Genie SilentMax 1000 Garage Door Opener
3.9
5
11
11
Works well
It took us a while to install it because our garage needs some support framing. The motor is quiet and powerful enough for our one car garage with an aluminum door.
There are some errors in the installation instruction but it is intuitive. Some screws have changed since we made the instruction.
One of the reviewer mention his unit ran but doesn't pull the door. We got that too after the installation. But then we realized that the emergency cord was pulled by accident so the drive head didn't latch to the belt. We followed the instruction to reset it and it works like it should. Maybe he/she was having the same problem.
March 15, 2013
Happy with purchase
As easy as any door opener to install, runs smooth and quiet. Had a problem when I went to program unit. Followed the instructions to the letter but when I went to adjust the limit settings the motor wound not start. Contacted Genie online help via e-mail and explained my problem. They answered me within 24 hours with a probable solution. It was a simple connection problem in side the power head which was easy to fix once I knew were to look.
March 13, 2013
Genie SilentMax 1000 Garage Door Opener
Just got this at 1/2 price. Replaced my 9 yr old Craftsman chain drive. What a difference. With the belt drive and 3/4 hp DC motor you can't hear this thing at all. it's so quiet. Instructions were easy to follow and there's some videos on youtube to help too. had it up, running and programmed in under 3 hours. the only time you need help is when you're hanging the unit up.
Highly recommend this opener.
March 11, 2013
Nice Garage Opener
I bought this to replace the 20 year old HOME HARDWARE 1/3 Hp gdo. It took me 2 hours to remove the old one, and 4 hours to install and program the 2 remote and 1 wireless keypad. The instructions are very simple and easy to follow, not as those mentioned in the previous review. The only part I would like to add to the instruction - make sure both LIGHTS on T-beam are SOLID, not flashing before programming.
March 10, 2013
User's manaul is wrong for initial limit setting
I Installed the opener without any trouble but experienced similar problem as other reviewers mentioned. The lights was on but door did not move when I followed the user's manual form the package to do the close/open limit setting. I went to Genie web site to get the latest manual which gives a different programing procedure. I followed the new manual then got the opener working properly.
It does work pretty quiet and smooth, everything is very nice so far.
I give it 4 stars just because the user's manual should be updated.
February 17, 2013
Got on the sale
It is awesome product, pretty straightforward instructions . Perfectly quiet, Very Happy. Installation was easy, programming is so easy. Highly recommended product
November 15, 2012
Straightforward, smooth operation, extremely quiet
My 23 year old Sears chain drive unit starting acting up and in the spirit of instant gratification I needed a replacement because the control board would have cost sbout $100 and required a week to get.
Checking the options available, the Genie Silentmax 1000 was on sale and included the exterior keypad - a 3/4 horsepower belt drive unit for less than the price I was prepared to pay for a new 1/2 horsepower chain drive unit.
The reviews on this site (the initial one in particular) had me concerned, but the long warranty and excellent price convinced me to take the chance - I could always return it if it was DOA. Besides, companies like Genie don't stay in business for more than 50 years by making garbage.
Let me say that I am 'handy'.
It took me about 3 hours to get the old unit down and to completely install the new. It was extremely straightforward - everything went in as I would have expected. Everything worked.
I used 13 watt CFL bulbs (each equivalent to 100 watt incandescent) as the illumination source.
This unit is QUIET!!!! And it operates very smoothly.
I note the following:
1. I would have liked to be able to continue using my Sears/Chamberlain remotes and keypad.
2. I would have liked to be able to wire my simple push button as a second station to control the door without resorting to shenanigans (I did it, but had to wire the button to the 'smart' wall control, rather than to the door operator itself).
3. I would have preferred the 'open' button on the wall control to have the 'open/close' button on the bottom - it is counter-intuitive to have it on top.
4. The backlighting on the keypad lights up the middle row of numbers - it would have been nice if it evenly illuminated the entire keypad.
5. The rollers around which the belt rotates seem to be made from a plastic - I've seen units where the these rollers have broken - those parts likely should be made of nylon.
6. The track is typical of modern units and is not as sturdy as my quarter-century old unit was.
7. The instruction manual has a revision that refers the reader to page 6 in the main manual - the proper page is 11.
8. The adhesive cable ties they provide to keep the wires for the photobeam in place don't stick to the metal well - a snap-in clip would have been sturdier - or else if they'd suggested properly cleaning the metal surface with an astringent (degreaser) such as alcohol to get rid of oils before sticking them to the track might have made sense.
9. The lights are in the rear of the operator (motor) - this leaves the front of the garage in shadows - having the bulbs on either side of the unit would provide better light distribution.
Yes, it is nit-picking, but I want to get 23 years of service from this unit, not that I'll be living here as long as I have.
I rate this 4 stars. I took one off because of the above nits.
August 14, 2012
Not very happy
the opener was very nice. When I took it out of the box took me and my wife about 6 hours to get it installed. After that went to program it and got lights but all it did would click at me no movement of the door.So I phoned Genie for help said the wire might be off so opened it under there supervision over the phone. The wire was off put the wire back into the connector and as we say tried it again still just clicked she proceeded to tell me the board was gone so I had to return it bought a different brand. at different store.
March 20, 2012
A Pleasant Surprise
After reading mixed reviews for Genie openers in general, but better reviews for this model, I decided to try one. I am glad that I did.
The installation instructions were not easy to follow. The layout of the installation sheet was quite poor and should be redesigned to make it easier to follow.
The programming guide, a separate document was a little better, but was partially superseded by a two page insert. Programming the remote feature in my car required an Internet search for better directions.
The opener was easy to assemble and install. I was unable to use the included door bracket but was able to connect to my old one. The head was remarkably light but seemed well-constructed. The rail, a C channel seemed sturdy too. I was worried about aligning the IR safety system transmitter and receiver but found that that this was no problem.
The opener operates quietly and very smoothly, and almost as quickly as the old opener. The safety sensor works well. The pressure needed to engage the auto-reverse, if the door hits an obstruction while closing, was too high but lowering the downward force of the door seems to have fixed that.
Now to see how long it lasts.
March 18, 2012
SilentMax is Silent and Smooth
I replaced an old loud chain drive unit that made a very loud humming sound with this SilentMax unit, and could not be happier. My garage is located directly under our bedroom, and every morning when I left for work and would open the garage door the old unit would feel and sound like it was shaking the house. There was no way to sneak in or out of the garage. Now, the SilentMax 1000 smoothly and quietly opens my door. The difference from the old to the new is amazing! The installation was straightforward and took me about and hour and half. However I did notice that Canadian Tire can install the unit for you if you do not have the tools or the time. I would highly recommend this opener to anyone who's opener is broken, does not have an automatic opener or would just like a quieter one.
February 14, 2012
- More Genie SilentMax 1000 Garage Door Opener Reviews
- Genie SilentMax 1000 Garage Door Opener reviews (page 2)