Good Car Alarms

by ryan2
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Im starting a new topic from my Thieves thread so it gets more attention, and will most likely help out other members looking into alarms.

Im looking into some 2 way pager alarms. My local dealer has some they are Astro (i believe thats what he said) and DEI/Python . I can get the Astro installed for $425 and the Python for $390. He said the only difference is that the astro has a longer range. Are these good prices and is the Astro any good since ive never heard of that brand?


Also i had this dealer install my old DEI alarm and i was the one that took it out of my car. How should the wires be connected?
To connect the wires they took part of the instalation off the factory wire and put the wire for the alarm in the middle of the strands of wire that they just exposed and twisted the alarm wire around it.

I assume theres a better method.

Here is lessismorespl response in other thread
"I'm not familar w/ the Astro, I do know the Python is made by DEI, the same manufacturer that makes Viper, Valet, Prestige, etc...$390 is a fair price for an alarm w/ 2-way pager, provided it has the motion, glass, and trunk sensors, as well as keyless entry.
It sounds to me as though they did not take there time in installing the alarm, that seems like a quick fix for a few extra bucks, so most likely you are no better than before. Look over the instalation and maybe even go to another shop to get an opinion from them. In most cases you can talk to an installer and he will not be biased, most certified installers will be willing to give you an honest opinion....I know I do, even if the shop manger gets mad at me......I could care less about being fired b/c I have been doing this so long any other shop would hire me in a hot second....
less "

Looking for more opinions and input. Thanks For your help and support guys.


Replies (20)
lessismorespl on 06/14/2005 19:28:10
IMO, the Viper is a good deal, you get all the basics:

Clone-Safe® Code-Hopping®
On-board Door Lock Relays
Parking Light Flash
Failsafe® Starter Kill - On-board Relay
Remote Adjustable On-board Stinger® DoubleGuard® Shock Sensor
and you can usually talk your way into a few extra perks, like I have the glass sensors(some alarms will just set off a warning beep if the glass is shattered efficiently, w/ the glass sensors it will go off if some-one just taps the windows) and I have the trunk sensor which is a mercury switch so when the trunk is tilted it set off the alarm, and I used an extra mercury sensor for the hood, also, this is all installed in a manor which is virtually impossible to disarm.....(nothing is impossible when it comes to alarms). I paid $263.70 total for my alarm, you can figure in about $60 more for installation b/c I installed this one myself and that is about the going rate for an alarm install. I did some research, could not find anything on Astro. The Python would be a good choice, i'm sure they will throw in a trunk sensor and maybe even the glass sensor, depends on how much they want your business. I believe the Python has the same warranty as the Viper which is lifetime, this includes installation.


cplkittle on 06/16/2005 16:02:02
not a big fan of viper alarms. For some reason my ad in the yellow pages says "if you have problems with a DEI alarm, flock to us in masses"
I prefer ultrastart or compustar. Compustar has a range of 1.25 miles on their high dollar model ($800+) However, Scosche has an identical alarm for around $500.


ryan2 on 06/19/2005 00:58:48
Hey guys I just bought a Compustar 2WSS-AS alarm off ebay from a guy who is an authorized dealer. So if i have problems i have to go through him since its an online purchase. This alarm is Compustars top of the line it looks like.
FEATURES
Up to 6000 feet of Range
Basic Remote Features
Two-way paging remote
Vibration and audible notification
Run-time indicator
Turbo Timer
CompuGlow backlight
Multi-color LCD (liquid crystal display)
Shock sensor on/off through remote
Timer start mode
Passive mode on/off through remote
Valet mode on/off through remote
Uses standard AA 1.5 volt battery
2002 Innovation Award Winner
Basic Alarm/Start Features
Includes dual stage shock sensor
RPS (remote paging system)
External Siren (six-tone)
Super bright blue LED
2-auxillary outputs
Dedicated trunk output
Horn honk output
Includes anti-grind and starter-kill relay
Driver's priority unlock
Ignition controlled door locks
Trunk output
Remote start
Manual transmission compatible

I got it for $270 shipped. Hes including a wiring diagram of my car and im getting a glass sensor for $35. I will also be getting a hood lock for my car. So im going to try and install it myself. It cant be too difficult if i have the installation guide and wiring for my car. What do you guys think?

lessismorespl on 06/19/2005 10:20:39
That is a steal! However, Compustar does not have any authorized online dealers, they are very strict about that. We sell that alarm for $599.99 installed w/ full lifetime warranty on the alarm and installation. I had to take 2 6 hour courses to be authorized to install their remote starts and alarms.
The alarm you mention sounds like the 2WSS-A which is Compustar's top-of-the-line alarms. Compustar has one of the best alarms on the market, and their remote starts are the best out there also. We carry the remote starts, but not the alarms b/c of the price.
Installation is a little more complicated on these models, when compared to alarms like Bulldog, Code-Alarm, Prestige, etc...
If installed properly this is a great alarm, and you really do not need the glass sensor w/ this model b/c it is very delicate, just lightly tapping the windows will set it off, even just popping the hood will set it off. It is a very good purchase. I would consider having some-one trained professionally w/ Compustar alarms install it, b/c like I said, it somewhat more complex than traditional alarms.
less

cplkittle on 06/19/2005 23:45:56


ryan2 on 06/20/2005 09:51:12
Im gonna talk to my local shop you carrys Compustar to see how much they will install it for. I already told him about how my alarm was installed last time, so he said he would personally make sure it was connected securly.
Less,
You said you did your alarm yourself and you said you know its very secure, what did you use to make your connections? Butt connectors? Im asking because i want to see what my shop would be using compared to your secure install. Thanks

ryan2 on 06/20/2005 09:54:48
Im gonna talk to my local shop you carrys Compustar to see how much they will install it for. I already told him about how my alarm was installed last time, so he said he would personally make sure it was connected securly.
Less,
You said you did your alarm yourself and you said you know its very secure, what did you use to make your connections? Butt connectors? Im asking because i want to see what my shop would be using compared to your secure install. Thanks

lessismorespl on 06/20/2005 17:06:31
I did not use butt connectors, I used solder, however, what makes it more secure is where it is installed, also, how I ran the wire.

I prefer ring terminals on the grounds and major connections to the starter, other factory components. I soldered my trunk sensor to the trunk switch relay, most installer connect them to the trunk light, and I opted not to use the Valet switch under the dash.

You did the right thing in talking to the people at the shop. A shop can have a great rep, but have a few installers that rush things, which is where most mistakes are made.
less

ryan2 on 06/20/2005 19:21:52
Thanks for the info. Less. I called the shop today to see what the price would be for the install and the guy said $250 -300. Does that seem right for this alarm? Because thats alot of money to dish out to install an alarm. Also he mentioned i would need a bypass something which is $50. What would this be for? Remote start? If so i can pass that up since im not to worried if i have remote start or not.

lessismorespl on 06/20/2005 20:15:27
That is way too much to install an alarm. Granted, the alarm you have has some extra work involved, it is probably a 2-3 hour job, I would say $100-$150 for that particular install, and that would be doing it right. If I was you, I would shop around a little. Some people may disageee w/ me, but I feel that is way too much! IMO, they are taking advantage of you on that one!
less

ttocs on 06/21/2005 02:54:21
$200 absolutly tops......

Ask if they have an hourly rate? Most shops do and rates can vary but it should not be more then a few hours to put in. Most shops do not like to deal with alarms they do not carry. It can be hard with out tech support or a company to work with.....

ryan2 on 06/21/2005 17:06:46
Well i think im just goin to do it myself because theres only 2 shops where i live. The one i like to deal with is giving me the outrageous qoute for the install. $400 including the relays and bypass thing. And the other i will not give my nomey to because everytime i walk in there they talk to me like im a moron when actually they are because i ask a simple question and they have no clue what im talking about. Ex. like a back up battery for the alarm. So im not going to have them touch my car. My last resort is to call Best Buy and see if they will do it.

So if i decide to do it myself will you guys help. I dont care if it takes me a week to finish it. I want it done right and securly. I'll have the installation manual and wiring diagram for my car. Will i need to buy relays and this bypass for my car? Thanks

ttocs on 06/21/2005 20:17:40
what kind of car?

An alarm normally isn't something that you can do in bits and pieces, at least with the car running in between....

ryan2 on 06/22/2005 00:22:15
Well if it takes me from 8am -12pm i'll do it. It will be going in a 2004 Chevy Cavalier LS Sport Coupe

ttocs on 06/22/2005 09:16:16
I am not too familiar with the '04s, but I don't imagine they are too hard or different from the old ones.

lessismorespl on 06/22/2005 14:51:18
There is not much difference at all. For that alarm, it is about a 2 hour install, give or take 10-15 minutes. It is definately not a $250-$300 job, in fact, Cavs and Sunfires are pretty easy compared to the GP's and GA's. If you take your time and follow everything w/ strict detail, and double check your wiring, it may take you 3 hours tops. Definately don't pay what that shop was asking!
less

ryan2 on 06/22/2005 21:39:01
Alright thanks. Will I have to buy this bypass thing that my shop was talking about something to with the power windows and locks i think he said. Also he mentioned something about some relays?


Thanks again guys for all the help and advice.


ryan2 on 06/29/2005 19:11:54
Ok i finally got my alarm today and i've been matching up my wiring connections from my alarm to car wiring. Now i have some wires that i have no idea to what wire to connect them to in my car. Can you guys help me out. Ill tell you the wire from the alarm and what its used for if you guys can tell me what wires to connect them to my car. In my next post i'll paste the wiring diagram for my car.

yellow/black wire from main wiring harness thats coming out of the starter kill relay

black wire from (- )status output (says This comes in 1sec. before ignition on and continues until 1sec. after ignition off

white/black wire from( - )2nd accessory output

violet/black( - )trunk trigger input aka trunk sensing(connect to - trunck/hatch pin or - trunck/hatch release?)

red/white( -)door trigger input

red (+ )door trigger input (not use this one?)

violet/white (-) trunk ouput aka trunk unlock

orange/black (-)2nd pulse unlock aka 2nd unlock output (says use this wire and isolate drivers door actuator from rest of doors. how do i do this and where is the actuator? is it the door trigger thing using the diodes?)

blue( - )unlock output (+power unlock or 5wi unlock motor?)

blue/black (- )lock output (+ power lock or 5wi lock motor?)

orange (-)rearm output

orange/white (-)disarm output

violet( -)dome light output (says automatic transmission only. dome light is turned on for 1min after unlock. I have a manual does that mean dont hook it up?)

(-)Aux 1 and (-)Aux 2 (do i just leave alone)




Thanks


ryan2 on 06/29/2005 19:26:28
12volts red (x2)(common 50A) + ignition harness

Starter yellow + ignition harness
Ignition pink + ignition harness
Accessory orange + ignition harness
Second Accessory brown + ignition harness
Keysense lt. green - ign harn or BCM, brown plug, pin B12

Power Lock lt. blue + BCM, purple plug, pin A4
Power Unlock white + BCM, purple plug, pin A3
Lock Motor gray 5wi driver kick or door lock relay
Unlock Motor tan 5wi BCM, purple plug, pin A6
Parking Lights+ brown + BCM, blue plug, pin A1
Hazards same as turn signal wires
Turn Signal(L) lt. blue (F), yellow (R) + turn signal switch
Turn Signal(R) dk. blue (F), dk. green (R) + turn signal switch
Reverse Light lt. green + driver kick, harness to rear
Door Trigger lt. green/black and lt. blue - BCM, purple plug,
pins A7 and A8

Dome Supervision white - BCM, brown plug, pin A1
Trunk/Hatch Pin orange/black - BCM, blue plug, pin A4
Trunk/Hatch Release black/white - BCM, blue plug, pin B4
Disarm No Unlock with ignition and Passlock
Tachometer white or orange ac Ignition Control
Module

Brake Wire white + brake pedal switch

Parking Brake lt. blue - BCM, blue plug, pin B2

Horn Trigger black - BCM, brown plug, pin B7

MAKE : CHEVROLET

ryan2 on 06/29/2005 19:57:08
I installed my alarm yesterday in about 5 hours with breaks in between but have wires all over and not hiding very well. I will finsh that up later since i was on vacation and not at home. So i will be soldering the connections and cutting the wires to an appropriate length so its a stealth install.
I just have a few questions with my door locks. I havent hooked them up yet but everything else is working fine.

I DO have factory keyless entry. So all i need to to is hook the [power lock lt.blue(car wire), to blue + lock output (alarm wire) and power unlock white(car wire), to blue/black -lock output(alarm wire)]? Blue doubles as a -unlock output and blue/black doubles as a +unlock output (info. from alarm wiring installation manual).

Also I have a question on the Orange/black (drivers door proirity unlock) wire from the alarm. I was told i would need convert this wire with a relay? So do i convert the polarity? If so which way - to + or + to -. Also does this wire connect to the my Unlock motor (tan) from my car? Thanks






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