Like many farms, we have a long driveway, and depending on where you’re at in our home, it’s not always easy to tell when someone is coming up the driveway. We’ve talked for years about installing something to alert us to incoming traffic, but didn’t want to run yards of underground wiring to solve the issue. So I’m happy that we recently found and installed a solar-powered device that really seems to work well.
The device is called the Safety Technology International STI-34100 Solar Powered Wireless Driveway Monitor, and it detects when a vehicle enters or leaves the driveway via a solar-powered magnetometer sensor system (the company identifies that the sensor system is patented). What it does is detect any large metallic object (iron or steel) that passes close to the driveway sensor, and transmits a signal to the receiver (located in the house) which then chimes and flashes.
The device is priced around $100.00 (we ordered it through Amazon) and it can be placed as far as 1000 feet away from the receiver in the home, but it needs to be in line-of-sight. The directions suggest that the sensor be mounted on a 4 x 4 post, four to eight feet off the ground, but we just mounted it next to the driveway using the stake that was included (that puts the sensor about a foot off the ground). Then we placed the receiver inside within line-of-sight of the sensor, and plugged it in. It’s worked flawlessly so far – identifying every vehicle that has gone in or out, but ignoring animals, people, or shadows. The instructions say that additional monitors can be added for driveways that exceed the 1000 foot range limit for one monitor.
I know it seems like a small thing; but it’s really nice to know when vehicles are approaching. This was such a relatively inexpensive and easy to install solution, I thought it would be a good idea to share – no more delivery men surprising us at the door!
Valerie says
Great Post Lesa. Thanks
Barb Schanel says
We have a short driveway, but about a quarter mile of road preceding it that not much happens on. It turns out that our dog Guy is a great driveway monitor. He goes to the top of our yard and starts looking as soon as any car begins driving down our road!
fresheggsdaily says
Good post Lesa. We have one, different brand but it has been malfunctioning. We hid ours next to a tree so its not obvious to potential intruders ;0) I will check out this brand. We like advance notice when someone comes up the driveway as well.
Tammie Memmer-Prentiss says
Intrigued! Will have to check into one…nice being in the back..love watching people pull into all the driveways around us…just so they don’t have to pull way back there! Lol
Doris says
We don’t have a farm but we do have a very long drive…I see an alarm in my future!
Kristina says
Our farm also has a long driveway so we too invested in a driveway alarm..I’m glad we did!! It’s so nice knowing when we have company, both invited and uninvited. 😉
We got ours from Tractor Supply for slightly less than yours but we don’t have the awesome solar power feature like yours does. 🙂
Glad your happy with your alarm, I know we are!