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Homelink vs. Wifi opener

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by 2011RedPrius, Feb 28, 2017.

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  1. 2011RedPrius

    2011RedPrius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2017
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    Location:
    NoVA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    My 2011 three did not come with homelink. I am considering buying a homelink mirror and installing it myself/or having it installed (have seen where others have installed it themselves, but not detailed directions). While using the search function (yes, a noob found the search function :) I found a thread about using bluetooth to open the garage door opener. That made me think that there might be wifi options. I checked out Amazon and
    has really good reviews. Has anyone used one of the wifi openers? If so, would you recommend it? It seems like it would be an easier install than the homelink and it could be used by multiple vehicles.

    Thanks,
    rp
     
    #1 2011RedPrius, Feb 28, 2017
  2. robibb

    robibb Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2017
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    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I use the chamberlain myQ system. It was a add on to my garage door and installed very easily. My wife and I as well as mother in law all use the application from our cell phones. We can open and close the garage when we are in wifi range or using cell phone data. I love the fact that you can open or close the garage from the driveway or several states away. Mother in law has forgotten to close the garage several times in her old age (we just close it behind her). You can set notifications for it to tell you when it opens, it closes, when it's opened longer than a preset time. And the chamberlain application added fingerprint security which is wonderful. Any questions... Fire away!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #2 robibb, Mar 2, 2017
    bisco and 2011RedPrius like this.
  3. 2011RedPrius

    2011RedPrius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2017
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    Location:
    NoVA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Careful what you ask for! Haha, thanks for the reply. Of course, I have questions. First, I looked at the Chamberlain system. It appears there are two systems. Do you have the one where you plug it into a slot on the back of your router, I assume using a Cat 9 cable? Is that all of the set up involved? Well, obviously you have to program the system to your current opener.

    Also, can you set it up to open by itself when you are close (like 2 houses down before you get to your house) or do you have to get out your phone, open the app, press open, blah blah blah.

    Thanks!
    rp
     
    #3 2011RedPrius, Mar 2, 2017
  4. robibb

    robibb Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2017
    3
    3
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    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I have this one...
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00C1CF1S6/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1488507832&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=myq+garage&dpPl=1&dpID=41b4HAg-b%2BL&ref=plSrch

    It's a two cable setup one power and one ethernet cable. I have two garage door openers so I got two of them. I have cat6 throughout my house and a 24 port switch in my network/server closet, I know it will work on cat5 as well because I used both cables in my closet with no issues. I have both of these chamberlain myq Internet gateway boxes in there. I had to swap out the switches on the garage wall also. These switches communicate with the the gateways (located 75feet from said closet). Word of advice... Do one at a time I unboxed both and set them up and I got confused on what base communicated with what switch, hard to name when you don't know what goes with what. Programming them is fitst part online. Making an account password then syncing it to you app on your phone. You have to create the account online or it just doesn't work, not explained well in book when I purchased it. Unfortunately you will have to pull out your phone to open your garage. It's not proximity based at all. That would be pretty cool though. Hope I answered your questions. Full disclosure, I purchased these out of necessity because I installed some WiFi security cameras and they interfered with the regular garage door openers, including my wife's Ford (using homelink). So this was my remedy to get it working after spending hours installing cameras to my house.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #4 robibb, Mar 2, 2017
  5. 2011RedPrius

    2011RedPrius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2017
    37
    33
    0
    Location:
    NoVA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Robibb,
    Thank you for taking the time to write out a thorough review. I am lucky in that I only have one garage door. I looked at the Chamberlain model you have. In order for it to work, I would need to have a chamberlain garage door opener, which I do not. I think I am going to try to convince the wife to get the nexx garage opener. It can open the door from a couple of houses down and has a 100% guarantee. I think it would be about as much as installing homelink on just my car and a lot less hassle than trying to find a hot wire and ground for the homelink.

    Thanks again for posting about your experience. Hopefully, I will get to post about mine.

    rp
     
    #5 2011RedPrius, Mar 3, 2017
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