Taming Your Gate: The USAutomatic Two-Button Transmitters Put to the Test

If you’re using a USAutomatic gate opener—like their Patriot or Sentry series—these two-button transmitters offer a basic way to open and close your gate from up to 300 feet. The package includes two black remotes, each powered by a 12-volt A23 battery and fitted with a visor clip for simple storage.

Here’s the straight talk: they’re made for straightforward gate control with no fancy extras, but a few design quirks and limitations mean you need to know what you’re getting into.

Setup & Performance

Programming involves opening the back panel and matching a set of dip switches to your gate’s receiver. It’s a manual process and will take some patience, especially if your eyesight isn’t sharp or your fingers aren’t steady. There’s no auto-search or digital interface; it’s just old-fashioned toggles. Get one switch wrong, and you have to start over, so keep a small screwdriver handy and work in good light.

Once programmed, these remotes respond instantly. The two buttons correspond to gate functions and produce a clear audible click through the opener. Range-wise, the advertised 300 feet is achievable with a clear line of sight. Include trees, buildings, or other obstacles, and you’re likely looking at reliable operation closer to 150–200 feet. Beyond that, signal dropouts happen and may require pressing the button multiple times to get through.

Real-World Usage

In daily use, these remotes do the basics without surprises. The A23 alkaline battery lasts several months under typical usage, but it’s not rechargeable, so keep a spare on hand. The buttons are flush with the casing, which helps prevent accidental presses but makes them tricky to find in darkness since they’re not backlit and the markings are faint.

The included visor clip is handy for mounting, but its plastic hinge can loosen with vibration over time. On bumpy roads, the clip might detach, and the remote could fall into your vehicle. The cover over the dip switches is also quite thin and can come loose if you toss the remote into a glove compartment or crowded pocket, so some reinforcement like tape may be necessary.

Limitations and Warnings

These transmitters cover only basic open/close gate commands—there’s no reverse function, no extra buttons for lights or accessories, and no LED indicators for feedback. If you often operate your gate at night or want more control options nearby, this won’t cut it.

Programming with dip switches is reliable but cumbersome, especially if you ever need to replace the battery or reprogram a remote. Without a digital setup, it’s easy to make mistakes and have to start over.

Finally, these remotes work exclusively with USAutomatic gate openers. Switching brands later means you’ll need different remotes, as there is no cross-compatibility or universal workaround.

Who Should Consider These, and Who Should Not

These remotes suit you if:

• Your gate is a USAutomatic model and you only need simple open/close commands.
• You don’t mind fiddling with dip switches for programming.
• You’re okay with basic functionality and limited range if obstacles are present.
• You don’t require backlit buttons or rechargeable batteries.

Avoid them if:

• You want remotes with multiple buttons to control lights, intercoms, or reverse gate functions.
• Your property layout blocks signals frequently and you need reliable long-range control.
• You prefer digital programming methods over dip switches.
• Rechargeable batteries or more robust build quality are important to you.

Bottom Line

These USAutomatic two-button transmitters do the job for simple gate control without any fuss or extras. They provide good range when nothing blocks the signal, and the buttons respond reliably once programmed. However, the manual dip switch setup can be annoying, especially if you’re prone to fumble with small toggles. The lack of backlighting and limited build sturdiness—especially the loose clip and switch cover—mean you might spend some time patching things up.

If your acre or suburban driveway just needs a no-frills gate remote and you don’t mind these trade-offs, these remotes are an easy fit. But if you crave more features, backlit buttons, or better durability, you’ll want to look elsewhere.