hows this alarm sound?

[mechanic021]

is this alarm a good deal? or should I keep looking ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14934&item=5722853298&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

thanks for your time !!
Mike

 

[bmxking5]

I would keep looking for a Viper, Clifford or another really good brand.

 

[mechanic021]

this may sound kinda dumb but why is a more exspsenive brand better other then like ya know its got more features and all but dont they all basicaly do the same as in like let ya know someones messing with your car or their siren goes off and they page you?

 

[bmxking5]

this may sound kinda dumb but why is a more exspsenive brand better other then like ya know its got more features and all but dont they all basicaly do the same as in like let ya know someones messing with your car or their siren goes off and they page you?

I was just naming those b/c I have heard good things about those brands. I didn't even see a brand name on that one from Ebay, and personally if I was going to pay $100, I would want something that I know is good/reliable and I know will last. But I could be totally wrong and that alarm on Ebay could be great. IDK

 

[jnealg]

Not dumb...Your paying for sensitivity and reliability. Cheap components will fail and you may not know it until it's too late. If you have paid thousands for your nice ride why skimp on the $100 for a really nice alarm?
I use a DEI Valet so I can reccomend it. It doesnt page though. That would be a nice feature, but I think the fob would be too big

 

[kontai69]

That eBay alarm seems to be a cheap no name brand (CV9?). Therefore, it's reliability and functionality would be questionable. A safe bet would be to go with an auto security system made by DEI (e.g. Viper, Python, Clifford, Hornet, Avital). Assuming you are comparing alarm systems from a reputable companies, a system's effectiveness is more in the install than anything else. A poorly installed $1000 system with all the bells and whistles is not going to be nearly as effective as a well installed $200 system. Among many other things, a good install involves hiding the alarm brain well and camouflaging all its wiring. I've heard the installers at most retail chains will just zip tie the alarm brain in plain sight underneath the dash. It wouldn't take a genius thief to figure out how to defeat an alarm system installed in that manner.

Here is a thread discussing which alarms are good...
http://forum.sounddomain.com/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=002432

Here is a thread discussing which alarms to stay away from...
http://forum.sounddomain.com/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=002586

Here are some good links offering advice on alarms and car security in general...
http://forum.sounddomain.com/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=001941

http://audioforum.termpro.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=40;t=007929

http://www.directed.com/security/securitysense/article3.asp

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122378

The following link is part PR, but contains good basic info as well...
http://www.prweb.com/prfiles/2004/01/08/97673/RAVELCO_PRWEB_Press_Release_2004.doc

 

[Jason94sport]

All alarms are the same. Nothing but noise makers, IF someone messes with your car. If someone wants to steal your car they will. No alarm can stop them. Get whatever you feel you want to spend. Some of the cheap brands work well. I have a Viper in my X, not so much for the alarm but for the keyless entry & insurance deduction. You can get a brand name installed for under $250 now days.

 

[kontai69]

All alarms are the same. Nothing but noise makers.

This statement is false. Most car alarms are more than just audible/visual deterrents. They almost always include some sort of device to prevent, or at least slow down, a thief from quickly starting the vehicle. These devices include starter and/or fuel pump cut off relays. Even though newer Explorers have a factory PATS system which accomplishes this, these devices provide an additional and non-standard layer of security. And for those who don't have PATS, these devices become much more essential.

Even though it won't make your truck 100% theft-proof, a good auto security system will deter some thieves and definately make it more difficult for any thief to steal your vehicle. And yes, someone could always tow your vehicle away. But one can assume that not every thief out there is an experienced but crooked repo man who drives around in a tow truck/flat bed.
Alarm systems don't really cost alot of money, especially in relation to the total cost people have invested into their vehicles. If you do not have any sort of security system or device, an amateur thief armed with only a few basic hand tools could easily and quietly steal your vehicle in a short time.

Here are some accounts that I've come across in various message boards that describe an alarm thwarting a theft attempt...
http://forum.sounddomain.com/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=003410
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=133678&highlight=alarms
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=128930&highlight=alarms

 

[huskyfan23]

The more expensive brands are better in most cases. You don't buy noname HU's because of the quality. You don't buy noname alarms for the same reason. DEI alarms have a lifetime warranty, make it impossible to codehop, have TONS of programmable options, lots of sensors, and are the most widely used aftermarket alarms.

 

[mechanic021]

I took your advice I am staying away from that ebay alarm I aso figured it up and with the cost of shipping I can get a name brand alarm from a buddy of mine who is a DEI and python plus a few others dealer for only 20 bucks more with a full life time warranty

 

[Laddy]

I would recommend a code alarm. It honks really loud and its not the normal honk it will go like honk honk hooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnk honkhonk hoooonk honk

So people actually look at it where as the other alarms no one really pays attention to them

 

[huskyfan23]

You probably want at least 2 sirens, 1 outside, 1 inside. When you get it installed ask them to hide the brain somewhere in the center of the dash. You want the siren(s) hidden and no wires visible. You should also get the DEI backup battery.

 

[99explorer5.0]

I have had Viper alarms in two other vehicles besides my explorer and have never had any problems, The oldest installation was over 10 years ago.

The one in my explorer has remote start. With fresh batteries i am able to start it from across the parking lot in the comfort of my office in the winter.

 

[huskyfan23]

Not sure if this works with 1-way paging but 2-way paging systems, if you hold the remote to your jaw you get a bigger distance. You're making your whole body an RF antenna this way.

 

[Fish Man]

it sounds like this: woo woo woo woo woo!

 

[goobenet]

Unfortunately DEI/Viper/Clifford doesn't honor internet sales, and i think they don't like "untrained installs". Meaning that if you haven't taken their multiple question test, and gotten their piece of paper, they probably won't warranty anything unless you buy it and have it installed at ultimate electronics/best buy/etc.

SSSSSOOOOOOOOO.....

What this means, why pay for a high quality viper on the internet, when it's just as worthless as the VAMPIRE no-name alarm? I mean, both have fangs right?

 

[huskyfan23]

The internet dealers usually warranty it though. You send them the brain and they handle it from there (at least the one I worked with). It's not hard to install, but best to get it installed if you don't know what you're doing.

 

[mechanic021]

im gonna be doing the install myself, I installed an alarm and remote start in my old 94 explorer but this one will be going into my 98 blazer sport. Its a black widow brand with remote start and 2 way paging with the lcd remote and what not