REVIEW – The IoT (Internet of Things) continues to expand into all facets of our everyday world, where our refrigerators, barbecues, toothbrushes, doorbells, garage door openers, etc are now “connected” smart devices helping us keep track of every nuance of our existence. As one might expect, this trend has spread to some relatively niche products. In this case, Mighty Mule has created a series of smart gate openers to further add modern day convenience and awareness into our lives. They sent their new MM572W Smart Dual Swing Gate Opener to checkout for this review.
A bit of backstory: My family and I live pretty far out in the sticks…along an old backroad, down a very long gravel driveway, on treed acreage where you can’t see any neighbors or people. Our property has a single access point with a wrought iron fence and dual gates that adds security and limits entry into our quiet world. About 5 years ago, I installed a very low tech gate opener system as a DIY project that is getting a bit old and slow but has gotten the job done. So, when Might Mule agreed to send the MM572W I was pretty excited to not only modernize our entry gate but as a worthy DIY project for the the Gadgeteer Kid and I over his holiday break from college.
What is it?
Mighty Mule has recently released a new line of smart gate openers designed to be managed, monitored, and operated from nearly anywhere in the world using their Smart Controller smartphone app. The Mighty Mule Smart-series currently consists of both single and dual swing gate openers, all able to be controlled remotely via your smart device.
What’s in the box?
- MM572W Gate Opener
- Remote with Visor Clip
- 12 Volt Battery
- Additional Backup Battery Box
- Mounting Hardware
- Instruction Manual
The MM572W is not able to connect to the internet right out of the box. To achieve that, you will need the Mighty Mule MMS100 Wireless Connectivity System, an optional $130 accessory. Depending on your setup, I would also recommend purchasing the MMK200 Wireless Digital Keypad for $75 as well.
Hardware specs
- Gate Length: Up to 18ft
- Gate Weight: Up to 850 lbs
- Gate Type: Dual Swing
- Warranty: 18 month
- Battery: 12 Volt
Design and features
The Might Mule Smart series of gate openers are designed to be installed by the homeowner, enabling you to control your gate from wherever you are in the world. There are two tiers of openers, the 300 series and 500 series variants. The MM371W and MM372W are able to open gates up to 550 lbs. The MM571W and MM572W are able to open gates up to 850 lbs. The MM371W and MM571W are single gate openers and the MM372W and MM572W are dual gate openers. As I stated above, the MMS100 Wireless Connectivity System can be connect up to half mile away from your internet hub.
The Mighty Mule smart series of gate openers are well made and designed to be installed by nearly anyone. Everything is hardened and built to withstand years of varying weather conditions.
Installation
Mighty Mule has several pretty good videos on their website that describes the basic installation and engineering details that need to be taken into consideration before installing any gate opener. I’m not going into the step-by-step instructions of how to install the system but I will discuss how easy the MM572W smart gate opener is as a DIY project. Mighty Mule designs their gate openers to be installed by the average person. When I originally had our wrought iron gate put in, I looked into having openers professionally installed and the cost was outrageous/comical. So I found a nice enough DIY system on Amazon that I easily installed in less than a day. That system was far from “smart” but has worked well enough for half a decade for a fraction of the cost.
You do have to connect power and arm wiring plus plug in the wireless connectivity module into the waterproof control box.
Depending on your situation, installing the gate arms is easy enough. Bottom line is you have to securely connect the arm to your gate posts and the other end to the gate itself. Mighty Mule includes the hardware needed to make this happen in most situations.
Though I had to do a bit of Macgyvering since I already had a bracket/hardpoint welded to my (very substantial) wrought iron gate posts. So for me, getting the arms in place was even easier.
Setup
Once the MM572W is physically installed, setting up the basic operation of the gate is as simple as getting your remote talking to your garage door opener. There is a “learn” button on the motherboard that you hold down until the system beeps and micro LED blinks, then hold the remote button for a couple of seconds and you’re good to go. But at this point, the MM572W isn’t “smart” and works as a basic opener with zero connection to the outside world.
To make the MM572W smart gate opener truly live up to its potential, you have to purchase the Mighty Mule MMS100 Wireless Connectivity System. The MMS100 is what really transforms the MM572W into a smart device, enabling the gate opener to connect to the internet, allowing you to manage and control it remotely.
Installing the MMS100 Wireless Connectivity System into the control box is simple, taking less that a minute or two. Once the module is clicked into place, running the wire to the side port and connecting the external antenna is easy and intuitive.
Installing and connecting the Bridge to your WiFi network is just as easy. The Bridge needs to be installed near your WiFi router but surprisingly does not get physically connected via ethernet cable. Once powered up, the Mighty Mule app assists you in getting everything talking. The Bridge and Module can communicate up to half a mile away. Our gate is approximately 400ft away from our router and the signal has to go thru many walls of our house. But the two connected easily on the first attempt.
Performance
Performance of a smart gate opener is a relatively complex equation…
- The gate mechanism works very well. The arms are extremely heavy duty with a staggered, soft start/stop that open and close our gate easily. The movement is smooth, relatively fast, and nearly silent (all improvements from our old system, it had become slow, loud, and a little clunky).
- The remote control/clicker distance could be better. The remote activates the mechanism from a distance of approx 40 feet (about half the distance of our old system). Mighty Mule only includes a single remote with the MM572W but I was very pleasantly surprised that the system’s frequency is compatible with all of our car’s built-in remote controls.
- The MMS100 Wireless Connectivity System has a solid connection between the Bridge and wireless module in the control box. The system has remained continuously connected since being installed. The only glitch came when our power went out but once the lights came back on, immediately reconnected.
- The Mighty Mule smart app works as I hoped, actually I am very pleased thus far. I can see if our gate is open or closed from anywhere I have a worthy internet connection. The app also notifies me when someone has opened/closed it. I can manage who has access via their smartphone. Though there are still several features including geofencing and automatic events that are currently in development and not operational.
What I like
- Well made components
- Excellent DIY project
- Able to be upgraded/enhanced with accessories
- Fast, quiet movement
- Can be activated from any smart device
- Works with built-in car remote
What needs to be improved
- Should include the MMS Wireless Connectivity System
- The app can be a temporarily non-responsive at times
- Remote distance could be better
- Geofencing and Automated Tasks are currently not functioning
All of Mighty Mule’s smart gate openers by themselves are nicely made, relatively basic actuators engineered to (obviously) open your gate. The MM572W on its own is similar to an old school garage door opener with a remote clicker that opens and shuts a gate. The ability to add the MMS100 Wireless Connectivity system to remotely monitor, manage, and control your gate via your smartphone is truly brilliant. My only criticism for Mighty Mule is that they should have just packaged their smart system with the wireless connectivity module out of the box for a bit more (something like $899).
That said, I would recommend going several steps further and get the Mighty Mule wireless keypad and driveway exit sensor to truly get the most out of the MM572W. Fortunately Mighty Mule offers a package kit through Amazon that includes the Wireless Connectivity System, Wireless Keypad, and Wireless Exit Wand all for $1299.
Final thoughts
I’ve truly enjoyed nerding out during the installation and setup of the Mighty Mule MM572W Smart dual gate opener. If you have the need, the MM572W is an excellent DIY project that can bring wireless connectivity and awareness to your world. Considering the cost of having someone else install a similar system, it is well worth your time to at least consider trying to install this sort of gate opener yourself. The MM572W is an excellent choice for a gate opener especially considering how easy it is to install and its ability to be upgraded and controlled/monitored from nearly anywhere.
Price: $799 (basic system) / $1299 well equipped
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Mighty Mule.
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When you say it’s compatible with the build in car remote do you mean that it is compatible right out of the box with the normal 3 button homelink system that is usually programmable for most all garage doors? Because I have been looking for a gate opener and you would be surprised how many of them are not. They operate on a different frequency and the car systems cannot learn their code.
Hi Gregg,
Yes, I was able to program all of our cars to open the gate. I simply got our vehicles’ built-in remotes into learn mode and then held down the included remotes button until the LED in the car went green. Having worked with several incompatible gate openers before (due to being on a different freq, like you said) I was surprised and very pleased it worked. Funny thing was, I nearly didn’t even try programming our cars due to all my failed attempts with past systems…glad I did before (unnecessarily) buying additional remotes for the Fam.
Hope this helps,
Dave
Dave, great review! That seems like a really fun project and upgrade to install.
I’d love to see a video of the gate opener operating from your installation. The soft start/stop sounds very nice.
It would be cool to see screenshots from their app, either during the setup or the operation.
I suppose Mighty Mule hasn’t announced any support for Apple HomeKit integration or even Shortcuts to trigger the commands without opening their app?
Thanks!
Bad product Bad customer services, worst Christmas present ever , working on it every week for three months , told I pay for shipping to return for repair was told they would find nothing wrong by customer service
Bad Product, takes support center 30-45 minutes to answer.
Troubleshot to bad circuit card with support on the phone, now NO SPARE PARTS. They won’t know if they will have any until the end of the month. Opener will have been out of service a month by then.
Well, first topic is this automatic gate system is barely 3 years old and now I’m told it’s obsolete and I have to upgrade to the MM572W. Not happy about that….It was bad enough someone decided to drive through my gate and destroy both arms, now it’s going to cost me significantly. I’m assuming my exit sensor will no longer work with the new system as well as the wireless keypad. Both came with the old 500 system.
Looks like I’ll have to spend about $1200 to get the gate back in operation. Can I get some comments on the issues outlined?
I bought a Mighty Mule MM372W – dual gate medium duty opener. I installed the unit almost exactly as the Mighty Mule instructs. This is a pull to open arrangement. I set the limits on both gates just as instructed. The gates closed just as programmed. I pushed the button on the remote to open the gates and they opened, but did not stop at the set limits. I set the limits about three times and each time it did the same thing. I called MM and spoke to someone after a very long wait. He said that the limit switches on both arms were bad and they both had to be replaced. This is new equipment and it would be very unusual for both arms to go out. I took one of the arms apart. There is a limit switch inside and it is working just fine. I need to understand what sets the limits – number of turns, position of the arm or some other thing. I do not believe both arms are bad, but not sure how to stop them from “over” opening.
Thank you so much this information was certainly helpful. It’s more convenient and less stressful when all the items I need are already included in the kit.
Worst company EVER. They don’t have replacement parts AND do not accept returns without the original box! So for those that don’t know IF you purchase a replacement part and DON’T keep the original box well guess what? YOU CAN’T RETURN THE PRODUCT. I have over $800 in replacement parts that are not needed because what we thought was the problem turned out not to be the problem but I can’t return the product because I threw away the original box because I thought the replacement part I purchased would resolve the issue. Such bullshit. If this is their return policy then it should be clearly stated on their website so that you can make an intelligent decision BEFORE making the purchase. Also, if you do happen to keep the original box (and who does that?) there is a 20% restocking fee. What a said excuse of a company. I just don’t understand HOW they are still in business. I would have given 0 stars if it were possible. Buy from someone that appreciates your business and is not just concerned about getting the SALE!!!
New install as of 7.1.2023….install went well, this was the 572ww dual estate system. System worked for about day and then had problem. Gate would open OK and then would close about half way. OR one arm would start closing and the other arm would not which stop the closing process. Whats the problem?