Alarm systems... inform me

[Thor06]

Hey guys, Brian's radar thread got me thinking... I have been looking at getting a security system for a while and now being that I may end up living down here in Minneapolis I definately want one. I'm a calm dude, but there is a handful of things that would make me go fuckin ape shit and one of those is someone breaking into/stealing my car, particularly the Talon.

I should say that I dont know much about them, I do remember reading a couple threads years ago but those are undoubtedly out of date by now. I dont want the best of the best, but I want something that will do the job. I dont know about a price range, but if the difference between me losing my car and keeping it is the difference between a $100 security system and a $500 security system I will eventually shell out for the decent system.

I am thinking that I am going to put one in which ever car I decide to keep... or both if I decide to keep both. So anyway, any suggestions? Reasons why you suggested a particular model would be good too .

[gthompson97]

I wouldn't go with anything but a Compustar or a Viper alarm. They're a bit more on the expensive side, but they have very good review/feedback, rarely cause problems (not working at longer distances, remotes breaking, etc), and they're pretty user friendly. They also have extra input so you can add glass sensors and shit like that.

[Thor06]

Ok... any model in particular you would recommend? I'll check those out...

Of course my primary alarm system is a 12 guage. I am half thinking about putting like a 20 second delay on the horn if possible, I would love to suprise that fucker when he runs away from the car when the alarm goes off with the fat end of a bat, a gun butt, or some good old fashioned mano y mano action. I wont do it though, even if I could figure out how to put on a timer, I am afraid that if I caught them I would kill/severely injur them and get myself in trouble.

[gthompson97]

The model is going to depend more or less on what your price range is, they're all good, so I can't really say which one is better or worse, it's just personal preference and price range.

[TalonEclipseMixGsx]

All I know is my buddy had a viper on his mustang and all you had to do was tap the hood and that thing would go off like nobodys business. Maybe a little bit too sensitive. Hell the exhaust noise from my talon would set it off. I know that damn keyless entry on my gsx gets aggrivating especially when I try to unlock it and I hit the panic button.....Damn technology

[gthompson97]

On the new ones I believe you can set the sensitivity. Depending on how new his was, I think he should have been able to turn the sensitivity of the alarm down.

[david-b]

On all of them you can adjust the sensitivity level. Viper is all I would buy. Although I went cheap and bought a Code Alarm I think it was. Some POS from Circuit City that I got a great deal and installed myself. Thing would go off in the middle of night for no reason. Even when I disconnected the movement thingy it would go off for no reason. Plus those little switches that tell you when the doors are open/close don't work too well. Which is why I want new ones if people would look in the Classified section once in awhile.

[vanilla gorilla]

Originally Posted by TalonEclipseMixGsx

All I know is my buddy had a viper on his mustang and all you had to do was tap the hood and that thing would go off like nobodys business. Maybe a little bit too sensitive. Hell the exhaust noise from my talon would set it off. I know that damn keyless entry on my gsx gets aggrivating especially when I try to unlock it and I hit the panic button.....Damn technology

The sensitivity is adjustable. Viper is good. Its a DEI brand and Directed makes good security. DEI makes other brands too which are probably the same product (just like they do with their car audio). My brother has had a viper alarm for like almost 10 years with out any problems. I think it started acting up once but he took it back to Circuit city (they installed it) and they fixed it for free. One of my good friends owns a car audio and security shop and all he does is DEI security so, yeah its good.
Heres directed's site:
http://www.directed.com/

[bleedEGLblue]

I just got a python security system. It cost me like 250, and it definentely gets the job done. Mine particular model, dont remember what it is, has lock/unlock (obviously) - auto start - and a trunk unlatch. It was reletivily easy to install. All I had to dowas tap into the wire harness and connect a shit load of wires. I like the auto start option, except the box will say do not use with manual cars. If you have a habit of leaving the car in gear when you turn it off this isnt right for you, since the car will jump when you that button. Also I like it because it comed with its own alarm that sounds pretty cool, instead of the horn just honking. Also, when you you lock it it makes an interesting sound and all of the lights flash. It sure does help tho, because when I didnt have it my car was like always unlocked, and now it never is. Plus it come with like 10 features I never user like somekind of velet service mode that will disable the electric start and unlock until you set it back to normal. Pretty sweet for a moderatly easy install and moderatly cheap. It has done me well.

[gthompson97]

Originally Posted by bleedEGLblue

I just got a python security system. It cost me like 250, and it definentely gets the job done. Mine particular model, dont remember what it is, has lock/unlock (obviously) - auto start - and a trunk unlatch. It was reletivily easy to install. All I had to dowas tap into the wire harness and connect a shit load of wires. I like the auto start option, except the box will say do not use with manual cars. If you have a habit of leaving the car in gear when you turn it off this isnt right for you, since the car will jump when you that button. Also I like it because it comed with its own alarm that sounds pretty cool, instead of the horn just honking. Also, when you you lock it it makes an interesting sound and all of the lights flash. It sure does help tho, because when I didnt have it my car was like always unlocked, and now it never is. Plus it come with like 10 features I never user like somekind of velet service mode that will disable the electric start and unlock until you set it back to normal. Pretty sweet for a moderatly easy install and moderatly cheap. It has done me well.

Most alarm/remote starters now adays have either an automatic or a manual version. The manual versions usually come with a clutch switch and some other safety measures to ensure that the car doesn't jump. Did you get this second hand or from online? It's possible you ordered the wrong one. I know Viper and Python are similiar companies, with Viper being the better one, but even so, the Python should have came with those safety features if you did speficy a manual transmission.

[bleedEGLblue]

Lol, well see the deal was that I bought it for my mom for xmas, and kind of fell in love with it. I just went to the store and told them it was an auto, guess I didnt look into the manual at all. But that is good to know from now on so I dont look like a fool again. But it works fine for me knowing that I have never left it in gear when shutting it off, and since I dont let anyone else drive my car its not a problem.

[Sonic Eclipse]

I have a Hornet Alarm installed on the Talon, I guess it's pretty good. It goes off with just about any hit, the only thing I don't like about it is I don't think it's loud enough. It's loud, but I know I've heard louder alarms on other cars.

[l_eclipse_l]

I've read that CompuStar makes really good shit, but can't back that up with personal experience. I know if I were to buy an alarm, it would be CompuStar.

[Blackcrow64]

Ah you beat me to this thread... I was actually trying to decide on an alarm system for the Cobalt too since it lacks from the factory. lol...

I'm gonna be spending so much money on that car, its not even funny...

[defiancy]

I had a viper alarm on my Cobra. That thing is awesome. I think I paid about 350 for it installed. With the nice 5 mile raidus remote and all the bells and whistles.