Installing an alarm system??

Well since my car dosent have an alarm I thought it would be a good idea to get one since I love my dsm so much. I was wondering how long and complicated it would be to install an alarm system. I'm pretty confident if I were to get one it would be this one because of all the awards they have won and I like the features that are included: http://cgi.ebay.com/COMPUSTAR-2WSS-S-REMOTE-STARTER-PAGER-2-WAY-MAN-TRANS_W0QQitemZ290063001334QQihZ019QQcategoryZ9483 2QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Basicly installing shit like alarms comes down to this...are you good with electrical stuff and are you comfortable messing with the electrical system in your car?

Something that complicated is not going to be easy unless you have experience doing it. The general rule is to avoid problems and get it done professionally, because so much can go wrong and if you fuck up the electrical system in your car you will forever hate yourself because of all the weird problems you might come across.

definately have it done professionally wiring sucks its so much better to not have to deal with the headaches and problems with wirings

My buddies dad installs remote starts/alarms on his free time for a local car dealer and if you know electrical stuff it doesn't seem too hard, but then again he's an actual electrician and makes it look really easy. I wish Viper sold theirs outright instead of having to get them installed at an authorized dealer because I can get them installed for free from him, and around here they charge you an arm and a leg just to install an alarm/remote start.

It's really not hard. You can get diagrams and all for free from Circuit City or Best Buy. They have really easy instructions there with exact locations, harness locations, and such. I did my alarm. Very easy to do, however I'm pretty good with electrical work IMO.

But, get it done. You'll be much happier wth it installed.

Damn, it has a built in turbo timer

Yeah, get a Compustar unit. I sell both those and DEI stuff and I prefer Compustar. Their units actually will do as advertised and have a lot more user features plus they will SAFETLY work on manual trannys.

I love it when a DUY'r calls me to fix their hack job. I add another 30-60% to the cost of fixing it over having me install it in the first place.

Compustars are badass too, I'm either getting that or a Viper.

You'd like the Compustar line much better than a Viper. Plus, they are usually cheaper in price to boot!

If you want an alarm that you can install yourself and has almost all the features of the 791xv or Compustar go here: http://members.tripod.com/alarmtek/REMOTESTART.html?
Get the Galaxy 5000rsw 2w (about mid page). It's $165 shipped (about $20-25 more than on other sites but you don't get the install support). The alarm has remote start, turbo timer, etc. and has TWO 2-way remotes (Viper and Compustar have one). It doesn't have a tilt sensor or glass break sensor which I dont think the other two have either, or some of the convenience features of the other two though. When you buy the alarm from this site you get unlimited support, wiring diagram, etc. to install it yourself. It also works on a manual trans. ($50 extra to do it safely--have to follow procedure when getting out of the car to make sure it's not in gear. With the clutch start switch disabled it's not relly needed). I just bought this alarm from them and will be installing it soon. They were incredibly nice and answered all my questions.

As for having it profesionally done, I think it depends on the installer and your amount of $/time and experience. I've heard it costing anywhere from $100-300, so it may be worth it at the lower end. I have almost no electrical nohow, and I've looked at the install a little bit and it doesn't seem *too* hard, but not easy at all either. Lots of testing with a multimeter and finding the correct wires to tap. The site I bought the alarm from rated an Eclipse as 2 out of 5 stars for difficulty so I guess DSMs are on the easy side of alarm installs. I think because most of the wires you need are in the driver's footwell.

But according to this guy:
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/1794938
http://causeforalarm.thecarthing.com/index.html
the effectiveness of an alarm is mostly the install. And according to him most installers don't do a good job. They will just install it as quickly as possible not hiding their wiring or where wires are tapped on the steering colum, not hiding the "brain," installing the siren in a way that the wires can just be cut, etc, etc. He says between a $600 alarm installed at Cercuit City and a $5 alarm installed right, the $5 one is much more likely to keep your car safe. And an improperly installed alarm actually makes is EASIER to steal a car since the blatent tapps on the steering colum gives them an easier time hotwiring it. I'll sum his rant up:

You need:
-alarm
-backup battery - DEI 520T ($9(ebay) to $25)
-additional siren (piezo siren--high pitched small siren for interior - $9)
-starter kill AND kill switch
-sensors: tilt (DEI 507M), glass break (DEI 506T)
-hood switch

Install:
-hide sirens (not just mounted to engine bay)
-hide brain
-hide wiring (inside looms, no exposed wires--make factory-looking)
-hide starter kill (not on steering column)


order:
-5000 rsw m 2 2-way ($149)
-anti-grind for mitsu ign.
-maybe software package for clutch bypass/park. brake ($50)

Gthompson, you can get the Viper 791xv on ebay and other websites for under $200 used and new.

Gthompson, you can get the Viper 791xv on ebay and other websites for under $200 used and new.

I know, but the thing about Vipers is that they aren't avaliable unless you get them through an authorized dealer, and you can't buy them outright, the dealer has to install them. I have a feeling those may be "black market" Viper alarms and they just seem kinda shady to me. I got a quote on a brand new top of the line Compustar (the pro one) and they wanted $550. I pretty much told the guy to fuck off and I'd rather buy a used one off ebay for $300 and install it myself. God I hate places that try to rip you off like that.

My alarm: lawn chair and a shot gun.

Seriously though, I really dont want to, but I may end up with an alarm on the Talon. Anyone see the thread about some guy that caught some fuckers trying to jack his whip, he chased them down, then beat the hell out of them? That makes me want an alarm, plus if someone is going to fuck with the Talon, I want any and all chance at tracking those fuckers down that I have. The only problem I have with alarm systems is they are so damn expensive. I guess a car cover, club, and the aforementioned security system are going to be my protection. I would probably get one eventually, probably in like 4 years after I get the performance stuff done, mild interior work, lowering, and get a decent coat of paint on the bitch.

I know, but the thing about Vipers is that they aren't avaliable unless you get them through an authorized dealer, and you can't buy them outright, the dealer has to install them. I have a feeling those may be "black market" Viper alarms and they just seem kinda shady to me. I got a quote on a brand new top of the line Compustar (the pro one) and they wanted $550. I pretty much told the guy to fuck off and I'd rather buy a used one off ebay for $300 and install it myself. God I hate places that try to rip you off like that.
Yeah well you get what you pay for. For the Pro series of the SS line with 2way remote, yeah, that's about right for the price. Dealer cost on that sucker is over $250 alone! That place is there to make money not charity work. Besides, that thing doesn't even compare to anything Directed has and especially that Galaxy POS. I installed a few of those Galaxy units and I'll say BE CAREFULL when installing it. The main power harnesses are not properly sheilded and can ground out causes hopefully just blown fuses. Once guy didn't like my $150 install quote and decided to install it himself only to lose his car in a fire a few weeks later due to a electrical short. I was a friend of one of the firefighters that responded and he told me it was something to do with the alarm. I don't know for sure if it was install error or what.

Yeah well you get what you pay for. For the Pro series of the SS line with 2way remote, yeah, that's about right for the price. Dealer cost on that sucker is over $250 alone! That place is there to make money not charity work. Besides, that thing doesn't even compare to anything Directed has and especially that Galaxy POS. I installed a few of those Galaxy units and I'll say BE CAREFULL when installing it. The main power harnesses are not properly sheilded and can ground out causes hopefully just blown fuses. Once guy didn't like my $150 install quote and decided to install it himself only to lose his car in a fire a few weeks later due to a electrical short. I was a friend of one of the firefighters that responded and he told me it was something to do with the alarm. I don't know for sure if it was install error or what.

Well that doesnt sound good. Are you sure about the Galaxy? I sure as hell don't want the alarm to f up and burn my car to ashes. So how aren't they properly shielded? And what exactly do you mean by be careful when installing it? I can't see a business doing something like that that could potentially injure or kill you, or destroy your property. The company would last 5 minutes before filling for bankruptcy after all the law suits.

The older Compustar is supposedly 95% the same as the new one and is a hell of a lot cheaper. So I'd go with that one.

Oh and btw, that "you get what you pay for" saying is true in *general,* but is not true in every case. If it were then why would people shop around? There would be no point since you get exactly what you pay for...

They actually wanted $650 for the Pro one, they wanted $550 for the next model down, that's what I meant to say. I will never pay over $400 to have an alarm installed, unless it comes with a machine gun that pops out and shoots whoever tries to break into it. My best friends dad installs remote start/alarms as a side job all the time and I've helped him do a few, they are not tough at all as long as you have common electrical know-how. I don't care if dealer cost on that sucker is $250 alone, they're making $400 off my ass just to install it? Bullshit. The place used to be the best store around for home and car audio, but now they lost some of their best guys, jacked the prices up, and try and gouge everyone.

I installed a few of those Galaxy units and I'll say BE CAREFULL when installing it. The main power harnesses are not properly sheilded and can ground out causes hopefully just blown fuses. Once guy didn't like my $150 install quote and decided to install it himself only to lose his car in a fire a few weeks later due to a electrical short. I was a friend of one of the firefighters that responded and he told me it was something to do with the alarm. I don't know for sure if it was install error or what.

I just talked to the guy at Alarmtek again and he assured me that he has been installing/selling these alarms for over 4 years and he's never heard of that.

I was thinking about it and when people make connections when installing electrical things in their cars they dont use any special shielding on the connections. They just use crimps, heat shrink, or elect. tape, or even nothing. I went to a site that sold shielding equipment for wires like lamp, appliance, ect wires. If you really needed this dont you think it would have come on the appliance? One fire from that and the company would face a multimillion dollar lawsuit. This site even sold replacement cords for everything...

Yeah well trying to get an alarm manufacturer, installer, or even car maker to fess up to their product or method of install being at fault is almost impossible unless you have the money to do it.

I've own and ran my own alarm bizz for over 15 years now and have installed at least everything that's on the market at least once. I can tell you that you definately get what you pay for.

I bought and had installed the top of the line viper model, with the nice remote display and a five mile radius on that and it cost me about 300 bucks or so.

I bought and had installed the top of the line viper model, with the nice remote display and a five mile radius on that and it cost me about 300 bucks or so.
Hey Chico, what smack are you on??? I need some of that. Either that or you are the only one in the world with a Viper system from DEI that can do 5mile radius AND installed for $300.

Have fun with that POS Viper and save up some money to purchase a new remote once every 6-8 months.

Do you really know how far 5 miles is????? The only company that comes close to that range is Compustar. No one else has anything over a mile. That Viper of yours with the "5 mile" radius only did about 3/4 of a mile averages in a downtown setting with the cars that we tested in my shop. Yes, they were OK units but no where near the 5 miles you state or even 1.5 like DEI says.

Hey Chico, what smack are you on??? I need some of that. Either that or you are the only one in the world with a Viper system from DEI that can do 5mile radius AND installed for $300.

Have fun with that POS Viper and save up some money to purchase a new remote once every 6-8 months.

Do you really know how far 5 miles is????? The only company that comes close to that range is Compustar. No one else has anything over a mile. That Viper of yours with the "5 mile" radius only did about 3/4 of a mile averages in a downtown setting with the cars that we tested in my shop. Yes, they were OK units but no where near the 5 miles you state or even 1.5 like DEI says.

Dude I was just adding in my two cents, no need to be all hostile and shit.

Yes I got a viper remote on my Cobra. I got hooked up because it was my friend.

I'm sorry you have such a poor opinion of the product but mine has worked fine so far and i've had it way longer than 8 months.

Dude I'm not a car alarm expert I'm simply saying what the guy told me, no need to be a prick.

...i was quoted $650 for the viper w/ prox sensors installed... which is exactly why i dont have it... :2cents:

Dude I was just adding in my two cents, no need to be all hostile and shit.

Yes I got a viper remote on my Cobra. I got hooked up because it was my friend.

I'm sorry you have such a poor opinion of the product but mine has worked fine so far and i've had it way longer than 8 months.

Dude I'm not a car alarm expert I'm simply saying what the guy told me, no need to be a prick.
That's alright. I didn't mean to come off that bad. But seriously, that alarm won't do anywhere near that range. Glad to see that you've had good luck with that remote. Usuaully the LCD screen cracks then it'll just stop transmitting after a while. I bet out of the 120 of those I've sold about 100 of them have come back with remote failure.

The prices I gave before on the extra stuff you need for the alarm were a little innacurate. Here's the real prices including shipping:

-backup battery - DEI 520T ($39)
-additional siren (piezo siren--high pitched small siren for interior < $13)
-sensors: tilt (DEI 507M - $38, $35-millionbuy), glass break (DEI 506T - $21)
-starter kill AND kill switch (? very cheap)
-hood switch
**~$110 total**

+alarm

Yeah alarm systems can be a pain in the ass to install and to use for that matter.My dad and I installed a bull dog alarm system on my eclipse just recently and that bitch is already messing up.I can beat the hell out of the car and it wont go off but if a piece of pine straw hits it it goes ape shit.It kept shutting on and off even when I hadnt touched any of the remote buttons. I searched and searched to to find out what the hell was wrong with my alarm and I found out that the power cable had a microscopic short in it causing it to do all.Even now it arms itself after I shut the car door.So good luck to all of you installing alarm systems and may it not be such a pain in the ass.

On the topic of pro installed alarms, my brother just went to a shop to get an alarm installed. He paid them like $500+. He ended up with a $250 Hornet with 1/4 mile range:thumbsdow . But when you arm the thing it doens't even lock the doors; it just turns the alarm on. He didn't even get a receipt for the alarm so the warranty is useless. And I really doubt they hid anything when installing it. Basically a total waste of $500.

Yeah alarm systems can be a pain in the ass to install and to use for that matter.My dad and I installed a bull dog alarm system on my eclipse just recently and that bitch is already messing up.I can beat the hell out of the car and it wont go off but if a piece of pine straw hits it it goes ape shit.It kept shutting on and off even when I hadnt touched any of the remote buttons. I searched and searched to to find out what the hell was wrong with my alarm and I found out that the power cable had a microscopic short in it causing it to do all.Even now it arms itself after I shut the car door.So good luck to all of you installing alarm systems and may it not be such a pain in the ass.


Ok, your first mistake was buying a Bulldog. The 2nd was installing it yourself:evillol:

On the topic of pro installed alarms, my brother just went to a shop to get an alarm installed. He paid them like $500+. He ended up with a $250 Hornet with 1/4 mile range:thumbsdow . But when you arm the thing it doens't even lock the doors; it just turns the alarm on. He didn't even get a receipt for the alarm so the warranty is useless. And I really doubt they hid anything when installing it. Basically a total waste of $500.
That sounds like total BS. Why would your brother be that dumb to pay for a Hornet???? It certainly doesn't sound like it was professionally installed or installed at a professional establishment. Most Hornet system only carry a year warranty at best even though they are the exact thing as a 791xv Viper system.

That sounds like total BS. Why would your brother be that dumb to pay for a Hornet???? It certainly doesn't sound like it was professionally installed or installed at a professional establishment. Most Hornet system only carry a year warranty at best even though they are the exact thing as a 791xv Viper system.

It's not bs. I don't think he knew he was getting a Hornet. They said he was getting a 791xv I'm pretty sure. And this particular Hornet isn't the same as the 791; it's only got 1/4 mile range, etc. I think it's one of the lower models. He has gotten robbed by evey shop he's taken his car to. He took his car to a shop to get ti valve springs, retainers, etc, etc, and they charged him over nine grand. And he didn't get his car back from them for like 8 months. Actually the last couple days is the first time I've seen his car in about a year. I think the shops just saw a kid who didn't know too much about cars who's parents were paying for it, and decided to make some $. Seems the norm for the auto business.

well, a 791xv only has an "advertised" range of 1/4mile. In real world settings you'd be lucky to get 800'. I assure you that most of Hornet lines are the exact same brain and controls as a Viper, Sidewinder, Python, Automate, or even Clifford. The only ones that are different are the real low end DIY'r kits. If he has the 2way transponder, it's not a cheap unit but rather the most expensive Hornet on the market. Granted, $500 is a bunch of nickel for a Hornet though.

$9k for a top end rebuild, again, BS unless he's driving something new and with a lot of HP. Most cars that kids drive around here would be considered totalled if you had to dump $9k into it.

$9k for a top end rebuild, again, BS unless he's driving something new and with a lot of HP. Most cars that kids drive around here would be considered totalled if you had to dump $9k into it.

I wasn't talking about the insurance company so it can't be "totalled." He just blew his head gasket and decided to get titanium springs, springs, sleeved block, valve job (don't remember if he did that), etc while the head was off. His car is a '94 Integra and yes is does have a bit of HP--about 350 whp now after a (rough--wastegate too small) tune. It's actually one of the only repectable Hondas I've seen, very clean, fast, and no rice. And please don't say everything I say is bs!:mad:

Why am I always OT...:slap:

He just blew his head gasket and decided to get titanium springs, springs, sleeved block:

That doesn't make sense, so he pulled the motor too? Because you can't sleeve the block when it's in the car....

Not getting on your case, but that's impossible to do that in the car.

That doesn't make sense, so he pulled the motor too? Because you can't sleeve the block when it's in the car....

Not getting on your case, but that's impossible to do that in the car.

Yes they pulled the motor. I'm sure they did some other stuff too. It was a while ago and I don't know every detail but yeah, I think his readline is 9 grand now. :D

Here's a couple pics I took of the Galaxy's "brain." Is it the metal parts sticking out that you're talking about?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/Nayr747/IMG_0846b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/Nayr747/IMG_0847b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/Nayr747/IMG_0848b.jpg

Yep. When you plug the wires into those pins, the tops of the pins will still stick out a little. Since those brains like to melt fuses and themselves for that matter, make sure to mount it away from heater ducts.