Telguard GDC1 - Universal Z-Wave Garage Door Control Switch

I am giving 5 stars conditionally. I had some trouble getting this device to associate with my automation system using the Aeon Z-Stick v2. I could not get this device included in my Z-Wave network. I decided to request a return. While waiting for a response I tried many more times and eventually the device was included. This does not mean anything with Z-Wave. It is not necessarily the fault of the SGD1 nor the Z-Stick. Maybe I was not doing something right. Maybe I started one before the other. Maybe I was not close enough. Whatever. I requested the return and then cancelled around 1am on a Saturday. The seller, "The Smartest House" responded at 7am only hours later. It was nice to know they would be responsive if I needed a return. The installation was simple. It did not work properly at first because I had too much distance between the magnet and the switch that senses the door closed. I could open the door but later the device would go into safety lockout and start blinking. I put an ohmmeter on the switch and noticed it was not working. I had to shim the switch with spacers to move it away from the wall and closer to the magnet on the door. Now everything works perfectly.This device shows up as a simple light switch in the automation system. That's because it was designed to be a generic device which should work with systems that are not compatible with other openers. As such the controls are On (for open the door) and Off for (close the door) and the status reported to the automation system is On (door is open) and Off (door is closed). In my case I was able to edit the names to be more intuitive.One thing you need to be aware of is if the door has a problem which causes the GDC1 to go into protection mode (after two unsuccessful tries) the only way you can reset the GDC1 is to manually close the door or power cycle the GDC1. If you are at a remote location and there is a door problem you may find yourself with the door opened and no way to close it.In summary, if you can get it included in your Z-Wave network it will perform as designed and very well.

Easy to install and connect to the network. One install note. If your opener uses a magnetic down sensor, place the Telguard door sensor off to the side a few inches from the track or your door will stop closing too early.For unknown reasons, Piper stopped supporting this device or this device will no longer work with Piper. I gave up after many calls/emails and went with another technology.

This device paired easily the first time with my Vera3 hub. Install was straight forward and instructions are really good. The sensor wires are really thin stranded wire. I wish they would use a little sturdier solid wire for that. The biggest shortcoming is the fact this device is based on a simple binary switch. Granted, it disclosed that in the description, but what I didn’t realize is that my hub treats this sensor like a light. ‘On’ means open, ‘off’ means closed... that is not exactly easy to remember, and would be a whole lot more intuitive if they programmed this as a door lock or a door sensor. Why can’t it say open/closed or locked/unlocked like other door-based devices?

When it works correctly, everything is great. I've had numerous issues with it sending "false alerts" about the door being open only to be immediately followed by a status change to show that it's closed again. I've talked to the manufacturer, and they have absolutely no idea how to troubleshoot the issue. Their "answer" is to have the seller take it back on RMA (at my expense) to supposedly repair it. How could they possibly repair it if they have no means to troubleshoot it?

I've been using this for about four months now and so far it's been good. Connecting to my Smartthings network was a breeze. I like the included door sensor for the fact that it has a short piece of armored cable to help prevent a damaged wire. There have been two instances where it became unresponsive to the zwave mesh and I had to power cycle it to reset it. I would agree with what others have said - I wish it reported as an open/closed sensor instead of on/off. This would make it more useful in a Smartthings integration. But as it is, I can remotely tell if the door is open or closed, and easily close it remotely. I have a Samrtthings app that automatically closes it at midnight if I've forgotten to. It's reliable enough that I will be adding a second one to my other garage door.

After nearly 3 years of no support from Frontpoint in regards to a Zwave garage door opener this actually works! I've looked at multiple options including the GoControl line of openers. The last time I checked with Frontpoint they do not support GoControl. I'm using the Qolsys IQ Panel from Frontpoint, it controls security and also acts a Zwave hub. This opener works, although it does pair somewhat odd with the IQ Panel. It shows up as a "Water Valve". I pressed ahead and checked the app after a few minutes, it showed up in the list of Zwave lights I also have installed, I labeled it garage door opener. It works and so far works great. So for those people searching for Frontpoint garage door opener, this is your solution.

Before ordering, you should do yourself and your supplier a favor and first check the list of incompatible Garage Door Openers, listed on the Telguard website. It takes a bit of digging down, but there is a list in it, with an array of models which Telguard warns you should NOT attach them to. They are mainly Chamberlain and Liftmaster openers.Mine is among them, but I unfortunately didn't dig that deep before I placed my order, and I can't use it. The supplier has kindly agreed to a Return Authorization, which I appreciate, and I have no beef with them or the product, but please check the list before you order.