Looking for good alarm system

[glassman]

LOOKING FOR GOOD ALARM SYSTEM posible remote startfeatures wanted: keyless entry 5 doors relays on board.lock doors when put in drive. unlock when put in park or when key turned off .look forward to some opinions and your experiances for function and ease of install

[nismo]

Any DEI alarm would be great. DEI makes alarms such as the Viper, Avital, CLifford, and I think that's it. Those alarms r amazing though. I would highly recommend those if you were to get one.Inder

[ragingfish]

Well, if you want to get technical, Directed makes:Viper, Clifford, Python, Avital, Hornet, Valet, Sidewinder, Rattler, and Wasp.Now, as for keyless relays, if you have power locks already, you only need an interface to trigger a lock/unlock pulse. Correct me if I'm wrong Jahntassa!

[Jahntassa]

Most Viper systems have an outboard relay called the 451m. If not, you can get doorlock interfaces for pretty cheap.If you have power doorlocks already, you might not even need the relays.If you don't have power doorlocks, you're gonna need four actuators, and a solenoid for the trunk release.Code Alarms, available at Circuit City, are decent, and will do everything you want. Viper (DEI) systems will do the same. Many systems will do what you want, if you want to know for sure, find a make/model that you like and let us know. I can look and verify features, etc.Also, let us know if you have the power package.

[satur9]

i have python 871xp 2way led remote start.the only gripe i haveis that it states 1000 ft range but its nowhere near that

[ragingfish]

Agreed...My rattler only gets about 50 ft...it should get at least 200...I think I just gotta move the antenna...

[Jahntassa]

That range is in open air, and it'll probably never reach that. Don't forget, FRS walkie talkies have a 2 mile range (yeah right), that only happens in perfect conditions.I think the windshields have a metallic layer that probably interferes a bit. I can safely say I get a few hundred feet out of my Viper.

[glassman]

no i don't have the power package but have been colecting the factory actuators slowly and am going to use the alarm as the controll unit may need some one to tell me the pinouts on the actuators themselves if any one has a manual they can look up for me

[Jahntassa]

You'll definitely need a relay box. One box should be able to run at least the four doors, not sure about the solenoid for the trunk, might need an extra for that.If they're two-wire actuators, it's a reverse polarity kinda thing. It would switch directions. To test, put one wire to 12v, one to ground, it should either lock or unlock, if you flip the wires, it'll do the opposite.If they're factory though, i'm not sure if that's the case.

[Celtic_Curse]

My CompuStar does everything you listed there. It's also a two way, and has over 1000ft Range that works. Really good alarm system in my opinion.

[DavidPIL]

Hi Celtic...I have the CompuStar as well. I think maybe it was on recommendation from you over a year ago. Anywho... my installer didn't know if the double pulse was applicable on this unit (I can either set the driver's priority unlock or all door unlock, can't double pulse). If you know anything about the mechanics of this unit, what can I do to get the single pulse/Driver's Priority - double pulse/all doors to work?DaveP.S. Like this unit as well except for this difficulty AND for some reason the remote unit won't work unless I'm up against the car in Northwest Knoxville, TN. Works great everywhere else.

[Celtic_Curse]

I'll see what info I can get for you, and post it. The alarm works great for me..the only time my range is affected is when the battery is getting low. Anyhow I'll post your info request ASAP.

[DavidPIL]

Thanks!Really don't know why it only happens in Knoxville. It's quite strange. Perfectly fine everywhere. Thought maybe it was the elevation or power lines (I think lines from the Oak Ridge Nuclear Power Plant runs through the area I'm usually in) but have never had that problem other than there. Actually, sometimes I have to be right up on the antenna for the car to lock/unlock. craziness...Dave

[HamiltonAudio]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Well, if you want to get technical, Directed makes:Viper, Clifford, Python, Avital, Hornet, Valet, Sidewinder, Rattler, and Wasp.Now, as for keyless relays, if you have power locks already, you only need an interface to trigger a lock/unlock pulse. Correct me if I'm wrong Jahntassa! If u want to get /really/ technical DEI makes Viper, Python, Hornet, Sidewinder, Rattler, Wasp and Valet. They PURCHASED Clifford and Avital - these were separate and distinct companies just a few years ago (before DEI went on its NAZI buying spree) bmoney

[HamiltonAudio]

I'm geography dumb and not sure where Knoxville is. But I did discover a parking lot in my town where alarms and remote starts DO NOT WORK. Investigating it turns out that there is a serious 2-way radio hobbyist in the area, and his equipment sucks up the signal. 200 feet from that parking lot and things work fine.Also I read a story once...an installer in south florida on the gulf side (can't remember the city) was getting all kinds of comebacks based on "no range". It turns out there was a navy vessel in the gulf doing some sort of Radar jamming tests and such, killing remote starts/security systems for 100 miles around Does it seem like the rmt behaves badly in the same place all the time??bmoney

[DavidPIL]

HamiltonAudio,Knoxville is right the edge of the Appalachian Mountains in Eastern Tennessee. I was told it's on a plateau but have also been told it's in a valley. All I know is there are 2 decent upward grades once you enter Tennessee from the north on 75 then it's sorta downhill from there. This has happened every time I've been in Knoxville since April 2004. Actually, April 2004, Late July 2004, Sept 2004, Early and late October 2004 and now January 2005. It seems to be worse around I-40 West of Town but that's really the only place I stop. I've stopped all along I-40 West of downtown for about 5 or 6 miles for food or at the Mall there and it's all the same. There is a Nuclear Power Plant maybe 10 or so miles Northwest from there but I've been in a community between I-40 and the Power Plant (actually directly under some sizzling power lines) and it seems to slightly better. It's just weird and not random. Fairly consistent... It just doesn't work there.Dave

[Red Dragon]

Hey man i'm new to the site but i ahve an '03 gtI installed the clifford matrix 2 alarm system with 2-way communicationi would definetly recommend it

[coratz]

get a Viper alarm system put in professionaly with a waranty. i personally feel that paging systems are useless for i would not want to confront a car theif personaly. i have had a viper system for 2 years and with all the features that you require and have had no problems. one false alarm due to the kid next door kicked a soccer ball at the tire. make sure you get a back up siren, a hood pin trigger, a valet switch that is in a decent hiding spot, an extra siren located inside the car. if a theif wants the car he will get it, you just want to make your less desireable, and just maybe he/ she will move to the next car.

[dennisdrive]

Hi ;I wanted your opinion on this particular alarm system ;it is AVITAL; Two 3 button icon remotes ;3 reciever channel; dual zone shock sensor and Stealth Coding Technology . The vibe i have is a base vibe with the power & sports package .It has keyless entry ;power doors ;trunk and hatch . I was wondering if i were to get this particular alarm installed (i.e after ur reviews and suggestions) ;will i require additonal equiptment . Pls do let me know since it is on this weeks Futureshop flyers for CAD$199 ; it includes installation . I had gone to the dealer before and he quoted me $500 plus taxes and that kind of disuaded me momentarily but i have been longing to get one installed .So i was wondering howcome the differnce in prices . Your suggestion will be appreciated.

[coratz]

it cheaper at future shop for it includes BASIC!!!! instalation by a contracted out installer. im pretty sure it is Gain automotive. hoodpins backup eqip/ etc all cost extra. it is a good alarm through. plan on spending a bit more for the extra part for the " included instlation"

[03VibeGT6Spd]

If you want a cheap system that will only last a couple years Buy a DEI.If you want a real system buy a Compustar by firstech.I bought My 1st one in 1997 and it still works as good today as it did then.Over the years it has had more options added to it.They had the 2 way pager before DEI ever even dreamed about it.Compustar is in a class of its own.It's like comparing a chevette to a corvette. http://www.compustar.org/index.htm

[Jahntassa]

Compustar is also ugly as sin, and a pain in the (removed) to install. The Avital you're talking about is made by DEI, who also makes Viper, Rattler, Valet, and now Clifford alarm systems. All their systems are quite reliable (I 've had my 790 for over a year, and had a Rattler 300 on my previous car). I've seen some luck with Compustars, but i've never been a fan of their electronics. Most other systems are pretty lackluster at best. Some others that i've seen do fairly well in the past include those made by Audiovox, including Prestige and Code Alarm systems. They have their feature set which differs slightly from Vipers, and do some things slightly odd, but they do tend to work.The dealership wants to charge more because it's not something they generally do, and their mechanics have pretty pricey labor. Most of them hate doing electronics addons, and generally do a (removed)-poor job of it. (In general, as far as i've seen) So they charge more. Smaller shops, or even some chain shops will do a much better job. Ask around to see which shops near you have a good reputation.

[the_nite_owl]

Reviving an old thread rather than starting a new one.I want to add a two-way alarm/remote starter to my 05 Vibe.I have the power locks/windows, Moon & Tunes package.I REALLY want to be able to open/close windows and possibly the sunroof.My question: Do any of the two-way systems give any status indication feedback for auxiliary connections? I would like to glance at the remote and see what the last state of the aux connection is that I used for the windows. In other words, I would be able to tell if my last command on that aux connection was to raise or lower the window and thereby tell me the probably state of the windows.Anything on the market show this info?Also, I work in a very large building and there are a lot of walls between me and the parking lot (not to mention distance) so which type of two-way is the most likely to carry the signal to the car?An FM device? 900Mhz? Any chance anyone is making a harness to fit the Vibe so I can avoid cutting into the ignition harness? I have searched around but not found anytihng yet. If I could get the connectors I would make my own.

[Jahntassa]

1) Feedback. I don't think so, you might have to look at the Compustar stuff. I know Vipers will only show you lock/unlock and if it's running.2) Windows are done via add-on modules that generally cost around $70 per two windows3) Don't know if you'd be able to carry through that much, they all use pretty much the same technology. It all depends on what the building is made of.4) Very doubtful that someone makes a t-harness for the VIbe.