The vast majority of garage door openers both old and brand new are compatible with GarageMax. In fact, prior to the year 2011, all residential garage door openers were compatible with GarageMax. So if you know that your opener was made prior to 2011, you do not have to read any further and GarageMax will just work.
But after the year 2011, there were six companies that started locking out the competition and allowed only their own accessories to work with their openers. But they only did this with only some of their models, not all of them.
If your Craftsman, Chamberlain, or Liftmaster was made after 2011, check if it has a yellow learn-button. If the button is yellow then it will NOT work with GarageMax. But if it is any other color (e.g., red, blue, purple, green, orange, black, gray, etc.) then it will work fine with GarageMax. Click here to see a photo.
We have many customers that own an Overhead Door garage door opener as the vast majority are compatible with GarageMax. However, if you have a newer Destiny 1200 or Odyssey 1000 and the serial number starts with the number 10 or higher, then it will not be compatible with aftermarket accessories including GarageMax. All other Overhead models including new ones will be compatible.
We have many customers that own a Genie garage door opener as the vast majority are compatible with GarageMax. The manufacture year of newer Genie models is indicated by the first two digits of the serial number. If it is 11, 12 or 13 that means it was manufactured in 2011, 2012, or 2013 respectively. For those years you will need to compare the appearance of your wall switch to the ones shown on our Genie page (click here). All other Genie model years are compatible.
We have many customers that own a Raynor garage door opener as the vast majority are compatible with GarageMax. We know of only three newer Raymor models that will not work: The Raynor Pilot III, Aviator II, and Corporal II. But the earlier versions of those models are compatible as are the other models.
Ryobi garage door openers already have their own App and are not compatible. But some Ryobi customers still like our App better and perform the compatibility work-around discussed at the bottom of this page.
It’s only the manufactures above that have a mix of new models that are compatible and not compatible. For all other brands, all of the models they produce are compatible.
If you have any doubts whether your garage door opener is compatible with GarageMax, perform the following test. Take the two wires that go to your wall switch and momentarily touch/short them together. If that causes your garage door to open and close, then your garage door opener supports a standard wall switch and is therefore compatible with GarageMax.
This is because GarageMax works by "simulating" a push button switch similar to the one mounted on your wall that opens and closes the door.
Also be assured that after installing GarageMax all your existing traditional remotes, wall switch(es) and accessories will continue to work just as they did before.
Below is a partial list of the most common garage door brands in the USA, Canada, EU, and Australia. If you don’t see your make model, keep in mind GarageMax works as a remote control for the vast majority of garage door openers with a few exceptions mentioned above. You can always e-mail us with questions: info@bluemate.com. Thanks for reading.
AccessMaster
Allister
Allstar
Ambass-a-dor
Anaheim Door
AssureLink
BuildMark
Chamberlain
C.H.I. Overhead Doors
Clopay
Craftsman
Do-It HWI
Door Link Manufacturing
Forsee
Frantz
Garage Access
Guardian
General Doors
Genie
Go Merlin
Hormann
Legacy
Lift-A-Way
LiftMaster
Linear
Lynx
MacLift
Marantec
Martin
Master Mechanic
Merlin
Mid-America Door
Overhead Door
Raynor
SAFE-WAY Garage Doors
Sears
Sommer
Stanley
True Value
Wayne-Dalton
Windsor Republic Doors
Most customers do not need to read this section...
As mentioned, a few manufacturers started making garage door openers that would not work with anything other than their own brand of accessories after 2011. If your garage door opener is one of those models mentioned at the top of this page, then here are two things you can do to work-around the problem.
First note that GarageMax works by "simulating" a simple two terminal push-button switch (like a doorbell switch) that often can be used to open most garage doors.
So to work-around the compatibility issue, some determined and handy customers just solder GarageMax's wires across the internal tactile-switch of their wall console. Others take what is perhaps an easier approach and solder across the internal switch of the battery operated remote control. You'll likely have a spare remote control after purchasing GarageMax anyway.
There are disadvantages to both approaches. The disadvantage of performing this work-around with your wall console is that you can not hide the wires easily and there might not be an outlet nearby for GarageMax. The disadvantage of using your traditional remote control is that you then still have to occasionally purchase batteries. We are reluctant to recommend either approach, but some customers have done this and are happy with the results.
Questions? e-mail info@bluemate.com