A driveway doorbell, also known as a driveway alarm, is an electronic
device designed to detect people, vehicles and even animals entering a
property’s driveway. When properly installed, it’s one of the layers of
protection for home and business owners against unauthorized and unexpected
visitors (i.e., possible intruders).
Keep in mind that a
driveway alarm isn’t a complete security system, far from it. Instead, it
should be integrated with other security measures, such as automated lighting
control and locks. Once in place, it will sound an alarm about people and/or
vehicles coming into the driveway.
One such product is the 1byone Wireless Home
Security Driveway Alarm. This comes with a plug-in receiver and a motion sensor
detector, as a complete kit.
Notable Features
The 1byone Wireless Home Security Driveway Alarm
is a complete driveway doorbell on
its own. This can be easily installed by a do-it-yourself enthusiast using
basic tools and applying and basic skills. Of course, reading the instructions
manual is a must for proper functioning upon set-up.
As a wireless system, it consists of two components,
namely:
·
A
PIR sensor that detects people and vehicles entering the driveway; and
·
A
receiver that alerts the owner about the detection of the people and vehicles
within the range
As such, there are no complicated installation
steps to follow. The two components can be quickly installed on a wall, for
example, using the wall plug and screw. As soon as the components are in place,
the system will work immediately – truly, a plug-and-play kind of operation
owners appreciate in alarm products.
The 1byone has a reliable range of up to 100
meters or 328 feet. Emphasis must be made that this is the distance from the
receiver to the sensor in open air (i.e., outdoors). The range will differ in
indoor applications or in areas with obstructions (i.e., trees and outdoor
structures).
The detection range of the infrared sensor
ranges from 5 to 8 meters (16 to 26 feet). This is a sufficient range to keep
owners alerted about the presence of people or vehicles in the driveway. You
may want a longer range so the 1byone will likely not be your product of
choice.
By the way, a passive-infrared sensor works by
detecting heat coming from people and vehicles. This is an effective sensor
method in comparison with rubber hose and magnetic sensors. Rubber hose sensors
require specific pressure to trigger the alarm while magnetic sensors can only
detect metal.
But there’s a downside to infrared sensors.
These are prone to false alarms especially when animals are crossing or
entering the driveway. The driveway doorbell should be installed
in such a way as to reduce the risks of false alarms in these instances.
The manufacturer recommends the following tips
in reducing false alarms. A few of the buyers also made similar effective
suggestions and, thus, maximized their use of the product.
·
Don’t
place the infrared sensor in direct sunlight. This is because the sensor will
detect moving heat sources and, thus, trigger the alarm.
·
Don’t
mount it, too, in a windy place. The sensor will also pick up the movements
brought by the wind resulting in false alarms.
·
Do
install the sensor in a shady place with little fluctuations in temperature.
The wide range in temperature can also trigger the alarm.
·
Don’t
mount the device on or near a metal or UPVC surfaces. These can adversely
affect the transmission of signals between the sensor and receiver. This can
result in false or no alarms, both of which will defeat the purpose of the
driveway alarm.
You will appreciate the wide range of ringtones
available for the alarm. You have, in fact, 36 melodies to choose from so you
can change the alarm ringtone at will.
You also have several choices in mode and alert
settings. For the mode settings, the choices are sound, LED flash and sound,
and LED flash. For the alert settings, the choices are high volume chime,
alarm, and low volume chime.
The sound can range from 25 to 80 decibels. This
way, you can adjust the volume according to your personal preferences and
security needs. For example, you may want it to be louder during the night so
that you can be awakened when an intruder enters your property.
You can also expand the driveway alarm system by
adding more receivers. You can find instructions for doing so in the manual and
in online instructional videos.
Each box contains a receiver, a passive infrared
sensor, a screw, a wall plug, and an instruction manual.
In summary, the features of the driveway doorbell include:
·
5
to 8 meters sensor detection range
·
100
meter communication range in open air
·
Weather-resistant
sensor
·
Alarm
volume ranging from 25 to 80 decibels within 1.5 feet
·
Two-component
system
Pros of the Products
The
1byone alarm has the following pros when properly installed:
·
Fast
and easy installation
·
Several
choices in melodies, mode and alert settings
·
Reliable
range within 100 meters, a sufficient distance for most residential and
commercial applications
·
Prompt
sounding of the alarm provided that the sensor was installed in the right place
·
Expandable
to include more receivers indoors and outdoors
Cons of the Product
The
1byone has a few demerits, many of which are due to its design while others are
due to unrealistic expectations by owners:
·
Sensor
can be triggered by sunlight and wind, even by any moving heat source like
animals unless placed in a shady and less windy area
·
Sensor
may have to be covered by a hood, cover, or shield to reduce its high degree of
sensitivity (i.e., increased incidence of false alarms otherwise)
·
Sensor
sensitivity cannot be adjusted
·
Too
loud volume levels according to a few users
Who Is It Best For?
The
1byone driveway alarm is suitable for home and business owners who want a
satisfactory product. While this isn’t among the best products in the niche,
its features deliver good performance provided that its sensor is properly
installed.
Verdict - Should I Buy It?
Yes,
the 1byone provides good value for the money. You must set realistic
expectations of what it can and cannot do for your security system.