A magnetic probe is buried beside the drive and senses the mass of metal in a passing car or truck, usually within about 10 to 12 ft. A rubber hose lies across the drive and trips when a tire rolls over it. Neither reacts to people or animals, which makes them the choice for rural properties with deer. A probe leaves nothing on the surface for a plow to catch. A hose needs no digging. Dual-probe kits can tell an arriving vehicle from one that is leaving.
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Full ranking 7
- Dakota Alert Smart Rubber Hose 4000#1 of 7Full review
The no-dig vehicle alarm with phone alerts, for a driveway where you want to know about cars and nothing else.
Amazon $189.99$189.99Rubber hose1 mile1 - Dakota Alert Smart Vehicle Sensor 4000#2 of 7Full review
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$299.99Magnetic probe1 mile1 - Dakota Alert DCRH-4k Plus Hose#3 of 7Full review
A vehicle-only kit you can set up in minutes without trenching, for a gravel or paved drive that isn’t plowed.
Amazon $149.99$149.99Rubber hose1 mile1 - Dakota Alert Smart DUAL Probe 4000#4 of 7Full review
The most capable kit here, for a gated property or business that wants direction-aware phone alerts and outputs to drive other equipment.
Amazon $369.99$369.99Magnetic probe1 mile1 - Dakota Alert DCPA-4k Plus Probe#5 of 7Full review
The classic buried-probe kit for a long rural drive where you want to hear about cars and trucks and ignore wildlife.
Amazon $259.99$259.99Magnetic probe1 mile1 - Dakota Alert DUAL-4k Plus#6 of 7Full review
For a drive with steady traffic where knowing whether someone is coming or going matters, such as a farm or business entrance.
Amazon $329.99$329.99Magnetic probe1 mile1 - Mighty Mule FM231#7 of 7Full review
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$67.98Magnetic probe400 ft1