– Dakota Alert MURS Alert transmitter- Offers the ability to monitor activity at remote locations- Utilizes passive infrared sensor technology that will send an alert signal to the MURS transceivers in order to notify you that someone has entered a monitored area- The M538-HT and M538-BS transceivers can also be used for two way voice communications- Capable of sending 4 different alert messages to the transceiver- Alert signals will be in spoken English and are easily selected at the transmitter so that separate zones can be monitored at the same time- Will give you real time monitoring of remote locations up to several miles away- Many different applications; it can be used by security guards, small businesses and also by hunters monitoring game trails; any scenario that requires immediate notification when someone or something enters a monitored location- Authorized by the FCC, MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) is a license free service that allows the user to transmit voice and data- MURS also allows a maximum of 2 watts of output power; which means greater range than other license free radio servicesDKMAT
$ 94.49
Good idea, poor implementation,
Dakota has a good concept here, but has not provided the quality needed. Having used these for three years in Northern NH, I have had to send all four units back to the factory for repair or replacement, some more than once, in the warranty period. And they are very sensitive to weather. Foggy and rainy weather cuts the effective distance down considerably and has caused water penetration around the antenna. Cold weather will sometimes kill a unit. To Dakota’s credit, they repair or replace with no questions asked if the unit is in the warranty period. Personally, I would prefer a higher quality unit the works without any problems.
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|MURS Alert Transmitter,
Previously I had purchased an MURS transmitter and receiver kit from a different source and have just now purchased an additional transmitter through Amazon. I may have been less inclined to purchase a Dakota device based on some of the poor performance reviews, especially ingress of water. But, my own experience has been fine so far. After reading a couple of reviews I decided to look into the case of the first transmitter and inspect for water. We have had nearly 5″ of rain in the last few weeks, the unit is exposed on a tree, and there was no water inside. I believe my success is attributed to the one thing I did before I mounted it. Right from the start, I did not like the telescoping antenna, so I replaced it with a cut piece of coax (shield removed for the same length as the extended antenna that came with the unit and leaving the insulation around the center conductor) that is terminated with a male BNC connector. I had put a small amount of silicone caulk around the base of the antenna/center conductor and BNC connector. The coax is not real rigid and sort of flops around, but I like that better than the rigid antenna. My range from transmitter to receiver is about 1400′. Hope this helps others that may have a water problem.
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|Excellant New, Deteriorates Rapidly,
Over the last couple of years I have bought quite a few Dakota Alert sensors (4 regular, 4 MURS, 2 buried sensors for cars). These units all worked VERY, VERY well when purchased. Their original range is excellent and it seems even better with the MURS units. I also bought a hand-held radio to receive alerts from this PIR transmitter and can receive alerts from 500 to 700 feet with at least one hillside in between (line of sight is about 30 to 40 feet into the hillside). I have set these units as far away as 2500 feet without a clear line of sight (going through a fair number of deciduous trees and a few firs to reach the house), although they only transmit through one wall of the house.
As mentioned in the title, their long term reliability has been a problem for me. Each unit usually lasts 8 to 12 months without a problem then goes downhill very fast. I live in the PNW where it is VERY wet during the winter (though temps stay moderate). Earlier units constantly had moisture inside when they failed. Newer units have a vent hole yet still have condensation and eventually rusting inside. I have tried covering units with plastic bags and duct tape to no avail. Also, the antenna (which telescopes) tends to fill with water when it rains as well.
The most common failure mode is a constant repeated alert (drives you crazy till you disconnect it). Often, I have brought the offending unit indoors for several days to dry out and was able to put it back into service for up to several weeks before it died again with the same problem. I have returned at least 4 units within their one year warranty for this problem and the new units act the same – good for 8-12 months depending on the weather, then recurring problems until they die completely.
I have also tried spraying the interior of one unit with Corrosion-X (reputed to work to waterproof electronics without damaging the circuitry by ham operators). The unit has not worked since I sprayed it :).
If you need reliable SHORT-TERM sensors, these are awesome. If you can’t afford the $80 to $200 a year to replace them, then you may want to reconsider. I have not yet found any other sensor that works as well as these – when they work. Indoor use, or a method to waterproof the sensors, may also alleviate these problems.
bobf
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