If you have an Otis Gen2 mrl with an at400 door operator on it and you need to replace it, the Otis glide is probably the best option. Whatever the company quoted you for the glide will probably be about the same for a gal operator. The price difference between the gal and the glide aren't really that far apart, the biggest expense for the job is the labor. The glide is designed to replace the at400 and takes very little modifications to make it work. Also if you have an ARU or emergency return unit on that elevator the board can be upgraded to continue to work with the glide. It may work with a gal but I'm not sure.

100% go with glide!

Seamless install and probably one of the best operators out there in my opinion.

Thanks for the feedback.

I agree the Glide A is the best option, but since we are being pushed to buy 5 of them for a total of $90k, when we only need 1, it does not make economic sense. That's why if we were looking to get a single GAL AT400 conversion kit at a reasonable price; or any other option that would work. Someone mentioned there is a Monarch option as well - can anyone confirm?

I hope you meant $9k. Lol

Unfortunately, Otis wants 90k and we must buy 5 of the Glide A door operators. If we only buy 1 (which is all we need), the cost is 30K for 1 Glide A (seems excessive even buying in bulk). That's why we want to know what other option is possible, even going with the GAL AT400 conversion kit.

Is your service company Otis, or do you have someone else? If they're trying to get you to do all 5, it doesn't sound like it'll matter what product they're going to use they're going to mark it up the same. Either way you'll have to upgrade those at400 sooner or later because they stopped producing parts for them. Like right now if you lose a motor/gearbox on a right hand operator you can't get a replacement from Unitec. Also depending on what part of the country you're in will determine the price of things but our "brake even" price for an at400 to glide upgrade is roughly 12-14k. That's not including Mark up or profit.

The service contract with Otis has expired and we have not renewed it. We plan on doing full modernization of all elevators in the next 3 - 5 years so wanted to just replace the 1 AT400 door operator that is a problem now with a non-OEM option and tackle the other 4 elevators during the modernization, which may or may not be with Otis. Buying 5 Glide A door operators now will further link us to Otis for the modernization and their service has been subpar and they charge premium prices, so want to explore non-proprietary options. Thanks !

Dont worry about being linked to Otis cuz of a glide door operator. Specify it has to be a glide with discreet signals and pretty much every mod controller you chose will be able to use it. I don't work for Otis or Unitec and I don't get anything out of convincing people to use a glide door operator. I just think they perform well on Otis cars and they're fast and easier to install then the rest of the door operators made to go on Otis cars

Quick update - We plan to acquire a GAL AT400 conversion kit (about $5k) and only need to buy 1, which is all we need. The question is since we no longer have an elevator service contract, what would the installation cost (ballpark number). Even a range would be helpful - located in Asbury Park so any recommendations of local elevator providers would be great as well.

Does it have an ERU battery lowering unit?

Hi indirtwetrust - I don't think it has an ERU battery lowering unit but am not sure. If it is a major cost difference, I'll see what I can find out. The GAL AT400 conversion kit (plus installation) still has to be far cheaper than spending $30k to Otis for a single Glide A. Thanks !

The Otis glide kit cost $4700 for the last one I bought

That was with door lock refresher kit and transformer for the op

Thanks to all for the great feedback from all on this site. I have 2 remaining questions:

1) What is the cost range to install a GAL AT400 conversion kit?
2) Can someone help me understand the wide cost range for an Otis Glide A? At the high end, Otis wants $18,000, but only if we bought 5 units, otherwise, they would be $30k each. At the low end, someone bought one for $4,700.