Alarm HELP!!

[tommy303]

I need an aftermarket alarm for my car. After doing just a few minutes worth of research on directed.com I've found that a couple of different companies are making alarms with the "responder", a remote paging system that lets you know when your alarm is going off.

Clifford's is called the Matrix RS3, Viper's is called the 790XV, and Python's is the 880XP. All three use the same remote.

Is there an alarm expert in the house??

Are these alarms even worthwhile, or is there something better? I'm interested in the paging feature, (so I can "greet" any prospective thieves before they get my car).

TIA!!

[BluByU]

I'd go with the Alpine system. Bedlam can answer any questions, and so can Forum. They both have the pagers for theirs. I have the pager for my Viper and it works pretty good, but for some reason, DEI alarms (viper/python) like to suddenly not work. Alpine seems to be the trusted brand nowadays.

[BluByU]

Oh yeah, last time I heard Clifford is manufactured under DEI.

[Bedlam]

Originally posted by BluByU
Oh yeah, last time I heard Clifford is manufactured under DEI.

Yeah..they pretty much have their claws into everything these days. Bastids! :)

-Bedlam

[Kwando]

I have never had a problem with the four DEI alarms i had in the past. I think it depends on the installer.

I currently have the responder installed and I am satisified with it. Range isn't the best, but it's good enough. Don't expect to be in the mall or at the movies and know when your alarm is going off.

Good thing about a two way system (different than a pager) is you know the status of alarm. Many times with my older DEI non 2-way systems is I forget if I have armed my car or not. So i have to run out to find out it's already been armed.

With the 2-way system you can look at your keypad and find out if your have armed your system. Also you know what sensors have been activiated. if you have remote start you know that your car is running, etc.

I recommend the 2-way systems by DEI, but there are other companies out there that also offer similar products. i.e. compustart, excalibar, i think alpine also has one.

again you can go with the best and most expensive system but if the install did a hack job what good is it. find a good system and even a better installer that will show you the features, how to adjust everything, etc. you don't want to have to bring the car in every other weekend.

[gjcivic]

Originally posted by Kwando
I have never had a problem with the four DEI alarms i had in the past. I think it depends on the installer.


again you can go with the best and most expensive system but if the install did a hack job what good is it. find a good system and even a better installer that will show you the features, how to adjust everything, etc. you don't want to have to bring the car in every other weekend.

speak on brother Kwando...speak on...

[tommy303]

WOW!!

4 message boards, no response until now.

THANX for all of the info!!

Now, can anyone recommend an install shop/person in the Aurora area?

Also, I didn't know that Alpine had a paging-type alarm---I'll look into that.

Finally, are there any other options that I should look for when purchasing an alarm?

[Kwando]

Originally posted by tommy303
WOW!!

4 message boards, no response until now.

THANX for all of the info!!

Now, can anyone recommend an install shop/person in the Aurora area?

Also, I didn't know that Alpine had a paging-type alarm---I'll look into that.

Finally, are there any other options that I should look for when purchasing an alarm?

I got my current alarm installed at soundtrack at park meadows. Ask for a guy named Mike to do the install.

Get a battery backup and siren combo. They can cut all the wires to the unit and the siren will continue to scream. Cool features are windows up/down and since I have a convertable i have a promixity sensor so when someone reaches inside of the car it goes off.

you can make the alarm do anything you want. i have seen some turn on radios, open doors (shaved door handles), purge nitrous, etc. ask the installer and he can do anything.

[Toyz51]

Alpine alarms are pretty good for the money, but I am not a huge fan of them. I do really like the new DEI responder alarms (all three are exactly the same thing just different boxes that they come in.) Clifford is now owned by DEI, but the Concept and Intelligard are still the same old Clifford stuff. The matrix line and the new G5 Clifford are Directed products, though. I have a G4 Clifford in my car and have installed many of them and are definitly my favorite alarms. I also like the fact that the remote starter can safely be used on a manual transmission.