ratgdo32 disco

Quick verdict

The disco takes the already-essential ratgdo32 and adds a vehicle presence sensor that detects when your car arrives or leaves. Pair it with Home Assistant automations to close the door after you leave, turn on lights when you pull in, or just know whether the car is home. The optional parking assist laser is a nice touch. If you are already getting a ratgdo for your garage, the disco upgrade is worth the extra cost for the vehicle detection alone.

Standout: Adds a VCSEL laser vehicle presence sensor and parking assist to the proven ratgdo32 garage door controller.

Last checked: 2026-03-23

Compatibility snapshot

Why it stands out

• everything the ratgdo32 does plus vehicle presence detection, arrival/departure sensing, and distance measurement
• parking assist laser (sold separately) projects a dot on your hood so you know exactly when to stop
• adjustable delay-to-close buzzer for automations that close the door after you leave

Reasons to hesitate

• the VCSEL laser needs a painted surface to reflect off, will not work reliably with glass windshields or soft-top convertibles
• sensor range is best within 1 to 5 feet, reliability drops beyond that
• costs more than the standard ratgdo32, and the parking laser is an additional purchase

Best for

• Home Assistant users who want garage door control plus vehicle presence detection in one device
• anyone who wants automations triggered by their car arriving or leaving the garage

Avoid if

• you just need basic garage door open/close control, the standard ratgdo32 does that for less
• your vehicle has a glass roof, convertible top, or other non-reflective surface where you'd mount the sensor

Privacy and local-control notes

Fully local, open-source firmware with no cloud account or subscription required. Vehicle presence data stays entirely on your local network.

Home Assistant support: supported · integration path: ESPHome / MQTT.

Buying reality check

Price notes: The parking assist laser is sold separately. Can be powered via USB-C or directly from your opener's 12V battery backup with an optional battery harness.

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