Should I get an alarm?

[Big Black Beast]

Okay, now that The Beast is fixed (after a week in the body shop), I'm wondering if a alarm is a good idea.

In the days after some idiot ran into may car and made his cowardly escape unscathed, I was ready to go buy an alarm.

Then, I had to sit and listen to somebodies alarm go off continuously for a half an hour, and re-considered.

Now, for some questions:

1. Can I get something that just alerts me without an audible alarm? I would prefer that, because then I can catch the bastards by surprise.

2. How hard is it to install one myself? I've installed car stereos before? If I can do that, can I do this?

3. Can I adjust the sensitivity of the motion detector? I live in a windy area (peak of 80+ mph a few miles from where I live a week ago). The wind will shake the car pretty hard sometimes. Is there any way to eliminate wind false alarms?

I basically want something to let me know if somebody runs into it or breaks into it, or if somebody is trying to tow it away.

Any suggestions or experiences are welcome.

[4play]

you can buy a 2way viper starter/ alarm, I believe you have to get the starter and alarm combo for the 2 way, then just dont hook up the siren or dash light, then if someone opens your door or hit's it the remote will beep and chirp. but if you install the flashing Blue light which is verry bright most people get the hint and dont bother with your car. I have the viper 5900 on my truck and i've parked in some pretty shady areas where alot of cars get broken into and i've woken up to cars around my truck broken into with stereos and other things stolen but they did not touch my truck, even with a STI driver in the windsheld and a JVC NX7000 for a stereo, they see that flashing blue light and they dont even bother.

[-Matt-]

Some awesome member on here did a video about the features of a viper alarm on a marauder. Oh and you can set your alarm with the push of a button to not be "vocal" but instead just page your key fob on the new vipers like the one in this vid:

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[Windsor58]

Thanks for posting the video.
Been looking at some Viper systems, but this really helped understand how it works.

[TAKEDOWN]

Yup, I got the Viper alarm myself with NO REGRETS! Nice video Matt and cool shirt, LOL! Can't really answer #1 and #2, but the remote does give an option on beep or vibrate to alert you of any tampering. It also sends out periodic checks if you choose to (warning: drains remote battery fast) and you're able to adjust the sensitivity of the alarm. Living in the city with constant noise coming from trains, airport, and cars driving by with the b00min systems, I had my alarm adjusted accordingly so it doesn't go off every 1/2 hour.

[ctrlraven]

That's exactly how I would set my alarm up but only use 2 internal/external sirens plus add a tilt sensor.

[Big Black Beast]

Thanks, everybody.
I'm gonna look into maybe getting a basic one.

Can I get one without remote start?
I can see no reason why I need that.
I don't mind sitting in my cold car in the morning. Wakes me up!

[ctrlraven]

Yes you can get a alarm without remote starter.

Unless you know what you are doing I always recommend professional installation from an authorized dealer, by doing so you get a lifetime warranty on the equipment and labor.

Whatever you do, don't have Best Buy install it, a Mom n Pop type of shop usually has better installers.