E8 400MM Stainless Automatic Gate Opener for Gates up to 26 Feet Long and 1200 Pounds for Dual Swing Gate

This is my third set of gate openers for two gates. I bought a prior brand from a distributor (you can see my review to learn more) that gave me nothing but trouble (both the gates and the distributor!) However, I can say I learned a lot about installing, trouble-shooting, and repairing gate openers through that process. I had two dilemmas in that experience: 1. when to cut bait , and 2. what brand of openers to try next. None of the other brands I had looked at had any better reviews - until I found this one. The install was easy. But then again, I could probably *build* gate openers at this point. So let me instead speak to what I really think is valuable about this opener: This is an easy opener to own. Until you've had an opener that isn't, you really cannot understand the value of that. 1. It works every single time. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. 2. It opens and closes to the same spot. No undershooting that leaves a closed gate partially open. No overshooting that causes an automatic reversal that usually ends up closing on your vehicle. The best part is that the opener essentially "trains" itself to the stop points. 3. The remote has good distance. I'm able to signal the gate and have it almost completely opened by the time I get there. 4. The arms are heavy. This system just feels like quality. 5. The operation is quiet and smooth. It's actually beautiful to watch because there's just the sense that all is right. No grinding motor, no jerking panel, no feeling that it may reverse itself or just simply stop. I've had one issue with the gate since install - it required the replacement of the control board (and admittedly I thought, oh no...here we go.) Jason quickly responded and sent a new board without having to wait on the return of the defective one. Upon his inspection, he found it was just simply a fuse and he apologized for not thinking to tell me to check that since it would have meant that I didn't need to return anything. There is only one change I wish in the system. As of now, it doesn't have an option to close one panel sooner than the other (though you can set it to open one before the other). That can create a problem when you have a locking mechanism installed. Although I have an existing lock that I would like to use (as protection against wind), I haven't really missed it because the gates close so solidly against a physical stop and the arms are very strong. UPDATE: July 2017 - Both sets of gate openers are still working like a dream! So incredibly pleased with this product!!!

I just finished installing this. It replaced a mighty mule 502. The mighty mule gave me many years of service, and I serviced it in one way or another several times every year. Thus the switch to a new brand First impression is that theses arms are really well built. Heavy and robust as compared. Quieter as well. At full speed they are about the same but they slow wayyy down at the end of the cycle. Actually way before the end of the cycle which causes the cycle time to be a bit long. For my application (vinyl gates) the forced close against a stop is not ideal. It pushes so hard before it realizes it needs to stop that it flexes a bow into the gates. I think I will have to renforce the gates with a hunk of angle iron or some such method. I would rather if there was a limit switch so you could program the gate to stop where you want it. But then again that would mean more circuits to potentially fail. Was one of my many repeated repairs on the mule. Other reviews slam the control box. They are not wrong. Could use some knock outs for wires and some relief clamps. The instructions for a hard reset of the system say disconnect the power and battery. Hope I don't need to do that often as that will require opening the box. Should be a switch to accomplish that task. Would only be a $3 part. Simple. I may add that on my own dime. Remotes work great. I was opening and closing from my kitchen without realizing it. 75ish yards from inside a concrete home. The mule would not do that even with brand new fresh batteries. May seem that I ve picked apart what I don't like. Time will be the true test. If this thing can go for more than a year without needing service I will check back and let you know how happy I am....... Stand by

These things are awesome. I bought these because of the good reviews and they sure don't disappoint. I had a couple issues with installation because the instructions aren't the clearest, but once I figured out the wiring on the control board, these things have worked flawlessly. My gate barely stresses them and they move a bit quicker than I expected. Word to the wise, if you use these in a blacktop driveway, do yourself a favor and just bury the cable. Blacktop refuses to grip concrete anchors for more than a couple of days of driving over them, so a cable concealing speed bump won't work. I found out the hard way. Just bury some conduit and be done with it. I found that low voltage landscape cable works nicely to extend the wiring on these. Customer service was very helpful and the rep told me they would probably change the installation instructions per my difficulties, so that was nice to hear. I always enjoy working with companies that are continuously improving their products. The screws themselves are nice and beefy, and as I said, they barely grunt to get the gates moving and sound as if they have no load the rest of the way. The entire assembly is not stainless though. Some of the pieces look like polished aluminum (gate end eyes) and galvanized (post end shackles), but they look nice and I doubt I'll see any significant corrosion on them for the amount of time I expect these to last. With the horror stories I've heard about the other consumer grade openers, if these last 5 years, I'll be more than happy. The best part is the price. You get more here for less money than the name brands. Can't go wrong with that. Update: After two and a half years, still working just fine. Had to replace the backup battery a few months ago. Didn't work when we had a brief power outage. Checked the battery, found it was dead, replaced it, working like new.