Imagine driving out in the rain only to find the gate locked. Annoying, isn’t it? An automatic gate opener would be your best buddy in such situations. There are several such products available. Ghost and Mighty Mule are two of the best ones. Here’s a comparison between Ghost and No products found. to help you out in your purchase.
Our Verdict
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Both are equally capable, with almost similar features and functions. The Ghost Automatic Gate Opener, however, has more features. So, it stands out even in this tight competition. If you were to buy one for general purposes, we’d suggest you get any of the two. If you want a sturdy, heavy-duty system, get the Ghost. For more sophisticated requirements, get the No products found..
Ghost Vs Mighty Mule: Comparison Chart
| Basis | Ghost | Mighty Mule |
|---|---|---|
| Max. load capacity | 900 lbs | 850 lbs |
| Max. length | 20 feet | 18 feet |
| Solar Panel | Provided, 10W, monocrystalline | Provided, 10W |
| Battery provided | No | No |
| Backup | Yes | Yes |
| DC voltage | 12V | 12V |
| Solar Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Control | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Price | No products found. |
Differences
1. Maximum Load Capacity
The Ghost Controls has a maximum load capacity of 900 pounds. The No products found. has 850 pounds’ capacity. This isn’t much, but the Ghost is more powerful.
2. Maximum Length
The Ghost can operate gates that are 20 feet long. The Mule can handle a maximum of 18 feet. Again, this isn’t much of a comparison, but Ghost is the winner.
3. Solar cell
The Ghost provides a 10 watts, single crystal solar cell. This cell is used to charge the backup battery or to power the device. The Mule has one, but that is a polycrystalline cell. This model uses diodes, which reduces efficiency—still, not much of a difference. But the Ghost is the winner.
4. Type of Gate Supported
The Ghost supports the only tubular style of gates. The No products found., on the other hand, can be used with Chain-link gates, vinyl wood, ornamental iron gates, and so on. Mule is more versatile, and the winner.
Similarities
1. Backup
Both have options for battery backup during a blackout.
2. Battery Specifications
Both require 12V batteries for backup. You, however, need to buy the battery separately. They have space or slots for standard 12V 7Ah batteries.
3. Remote Operation
Both provide remote operation for easy access. Also, they provide a panel for mounting near the gate.
4. Solar Power
Both can be powered using solar cells. But, only the Ghost provides solar cells in its package. You need to buy separate solar cells to use with the No products found.. You can opt for both single and double arms equipment, with both of them.
Features And Technical Specifications Of Ghost
- Load capacity: 900 pounds, maximum
- Length of the gate: 20 feet maximum
- Solar panel: 10W, monocrystalline
- Gate type: best suited for use with tubular gate designs
- Remote control: standard 3-button transmitters X 2
- Power requirements: 120V AC, 60Hz
- Backup system: 12V battery X 1: 7 amp-hours
- Certified by UL325 standard, 7th edition
Features And Technical Specifications Of Mighty Mule
No products found.
- Load Capacity: 850 pounds maximum
- Length of the gate: 18 feet maximum
- Solar Panel: 10W, polycrystalline
- Remote control
- Soft start and soft stop feature to prevent impact.
- Auto close with a delay time of 120 seconds
- Power requirements: 120V AC, 60Hz
- Backup system: 12V battery X 2; 7 amp-hours
- Certified by UL325 standard, 7th edition
What’s In The Box?
Ghost
- Gate Opener
- Hardware
- Remote Controller
- Fastners
Mighty Mule
- Door Opener
- Accesories
Overview Of Ghost
When it comes to automatic gate openers, The Ghost Controls is undoubtedly one of the best and heavy-duty ones. There are many variants. You can get the one best suited for your purpose. These tiny monsters can operate 20 feet long gates, weighing up to 900 pounds. That’s quite some strength for such a small device. It has both single and double gate types. The entire package comes with mounting accessories included, i.e., brackets and fasteners. It fits best on tubular gates but is customizable. This is useful since you can assemble it yourself. There’s no need to call a plumber or electrician.
The device runs on 120V AC. In case of a power cut, a 12V battery backs up. It also comes with a 10 watts solar panel. This solar panel also serves as a backup when needed. It may also be used to charge the battery. An automotive battery kit (7 Ah battery) permits optimum usage out of the solar panel setup. The device has a panel that mounts on or near the gate, which is manually operated.
You can also run it wirelessly. The Ghost doesn’t have a control app of its own. You can use the smart gate for controlling. This thing is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings. This function is useful when you’re in your car and need to hurry. Just speak out, and your gate opens. The device also complies with the UL325 standard, 7th edition. Last but not least, all the features are customizable. You can tinker with the properties and characteristics of your leisure and expense.
- Lockable control board
- 10W monocrystalline solar panel
- Wireless control
- Best suited for tubular style gates
Overview Of Mighty Mule
No products found.
No products found. is yet another cool gate automation system. It is a heavy-duty, automatic gate opener. It has both single and double gate variants. It can bear a maximum load of 850 pounds. The maximum gate length it can operate is 18 feet. Several different types of gates are supported. These include chain links, ornamental iron, vinyl wood, etc. The installation might be somewhat tedious.This requires 120V AC for working. As a backup, it can accommodate two external 12V batteries. A sizeable dedicated control board is provided for this purpose. It has a 10W polycrystalline solar panel. The solar panel helps to keep the batteries charged. You can operate it remotely, or use the fixed panel. What’s cool about it is its soft start and soft stop feature. This prevents impact during opening and closing. This consequently helps improve the device life.
There’s also an auto-close option, with 120 seconds’ delay. This is still equipped with obstruction sense technology to prevent collisions and accidents. As for controls, there is Mule’s MMW200 Wall Station App. This thing also works with Alexa and Google Assistant. This is incredibly powerful and handy- gives you voice control over your gate.
- Solar compatible
- Versatile hardware mount
- Soft start and stop
- Difficult initial setup
- Slow operation
FAQs
1. Is a battery required?
Yes. Both run on a 12V battery. The AC supply is to charge it. In case of a power outage, the solar panels charge it.
2. Can I use multiple solar panels?
Yes, in both the devices, you can use up to three solar panels, for a total of 10W charging.
3. How long does the battery backup last in the Mule?
Considering the standard to be 7Ah, you can have a total of 50 cycles. You may even hook up a larger battery(say, 12V, 72 Ah), to increase the number of cycles.
4. Can I use wheeled gates?
No, the gate must be able to turn freely when pushed/pulled.
5. What is the soft start-stop feature?
Soft start/stop opens and closes your gate slowly. This prevents high stresses on the hinges while opening, and unnecessary impact on closing. This accounts for smooth operation and a long-lasting product.
6. How can I mount the Ghost on a non-tubular gate?
Doing this isn’t impossible but tricky. You need to get proper brackets and mountings, and even call in a plumber for help. Still, we don’t suggest tinkering with the product, unless it’s necessary to do so.
Bottom Line
Both the Ghost Controls and Mighty Mule are heavy-duty gate openers. However, they excel in somewhat different fields. The Ghost Controls offers a sturdy system, consequently more strength and reliability.
Also do check out how ghost and apollo gate openers are different from each other.
The No products found., although not so robust as the Ghost, is much more sophisticated. It’s sleek, with much easier controls. Thus, for general purposes, both do just fine. Moreover, if you like Mighty Mule, you should check out how Mighty Mule is different from Liftmaster
Ghost Automatic Gate Opener - Editor's Choice
Summary
When it comes to automatic gate openers, The Ghost Controls is undoubtedly one of the best and heavy-duty ones. There are many variants. You can get the one best suited for your purpose. These tiny monsters can operate 20 feet long gates, weighing up to 900 pounds. That’s quite some strength for such a small device.
Hands down, the Ghost is 100X better than the (not so) Mighty Mule. The first gate operator(#1) I purchased was the MM….after 1 year it died. I replaced it with the same model MM….and 8 months later #2 died…both times the remote receiver stopped working. I had #2 replaced under warranty….6 months later #3 (the warranty replacement) died, the audible beeper went out after about a month and it just completely died after 6 months. No dice on warranty this time because it was based off of the purchase date of #2.
I then just bought the Ghost TSS1 and have never been happier!
A replacement board for a MM is like $280…a replacement board for a Ghost is like $65 (not that you would ever need it). and the Ghost has a LIFETIME warranty on the gate actuator…MM is 1 year.
Hi, @Johnny Burnette, glad I found this post and your comment. I had a MM560, which by the way is no longer in production – the replacement is the MM571 (Single), which is a piece of junk. There was a pronounced downward step in quality from the 560 to the 571.
I’m looking at going to the Ghost Controls opener – it looks like the one listed in the article above is the TDS2 which is the double-arm version of the TSS1. The “current” model, however, is the LSM1 – I don’t know if the TSS1 is discontinued or what the deal is. My concern is that if I go buy a TSS1 and it’s out of production, parts will be hard to find (same problem with MM560). If I buy the LSM1, I’m afraid of potential quality issues, similar to the MM571. I can not find a single video or review of the LSM1 as opposed to the TSS1 / TSS1XP.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
I am a long-time mighty Mule owner I’ve owned every time they have and none of them have ever lasted more than 18 months. They are very prone to moisture penetration which for electronic device is not cool. So the one I bought last February has crapped out after 18 months to the day. Everyone I know that has a mighty Mule have to replace it almost every year due to water getting in it. This time I bought the protection plan which is horrible. They will replace the cost of the unit but not the tax you paid for it so I’m out $23.80.So no surprise I’m going to purchase a ghost and will give that a shot. Just thought you’d like to know.
Hi, @Andrea Amiot:
Thank you for this article!
As a current Mighty Mule owner who is looking to switch, I found this very helpful. I also thought you might want to be aware of a couple of details:
– The Ghost opener you listed above is the TDS2, which is actually the dual-arm version designed for double gates. I only mention the difference because the single-arm is much less expensive. The single-arm version is the TSS1, HOWEVER, the TSS1 appears to be being replaced by the LSM1, and I can’t find any details online about the LSM1 in terms of quality, nor can I find any videos. If you know of any, this would be very helpful!!
– The MM560 is actually out of production, and has been replaced by the MM571. The MM571 has a LOT of problems, and I wouldn’t recommend it. I see a lot of posts about people who had problems with the older MM560, but my experience was pretty good – I had a much older unit, and maybe that’s why. However, replacement parts are impossible to find. The MM571 is of significantly lower quality than the 560. And, yes, it’s much faster, but because it’s much faster, and you HAVE NO OPTION to slow it down, you tend to have lots of problems with the stall force sensor. On the 560, this was an adjustment dial. On the 571, there are 3 settings, and even at max, a slight breeze will cause the gate to stall out and stick open. Also, the transmitter range was very limited on the 560, but it’s unacceptably short on the 571. Even after I installed an antenna extension and a universal antenna, I have to be within 5 feet of the antenna, which is completely unacceptable.
– Both openers have the exact same specification in terms of length vs. weight. For example, at 18′, both are rated for gates of up to 350 lbs. If you look at TOPENS, which is currently a popular option on Amazon, it’s only rated at 275 lbs at 18′. FYI, Ghost does makes a heavy duty version called the HDP1 which is rated at 400 lbs at 18′, but Mighty Mule doesn’t offer an equivalent option.
Again, thanks for the article!
I have gone through 3 Mighty Mules in about 3 years, and well over $1200, and hours installing and troubleshooting. Gate Opener + Remote Keypad, 3 wireless remotes, solar panel, underground vehicle detector.
I am moving on and will try a Ghost this time.