Hello, I’m Denis – owner and operator at Softcomplex (DBA Garadget). You are probably familiar with my Security+ 2.0 dry contact adapters, but today I have something new for you.
Introducing my latest creation – Garadget for Control4. Garadget allows integration of the existing garage door openers into Control 4 systems with these major benefits:
- Seamless Integration – Garadget is purpose-built to control garage door openers and it does its job much better than the typical patchwork of relays, sensors and generic drivers.
- Local Control – break free from cloud dependency and increase system’s reliability with fully offline-capable garage control. No changing APIs or service terms, full privacy.
- Fast and Simple Installation – get garage door integration running in minutes with wireless WiFi communication, patented laser sensor, quick mounting options and support of Simple Discovery Protocol. No tools required for typical installation.
- Unmatched Flexibility – Garadget offers multiple sensor types and mounting options, garage door configuration parameters, standard keypad integration, variables and events for advanced logic.
- Safety and Compliance – Features configurable siren and strobe for full UL235 safety standard compliance.
- Low Cost – fraction of the cost of individual modules typically used for garage door integration.
- Subscriptions Free, Zero Maintenance – install and forget – no subscriptions to renew, no trips to change the batteries.
Availability
To collect your feedback and further improve the product I’m offering a limited pilot batch of devices to the early adopters. The terms of the early access ensure that it only attracts the serious participants while providing them with a risk free and rewarding experience:
- $99.97 per unit, limit 2
- keep forever or return within 6 months for full refund
- submit feedback and receive 10% discount for your first 100 units from production batches
If you are interested in the early access, please place your order here, otherwise please stay tuned for the general availability updates.
Setup Steps
Garadget for Control4 takes about 10-20 minutes to setup and consists of following steps:
- Connect Garadget to local network:
- Power up prior installation using USB connector in the back of the unit.
- Confirm that indication on Garadget is 4 LEDs blinking every second. If indication is different then press and hold button labeled “M” to revert to the setup mode.
- Connect your phone tablet or computer to a WiFi hotspot Garadget-XXXXXX
- Navigate the web browser on the same device to http://192.168.0.1/
- Submit the WiFi connection credentials using the configuration web form. Other settings can be left at defaults at this time.
- Confirm that indication on Garadget changed to 2 LEDs turned on and one blinking confirming a successful WiFi connection.
- Add Garadget to Control4 system:
- Add Garadget driver to Control4 Composer PRO.
- Find new Garadget entry in “discovery” panel and add it to the project by double clicking “Motorization/Softcomplex” entry.
- Confirm that indication on Garadget changed to “heartbeat” pattern.
- Adjust properties as needed (optional).
- Establish keypad connections and other logic (optional).
- Change the garage controller visibility in navigator (Room->Navigator->Security->Modify).
- Install controller in the garage:
- Attach controller to a clean dry surface on the opener’s enclosure in direct line of sight of the top panel of the garage door using the included mount.
- Adjust the alignment so the laser points at the top panel of the closed garage door and affix the reflective tag so the laser hits its center.
- Connect the included wiring between the Garadget’s terminal labeled G and try contact terminals of the garage door opener. Polarity of this connection is not important. Adapter will be required for Security+ 2.0 systems.
- Using the mobile app or Composer confirm that the correct door status reported and door control working.
Dennis this is great!! I’d like to buy 2 please.
David,
Thank you. You can get there here:
https://www.garadget.com/product/garadget-for-control4/
Oh hellllll yea! Great work!
I will take 2
Just ordered one – Thank you
Definitely interested!
Just bought two… is the Control4 driver available for download somewhere?
Yes, I’ll tidy up the documentation section of the driver and have the link published in the product page.
Thank you for your participation in the early access!
Will this work for 8500 series lifasters too?
Phil,
You can directly connect the dry contact controllers like this Garadget to LiftMaster 8500 (without W).
For 8500W you’ll need a dry contact adapter like those offered in the store.
Just received my unit. Need the driver please
Here is the link to the driver: https://www.garadget.com/c4-driver
Great product! (one of the better I have installed over the years.) Took approx 15m to completely set up.
Would like the option to not have the flashing lights on the puck when idle. Can be distracting to some customers.
Thank you for your suggestion. I’ll consider this as an option for next firmware/driver release.
UPDATE: the new firmware (1.0.2) implements very subtle standby indication if the environment is brightly lit and switches it off indication entirely when the environment is dark. Please contact me via email if you would like to mail your units in for re-flash.
Love it Love it Love it!!!!! We used to use the control4 z2io with contact and rail sensors and then have to solder our own garage door button. It works and was solid, just a major pain in the butt, plus we then had to run another wire from the garage door opener to the rail contact sensor. Your product takes a fraction of the time and no extra wires to run along and down the walls. We have only had one problem, sometimes the units will lose connection after a couple of days. We have the customer unplug and then re plug them back in and they will automatically reconnect, but then the same thing after a couple of days. Other than that, we love the Garadet, plus the integration into control4 is as simple as double clicking it in SDDP.
Nick,
Thank you for your feedback. The current firmware has a watchdog timer that reboots the controller automatically if it is unable to reconnect to the WiFi for some time. Hopefully that addresses the issue you described.