Dakota Alert DCMA-4K Plus Wireless Driveway Alarm

Great integration with other security systems or devices.

I wanted to adapt a Simplisafe brand entry sensor into my existing driveway alarm so I could get SMS messages when someone drives on our place. I could not get it to work reliably so I went looking for a new driveway alarm.

I bought the Dakota Dual DAPT-4000 with an extra Dakota RE-4K Plus receiver (for my shop) and the Dakota PR-4000 (for when I am working around the property).

The Simplisafe entry sensor has a reed switch that reacts to a magnetic field to activate/deactivate the sensor. I soldiered wire leads to either side of the reed switch and connected them to the NC and COM relay inputs of the RE-4K Plus (NC is 'Normally Closed' and COM is 'Common'). Now my Simplisafe security system notifies me of vehicles driving onto the property via SMS text messages on my phone when I am away from home.

The Dual DAPT-4000 has two probes that work together to figure out if a vehicle is coming or going. You can setup the receiver to play a different sound for each occasion. The probes are wired about 5 feet apart at the end of a 50 foot wire that can be easily trimmed to length and the wires re-attached to the transmitter circuit board.

I'm very happy. Everything I got is very well made.

Random and Unreliable - Not weatherproof

I purchased and installed this item and an additional sensor about a month ago. The attached picture shows that the unit is installed within 50' of the receiver, which is located in a window with a clear line of sight to the unit at a slight angle to catch nearly any object height passing through. The sensitivity is set to 'Medium', and it is approximately 6' from the driveway. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not pick up a vehicle. Some vehicles it will NEVER pick up. The second unit is located about 100 yards from the receiver, and performs slightly better, but exhibits the same random function. I have tried putting fresh batteries in the sensors, but same result. Kind of an expensive item from what I thought was a reputable Manuf. to function in this way. For this application, you do not need something that only functions properly some of the time. There is not much in the way of troubleshooting advice in the instructions, so maybe there is something I am missing, but I have installed motion sensors professionally for decades, so I am pretty sure I am good on the install.

I was going to add an under the drive probe and remote, but doubt I will as that is too much coin to spend for a random result. I have had the hard-wired Cartell version of this in the past, but lightning always takes these out eventually if you run the shielded cable any distance. I was hoping this would solve that problem.

Further update: Part of the problem here is that the units are NOT weatherproof as stated. One of mine began going off constantly a short while after I bumped up the sensitivity to 'High'. Took it off the mount & noticed water droplets on it. When opened, it had a considerable amount of water inside. Mounted vertically on a tree trunk. See the 2nd Pic to ID the issue. While there is a gasket, the ridiculous screws that attach the 2 halves together do not seal the middle. You can see the gap with tightened screws in the photo. In addition, they are on the wrong side of the unit, so that every time you change the battery or make adjustments, the loose tiny screws fall out of the back of the case & have to be kept track of - outside in the leaves. Good luck not dropping at least one every time. This is all just dumb stuff that is usually attributable to cheap Chinese outsourcing. Inexcusable for something that is not a cheap alternative. Hard to believe that other users have not had these same issues.

Needs a Birdhouse

This has good range. I'm only giving it 4 stars because Dakota Alert should have a "birdhouse" available to enclose it, similar to their larger transmitters. I had to build one myself, and it turned out OK but I would have rather just paid 15 or 20 bucks for it.

nj28sharp

June 26, 2023

200ft away Driveway Alarm that I used Ecolink zwave sensor to work with my smart home.

The Dakota Alert Long Range Driveway Alarm Motion Detector is a great way to add an extra layer of security to your home. With a range of up to one mile, the sensor can detect motion from people or vehicles approaching your driveway, and the receiver will sound an alarm to alert you.

The alarm has four different volume levels, so you can adjust it to your desired level. You can also choose to have the alarm sound continuously, or to flash a light instead.

You can hook it up to the terminal on sensor to trigger when Dakota motor sensor goes off. I also used Dakota contact sensor in my mailbox.

Great for detecting wildlife

I have a security camera set up for recording/viewing foxes as they go in and out of a den on my property. I needed something that would detect a fox and record the date/time stamp and give me an audible signal. It looked like the MTPR-4000 would serve the purpose. I emailed Dakota Alert to see if they thought it would work and Jason responded very quickly saying that even though the DCMT-4000 sensor is designed for a much bigger target (fox considered a nuisance alert), with certain sensitivity settings (user settable), it should work. I have had it installed for a week now and have had several "fox alerts" with no nuisance signals, so I am very happy knowing when my little friends are coming and going and watching them on video.

Luis Aguayo

October 29, 2021

Excellent Product..!!

I set up 3 transmitters combinate with 4 receivers, including the door bell without any problems at all... super easy install and programming.