Best garage door sensors according to redditors

You can use any kind of security system style wired magnetic contact sensor like this . That is a 5 pack for $10 I am sure there are cheaper options as well.

For Wireless magnetic options you can get something like this for $20, maybe less if you shop I just looked real quick for this one. But if your going that route I am not sure if it will hook right up with the Qubino without modification because it is setup for a wired sensor. But it would show the status in your hub.

For Wireless/Wired sensor options there is this a photoeye/refelctor option for like $40. You put the wired photo eye on the gate post, and the reflector (no wire) on the outside edge of the gate. This would prevent you from having to run a wire across your gate

HERE'S WHAT YOU DO

I am assuming your fireplace is propane or natural gas and not wood. A real wood fire would be hard to automate. I am also assuming that your fireplace has an IR remote control...otherwise we are in the realm of servos and stuff to automate a physical control.

Embed a small magnet in the tip of the wand, and embed the controller half of a door sensor somewhere near the fireplace; a recessed one like this may offer the cleanest install. When the magnet in the wand gets close to the door sensor, it will report that it's closed and you can use that as a trigger for the action. From there, a Harmony Hub is probably the best way to turn the door close into an IR signal.

You could also set "incendio" as a custom voice command for a nearby Google Home, so it's the spoken charm that makes the action and all the wand-waving is just for show, but having to say the "hey google" wake word kind of breaks the illusion.

Oh absolutely. If you're willing to run wires that's the best course of action. When they run the wires have them leave at least foot of slack at the door/windows in case you want to switch out the sensors to something else.
https://www.amazon.com/Recessed-Security-Window-Contact-Magnetic/dp/B07G5NBS9M

If its a european frequency there's no chance of it working with a US hub. Period.

why not go with these:

http://www.amazon.com/NYCE-NCZ-3011-HA-ZigBee-Window-Sensor/dp/B00WTE61FI/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1465176632&sr=8-3-fkmr1&keywords=zigbee+open+close

they're maybe a little thicker but still very tiny

or this:

http://www.amazon.com/Z-wave-Window-Sensor-rechargeable-battery/dp/B01E0OMQR6/ref=pd_sim_421_7?ie=UTF8&dpID=3143ovC4LML&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR159%2C160_&refRID=01QQHKVCRGTKF7VPY6XC

and this is invisible on a door:

http://www.amazon.com/Recessed-Door-Sensor-ZW089-Aeotec/dp/B0151Z49BO/ref=pd_sim_421_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=31oLnDLu6ZL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR236%2C320_&refRID=01QQHKVCRGTKF7VPY6XC

as is this hinge sensor:

http://www.amazon.com/NYCE-NCZ-3010-2-HA-Door-Hinge-Sensor/dp/B01C3HFAV6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1465176766&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=zigbee+open+close+nyce+hinge

This is what you need:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0151Z49BO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_epMlxb1HFWVJB

recesses door sensor is my recomendation

http://www.amazon.com/Recessed-Door-Sensor-ZW089--Aeotec/dp/B0151Z49BO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1462661137&sr=8-3&keywords=ZWAVE+DOOR+SENSOR

Z wave recessed door sensor?

Half the cost at Monoprice.

If you already dabble in home automation or want to get started, you could hard-wire this type of fixture each of them, then install this recessed z-wave sensor. In this case you'd also need to get smart bulbs (I like Osram LIGHTIFY bulbs. You can get on/off only ones for $20). Then you'd configure your hub to turn on the lights every time the contact opens, and turn them off when it closes.

Sorry, I’m pretty new to reddit. I would have posted a picture of it, but they are similar to these and all the wires are run down to our mechanical room.

Recessed Sensor

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0151Z49BO

I'm using ecolink sensors, thinking of buying these. I just don't ever want to have to fuss with changing out batteries ever again, whether 1 month of 5 months or a year later. Just want to wire them and be done with it.

I had similar issue with old style "fluted" casing. I went with these traditional sensors. https://www.amazon.com/Recessed-Invisible-security-Battery-powered/dp/B0151Z49BO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1520789443&sr=8-3&keywords=aeon+door+sensor

If you're a homeowner, I would recommend going with a recessed sensor. https://www.amazon.com/Aeotec-Aeon-Labs-ZW089-Recessed/dp/B0151Z49BO

Otherwise, I would probably install the magnet (small piece) on the interior lip of the molding assuming the door has enough clearance to pass, then stick the sensor (big piece) to the door. I'm not really sure how the vibration from the door would affect life and longevity of the the sensor, though.

A lot of the regular sensors have options for this. I actually haven't done this myself (my door is a bit of a problem for this sort of solution). Here are some I found (not affiliate links):

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https://www.amazon.com/Aeotec-Recessed-Invisible-security-Battery/dp/B0151Z49BO

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Wireless-Attaches-Existing-32563/dp/B01KQDIUAW

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15268

If you don't want visible contact sensors on your door you can also use the Aeon Labs Recessed Door Sensor (ZW089-ZWUS). This requires you to drill a hole in the edge of the door and the door frame.

https://www.amazon.com/Aeotec-Aeon-Labs-ZW089-Recessed/dp/B0151Z49BO

http://www.amazon.com/Chamberlain-CLDM1-Clicker-Garage-Monitor/dp/B0002YX7MM

We use these. If you looked a little harder, probably at a shop nearby you could find it cheaper.

I can't believe no one has said this yet. It does need a HUB though...

I bought these door sensors for my doors coming in from the garage. So now my lights in the stairs turn on whenever the door is opened and stays on for 3 minutes.

Aeotec Recessed Door Sensor Gen5, Invisible Z-Wave Plus security and open / close sensor, Battery powered https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0151Z49BO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LmIFAbH89XVBC

I’d love to see Ring certify wireless in door sensors like these. I have monitoring so it’s not an option, but for self monitored maybe someone can confirm if they work?

Aeotec Recessed Door Sensor Gen5, Invisible Z-Wave Plus security and open / close sensor, Battery powered https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0151Z49BO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IsahDbKZMR709

i read where someone used a recessed door sensor and put it inside where the deadbolt locks. when it's locked, the sensor is 'closed' and when unlocked it's 'open'.

like this thing: https://www.amazon.com/Recessed-Door-Sensor-ZW089-Aeotec/dp/B0151Z49BO

We have a cheap solution to the problem of forgetting to close the garage door. We get a Chamberlain garage door monitor and put the receiver in a prominent area of the house.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YX7MM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This might be a good investment for you: http://www.amazon.com/Chamberlain-CLDM1-Clicker-Garage-Monitor/dp/B0002YX7MM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422052513&sr=8-1

One area I could see room for improvement on is garage doors and add on equipment. I had my snowblower stolen because I accidentally left the door open over night. Why isn't some kind of indicator in the house telling us the door is open/closed a standard? Why is it that the add on indicator I bought from Chamberlain such an un-reliable POS?

The problems I've experienced with that product seem to be fairly common per the Amazon reviews. It needs to be un-plugged and plugged back in to reset about 4-5 times per week. Recently, my 3 year old unit stopped transmitting for no apparent reason (changed the battery and brought it in the house right next to the receiver, no go). There doesn't seem to be any other significantly better product on the market that isn't hard wired or a true alarm system (which I don't need, I just need something to remind me I forgot to close it. And also, my garage is detached, which makes hard wiring a pain).

As for the doors themselves, it seems crazy to me that you have to really be well read on them to adjust the springs and other 1940s technology that goes into them. It kind of blows my mind that innovation stopped at remote openers. Or even just simple annoyances, like having to get a step ladder to adjust the amount of force needed to pull the door open or push it back down (I occasionally have to adjust when winter gets particularly brutal).