Aftermarket Alarm Resource Thread

[Breadfan]

All, I'm starting to look into an aftermarket alarm. I'd personally like one with a 2-way feature that lets me know remotely when my car has been disturbed. I have seen some Viper systems that also have GPS tracking capability. That interests me some, but only if it retains the 2-way features and cost isn't too prohibitive.

As a result I was hoping some people could use this thread to post about aftermarket alarms. That way in future searches we can have a central repository for alarm data.

Information that would be handy would be:

- Companies, model #'s of good alarms and a short summary of their capability (links too if possible)
- Personal experiences - what you have used and why you chose it
- Cost if possible (not as important)
- Anything else of relevance you feel is useful in picking a good alarm system.
- Did you install yourself or pay a shop? If so, would you recommend that shop?
- How many "false" alarms do you get? Do your neighbors send you death threats? (I'm sure sensitivity is all in the calibration.)
- Range of 2-way system if applicable, features of remote (does it give any detail as to what was disturbed, the Viper 790 appears to for instance.)

So mainly looking to get a lineup of good systems, their features, and personal experience.

I'd like to invest in one, if I do I want to get good value and protection for my money. Something like GPS tracking would be cool too, especially if I had access to the tracking software. (Please include monthly fees for this service if included.)

From what I've seen a good 2-way system with remote start is what most are getting.

Just want to line up the options and see what is the best way for me to go. Maybe in the process others can see waht is out there and make the choice that best fits them.

[Eric91Z]

Sorry I didn't break it down for your specific questions, but here is my run down from another post. So far no false alarms, but the car is either parked in the garage at home or parking lot at work. Not many other place yet.

COPY FROM OTHER POST:

Well, just had a new alarm/remote start installed this past weekend. I am a long time DEI fan, but went with a unit that was a little less expensive, but is actually still made by DEI. It is an UNGO ProSecurity SR6000 2-way system. It has an alarm and remote start setup.

It is a pretty cool setup with some cool features. I did have a problem when I got it home Saturday that it would automatically start on it's own every 3 hours. It took a couple times of this happening before I got the time pattern down and it took me until Sunday morning to finally figure out what was going on. I was really worried that it was something wrong with the install. Well, come to find out it is actually a "feature" that I had enabled when hitting buttons on the remote.

Anyway, besides the normal alarm and remote start options it also has the following:

1) Timer Mode - will automatically start and run for the preset time and then quit. Will do this every 3 hours

2) Interior Temp - can hit combination of buttons on the 2-way remote and it will show the interior temp of the car

3) Verification on the remote when the car actually starts and shuts off (if you let it run the full time set)

4) Remote will vibrate or beep when alarm is set off (typical 2-way system item)

5) Valet Take-over - with the car running, can set the remote start on so that you can remove the keys and lock the doors and let the car continue to run

6) Short-run/turbo - This will allow the motor to run a preset time after turning the key off and removing the key. Effectively a turbo timer to allow the turbo to cool down after driving (if I had a turbo this would be cool).

7) 24-hour timer mode - This will automatically start the car once every 24 hours and run for the preset time.

So far, pretty happy with the setup. Only time will tell if it was really worth the investment. They ended up using a second module that holds the valet key to send the key information to the cylinder to allow the remote start without a key in the ignition. There was another way to get around this, but the shop that did the install says this way has been more reliable in the long term - especially in really cold weather. It also has a blue LED instead of red and that is installed to the left of the pedal adjust button and it quite visable through the tinted windows. So it has both that and hte factory red light on the dash that blink. The remote has normal chirp and silent arm/disarm and remote trunk release.

[Sully008]

Information that would be handy would be:

- Companies, model #'s of good alarms and a short summary of their capability
DEI (Directed Electronics) http://www.directed.com/

- Personal experiences - what you have used and why you chose it
Viper 790XV two-way starter/alarm (This model is several years old now. I bought it in 2002 and has been in my last 3 cars.) I've only used a different alarm once, an Ungo system in my XR. I've long since replaced that with a Viper Ultra 800HF (again, this model is almost 10 yrs. old now).

Reasons for purchase: Lifetime warranty on the module. Excellent standard features, good optional features.

- Did you install yourself or pay a shop? If so, would you recommend that shop?
I have friends in the mobile electronics industry, so I installed the alarm myself with help from my friends. I wouldn't recommend self-install unless you really know what you're getting into.

- How many "false" alarms do you get? Do your neighbors send you death threats? (I'm sure sensitivity is all in the calibration.)
Yes, calibration is key. I don't get many false alarms. The only time it's "falsed" was a very nasty thunderstorm and the thunder set off the shock sensor.

- Range of 2-way system if applicable, features of remote (does it give any detail as to what was disturbed, the Viper 790 appears to for instance.)
Range depends on where you are. Downtown, my range isn't so good. At the mall, however, from the door I can start my car if it's parked near the far end of the lot.

My alarm was one of the first two ways out there, so it doesn't relay as much info as some of the newer ones. But it does show if the car's armed, engine started, what trigger was tripped.

DEI makes the majority of alarms out there if you check out the website. I've been a satisfied Viper owner for the last 10 years. The 790XV in my MM monitors the doors and trunk, dual stage shock sensor, starter kill and the tilt sensor to monitor the wheels. Hope this helps!

[Eric91Z]

DEI makes the majority of alarms out there if you check out the website. I've been a satisfied Viper owner for the last 10 years. The 795 in my MM monitors the doors and trunk, dual stage shock sensor, starter kill and the tilt sensor to monitor the wheels. Hope this helps!


Oh, I forgot to add that my Ungo setup is actually made by DEI and sold under the Ungo name. I have only had Ungo and DEI alarms ever since I started putting them on vehicles. Ungo has gotten out of the business of selling their own and just rename DEI products now.

[Sully008]

Oh, I forgot to add that my Ungo setup is actually made by DEI and sold under the Ungo name. I have only had Ungo and DEI alarms ever since I started putting them on vehicles. Ungo has gotten out of the business of selling their own and just rename DEI products now.
Eric,

No flames intended, but isn't Ungo owned by Clarion now? http://www.clarion.com/usa/products/Ungo_ProSecurity/index.html

[Eric91Z]

Eric,

No flames intended, but isn't Ungo owned by Clarion now? http://www.clarion.com/usa/products/Ungo_ProSecurity/index.html


You bring up a good point with that link, but on the back of the User's Manual for the SR6000, it has the Copyright symbol and then says 2005 Directed Electronics, but the contact phone number is 800-GO-CLARION. If remember correctly, the shop that sold and installed the unit said the SR6000 is a rebadged DEI Hornet 2-way ( http://www.directed.com/security/hornet/horn_2way.asp )

I will need to look in to that more. The shop that sold it to me, whom I have used for years for car audio and alarm stuff, does know what they are doing. They did say that most of the "smaller" companies in this area that are selling units like this usually get them from DEI and rebadge for their sale. So Ungo may be part of Clarion, but is selling a rebadged DEI unit for the alarm/remote start. Saves Clarion the RD for the unit I guess.

Oh yeah, one more thing. All of the FCC rules listed are tested and complied with by DEI.

[MENINBLK]

Personally,

I've had 2 way alarms in the past.
By the time you get to the car, its already gone,
and there are some times when you won't get the alarm,
just like not getting a cellular signal because of the building's construction.

Just get yourself a good system that disables the starter,
and possibly kills the entire electrical system.

If your Marauder is wanted that bad,
its going to be flatbeded some where.

[Sully008]

You bring up a good point with that link, but on the back of the User's Manual for the SR6000, it has the Copyright symbol and then says 2005 Directed Electronics, but the contact phone number is 800-GO-CLARION. If remember correctly, the shop that sold and installed the unit said the SR6000 is a rebadged DEI Hornet 2-way ( http://www.directed.com/security/hornet/horn_2way.asp )


Oh yeah, one more thing. All of the FCC rules listed are tested and complied with by DEI.
Interesting. I didn't know that. Like I said ^ there, I had an Ungo when they were making their own stuff. What a POS it was. It sounds like they're a lot better than what I had. :beer: