Dakota Alert Smart Vehicle Sensor 4000
Dakota Alert’s buried vehicle probe with phone alerts, for a property where you want to know about every car without false alarms from wildlife.
Amazon $299.99$299.99
The Dakota Alert Smart Vehicle Sensor 4000 is the better driveway alarm overall, rated 3.5 to 2.4. The Dakota Alert Smart Vehicle Sensor 4000 leads on wireless range and features. The Mighty Mule FM231 wins on value. The Mighty Mule FM231 costs $232.01 less ($67.98 vs $299.99).
Prices were last checked November 9, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon or the retailer's site at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Mighty Mule FM231
A low-cost buried vehicle sensor for a short driveway where the house sits within a few hundred feet of the sensor.
Amazon $67.98$67.98
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Dakota Alert Smart Vehicle Sensor 4000 for wireless range (1 mile claimed wireless range vs 400 ft claimed wireless range) and features (phone alerts over Wi-Fi, relay or 12 V output, per-sensor alerts, adjustable sensitivity vs adjustable sensitivity).
- Choose the Mighty Mule FM231 for value ($67.98 per sensor ($67.98, 1 sensor) vs $299.99 per sensor ($299.99, 1 sensor)).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every vehicle-only sensors driveway alarm; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Dakota Alert Smart Vehicle Sensor 4000 | Mighty Mule FM231 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.5/5 | 2.4/5 |
| Wireless range 30% | 100 1 mile claimed wireless range | 0 400 ft claimed wireless range |
| Value 25% | 0 $299.99 per sensor ($299.99, 1 sensor) | 60 $67.98 per sensor ($67.98, 1 sensor) |
| Features 25% | 60 phone alerts over Wi-Fi, relay or 12 V output, per-sensor alerts, adjustable sensitivity | 10 adjustable sensitivity |
| Expandability 10% | 75 up to 16 sensors per receiver | 50 sensor limit not published (neutral score used) |
| Warranty 10% | 33 1-year warranty | 33 1-year warranty |
Specifications
| Dakota Alert Smart Vehicle Sensor 4000 | Mighty Mule FM231 | |
|---|---|---|
| Detection | ||
| Sensor type | Magnetic probe | Magnetic probe |
| Detection distance | 10 ft | 12 ft |
| Adjustable sensitivity | Yes | Yes |
| System | ||
| Wireless range | 1 mile (claimed) | 400 ft (claimed) |
| Sensors in box | 1 | 1 |
| Receivers in box | 1 | 1 |
| Sensors per receiver | Up to 16 | - |
| Price per sensor | $299.99 | $67.98 |
| Alerts | ||
| Phone alerts (Wi-Fi) | Yes | No |
| Receiver power | Plug-in | Plug-in |
| Relay or 12 V output | Yes | No |
| Per-sensor alerts | Yes | No |
| Power and build | ||
| Sensor power | CR123A batteries | AA batteries |
| Sensor battery life | Over a year on three CR123A batteries (included) | Two AA batteries (not included), with a low-battery light |
| Operating temperature | -30 to 120°F | - |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |