Customer reviews from geniecompany.com
Genie - Aladdin Connect Garage Door Controller - Black
Average customer rating
4.4
(457 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 457 reviews
5 Stars
320
4 Stars
77
3 Stars
22
2 Stars
10
1 Star
28
89%of customers recommend this product.
(
326 out of
367)
Customer Reviews for Genie - Aladdin Connect Garage Door Controller - Black
Posted by: Jeff
from Iowa
Verified Purchase:Yes
I installed the control box on one of the garage door track supports near the ceiling so it would be as close as possible to the sensors. I connected the box to the openers by running wires directly to them. My Wi Fi signal is already good so I didn't have to move the router or reconfigure the network. I think that's one of the keys to stuff like this is to make sure you have a good network first before you try to add a bunch of smart stuff to it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting geniecompany.com
Posted by: Rico
Verified Purchase:Yes
The Aladdin connect was easy to install and easy to use. It is super handy and comforting to know if the garage door is really closed. The only thing I miss is the manual off switch that my original wall touch-pad had to turn off the garage door when on vacation. I just installed a switched plug for my garage door plugs but it is something to keep in mind. I realize that the app tells you if it is open and you can close it remotely but I'd rather my doors not open at all when I go away for a few days.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting geniecompany.com
Customer Rating
4
I have purchased from The Genie Company
on January 7, 2019
Posted by: Robert C
I have purchased from The Genie Company twice. The first time, I called for assistance finding the part number I needed. Customer service was very helpfull. I received both orders without any problems. I will certainly purchase from them again if I need Genie products.
Written by a customer while visiting geniecompany.com
Posted by: fffamous1
Verified Purchase:Yes
Work very good but only thing was the direction on how to install was not fully corresponding on how to put up
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting geniecompany.com
Customer Rating
4
Great Product... a few cautions
on May 4, 2020
Posted by: Jimmy B
from Ellenton, FL
This past weekend I purchased and returned a competitor's product because it would not allow me to open the door using voice control over google due to "Security Reasons." Genie understands how to ensure security and even defaults to a 2 form factor using a PIN which you can later ignore if you choose.
Pro's
- Installation was fairly easy, but did require some physical wiring of the switch (nothing you'd need an electrician for unless you don't have a wall socket to plug it into.
- The software/controller application was very detailed on how to configure the software, connect to your wifi, install the hardware.
- All features from getting an open/closed status to actually opening/closing the door work very good using either the phone app or google home.
- The door sensor is actually screwed into the support brace of the door instead of simply being taped on. It gets very hot here and I would not want to put my trust in a piece of double sided tape. The self tapping screws provided worked great.
- The ALARM is reasonable. It beeps and flashes a few times when opening or closing and then stops. The alarm its self is loud enough to be heard and catch your attention, but not something that's going to make you want to take a hammer to it. By contrast, the competitors model I initially installed has a VERY LOUD alarm that starts beeping a few seconds before motion starts, and continues until a few seconds after the sensor indicates the door is fully closed. (HAMMER TIME) This is exasperated if there's a fault in the door fully closing which can happen (see CONS below). In that case the alarm never stops until your neighbors call and ask you if there's a fire or something.
- Unlike a competitor, you do not need to subscribe to a service to use google, alexa or any over voice control device.
- This uses the 2.4 ghz band of your wifi router. This is a good thing. 2.4 ghz supports greater distances and is more effective at penetrating walls. You have a better chance of getting a good strong signal. You're not trying to pass video or voice over this connection so who cares if its slightly slower than the alternatives.
- Installation was fairly easy, but did require some physical wiring of the switch (nothing you'd need an electrician for unless you don't have a wall socket to plug it into.
- The software/controller application was very detailed on how to configure the software, connect to your wifi, install the hardware.
- All features from getting an open/closed status to actually opening/closing the door work very good using either the phone app or google home.
- The door sensor is actually screwed into the support brace of the door instead of simply being taped on. It gets very hot here and I would not want to put my trust in a piece of double sided tape. The self tapping screws provided worked great.
- The ALARM is reasonable. It beeps and flashes a few times when opening or closing and then stops. The alarm its self is loud enough to be heard and catch your attention, but not something that's going to make you want to take a hammer to it. By contrast, the competitors model I initially installed has a VERY LOUD alarm that starts beeping a few seconds before motion starts, and continues until a few seconds after the sensor indicates the door is fully closed. (HAMMER TIME) This is exasperated if there's a fault in the door fully closing which can happen (see CONS below). In that case the alarm never stops until your neighbors call and ask you if there's a fire or something.
- Unlike a competitor, you do not need to subscribe to a service to use google, alexa or any over voice control device.
- This uses the 2.4 ghz band of your wifi router. This is a good thing. 2.4 ghz supports greater distances and is more effective at penetrating walls. You have a better chance of getting a good strong signal. You're not trying to pass video or voice over this connection so who cares if its slightly slower than the alternatives.
Meh..
- This uses the 2.4ghz band for your wifi router. (wait, wasn't that a good thing?) The unfortunate truth is I've found most people do not realize that almost all newer routers have multiple band widths to choose from. By default they use 5ghz and don't have a clue how to use the 2.4ghz. I suspect this may be a frequent cause of issues people report while trying to set this up.
- You can't use native Google Home commands to use the doors features. You have to use the format "hey Google - Ask Aladdin Connect to "open my door, close my door, ..." This really isn't a big deal, I simply setup Google routines to handle the job. Now I say "Hey Google, open my garage door" the routine puts all the extra verbiage in for me. Nice since I forget I have to use Aladdin Connect, and sometimes I might say open "the Garage Door" or "My Garage Door" or simply "garage door." My routine has all variations in it.
- I was getting constant alerts every time the door was opened/closed.. along with additional alerts letting me know the request was being made through the app. I thought it was something that was set and could be controlled/programmed within the app. Nope. Instead I had to go into my phone's Apps management page and disable all alerts from the application.
- This uses the 2.4ghz band for your wifi router. (wait, wasn't that a good thing?) The unfortunate truth is I've found most people do not realize that almost all newer routers have multiple band widths to choose from. By default they use 5ghz and don't have a clue how to use the 2.4ghz. I suspect this may be a frequent cause of issues people report while trying to set this up.
- You can't use native Google Home commands to use the doors features. You have to use the format "hey Google - Ask Aladdin Connect to "open my door, close my door, ..." This really isn't a big deal, I simply setup Google routines to handle the job. Now I say "Hey Google, open my garage door" the routine puts all the extra verbiage in for me. Nice since I forget I have to use Aladdin Connect, and sometimes I might say open "the Garage Door" or "My Garage Door" or simply "garage door." My routine has all variations in it.
- I was getting constant alerts every time the door was opened/closed.. along with additional alerts letting me know the request was being made through the app. I thought it was something that was set and could be controlled/programmed within the app. Nope. Instead I had to go into my phone's Apps management page and disable all alerts from the application.
Cons
- I actually had a difficult time figuring out how to integrate this with Google. I think the instructions were clear, but you have to get into a settings screen within Google Assistant (not google home) to do the integration. It took me forever to figure out I had to click on the compass in the bottom right corner to get to this page.
- You will run into problems if you sometimes leave your door partially open to let in cool air. It gets hot here and we do this all the time.
-- if you stopped the door while it was closing the door will still be seen as open.
---- If you say to open the door it will tell you its already open and takes no action
---- If you say to close the door it will send a signal to the motor, but the motor now thinks it needs to open and will open it fully. Unfortunately Aladdin Connect is waiting for it to close. it will assume one of the safety features (the beam or pressure sensor) detected something was wrong and had reversed the door. At that time the unit locks its self out until someone presses the manual button inside the garage. Not cool if you're out shopping and remember the door was "open." Trying to open it now just leaves your door fully open. (At least, unlike the competitor.. you're not blasting a loud Alarm telling everyone "Hey.. look at me, I'm an unattended open garage door")
- I actually had a difficult time figuring out how to integrate this with Google. I think the instructions were clear, but you have to get into a settings screen within Google Assistant (not google home) to do the integration. It took me forever to figure out I had to click on the compass in the bottom right corner to get to this page.
- You will run into problems if you sometimes leave your door partially open to let in cool air. It gets hot here and we do this all the time.
-- if you stopped the door while it was closing the door will still be seen as open.
---- If you say to open the door it will tell you its already open and takes no action
---- If you say to close the door it will send a signal to the motor, but the motor now thinks it needs to open and will open it fully. Unfortunately Aladdin Connect is waiting for it to close. it will assume one of the safety features (the beam or pressure sensor) detected something was wrong and had reversed the door. At that time the unit locks its self out until someone presses the manual button inside the garage. Not cool if you're out shopping and remember the door was "open." Trying to open it now just leaves your door fully open. (At least, unlike the competitor.. you're not blasting a loud Alarm telling everyone "Hey.. look at me, I'm an unattended open garage door")
Wish List
- Some way to effectively handle the partial door open problem.
- Enabling a proximity control so the door will open as I approach the house. (not critical since I can just say "hey google, open the door."
- Some way to effectively handle the partial door open problem.
- Enabling a proximity control so the door will open as I approach the house. (not critical since I can just say "hey google, open the door."
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting geniecompany.com
Posted by: Unhappy in TX
from TX
Verified Purchase:Yes
Doesn't work, great wifi signal and buttons open and close garage but no signal on app even with wifi and data at 5 bars on phone.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from geniecompany.comBy Marketing , November 12, 2020
Hi, please contact Aladdin Connect support at 1-866-599-4995 if you are still experiencing this issue.
Written by a customer while visiting geniecompany.com
Posted by: An Engineer
from California
Verified Purchase:Yes
Very poor app.
Can only always open successfully the first time and have issue with the app, either is busy or etc.
Can only always open successfully the first time and have issue with the app, either is busy or etc.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting geniecompany.com
Posted by: Lizbeth
Verified Purchase:Yes
This is not what I would call an easy install. Take a drill/ wiring...and way more patience than I have.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting geniecompany.com