Thread: Car alarms....advice requested.

lojack, if you are serious about security

I have nothing but a DEI made alarm for the last 13 years. I have had several different units because of time working in car audio. I will agree if some wants it bad enough they will still steal it. I would recommend two micro piezo sirens mounted under the dash on both sides of the car. This will prevent most from getting past the alarm if they have the balls to enter the car.

Shawn, I'm no expert in this area... so take this with a grain of salt, but from what I've read over the years the quality of the install matters just as much (if not more) than the product itself. Since most of the (once independent) Alarm brands were bought up by DEI, they're all basically the same now except for the features offered from model to model. IE, very little difference in the actual product between a Clifford or Viper. That didn't used to be the case...

My advice is to find out who in your area does a really nice install job. Pick the alarm that has the features and warranty you want from the product lines they offer. (For example, I like Viper's key fobs more than Python's even though you can buy essentially the same system). I would think with all the custom work that you've had done, that the shops you've dealt with might be able to recommend someone to you. Someone that they've had other customers have good experiences with. Who ever you decide on, ask for references and actually check up on them. If the company balks at that… go find a better company to deal with. Quality companies show off their success, they don’t hide from it.

I like Clifford and Viper... Compustar is NOT made by DEI and is considered a top notch product as well. That's a plus in my book. However, I don't like their remotes as much and the last time I looked at them, they were more expensive and you had fewer dealers to choose from. So take that for what it's worth to you.

Lojack can be a good product... but that largely depends on several factors - among them, how well it was installed (hidden), how professional the car thieves are, did they take your car into an underground garage to strip it (won't work underground supposedly), and perhaps the biggest... does the local police force where your car is stolen actively patrol for stolen cars and search for Lojack signals. You might want to give your locals a call and ask them. Tell them what you’re considering purchasing and see if they offer any advice. Finally, another important distinction... Lojack is a recovery product, not a preventative product. It's not going to deter your car from being stolen... at best, it'll help you recover it.

Car covers are also a nice deterrent as it adds one more layer of PITA to taking your car… but like I said in my last post in the build thread, you’ve got to stay on top of the car care with a very durable product system like Zaino or Klasse – otherwise a car cover can scratch that beautiful paintjob of yours up.

A final method to slow a thief down can be removing your ECU (though this is a bit hard with the stock location on a B13). You might want to consider relocating the ECU when you decide what engine work you’re going to do… even if that’s down the road a bit.

As has been mentioned, if a pro wants your car, they're going to get it. They'll probably just bring a flat bed and take it very quickly. A removable steering wheel (one with a column cover lock is even better) is one of the best deterrents IMHO.... but you've got to know how to properly use it.

(Tip, this also works without a removable steering wheel if you’re not uber-cool like Shawn is ).

Let’s see if I can explain this properly. When you park the car, pull your car forwards into the spot (as opposed to backing in) as far forward as you can comfortably go… and once stopped, crank the wheel all the way over until your tires are pointed as far as they’ll go to one side. Park and leave the car in neutral (for good measure) with e-brake fully engaged if you are on fairly level ground. Now, if someone tries to tow you out from your parking spot backwards, your front tires are going to swing your car to the side making it much more difficult. If there is another car or object on that side, your car will hit that car/object and be prevented from being pulled backwards farther. Now, it is possible to defeat this security measure, but it’s a PITA and takes a lot longer than just pulling your car straight back and out of the spot. This method of security can be made even more effective (much more really) if you have the ability to park two cars. If you do, try to park them as close as you reasonably can together and make sure that you point the wheels in opposite directions from each other so that if either one were towed backwards that the two cars would collide. *** WARNING *** : MAKE SURE YOU STRAIGTEN YOUR CAR OUT BEFORE BACKING OUT OF YOUR SPOT! It’s all too easy to forget. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.

BTW, I want a ride someday Shawn! The car is looking fantastic!!

First off I was an installer at a local shop for about 3 years and continue to do it here and there. I have done lots of alarms and remote starts as well as all the stereo stuff.

One thing you want to look at is if the system is FM. FM has the best range and is less susceptible to interference. Unless you live in the sticks and no where near civilization there will be other frequencies in the air that can cut down your range.

Personally i use Compustar for my alarms, i have had great luck and the best range that i know of out of the other products i have used. I dont like DEI but i have not used one of their products in awhile. DEI is the Honda of alarms. Everyone likes them and really do not know why.

Options, this is the area where you are going to get the most protection. The starter kill that comes with the alarms are so easily bypassed that it really does not slow anyone who knows what they are doing. Get a battery back up siren that is hidden in a fender or somewhere not easily accessible. What it does is that if the battery is disconnected or the wire for the back up siren is cut it will continue to go off for quite a while. A proximity sensor is another one i like. You can set it to where if someone walks by the car it will not go off, but if they look in the windows or get really close to the car it will warn them by beeping. Then if the window plane is broken it will trip the alarm. This is nice if you leave your windows down or if you have a sunroof. Be careful if you park in a busy area as this may get falsely tripped. Another great accessory is the glass break sensor. This will trip if any glass is broken which usually is the first step in stealing a car. The tilt sensor can be useful if you do not want your wheels to be stolen. Every time you turn the car off it sets that as its zero point. If the car is moved too much after that point it will trip the alarm.

The most important part of an alarm is the installation. I do not trust anyone else to install my alarms simply because they dont pay enough attention on the standard install. If you go to a good shop they will do a pretty good job of hiding things and making sure most of the stuff is out of view. But they will not go that extra mile without it being discussed ahead of time. Do not go to Bestbuy or some other chain store to get the alarm installed. Go to a professional shop that has been around for awhile and has a good reputation. Ask them how they install the alarm and what options they recommend. What you are getting at a good shop is a better way of installing things like soldering connections, taping wires together, and hiding things better.

All in all, do your homework. Find out what options you want and what your shop recommends. Make sure you are comfortable with the shop you are working with and satisfied by the way they do things.

Holy crap! You guys kick ass! General thank you for all the information.

Individual replies tomorrow. I am swamped.

Shawn - I've also heard that CompuStar has the best range.

Squirlz - As an CompuStar system owner, what do you think of the remotes? I've never owned a system by CompuStar in part because I always found their remotes to be overly busy on the display and not as ergonomic as those offered by the DEI companies. With the newer DEI ones you can supposedly simplify and turn off the display of functions on the LCD that you don't use. That's an attractive feature to me. I wish CompuStar would release a new and updated remote design.

Shawn,

What's the latest on your Trek into Car security? Have you made a decision?

That is included.


A GPS tracking system is next.


Done. A piezo under each side of the dash. Unbearably loud little bastards.

The installer had them on his own vehicle as well.


Sal recommended Stereo FX here in Houston.

The install is top-notch and has been looked over by my mechanic Mike.

It is a Compustar system. Motion sensor, shock sensor, tilt sensor, and the extra piezo's under the dash. Remote start included, why I need this particular feature, I have no idea. The remote control is good for...over a mile. I'll get the model number by next week. The car is currently at Mike's, getting a few minor items sorted out and adressed.



Done, done, done...etc...and done.

Compustar. Already installed. All the features you mention.


Compustar it is.

See above.

It was installed on...Tuesday when I got home. Tint and the Compustar alarm at the same time. Sal recommened the shop, just like he did Galaxy Auto Upholstery. I am very, very pleased.

told ya shawn those little sirens are nasty. thats why they are known as pain generators

What model compustar did you end up going with? I did a quick scan and didn't see it. Thanks Shawn!