Electric gate opener opinions

[Gladesgator]

I had a Ghost on my gate for 5 years with no issues, it was solar. It was a HF gate that was hinged on a metal pipe tho.

[bloodtrailer28]

Apollo going on 8 years or so and not a single problem so far.

[dclifton]

Between me and my dad we have ghost, might mule, apollo and Usa automatic.

Ghost has been by far the easiest and best bang for the buck by a long shot.

Usa Automatic is fast but they are magnets to getting blown out by lightining. Or the are more succeptable.


Ill never own another might mule period....

Apollo never works right....


I will say USAautomatic has great customer service and tech support because you will need it.

The ghost is probably the most used and least touched that and the USA

[Palmetto]

Went to US Automatic after having nothing but trouble with Apollo.

Recently installed a US Automatic Ranger HD at my FIL's place. Pretty close in makeup to my patriot from what I can tell. He loves it. Opens fast and was easy to install.

I hear good things about Ghost. I wouldn't be scared to try one.

[Tbar]

Apollo - cry once

Agree X 2

[kmack]

Thanks for all the opinions! It is greatly appreciated.

I would recommend as previously mentioned getting the gate mounted solid to a solid post with ball bearing hinges and level/plumb. Not on a wheel.

Gate is mounted to a 10" dia. wood post and is hung pretty good. The wheel is just for a couple high spots when the gate travels across the gravel drive way. It does not support the full weight of the gate. It's a not a steel pipe in concrete setup, but it's good for what it is.

I hear good things about Ghost. I wouldn't be scared to try one.

Tough decision either way these days. Everything costs an arm and a leg.

Right now, there's no way we could afford the 4-figure price tag for an Apollo system, or even a Nice system. And there are not that many of those brands that show up on the used market, for good reasons! There are however a ton of Mighty Mule systems for sale used, which does say something about them. I have seen a few Ghost systems for sale used and that's how I learned of the brand. Some research does suggest they are a good "bang for your buck" system, but unless you talk with people that have actually used it, the info can be somewhat one-sided.

Keep the opinions coming...thanks!

[jordangerous]

I've always just used either the Passenger Seat User 9000 or the Put 'er In Park Driver Side v42 on my property. /s

[sureshot]

US Automatic Patriot Gate Opener has worked flawless for me for about 6yrs now.

I've been running two of them for about the last 15 years.

[Walker]

Thanks for all the opinions! It is greatly appreciated.


Gate is mounted to a 10" dia. wood post and is hung pretty good. The wheel is just for a couple high spots when the gate travels across the gravel drive way. It does not support the full weight of the gate. It's a not a steel pipe in concrete setup, but it's good for what it is.




Right now, there's no way we could afford the 4-figure price tag for an Apollo system, or even a Nice system. And there are not that many of those brands that show up on the used market, for good reasons! There are however a ton of Mighty Mule systems for sale used, which does say something about them. I have seen a few Ghost systems for sale used and that's how I learned of the brand. Some research does suggest they are a good "bang for your buck" system, but unless you talk with people that have actually used it, the info can be somewhat one-sided.

Keep the opinions coming...thanks!

I think you are going to run into problems with a wooden gatepost. The bracket gets stressed back and forth and the bolts get loose in the post. My daughter has wood and after several broken bolts and numerous adjustments on the opener I finally got some 5" by 3/16 plate steel and bent a strap around the post to weld the bracket to.

[stickfigure]

I had a US Automatic, that had a few issues, but generally worked well for about 8 years. It just recently failed, and I decided to replace it with a Ghost system. So far I am pretty happy with the Ghost system and the Remootio APP that lets me operate it with my phone.

[Clay6x45]

Smooth out and level the road. Regardless of the opener you need a gate that opens smooth as butter to prevent problems.

[kmack]

I've always just used either the Passenger Seat User 9000 or the Put 'er In Park Driver Side v42 on my property. /s

Lately, I've used the Put 'er In Park Driver Side v51 from time to time. It's a little slower than v42, but is just as durable!

My daughter is used to being the "gate opener" at the deer lease for the last 16+ yrs!!! But we figure with her being a teacher, that it might be nice that she doesn't get wet before heading out on her way to school in the morning.

[Draco]

I installed gates and openers for many years and the Apollo was by far the best until Nice bought them out. I put in only 3 of them and had to make multiple trips back to keep them working for the customer. The people I bought all my openers from told me that U.S. Patriot was the one to have and I put in several with out problems before I retired. However I have several friends that have Ghost and they have no problems. Their only complaint is how slow they are.

What ever you get, one word of advice, use a gel cell battery. No one ever checks the water in their opener battery and they are ruined before the problem is noticed. I used the cheapest Optimas that I could find and the one in the opener at my old place is still working after 17 years.

[KRB]

I have a ghost going on two years , runs solar with batteries, no wiring . Works great , no issues

[Wolfpack0311]

Patriot, US automatic , call WMD in beeville,tx they will get you setup!!