Best indicators for ranging market?

Hi,
I am developing a grid-based EA and I am looking for indicators to help me enter the market during non-trending (at least, not strongly) spans of time.
The perfect situation for my EA to enter would be when the market is oscillating between two points but not breaking out through them.

If the price does break through one of the points (say, point A), I'd like some way to determine if it is going to retrace back to point B or if it will leave the zone of oscillation for good.

At the moment I am using only one indicator; Alligator. I only enter the market when the jaws are closed; that should signal that no strong trending is occurring (or am I wrong about that?).

I would like another indicator to confirm that the market is sideways.... or better yet an indicator that would tell me between which points oscillation is occurring and how strong those pivot points are.


I did a little bit of research on the indicators listed at forexrealm (it is a pretty big list)

The following indicators caught my eye as potentially useful for my purposes:
Shaff Trend Cycle (similar to MACD)
CP Volumetric Trend (responds to deviation in volume from standard; grows at turning points)
Linear Regression Trendline
Range Indicator

What do you guys think - do any of those indicators make sense to use? Got any favorites that would suit this purpose?

Hi mfurlend,

I thought I'd jump in since there have been over 100 views and no reply to your post. Coincidently, here's why I don't think anyone has replied....

"I'd like some way to determine if (price) is going to retrace back to point B or if it will leave the zone of oscillation for good"

Such things do not exist. However, if you're looking for an indicator which tells you that price is "currently" within a pre-specified range, then you can use any of the ones you've got listed. You could even use the ADX which comes packaged in MT4. They're all pretty much the same... that is to say - ineffective.

Not trying to be a wise guy here either. I'll tell you what, let's just cut to the chase. If you're trying to develop an efficient grid system, put down the one you're working on, and try this:

http://www.forexfactory.com/showthread.php?t=109589

Don't thank me, just send me your money.
I hope this helps,
MM

An don't forget Stochastics. Probably the most popular of the Range focused oscillators.

Hello,
What timeframe that your EA trade on ? Because market can go follow trends in small timeframe while currently it was going sideways on longer timeframe
Regards