During 2019, The Ohio-based company announced the release of their brand-new wireless wall console. Genie’s accessory product manager at the time, Jaclyn Sapp, shared that the company’s “goal has been to ensure everyone benefits from its well thought out and tested design.”

Many consumers are already familiar with the Genie brand and their garage door openers. They used to be one the most popular brands known for residential garage doors until Overhead Door Corporation acquired the company in 1994.

About the Genie Wireless Console

Genie wireless wall console combines convenience and quality with modern technology, contemporary design, and increased functionality. The features of the Genie wireless wall console include:

LED Backlight: The large buttons combined with the blue LED light surrounding it make it easy for users to see the console in the dark.

Delay Button: The delay or jogger button provides an extra 10 seconds to exit or enter your garage before the door starts moving. It can be pressed as much as 3 times to give a maximum of 30 additional seconds to safely exit the garage.

Pulsating Light: The console offers two different speeds for the pulsating light. Alternatively, the pulsating feature can be turned off altogether to extend the life of the batteries.

Low Battery Indicator: When the battery is low, the backlight will turn red. This indicator provides users with the time to replace the batteries in the wireless console before the batteries are completely drained.

Control the Light in the Garage: Users can use the console as a light switch to turn on the opener’s light and have a steady light in the garage.

Compatibility

The Genie Wireless Wall Console is compatible with most of the Genie garage door openers produced since 2013. It is not, however, compatible with Genie models 1022, 1024, 1042, 2022, 2024, 2027 or 2042.

Genie Wireless Console FAQs

• What type of batteries is required for the console to operate? 2 AAA batteries are needed for operation of the wireless wall console. They are included with the purchase of the product.
• When do the batteries need to be changed? You’ll know that it’s time to change the batteries when the back light on the console turns red.
• What are the functions of the wireless wall console? There are 3 buttons on the wireless wall console. The largest, referred to as the door button, is the one that moves the door up and down. The “jogger” button is also referred to as the delay button. This gives an additional 10, 20, or 30 seconds of time to safely get out of the garage before the door starts to move. The light button controls the light on the opener, turning it on and off.
• Does the console have backlighting? Yes, a pulsing backlight makes it easy to locate the wall console in dark or dim conditions. Consumers can control and adjust the pulse rate as desired to extend the battery life.
• After pressing the jogger button, how do you know how much time you have before the door starts to move? After pressing the jogger button, the backlight on the console will flash once per second for 10 seconds if pushed once, 20 seconds if pushed twice, and 30 seconds if pushed three times. The garage door opener’s motor unit light will then flash 4-5 seconds before the door starts to move.

How to Program the Wireless Console to Your Genie Opener

Follow the below steps to program the wireless wall console to your Genie opener:

1. Press down the opener’s learn button (or smart button) until the round LED light appears blue. When this happens, release the button. The round blue light will then go out and the long LED light will flash purple.
2. Press and the console’s Door button 3 times until the door operates.

After programming, install the console in a convenient location within sight of the garage door. You can mount it on the framing of the garage entry door or on the adjacent drywall, ensuring it is positioned at least 5 feet above the floor, or even higher if you have small children.

Pros and Cons of Using the Wireless Wall Console

The use of wireless technology in the garage door industry continues to grow, offering numerous advantages along with a few drawbacks.

Genie Wireless Console Pros

Easy installation: The product is entirely wireless, eliminating the need for hard-wiring the console from the wall to the garage door opener’s motor. Consumers can easily install it themselves without the assistance of a garage door repair company. The installation is a quick and straightforward do-it-yourself task, taking only a few minutes. The console operates on 2 AAA batteries, making them easy to replace.

Easy removal or replacement: Much like easy installation, the wireless console is just as straightforward to remove. No intricate hardwiring needs careful disconnection. Users can effortlessly replace an existing console with minimal effort.

Genie Wireless Console Cons

Cost: While wireless technology has been competitive due to its reasonable costs, in this case, consumers are likely to pay a bit more compared to the hardwired option.

Distance Limitations: The transmitter within the wireless console comes with some usability limitations, as there is a restricted range of use. Because the console’s transmitter must communicate with the garage door opener’s receiver, it needs to be installed within a certain range to operate effectively.

Need for Battery Replacement: As wireless devices aren’t wired into an electrical system, they rely on alternative power sources such as batteries. Consequently, the console’s batteries will periodically require replacement.

Genie Wireless Wall Console vs. LiftMaster Wireless Control Panel

Both Genie and LiftMaster wireless control panels offer versatile installation options anywhere in the garage within range. They can be used alongside other wall consoles, featuring a sizable push bar for garage door control and a light button for operating the garage door opener light. While these wireless consoles share similarities in cost and functionality, there are some differences to consider:

1. Genie incorporates a multicolor LED light function on its console. The various colors serve different purposes, indicating when it’s time to replace batteries and when the system is functioning normally. This feature is not available on the LiftMaster console.
2. The LiftMaster console uses on 3V CR2032 lithium coin batteries, while the Genie counterpart uses AAA batteries. Some consumers may be concerned about using lithium coin cell batteries due to potential risks to children.
3. Unlike the LiftMaster wireless console, the Genie console includes a jogger button that allows a delay of up to 30 seconds in door operation.
4. The LiftMaster wireless control panel is only compatible with Security+ 2.0 garage door openers with a yellow learn button. Genie’s wireless console can work with any Genie opener manufactured during or after 2013.
5. The LiftMaster wireless control panel is compatible with Security+ 2.0 garage door openers featuring a yellow learn button. Genie’s wireless console is compatible with any Genie opener manufactured in or after 2013.

Note these consoles are not interchangeable. The specific model of your garage door opener will dictate the compatible wireless console. If you’re unsure, consult a certified garage door repair company.

Wrapping Up

There’s no denying that the Genie Company has been making efforts to progress, but since 1994, they have lagged behind the competition in terms of functionality and reliability. In contrast, The Chamberlain Group introduced its wireless remote console in 2011 and has been making continuous progress ever since. The conclusion of a recent lawsuit further affirmed the company’s dominance and reputation as true innovators in the garage door opener industry, particularly in the realm of smart garage door openers.