD iDrive vs. Liftmaster Garage openers?
- Thread starter armoredsaintt
- Start date
I'm curious about this too. It would be nice to NOT have a big opener hanging down from the ceiling. I've heard this comment for some time. I can see some initial problems, but you would think they'd have them fixed by now. This system has been out for a couple of years now, right?
NHCharger
Well-known member
I'm a building contractor. One of the lumber yards I buy my materials from sells the idrive openers. Some of the sales guys there told me they wouldn't install an idrive in a dog house.
The guy I have that installs my garage doors and openers swears by LiftMaster, he also said the chain drives last longer than the screw drives. He also claims the Genie openers don't last in the cold weather because they use a lubricating grease on the screw drives that stiffens up in the cold weather causing the motors to fail after a few years.
The guy I have that installs my garage doors and openers swears by LiftMaster, he also said the chain drives last longer than the screw drives. He also claims the Genie openers don't last in the cold weather because they use a lubricating grease on the screw drives that stiffens up in the cold weather causing the motors to fail after a few years.
Glen
Active member
I have had an iDrive for a little over a year now. I love it. It's quiet, raises the door very quickly, and since I have a WD garage door, there are no optical sensors to worry about either.
OP
armoredsaintt
Well-known member
Glen said:
thanks for the info, what do you think about the wireless wall unit and outdoor keypad, it looks cheap without a cover? it's not lit like the wired ones too. my builder is using WD doors so the sensors are not needed either.
Glen
Active member
The outside keypad does look a little cheap. It's pretty easy to use in the dark so the keys not having backlighting isn't really a problem but it would be nice. The inside panel is easy to use. My iDrive is just over a year old, I believe they have changed the panel since then so it may be different now. All in all, I think it's a great system.
BearHit
Well-known member
I've had the torsion I-Drive for only a month - but I like it...
The remote units are indeed enclosed... so that has changed
I certainly prefer this over the Genie I had previously - but we will see how it lasts.
A forum on the Gardenweb site related several unhappy customers - but I'm willing to take a chance on it...
The remote units are indeed enclosed... so that has changed
I certainly prefer this over the Genie I had previously - but we will see how it lasts.
A forum on the Gardenweb site related several unhappy customers - but I'm willing to take a chance on it...
OP
armoredsaintt
Well-known member
It sounds like the outdoor numbered keypad is not lit? I tried again to call W-D, there phone system makes it really had to talk with a human and it makes me leave a message, of course I never got a call back after 3 months of trying and 4-5 messages. No email reply too, that is truly sad I would say.
cartract
New member
I have two of them....installed in a new house Nov 2003....other than one of them getting fried by lightning they have worked prefectly....I have heard all the negatives but so far I very pleased with them...they are up and down many times a day...even in the coldest weather! Knock on wood so far.
Luckydevil
Well-known member
Everyone on here seems to like the i-drive, but what are some of the negative things people have said about them in other places?
NHCharger
Well-known member
The next time I'm at my lumber supply yard I'll ask the sales guy why they don't care for them.
A lot of people knock the Craftsman openers, but I installed a Craftsman opener at my old house in 1984. When I stopped by to visit the new owners a few years ago the opener was still working, although the wooden garage doors were falling apart.
A lot of people knock the Craftsman openers, but I installed a Craftsman opener at my old house in 1984. When I stopped by to visit the new owners a few years ago the opener was still working, although the wooden garage doors were falling apart.
Wile1Coyote
Well-known member
Craftsman and Liftmaster are made by the same company but have different quality in the materials used and the assy. Liftmaster poles are also one piece units as opposed to craftsman multi section poles.
rcroob
Member
I just had a WD door installed last fall, wanted the I-Drive but the installer talked me out of it. I dont remember what all he didnt like about it but reliability was one thing. So go figure, the one I did get already burnt up a circuit board this spring.
OP
armoredsaintt
Well-known member
i think the biggest selling point of the iDrive is the opener being over the garage door without the rails and sensors if you have a W-D door, but they really need to work on the keyless entry and the wall unit.
BearHit
Well-known member
My exterior keypad has illuminated buttons...
5 buttons vertical
5 buttons vertical
BearHit
Well-known member
I ordered mine through Lowe's - and they sent out a certified WD installer (for an extra $140)
a462goat
Active member
Liftmaster
I just had a commercial Liftmaster installed on one of my doors today. The installer (who also owns the company) feels that Liftmaster is the best of its type on the market.
Time will tell for me.
I just had a commercial Liftmaster installed on one of my doors today. The installer (who also owns the company) feels that Liftmaster is the best of its type on the market.
Time will tell for me.
Rex Ruby
Well-known member
I USED to work for Liftmaster. They are the Caddy of door openers at a reasonable cost.
idrive at Lowes
I just checked on line to see if the Lowes near me carries the iDrive. They do show any WD openers available. Is this availability at the store a regional issue?
Is anyone aware of any sites in which there are additional comments/critiques on this unit.
Thanks,
js
BearHit said:
I just checked on line to see if the Lowes near me carries the iDrive. They do show any WD openers available. Is this availability at the store a regional issue?
Is anyone aware of any sites in which there are additional comments/critiques on this unit.
Thanks,
js
BearHit
Well-known member
That's what threw me off initially...
They don't stock anything but accessories and repair parts.
But they can order you one and arrange to install it if you like.
They don't stock anything but accessories and repair parts.
But they can order you one and arrange to install it if you like.
SRL
Member
I've also been looking into the I-Drive. I'm working on my dream garage and NOT having the rails (there will be two doors) is an enticing option, especially on the 1-car side where a lift will be installed. My company is a Raynor distributor, so I'm getting a great deal on their American Rivers garage doors. When I spoke to my contact at Raynor, he said the I-Drive openers were having reliability problems, especially concerning their wiring. I questioned him further, but he didn't have much more info.
Realizing I'm talking to Raynor, who is a WD competitor, but again we're a Raynor distributor, it wasn't like a random customer calling into Raynor to discuss WD products.
A lot of people here seem to like the I-Drive. Is there anyone who can relate any problems associated with these openers? I'm very tempted, at least on the 1-car side of the garage.
Realizing I'm talking to Raynor, who is a WD competitor, but again we're a Raynor distributor, it wasn't like a random customer calling into Raynor to discuss WD products.
A lot of people here seem to like the I-Drive. Is there anyone who can relate any problems associated with these openers? I'm very tempted, at least on the 1-car side of the garage.
Glen
Active member
I've had my iDrive for over two years now and it has worked flawlessly. Mine is connected to a WD garage door with their internal springs as opposed to a standard torsion spring. If there is a problem with these things, I haven't seen it.