At last something I can sort of answer !
For security and convenience I wanted automatic gates too. For the gates themselves, I went with Leinster Timber Products - they put me in touch with an installer. When he came out he gave me a ball park quote of Eur2500 to automate them. Can't remember what I paid for the gates themselves, but as I went for the softwood option, they weren't newarly as expensive as the teak/hardwood option. Three years on, and they are still perfect.
So for the automation, I bought a kit from ebay for about USD600. It worked for about a year or so, but had problems and spare bits/zappers weren't easy to come by.
This year, I swapped out the kit for a Liftmaster system. After much research, this kit seemed to have the best availability of individual spare parts should something go wrong. I bought it from Germany (this kit:
http://www.nothnagel-haustechnik.de/product_info.php?info=p179_SCS300K-24---Wing-gate-operator-set-with-2-arms--3-0m---24V.html) . I installed and set it up myself. The difference between this kit and the previous, is probably like comparing a 1980's Lada to a 2008 Merc ! It's quality stuff. I also installed an electrical Viro lock, to lock the gates when closed - not absolutely necessary as the rams hold the gates firm, but more a belts and braces approach. In hindsight, I should have gone with a maglock as the Viro lock buzzes like a buzzin bee.
For safety beams, I installed two sets. One set between the gate posts and a second set just outside the arc of the open gates. This was to stop the gates closing in the event of a car being parked in the arc of the closing gate (if you know what I mean!).
For convenience, I sourced a cellular relay (and put a Ready to Go SIM in it). This allows me to call the SIM card and the gates open automatically. Handy if you have a delivery and your not at home and the delivery guy calls to say he's outside ! Likewise, for friends / relatives (who you aren't giving out loads of zappers to), rather than them having to get out and buzz the intercom everytime. I sourced it here :
http://www.quantekshop.co.uk/GSM.html
For the intercom system, I went with a colour video system, that has two panels in the house - one in the front by the door and one in the back in the kitchen. The panels are very sleek with large 7 - 8" colour flatscreens. When someone rings the gate, both monitors wake up, ring like a normal doorbell and show the image of who's outside. The camera on the gate is infrared, so it works at night perfectly fine too. I can't recall the site I bought them on - it was in the US and was about USD500.
I also installed a dual relay keypad on the gate post. Keying in xxxx opens just one leaf of the gate wherease keying in yyyy opens both. This is an ACT keypad picked up in my local electrical store for approx Eur100.
For the automation, I probably spent about Eur1750 - haven't added it all up. For that though, it does everything I want and as I installed it, if it does act up, then I don't have to wait around to get someone out, pay for a yearly maintenance contract etc.
Anyhow that's my system - perhaps not for everyone.
Podge
