works fine !!, November 4, 2010

I have read several negative reviews about the Chamberlain CWA2000 Wireless Motion Alert system… many of which compared it to its predecessor. I have used the former version with success for 3 years and I was disappointed that it had been discontinued and replaced with this model and that it was not compatible with my old sensors.
Despite the negative reviews -mostly about the low volume of the base station – I decided to purchase one anyhow because the price is so attractive. I figured I would send it back if I wasn’t satisfied. It works fine! The old model allowed the base station to be put on mute for one hour. That feature no longer exists – but the sound can be raised or lowered which helps compensate if someone will be working in one of my remote buildings – tripping the sensor repeatedly – which is when we would use the mute feature. Another new feature that I haven’t tested yet is that this new version can handle 8 sensors, each with a unique signal [1 beep – 8 beeps]. Its predecessor could only be trained for 4.
I live in a heavily wooded & hilly location with a very long driveway and several outbuildings that need to be protected. This unit will work for 300-400+ yards dependably. The volume is adjustable and is certainly audible all over my house. The earlier units may have been “fixed” because the base station makes plenty of noise now. I suggest buying several base stations and training them all to the same codes [1 beep for driveway, 2 beeps for shed, 3 beeps for outside the garage, 4 beeps for inside the garage, etc.]. I also strongly recommend that you use lithium batteries for the sensors if they are to be used in a location where the temperature goes below 20degrees F. Alkaline batteries freeze around 15 degrees F; lithium’s are good to 20 below zero F. Another trick I use is to put two sensors on my driveway just in case the first one misses. It’s my “fail safe”. Try these and have some patience in deciding where you will place the sensors. Don’t point them towards the sun or prevailing snow storms winds. Use lithium’s and expect 10+ months out of each set of AA batteries.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

|

 Comments (2)

Best investment, August 2, 2011

I don’t normally write reviews, but have to stick up for this product. I bought it along with 2 additional sensors 1 1/2 years ago. It’s the best investment I’ve made in a long time. I’ve been monitoring my driveway, deck, and basement door. I installed the unit in my master bedroom so it wakes us up if triggered. However, we can easily hear it downstairs as long as we don’t have really loud music on. There is one beep for sensor 1, two beeps for sensor 2 and so on. Some people might miss the “one beep” from a very far away or excessive external noise, but I installed my most active sensor (driveway) to be sensor 3 (3 beeps) and never miss hearing it. The 4 AA batteries I originally installed are still working! Yes, it will take 4-5 minutes to open up the units and change them, but you’ll only need to do it ever 1-2 years and there protected from weather inside the sensor. I highly recommended if you value knowing when something is on certain parts of your property and don’t mind being woken up occasionally if you have deer, cats, or other animals that wander at night. I live in a suburban neighborhood and already caught one person walking up my driveway at 4AM trying to break into our cars. I’ve also enjoyed hearing the beeps knowing when someone is coming up the driveway during the day.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

|

 Comment (1)