Thread: Car alarms....advice requested.

I have already purchased a Tekniq Autosports quick release locking hub for my new Momo Tuner steering wheel. Therefore, security step one is my wheel is going with me into work or into the house.

My next security step is that I am going to have an alarm professionally installed. If someone steals my vehicle, I want them to have to steal a tow-truck first.

I know less than nothing about alarms. Nor are there any threads on alarms except how to wire one up.

* What does an excellent alarm cost, installed by pros? Ballpark me a budget.

* What are all the components that comprise an excellent alarm system? Do they include redundant or multiple features that the theif has to defeat?

* Are there cheesy short-cuts that sh*tty installers utilize, versus doing it the correct way?

* Are there specific name-brands that are vastly superior to others?

* Are there brands and/or products to avoid at all costs? Usually popular, well marketed crap that in reality sucks.

* Are there specific websites that may have reviews, further information on alarms, or a write-up that gives the average consumer an understandable overview of alarms?

That is all I can think of, am I even asking all the right questions?

Thank you for any clarification, illumination, or ed-ja-ma-kashun.

Shawn B

yeah man.,. you want the best? go here

Viper - Car Alarms | Remote Starters | Vehicle Security | Keyless Entry | Interface Modules | Accessories | Transmitters | Remote Start

they have all levels of price and protection...,, a basic security will run you anywhere from 199 to 299 installed , tax and OTD,,,depending on shop and location, and you'll get all the features you could ask for.

350HV is the one I have.,., simple, effective and affordable ! . . this unit comes with a lifetime warranty on the brain for as long as the original purchaser owns it..,. doesn't matter if it's been installed in multiple cars as long as it was done professionally..,

BEST thing about Viper is if you have full coverage on your vehicle and have a Viper installed by an authorized dealer then anything inside is cover if stolen!! ,, you would not believe how many systems or just radios we have warrantied because of theft.,. with NO out of pocket from customers.,, all they had to have was a receipt,..


as for other brands,, well it's all about the warranties and protection to me, alot of auto security brand names keep changing hands (selling out)or just going out of business... Viper has been the one of the best and is still made by the original owner as we all know them as DEI aka Directed electronics incoorerated..,,

Now Shawn I know you like to shop around to try and get your best bang for the buck,., and if the Viper is not in your likings,, then simply look at some of there lower end security systems, like Python, Boa, and the Hornet.,, these are good units and they are made by the same company (DEI) ,., the down fall is theres a limited warranty on the brain..

Hope that helped.

DEI: Directed Electronics - Security & Remote Start | Home Theater | Satellite Radio | Car Audio & Video
Code Alarm (AudioVox): http://webappshttp.voxdmz.audiovox.com:1025/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/index.jsp

I got the top of the line Clifford G5 and i love it. You cant steal the car UNLESS you have a towtruck.

You need to put a code into the car (via a keypad) or the alarm will start blazing and shutdown the motor once the car moves a foot.

nice Tekkie

compustar alarms/remote starts are top notch. 2way pagers 5 mile range, tons of features. Welcome to Compustar.com by Firstech LLC.

DEI FTW
I have had Viper(DEI), codealarm,alpine,and clifford over the years.
All served me well.
I prefer a dual stage shock,as well as a interior motion for leaving my windows down/ttops out.My last Viper could bypass zones independently from the remote.
Nice for disabling the shock sensor....example,longterm parking in a garage that may set off falses.

If someone wants to steal a car bad enough they are going to do it. i have a clifford alarm with a 2 way pager. if you watch "what would you do" you know people just walk by stuff that is happening and dont do ****. i also have the lojack ewrs (early warning recovery system) it will help you recover your car quickly by sending out a radio signal to the cop cars radios that are always searching for that signal. and it will also alert you via email or text if your car gets moved without your permission. me and a buddy tried it out. i got him to get in my car and he didnt make it 20 feet (i kid you not) before i got a text alerting me my car was being moved. it can get annoying if you forget to put in the chip because youre in a rush or something and it keeps alerting you through text when you are driving the car. but i can deal with it.

there was a period here in south florida where b14 and b13s were being stolen left and right so it makes me feel a bit safer now. i had my se-r stock wheels stolen off my 1st b14 about 2 years ago. its expensive but well worth it. thanks to some lady running a stop sign and tboning me in my first b14 i could afford it lol. i still sleep by a window overlooking my car. i even lose sleep some nights. once something gets stolen from you it will be really hard getting over the paranoia. you can never be too safe. thieves are shady little bitches.

sorry for the cluttered reply. im replying from my phone.

I do typically like the "best bang for the buck." I can't argue there.

However, I purchased the Tekniq Autosports quick release wheel hub adapter with lock-out. Expensive, but even if the theif has another identical model Tekniq wheel adapter, it is not exactly identical. Every one is unique and even if they took the time and defeated the lock, they still could not attach their Tekniq-equipped wheel.

The alarm protecting my baby is going to be first-rate, a top quality brand, and correctly and professionally installed. Just like the Tekniq unit, this is a security issue, and I damn sure do not want someone stealing my ride.




Thank you sir for all the information. Damn that was thorough.

And I don't know why I keep forgetting about "How Stuff Works." Doh.


That Clifford is a DEI product. According to the web-site posted by Tekkie.

And that is exactly what I am going for, no one stealing my vehicle without being a determined professional with a tow-truck.

I just want to make it as difficult as possible. Serious alarm, no steering wheel, locked out hub.

"Go find an easier target Mr. Average Scumbag Thief."


I shall explore that link further, thank you.


Awesome information.

Seems that DEI company makes products which make happy customers.


I just want to limit the possible thieves to serious professionals with a tow-truck.

I realize that if a dedicated professional car-thief wants your vehicle bad enough, he'll literally steal a two-truck first. And you are screwed.


Interesting features, especially that Lojack EWRS.

And yet another DEI product and happy car owner.

Thank you gentlemen for the education, links, and generally useful feedback and information. I have a great start here on getting a pretty serious clue. I hate shopping for anything and having to rely on a possibly sketchy salesperson. Nor did I even know enough to begin searching via Google etc...my ignorance was complete. I did not have so much as half a clue. This will be my first car alarm ever. ......

I'll let you know what I get, right at this moment I know it will be a DEI product. I gotta go back through those links in depth.

I was looking at the Viper page yesterday and you can get an accessory on your viper alarm that has a tilt sensor. So even if they have a tow truck the alarm will still go off, at least alerting you.