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Product Description

GE SMARTHOME SH51316/SH45105 Magnetic Sensor Driveway Monitor User knows instantly when there is movement ; Range up to 400 ftchime announces visitors or unwelcome guests ; Indicator light alerts users if someone was in the driveway while they were gone ; Magnetic sensor only senses large metal objects like cars; no false triggering due to animals ;or children ; Includes 1 transmitter and 1 receiver ; Includes 4 AA batteries; Magnetic Sensor Driveway Monitor

• Works well, but installation is critical.
  I purchased this item two years ago and it's been working well since. However, the installation is critical. Keeping in mind that the sensor detects magnetic field disturbances; meaning that the detection distance is directly proportional to the mass, and speed of the moving vehicle. In other words the larger the vehicle the greater the detection distance. Therefore, it must be at least 30 feet from any street, as large trucks and buses will set it off. I also found that if the sensor was located less then four feet of the ground, it would falsely trigger. The sensor must also be placed on a ridged mount, such as a tree; any swaying, or vibration of the mounting post(i.e. due to wind, ground vibration, etc.) will cause the device to trigger. Remember, the sensor detects variations in the magnetic field due to either the movement of a vehicle, or the sensor itself moving within the magnetic field. It should be also noted that detection is also dependent on the degree of motion of the vehicle, as well as size; if a smaller vehicle moves slowly it maybe missed by the sensor.
  
  My driveway forks, and I wanted to detect a vehicle traveling down either direction. I couldn't mount it any farther from the fork itself, as it would be too close to the street. After unsuccessfully mounting it in the center of the fork, using the plastic post provided, I discovered the problems associated with mounting too close to the ground, as well as the swaying and vibration issues of the sensor on the post (simply tapping the sensor can trigger it). Fortunately, there was a large tree in the center of the fork, so I wrapped a bungee-cord around the tree and inserted the top half of the provide post, while mounted to the sensor, between the cord and the tree (the bungee-cord securely holds the sensor, while not damaging the tree as it grows). Also, pay attention to the low battery indication; a low battery will cause false triggers due to the low voltage shifting the trigger threshold. I generally get 2-3 months out of alkaline batteries (less in cold weather); I sure wish they made lithium C-cells.
  
  
  I can understand the frustration with this product; I was about to give-up on it also, until I did some organized experimentation with the installation.
  
  Therefore, with the proper installation (the limitations of which are not mentioned in documentation provided) this unit has worked very reliably for two years.
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• 100% unreliable
  I looked for a driveway monitor because my driveway is not visible from inside the house. In shopping for a monitor, I quickly realized that the IR units would not serve my purpose since they detect ANY movement, including people, dogs, etc. and I only wanted to know when a vehicle entered the driveway. This unit seemed to be a good value and I thought that since GE made it, it would be a good product. It turns out it is 100% unreliable. It fails to detect a vehicle in the driveway most of the time, although it usually detects when the garage door opens or closes. Placement was difficult due to the field of coverage. It claims to have a feature that detects if a vehicle enters the driveway while you're away from home, but, since it would detect you leaving and then returning, this is useless because there's no way to know how many times it goes off. It almost NEVER detects my wife's car entering or leaving. It goes off repeatedly and at random, including in the middle of the night, when there is absolutely nothing going on. I've decided that it somehow "stores" signals of vehicles, without sending anything to the receiver and then sends those signals at random times. This is at best a curiosity since it is so unreliable. If expecting someone and it detects their arrival, it is simply amazing, but that seldom happens. My recommendation is to avoid this unit at all cost. Maybe a higher priced product would work better, but I may never know....more info
• Battery hog!
  If you are looking for a driveway monitor, keep on looking for another brand besides GE.
  
  Mine averages a pair of C batteries every 3-4 weeks. When I contacted the manufacturer (Jasco Products, which makes GE's consumer electronics), they first suggested that some sort of interference - or just vibration from the wind - was causing the sensor to energize and run down the batteries. So I moved it to another location, this time sheltered from any wind.
  
  A couple weeks later, it suddenly began giving false alarms every 5-10 minutes. Another call to the manufacturer to complain about the false alarms and battery life, and the rep essentially said, "They all do that."
  
  Funny thing is, my parents have another brand of driveway monitor in the same price range. While it does give false alarms from time to time, usually in very windy weather, their sensor is on its original batteries after about 4 years of use. At this point, I'm trying to decide whether to toss the thing in the trash or invest $30 in a charger that works with C batteries, along with several rechargable batteries....more info
• Not as represented. Poor choice.
  I bought the GE brand because it uses a magnetic field and not a motion detector, which means it will not trigger on deer, dogs, etc. In reality, it doesn't trigger anything 50% of the time. I have followed all instructions to the letter, including having to place the detector in an area I didn't want to to conform to the rigid requirements of the 'field of detection.'
  
  I get numerous false alarms, and numerous no-alarms. It is so unreliable in crying wolf that I ignore it most of the time. I think the principle is good, but the claims on the advertising are at best---exaggerated, and at worst---completely false. I would return it, but it is such a hassle to go through repackaging and shipping. I would not buy it if I were you....more info