Thursday, December 1, 2016

1byone Wireless Driveway Alarm Review

Let me tell you about the 1byone Wireless Driveway Alarm that we own and highly recommend to help keep individuals and families safe.

Give the Gift of Home Security for Less Than $20

A few years ago at Christmas, one of our thoughtful sons gave us the gift of a 1byone Wireless Driveway Alarm. Having lived here with us for most of his life, he was well aware that sometimes visitors made it all the way to the porch before we had any idea there was someone walking or even driving down our long, rather secluded driveway. What a great gift idea!

After using the alarm for just a short time, not only were we glad we had it, we knew that we never wanted to be without it. Let me tell you about this wireless driveway alarm that we still own, use every day, and highly recommend.

The brand name of the unit we own is 1byone (one by one) and the cost for the motion sensor detector and the receiver system is less than twenty dollars (currently $15.99 as I type this, price subject to change). Even adding the cost of the batteries needed to power the unit, the word "cheap" comes to mind, but I don't want to give you the idea that this is an inferior product as it certainly is not.

How Does the 1byone Wireless Driveway Alarm Work?


The driveway alarm's weatherproof motion sensor uses passive-infrared (PIR) technology. | ReviewThisReviews.com
On the left is a photo of the weatherproof motion sensor with its passive-infrared (PIR) technology mounted on a tree partway down our long driveway. When a car comes down the driveway, the unit senses both a change in temperature and motion, the light on the unit flashes as it sends a signal to the receiver inside the house, and both the alarm and the light on our unit give us a signal that we should take a look outside to see who or what has set off the alarm.

The driveway alarm's receiver with settings on the sides. | ReviewThisReviews.com
On the right are pictures of the receiver which we keep in a convenient spot on a counter where we can both see it and hear it. The unit is on and, as you can see in the photo on the bottom right, is set in the low volume chime mode. Trust me, "low" is plenty loud enough that we can hear it throughout our entire house. If we used the receiver outdoors, for instance if we moved it to the back porch while we were working in the garden, we might set it to make more noise. In some situations, we might turn off the audible signal altogether and just use the light.

In our situation, one sensor for the driveway and one receiver for the house are all we need. However, the device is expandable so that, if you have more than one driveway or area to cover, you can add on multiple sensors and/or receivers. One reviewer uses a set indoors, with the sensor in a child's bedroom and the receiver in the parents' room, so that they can tell if their toddler gets up during the night. Another reviewer uses a set by the back door so he'll know when the dogs are at the door, ready to come back in for the night. With some creative thinking, perhaps you'll come up with even more great ideas on where to set up your driveway alarm system even if you don't have a driveway!

How Long Will This Inexpensive Alarm System Last?


We received our driveway alarm three years ago and it worked perfectly until about six months ago when, thanks to squirrels (we think), the outside unit became undependable. Rather than replacing just the sensor, I simply ordered an entire new system. As for battery life, we have changed the batteries about once a year.

What About False Alarms From the Motion Detector?


Yes, we occasionally get false alarms. Our sensor is mounted on an oak tree and deer love to eat acorns, so recently, as the acorn crop was plentiful this year, visiting deer set off the alarm on a regular basis. We are aware that deer cross our driveway frequently, so we take that into consideration when checking outside after the alarm sounds. We occasionally notice squirrels in the area, too, and occasionally a neighborhood dog passes by. Neither set off the alarm often enough that we complain. An occasional false alarm from our wildlife neighbors is expected and we're fine with that.

Heat is another factor that affects the sensor and can cause false alarms. It is advised that you don't install the sensor in an area that gets direct sunlight, including near a window that absorbs heat that might set off the alarm.

Occasionally, on a particularly windy day, we turn off the alarm to avoid false alarms from blowing leaves or tree limbs. Living in a wooded area, that is just a factor we have to consider and work around.

Would You Buy This Driveway Alarm Again?


Overall, I'd rather have occasional false alarms than not have the driveway alarm. I've come to depend on it when expecting visitors and, especially, when unexpected visitors or delivery drivers arrive.

I like to know anytime someone is coming or going and since I can't watch outside all the time, and because our trusty watchdog isn't always on duty (lots of naps, you know), I am thankful that the 1byone Wireless Driveway Alarm is always on the job.

So yes, I would buy it again and I definitely recommend it to others who care about keeping themselves and their loved ones safe.

P.S. Just a reminder that a driveway alarm system would make a wonderful gift for someone whose safety you care about. This is one of the most thoughtful gifts we've ever received. 

~Susan
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Posted by Susan Deppner

Susan Deppner

About the Author

Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


18 comments:

  1. A wonderful and very thoughtful gift. I do agree a false alarm is better than no alarm at all. seems like a small price to pay for a little peace of mind. Thanks for the review.

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    1. Our sons worry about us "old folks" now that they're no longer at home, so the alarm gives them peace of mind, too, regarding our safety. I would pay lots more for the peace of mind if I had to, but thankfully we don't have to!

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  2. Susan, this alarm sounds perfect for anyone needing or wanting to know when someone is approaching, especially living in a more secluded area as you described. And, having the alarm occasionally tripped by deer is great - gives you an opportunity to see them. :)

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    1. I agree with that, Elf! We love seeing the deer in the yard and I know we miss them most of the time, so having them cross the driveway near the alarm is an alarm that we don't mind hearing at all! Thanks!

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  3. Wonderful that such a useful gift is so inexpensive! I think a wireless driveway alarm is perfect for so many people!

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    1. I think so too, Heather. Reading the customer reviews was eye-opening regarding other, creative ways to use the alarm. I was quite pleasantly surprised about the price when I first checked, too. No excuse for most people NOT to have this simple security system. Appreciate the comment!

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  4. Love this - perfect for Mom for Christmas - maybe one the house too (though we have an active critter population and it might attract furry investigators :)

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    1. If you experiment a bit with placement, Savvy, you might come to an agreement of sorts with the critters. :) Glad to know your mom can use the alarm. Hope she enjoys having it!

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  5. Susan this sounds like a really good idea. I like that it seems to have lasted so long and would have probably lasted longer had the squirrels not gotten to it. Thanks for a great Review.

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    1. We have been pleasantly surprised at how well the outside unit has held up, Grammie O. Funny you mention squirrels as just a few minutes ago the alarm went off twice and we saw a squirrel pretty much sitting on the motion detector. Good thing we don't mind the occasional false alarm, plus we can see the unit on the tree from inside the house so we could easily identify the culprit. Again, we prefer the occasional false alarm to having people sneak up on us!

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  6. What a wonderful idea! I've never liked the surprise of the doorbell ringing when someone arrives. I would much rather have the earlier alert. Great review of an awesome safety device that is affordable for anyone.

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    1. I totally agree about having the earlier alert, Cynthia. Even if we were less secluded or had a sidewalk instead of a driveway, I'd get a unit like this for advance warning ahead of the doorbell. It's smart to be safe!

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  7. We have a short driveway, only room for two cars and if we don't park carefully, one hangs out into the street. But I like this review and I think for many it's a great thing. The reason I always enjoy your reviews is that you give an honest appraisal; showing both the good features and the drawbacks of the product. I feel I can recommend this product to anyone I know, because of this review.

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    1. Nancy, thank you so very much for those kind words. I do try to be honest in my reviews and point out both pros and cons, which is why I talked about the false alarms and placement of the detector. In your case no, you probably couldn't effectively use this driveway alarm, but I definitely appreciate that you feel you can recommend it to others.

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  8. I doubt I could use this in my parking lot (but you bet I'm am immediately going to read the reviews and other creative ways to use it) but I can think of others who might be interested. Thank you for the informative review.

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    1. Perhaps there's a stairway or other area where you could use the alarm, Dawn Rae. Thanks for sharing the information with others who could use it!

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  9. Sounds like a wonderful thing to have when you live in a rural area like ours. If we move back, I think I'd get one. It might even be useful here in the city.

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    1. Barbara, if you garden in the backyard and could possibly miss someone coming to your front door, putting the sensor near the door and using the receiver as an outdoor "doorbell" in the back might be one way to put the alarm to use. You can always turn it off when you don't need it. That might not be a need you have, but it's something to consider. And yes, if you move back out to your rural area then keep the alarm in mind. Thanks for the visit and the comment!

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