Trackside IR Detector and Accessory Controller Recommendations?

This issue with reflective IR detectors has come up repeatedly.  Following are solutions I have resorted to successfully.  

1. Place white strips on the sides of the locos or cars.

2. Switch to a transmissive type detector.

3. Switch to magnetic reed switches trackside with small magnets located on the cars.

Thanks, Bob. I find it frustrating that Lionel's original IR detectors worked almost flawlessly for me but that the newer ones do not. A pity they had to destroy a perfectly good design. 

2023 153IR update

I had heard on this Forum and elsewhere that there were problems getting the 153IR units to work especially for darker, less reflective engines and cars.   

There was a significant gap in 153IR availability during 2021, I assume that Lionel was redesigning/modifying the 153IR .

But, liking the concept of the 153IR (appearance of the unit, ability to add after the track is set in place, adjustable sensitivity, and adjustable time), I bought several of Lionel's 153IR trackside detectors in 2022.  And (my luck) the ones from 2022 are the latest versions.

I use FlexTrack and so the spacing between the tracks' rails is wider than if using other track systems. Right now I am using them to activate 151 postwar semaphores.   They work great.  The current 153IR on max sensitivity can pickup dark-colored coal hopper cars from a distance that should work for a double track section (other than FlexTrak or others with built-in roadbed).