High Tech Pet – Power Pet Electronic Pet Door

High Tech Pet – Power Pet Electronic Pet Door

When I first moved into my own place, I rented a house that already had a pet door built in to the back door. That was great for me, since I had a cat who was allowed to roam outside in the neighborhood. But one day, I came back home to find another cat in my kitchen, very calmly eating my cat’s food! Of course, that cat came back again and again, driving both me and my cat crazy. Finally I closed up that pet door for good, and had to let my cat in and out whenever she wanted.

Then a few weeks ago, I was taking an important conference call from my home office. Up to that point, my dog had been quietly looking out the window and behaving perfectly. All of a sudden, he saw a squirrel and started barking and whining to be let outside. I had to ask my clients to wait while I went to take care of him. It was inconvenient and embarrassing!

What is this product and who should use it?

Simply put, this is a pet door that opens automatically for your pet only, by using a transmitter attached to the pet’s collar. It’s similar to automatic grocery store doors that open when you approach and close after you’ve gone through the doorway. An electronic pet door provides safety, convenience, and peace of mind that you can’t get with a traditional pet door.

This pet door really is high tech. Your pet has the freedom to safely go in and out of the house, but prevents any other animals (or people) from entering. It works with a special collar transmitter that activates the door based on the setting you choose. It will never injure the pet by closing on them, and can be installed in less than an hour in most cases.

Safety Benefits

One of the strongest considerations for looking at the Power Pet Electronic Pet Door is the number of safety features it offers. First, because of the proprietary sensor that High Tech Pet has built into the collar device, you can be sure that the door will not open unless your pet is approaching the door. It will not interact with the signals from other appliances in your home. They have patented their directional ultrasonic sensing system, which ensures that the door will be activated when your pet is facing the door, but not when they are just walking nearby.

When your pet isn’t actively using the door, it is secure from intruders because of the built-in automatic deadbolt lock. With the lock in place, only the collar transmitter or the secure manual button on the control panel can open the door. The door itself is manufactured from unbreakable Lexan polycarbonate so you can be sure that installing this electronic pet door will not create a vulnerability in your home.

There are four different access modes to allow the owner to decide how their pet can use the door. These modes can be adjusted on the control panel on the unit or by an app on the owner’s mobile phone. The mode options are In Only, Out Only, Full Access or Closed and Locked. Lots of pet owners like the In Only mode for the evening, so the pet can come in whenever they like and then stay safely inside until morning.

 Specifications

 This Power Pet Electronic Pet Door is available in two sizes, medium and large. Medium is suitable for pets up to 30 lbs, and Large is for pets up to 100 lbs. Since you can use this door for multiple pets, buy the one that works for your largest pet. Smaller pets can also use the Large door easily. It can be used with as many collars as you like.

Panel size:

• Large: 12-1/4″ x 16″
• Medium: 8-1/4″ x 12″

Product Dimensions: 18” x 6” x 47” inches; 8 lbs
Shipping Weight: 15.4 lbs

The product is shipped with one MS-4 transmitting collar, an AC adapter, and everything you need for a door install. Other accessories are available for purchase. The pet door comes with a comprehensive manual for how to install and use it.

Features

The Power Pet Electronic Pet Door opens automatically when your pet approaches – no need for your pet to push the door open

Allows your choice of modes: In Only, Out Only, Full Access or Closed and Locked

It can be installed in a door or a wall

Slim, unobtrusive design is only 2 inches deep

The door keeps out hot and cold weather because it has an airtight seal and is totally windproof

Can be used for dogs, cats, or any pet under 100 lbs that wears a collar

You can adjust the sensitivity of the sensor to meet your needs

Intuitive control panel with unit on and off buttons, sensor range adjustment for inside and outside, battery indicator, and access mode control.

The door is made of a translucent resin that is incredibly strong – it’s actually bulletproof!

Be aware

There are three options for powering the Power Pet Electronic Pet Door: it comes with an AC wall outlet to use with a standard wall plug. You can also purchase a rechargeable battery for backup, or you can purchase two rechargeable batteries if you don’t have a power outlet near the installation area. If you use the two batteries, you can keep one on the charger while the other one is in use. Note that if you do not have a battery backup and your home loses power, it could be possible for your pet to be left outside without the ability to get back in.

The MS-5 collar transmitter is the waterproof version of the MS-4. It is immersible up to 6 feet of water and costs just a few dollars more than the standard collar. All collar transmitters are compatible with the electronic pet door and all High Tech Pet’s devices.

Pros

Ability to control your pet’s access via mobile app

Helps reduce “accidents” while owners are away

Keeps out other animals and humans

Safe for pets and children

Directional sensing for accurate opening and closing

Helps with indoor temperature control

Weather-proof seal

Housing is manufactured of high-strength molded ABS composite

UL approved for electrical safety

The MS-4 ultrasonic collar can also operate other pet-activated devices from High Tech Pet, such as electronic fences

US-based customer service team

Cons

The transmitting device worn on the collar might be too bulky for smaller pets

The transmitting device could be damaged by active pets or if it gets wet

Batteries for the transmitting collar are proprietary and have to be purchased from High Tech Pets

Some people might find the door’s opening and closing to be too loud

Because of the vertical sliding mechanism of this door, it’s taller and more conspicuous than a traditional pet door

Since this requires a custom installation, it would not be suitable for renters

There is no option for a timer that would change the access mode – each change will have to be done manually

Higher base price and the need for multiple accessories can add up quickly

Crucial Tips

The ultrasonic transmitter will send out a directional signal, which bounces off the ground in front of the pet door and is picked up by a microphone at the bottom of the unit. You might find that it works differently on more reflective surfaces like tile or linoleum than it does on wood or carpeting. Using the range control setting on the unit will allow you to adjust the settings differently for inside and outside to account for the different surfaces.

Check carefully because…

You’ll want to make sure that you evaluate the location to install this product before ordering. Installation requires a hole to be cut in an exterior door or wall. It can be done by anyone with basic DIY skills and the correct tools, but you don’t want to end up with a hole in the wrong place. Also remember that you need to think about the power source before you install, and choose the battery option or the AC adapter (or both). If you decide to install your Power Pet Electronic Pet Door in a wall instead of a door, you will need to purchase a wall tunnel adapter separately or build the frame yourself.

True Facts About the High Tech Pet Power Pet Electronic Pet Door by High Tech Pet

The main complaint that users have about this product is the total cost can get quite expensive because of the number of additional items that need to be purchased to make it work perfectly. The base unit itself also costs more than competing products, but does come with a lot more features than other electronic pet doors available now. You might end up purchasing a wall adapter, extra collars, replacement batteries for the transmitting collar device, and back-up batteries for the door unit, and those can add up to several hundred dollars.

Additionally, if you do encounter a problem with the unit and need to send it back (which you can do under High Tech’s Warranty), then unfortunately you will have a hole in your house! Until the unit is repaired or replaced, your pet may be confused about why they are no longer able to go in and out whenever they like. Of course the same is true with any pet door.

Available Warranty

After one year, they offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty. For any defective product, customers will be provided with a brand new replacement for half of the original advertised price.

High Tech Pet Products also provides a toll-free customer service phone number for US customers, so you can feel assured that you’ll be able to reach someone if you need assistance. Their website is also full of information and resources that can help.

Note that batteries are not covered under the warranty, and that any collars that are repaired or replaced under the warranty will be returned to the customer without a battery.

Possible Alternatives

There are some competitors to this product, for example:

PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor – Collar Activated Dog and Cat Door – Small to Large Pets

 SureFlap Microchip Pet Door

 Ideal Pet Products E-Z Pass Electronic Pet Door

While these options tend to come in at a lower price point than the High Tech Pet Power Pet Electronic Pet Door, they do not have as many features and they all require the pet to push the door flap open. They do not offer the safety features nor the sophisticated design of the Pet Power Electronic Pet Door, but they may be more suitable for customers who do not want to pay a premium for advanced features.

Summary

Any pet owner who allows their pet outside will quickly understand the appeal of the High Tech Pet Power Pet Electronic Pet Door. This product gives the pet owner total control of their pet’s access in and out of the house, while still maintaining the safety and security that they desire. Pets love the freedom to go in and out as they please, and owners love that they don’t have to spend the time and energy to open the door for their pets.