OPTEX

Optex Vehicle Sensors, Photo Eyes & Access Control Detection Products
Optex products are used on automatic gates, parking entrances, drive-through lanes, commercial doors, automatic pedestrian doors, security perimeters, and access control systems where reliable detection is needed. At Gate Openers Unlimited, this page helps customers find Optex vehicle sensors, virtual loop detectors, photo eyes, presence sensors, automatic door sensors, security sensors, and related access control detection products.
When choosing an Optex product, start with the detection job. A vehicle presence sensor used at a gate is not selected the same way as an automatic door sensor, photo eye, intrusion detector, or access control presence sensor. The correct product depends on detection range, mounting location, voltage, relay output, monitored safety requirements, weather exposure, and the operator or control system receiving the signal.
Optex Vehicle, Door and Access Detection Products
Optex is known for sensing technology used in vehicle detection, automatic door activation, access control, security, and perimeter protection. In gate and parking applications, Optex vehicle sensors can help detect moving or stationary vehicles without requiring a traditional saw-cut loop in the pavement. This can be useful where concrete cutting is difficult, where an above-ground solution is preferred, or where a vehicle presence signal is needed for a compatible gate or barrier system.
For access control and door applications, Optex products may be used to detect vehicles, activate doors, monitor presence areas, support security zones, or provide a signal to compatible control equipment. The correct product depends on the opening type, detection zone, mounting height, environment, and how the sensor output is wired into the system.
Shop Optex by Product Type
- Above-ground vehicle detection sensors
- Virtual loop vehicle detectors
- Gate and barrier vehicle presence sensors
- Photo eyes and beam sensors
- Automatic door activation sensors
- Presence detection sensors
- Drive-through and parking detection sensors
- Perimeter and intrusion detection sensors
- Access control sensor accessories
- Replacement sensors for select gate and door systems
Common Optex Product Families
| Product Family | Common Use | Ordering Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OVS-01GT | Above-ground vehicle presence detection for gates, barriers, parking, and access control lanes | Confirm detection range, mounting location, operator input, relay output, wiring, and whether the model is still current or being replaced. |
| OVS-02GT | Extended-range above-ground vehicle detection for gate and parking applications | Verify detection distance, mounting height, relay output, programming settings, and whether the application needs vehicle-only detection. |
| OVS-50TNR | Through-beam style vehicle detection for select access control and gate applications | Confirm beam range, transmitter/receiver setup, mounting points, power or battery requirements, and operator compatibility. |
| Virtual Loop Sensors | Vehicle detection where a traditional in-ground loop is not preferred or practical | Check mounting location, detection pattern, vehicle path, weather exposure, and controller input requirements before ordering. |
| Automatic Door Sensors | Activation and presence detection for pedestrian doors and commercial entrances | Match sensor type, door operator, mounting height, detection field, voltage, relay output, and safety requirements. |
| Photo Eyes and Beam Sensors | Beam detection for gates, doors, access points, and perimeter applications | Verify range, alignment, weather rating, voltage, monitored safety requirements, and operator input compatibility. |
| Security and Perimeter Sensors | Intrusion detection, perimeter monitoring, and security system integration | Confirm detection pattern, mounting height, relay output, tamper wiring, weather exposure, and alarm/access control compatibility. |
How to Choose the Right Optex Product
Start by deciding whether the sensor needs to detect vehicles, people, door movement, gate movement, or perimeter activity. For gate applications, confirm whether the sensor is replacing a traditional loop detector, supplementing a loop system, triggering a gate operator, or providing a vehicle presence signal to access control equipment.
- For vehicle gates: confirm the gate operator input, detection distance, mounting location, and whether the sensor is being used for exit, presence, or access control logic.
- For parking and barrier lanes: check lane width, vehicle path, mounting height, relay output, and whether stationary vehicle presence must be detected.
- For drive-through lanes: verify detection zone, mounting conditions, weather exposure, and whether the sensor must ignore pedestrian movement.
- For automatic doors: match the sensor to the door operator, activation zone, presence zone, and any required safety settings.
- For photo eyes or beam sensors: verify beam range, alignment, wiring, monitoring requirements, and the equipment receiving the signal.
- For replacement sensors: match the exact Optex model number, output type, voltage, and mounting layout whenever possible.
Before Ordering Optex Sensors
- Confirm the exact Optex model number when replacing an existing sensor.
- Verify whether the product is being used for vehicle detection, door activation, presence sensing, security detection, or gate safety support.
- Check mounting height, mounting surface, detection range, detection pattern, and weather exposure.
- Confirm voltage, relay output, wiring style, and the gate operator, door operator, access control panel, or alarm panel input.
- For vehicle sensors, confirm whether the site needs moving-vehicle detection, stationary-vehicle presence detection, or both.
- For virtual loop-style sensors, verify the vehicle path and mounting position before replacing a traditional ground loop.
- For photo eyes and beam sensors, confirm alignment, range, monitored safety requirements, and environmental conditions.
- Do not use any vehicle sensor, photo eye, or access sensor as a substitute for required gate safety devices or monitored entrapment protection unless the operator and safety requirements specifically allow that configuration.
Optex Compatibility and Fitment Notes
Optex compatibility depends on the exact model, detection method, voltage, relay output, wiring style, mounting location, detection range, monitoring requirement, and the connected gate, door, access control, or security equipment. Two Optex sensors may look similar but use different detection technology, output behavior, programming settings, or mounting requirements.
When replacing an Optex vehicle sensor, confirm the model and review the detection pattern before ordering. Above-ground vehicle sensors must be positioned correctly for the lane and vehicle path. When replacing photo eyes or beam sensors, confirm the transmitter/receiver layout, range, wiring, and whether the gate or door operator requires a monitored safety device.
If the Optex product is connected to a gate operator, barrier arm, automatic door operator, access control panel, alarm system, parking controller, or commercial control system, have a qualified technician verify wiring, programming, and testing. Do not bypass monitored photo eyes, safety edges, loops, reversing devices, access control wiring, or required entrapment protection.
Related Optex Sensor and Access Control Categories
- Vehicle Detection
- Gate Safety Devices
- Photo Eyes and Safety Sensors
- Loop Detector Alternatives
- Access Control
- Barrier Arm Accessories
- Parking Control Accessories
- Automatic Door Sensors
- Security Sensors
- Commercial Gate Operator Accessories
South Florida Local Pickup
Gate Openers Unlimited is located in South Florida and offers local pickup from our Hialeah Gardens warehouse when available. This is helpful for local gate technicians, access control installers, parking system contractors, automatic door technicians, property managers, HOAs, facility maintenance teams, and commercial buyers who need Optex vehicle sensors, photo eyes, presence sensors, or related access control detection products without waiting on standard shipping. Please confirm availability before heading to the warehouse.
Optex FAQ
What are Optex products used for?
Optex products are used for vehicle detection, gate and barrier sensing, automatic door activation, presence detection, access control, perimeter detection, and security applications. Common products include vehicle sensors, virtual loop sensors, photo eyes, beam sensors, and automatic door sensors.
Does Optex make gate openers?
Optex is not normally a gate operator manufacturer. Optex products are typically sensors or detection devices used with compatible gate operators, barrier arms, access control systems, automatic doors, parking systems, or security equipment.
What is an Optex virtual loop sensor?
An Optex virtual loop sensor is an above-ground vehicle detection sensor used as an alternative to a traditional in-ground loop in select applications. It can detect vehicles without cutting concrete or asphalt, but it still must be matched to the gate, barrier, or access control system.
Can Optex vehicle sensors replace driveway loop detectors?
In some applications, select Optex vehicle sensors may be used instead of a traditional driveway loop. The site layout, mounting location, detection range, operator input, vehicle path, and safety requirements must be verified before replacing a ground loop with an above-ground sensor.
What should I check before ordering an Optex vehicle sensor?
Check the detection range, mounting height, mounting location, vehicle path, voltage, relay output, wiring style, and the gate operator or access control input. Also confirm whether the sensor must detect stationary vehicles, moving vehicles, or both.
Can Optex sensors ignore pedestrian traffic?
Select Optex vehicle sensors are designed to focus on vehicle detection and may be programmed or adjusted to ignore certain pedestrian movement depending on the model and application. Always verify the specific sensor settings and installation requirements before ordering.
Can Optex photo eyes be used as gate safety devices?
Select Optex photo eyes or beam sensors may be used in gate or door applications when properly matched, wired, aligned, and tested with the operator. The sensor must meet the operator’s monitored safety requirements when monitoring is required.
Do Optex sensors require professional installation?
Many Optex sensors require proper mounting, wiring, alignment, relay setup, programming, detection-zone adjustment, and system testing. A qualified gate, access control, parking, or automatic door technician should handle installation when safety devices, operator wiring, or monitored inputs are involved.
