The Complete Guide to Merlin Garage Door Remotes: Series Differences & Choosing the Right Remote
Why are there so many Merlin Remotes?
Merlin have been operating in Australia for more than 40 years, and during that time we've seen some huge advancements in garage door remote technology. When garage remotes first appeared, they were bulky units with large push buttons and relied on simple dip-switch coding - a series of ON/OFF switches that paired the remote to the opener.
Fast forward to today and Merlin garage doors motors have evolved into some of the most secure and reliable systems on the Australian market. Their latest Merlin+ 2.0 series uses advanced rolling-code encryption, meaning every button press generates a unique code that cannot be copied or cloned. These remotes also offer improved range and operate across multiple frequencies, helping reduce interferences from other devices that commonly use the 433 MHz band.
One of the biggest challenges our customers face is simply figuring out which Merlin remote is compatible with their garage door opener. This guide is designed to take the stress out of the process and help you confidently choose the right Merlin remote for your system.
Which Merlin Remote Fits Your Opener? Start Here
If you still have a working remote, the easiest way to find the correct replacement is to scroll through this guide and match your remote to the images and descriptions provided. Once you identify your remote, you’ll see the recommended replacement option for your model.
If you don’t have a working remote, check the motor itself for the model number. You can also look for the serial number, which often helps determine the correct remote series. Using these details, you’ll be able to quickly identify which Merlin remote is compatible with your garage door opener.
Merlin M1100, M2000, M2200 and M2500L
 M1100
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 M2000
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 M2200 |
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The M1100, M2000, M2200 and M2500L remotes have all been discontinued from the market. These models operated on the 339.9 MHz frequency band and used either 8 or 12 dip-switches for coding. Unfortunately, there are no compatible replacement remotes available for these units, and due to their age and technology, they are not suitable for modern upgrade kits or universal receivers.
Merlin Legacy Blue
 M802
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 M2100
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 M800
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The M800, M802 and M2100 remotes were introduced between 1996 - 2001 and operate on the 40.685 MHz frequency band and use a 12‑switch dipswitch system.
These switches are located inside the battery compartment of the remote, and the matching set can be found in the opener’s built‑in receiver, usually hidden near the external wiring terminals.
To program a new remote, simply match the orientation of all 12 dipswitches to the pattern shown on your motor’s receiver or an existing working remote. Once the switches are aligned exactly the same way, the new remote will operate your garage door.
Compatible Motors:
- M230T
- M430R
Make sure your motor has the Code Dip Switch section near the terminals. If you have a Green cover with a control panel underneath go to the Merlin Green Legacy.
Recommended Replacement
You can still purchase compatible compact variation of this remote with the Code Ezy Elite Remote.
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Merlin Legacy Green
 M832
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 M842
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 M844
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The M832, M844 and M842 remotes were the first of Merlin’s green‑button range to use rolling‑code technology on the 433.92 MHz frequency band. These remotes were introduced between 2001 and 2007.
Compatible with:
- Merlin M430R
- Merlin 230T
Note: If your motor has a green sliding cover that lifts to reveal the control panel (as shown in the example image), then this is the correct remote series for your system. If you have a hidden compartment with Code Dipswitch go to the Merlin Legacy Blue (above).
Although all three models were discontinued several years ago, the M842 was recently reintroduced by Merlin under a new name — M842RS. The “RS” version complies with the updated Australian Standards for lithium coin‑cell battery safety, ensuring the remote meets current regulations while maintaining compatibility with the original system.
Recommended Replacement
Merlin+ Security
 CM842
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 CM844
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 C940
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 C943
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 C945
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 CM128
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In the early 2000s, Merlin introduced their Merlin+ Security technology, marking a major step forward in garage door remote security. This system replaced older dipswitch coding with rolling‑code encryption, making it far more secure and significantly harder for signals to be copied or intercepted. Merlin+ Security remotes operated on the 433.92 MHz band and offered improved reliability, better protection against code grabbing, and a more modern approach to pairing remotes with compatible motors.
Compatible with:
- MR60
- MR600/A
- MR650
- MR800/A
- MR850/1000
- MRC950
- MT5580/P
- MT60/P
- MT600/1000
- MT230 (note:this is NOT the 230T)
- MT3850
- MJ3800/3800R
- MGA600
- MGL400
- MGS300/500/1000
Recommended Replacement
This remote was merged into the Merlin+ 2.0 remote variations and can be purchased below as:
Merlin+ 2.0 Security
 E940M
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 E943M
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 E945M
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 E950M
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 E960M
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 E970M
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E975M
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 E980M
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 E964M
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E128M
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 E138M
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E148M
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In the early 2010s, Merlin released the Merlin+ 2.0 series, introducing a major upgrade to their already secure rolling‑code technology. This new system added multi‑frequency hopping, allowing the remote to automatically switch between frequencies to avoid interference from nearby devices operating on the 433 MHz band. The result was a more reliable signal, improved range, and even stronger security.
The first remotes in this series were the well‑known “Bear Claw” model, the E945M and the E943M. However, with the introduction of updated Australian lithium coin‑cell battery safety laws, Merlin later released a new range of Merlin+ 2.0 remotes that comply with these standards while remaining fully compatible with the original Merlin+ 2.0 systems.
Compatible with:
- WeatherDrive MR550EVO
- QuietDrive MR655EVO
- SilentDrive MR650EVO, MR850EVO
- SilentDrive Pro MR855EVO
- WhisperDrive MT3850EVO
- Tiltmaster MT100EVO
- Cyclone Pro MT120EVOPS
- EntryLift MT50EVO
- Powerace MT60EVO
- OverDrive MRC950EVO
- SilentDrive Essential MR655MYQ
- SilentDrive Elite MR855MYQ
- Commander Ultimate MJ3800MYQ
- Commander Essential MS65MYQ
- Commander Elite MS105MYQ
- Commander Extreme MS125MYQ
- Commander MYQ MT110MYQ
- MGLX300
- MGA200
- MGSK600
Recommended Replacements:
This current version can be purchased below as: