Most Popular Vehicle Access Control System

Started by NpB • 7 replies • 387 views

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NpB (Arizona)
Posts: 605

Posted:

What are the most popular vehicle gated entry systems? By most popular, I am referring to a system that is most liked by residents and provides a balance between convenience and security.

Are the only two options a call box with a code that is passed out to residents and then changed every so often or a call box with no codes and everyone that enters must either use a remote control or call an owner at the call box to be let in?

Are card readers or fobs common?

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

The fancy schmancy HOA's have a RFID chip that activates the gate arm when you approach the gate, there is the up and down arm that allows one at a time to enter and you have the swing in entry gates.
There are "virtual guard" products that allow gate access by the resident to visitors and vendors that takes having a universal code that gets passes around out of the equation.

NpB (Arizona)
Posts: 605

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LetA on 04/20/2022 10:48 AM
The fancy schmancy HOA's have a RFID chip that activates the gate arm when you approach the gate, there is the up and down arm that allows one at a time to enter and you have the swing in entry gates.
There are "virtual guard" products that allow gate access by the resident to visitors and vendors that takes having a universal code that gets passes around out of the equation.

I think you are referring to an anti-tailgate strong arm. Interesting idea to prevent a casual visitor, but doesn't do anything to prevent an owner from giving out the code to a pizza delivery driver and then later after their shift ends that driver cavalierly entering the community.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By NpB on 04/20/2022 1:58 PM

Actually the virtual gate attendant will do just that. It requires the owner to set visitor parameter, either a one time access or repeated. The owner can set an entry code for food delivery and one for regular
visitors.

NpB (Arizona)
Posts: 605

Posted:

Do most of you think that owners in gated communities are accepting of having a code that gets disseminated easily to outsiders, if it means convenience for guests to enter? The alternative is to have no code and the owner must be accessible by phone to let that owner in. The virutal gate attendant is ingenious but costly for a small HOA.

LoriM15 (Florida)
Posts: 1,009

Posted:

Our community has six gates and a complicated entry system so I have done research on all of this. We looked at the virtual guard system which is probably the best you can do besides a live guard, but it is very costly. For our community not only was it expensive to install, but the monthly charge was just something we couldn't afford without significantly raising monthly dues. Our current system has a phone kiosk at the three visitor gates so visitors must call a resident to be admitted, or call the office during the day and they can open it. Residents have clickers, key cards or key fobs to enter. We used to have codes (and you can still get a temporary code for a party, out of town guests, or a realtor) but we got rid of permanent codes because there was basically no security at all. My kid's friends who didn't live in our neighborhood had our codes. It works pretty well. Our PM has remote access so can open the gates remotely if there is an issue.

We will be installing RFID readers next year for residents and getting rid of the clickers. The key cards and fobs give access to the amenities so we can't get rid of those.

It's not perfect and the gates aren't really "security", just vehicle control.

NpB (Arizona)
Posts: 605

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LoriM15 on 05/02/2022 7:24 AM
Our community has six gates and a complicated entry system so I have done research on all of this. We looked at the virtual guard system which is probably the best you can do besides a live guard, but it is very costly. For our community not only was it expensive to install, but the monthly charge was just something we couldn't afford without significantly raising monthly dues. Our current system has a phone kiosk at the three visitor gates so visitors must call a resident to be admitted, or call the office during the day and they can open it. Residents have clickers, key cards or key fobs to enter. We used to have codes (and you can still get a temporary code for a party, out of town guests, or a realtor) but we got rid of permanent codes because there was basically no security at all. My kid's friends who didn't live in our neighborhood had our codes. It works pretty well. Our PM has remote access so can open the gates remotely if there is an issue.

We will be installing RFID readers next year for residents and getting rid of the clickers. The key cards and fobs give access to the amenities so we can't get rid of those.

It's not perfect and the gates aren't really "security", just vehicle control.

I agree with you. Most people though, especially if they are paying top dollar for a piece of real estate, want security and have no idea if codes are being disseminated cavalierly. Then others want convenience. I think there is a money making opportunity for someone to invent a reasonably priced security/access control system that also takes into account convenience.

NpB (Arizona)
Posts: 605

Posted:

Acknowledging there is no ideal cost effective system that balances security with convenience, if you all lived in a non guarded gated community, would you mind answering the phone multiple times a week to grant access to a dog walker, for example? Or would you prefer to give the dog walker the code?

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