Question:
In looking for a replacement for my Genie Garage Door opener
remote, I have had a hell of a time finding compatible remotes.
have an opener that has a nine-switch control. But I can
I only find replacement remotes for the 12-switch control
units. I tried getting the 12-switcher and just turning off
the extra switches but it doesn't work.
I really think that Genie is playing games with planned
obsolesence here. At my local hardware store, the Stanley
remote replacements say "works with all stanley door openers
sold since 1982." Genie has seperate models for 9-switch,
12-switch, and Intellicode. None of them are compatible with
any other ones. And you can't find the 9-switchers,
meaning the only way get a replacement remote is to get a
whole new radio control assembly that's compatible.
That trick will not work on me. Genie can rest assured
that if I have to get a new radio control in order to replace
my openers because I can't get a Genie replacement any more,
it damn well will not be a Genie.
If you are considering buying a garage door opener, beware
of this Genie practice and take it into account when selecting
a brand.
Has anyone successfully found a nine-switch opener remote
replacement for a Genie opener?
Answer:
This is just what you want to have for a security system.
Your garage door is much more important that your TV set. Who
cares if your neighbor's remote changes your channel, on the
other hand it's a great concern if someone can open your
garage and easily break into your house or steal your tools.
The 9-switch models allowed 2^9 (512) codes, the 12-switch
models allow 2^12 (4096) codes, the new Intellicode model
uses a rolling code system that changes the code everytime
you use it (I think) and is much more secure.
The 12-switch model can't work with a 9-switch model because
it sends out an additional 3 pulses. None can work with the
Intellicode because of changes for security reasons. It's
not planned obsolesence, but simple security improvements.
So you don't like improvements in technology? Haven't you
ever cursed the 640K memory limitations in DOS? If everything
is backwards compatible then it makes it difficult to improve
and security is something that you always want to improve.
