remote starter

[prowlerartist]

Does anyone know anything about remote starters. How reliable they are, ease of instalation, cost? I was thinking of getting one.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

first off..what u got m/t or a/t?

[Stock Solara SEV6]

I put one in my girlfriends Camry about 1.5 years ago. It's a Bull Dog brand one I picked up at Sam's. It's a remote starter and also operates the doors. She didn't have keyless entry, so that was another plus to install this. Installation is a bit of a chore because there are a lot of wires to trace down and you have to remove some trim pieces from the kick panels and under the column. The one I got came with a video that helped explain some stuff and you could get wire codes from their website. The starter has worked great and has some pretty good range to it. A few things to keep in mind. You can't use on a manual transmission and if you have a newer car with the "chip" in the key, you will need to order another module.

[Mudd]

Do a quick search. There have been 4 or 5 topics about this in the last couple of months.

[krook]

quick tip: if your key has a fat rubber head to it, or your vehicle is a 2000 + model, you will need a TRANSPONDER BYPASS module. order a DEI 555U or 555X.

sadly though, with the 555U, you will have to sacrifice a spare key as this will go into module.

[Jon11582]

I have a 2000, and mine has a fat rubber head, but I dont have a transponder. My valet key starts my engine, and that doesnt have a fat rubber head. I debating whether to go for a quality unit, like a Viper, or this really freakin cheap install I found through a freind. I dont know what brand it is, but I know it comes with 2 remotes, remote entry, remote start, and trunk release (Ill need a solonoid though to activate it). Any reason I should go for Viper over whatever one the cheap installer is offering?

[krook]

Viper is made by DEI (directed electronics). they are very high quality products and the company boasts a 1% return on their remotes.

remotes are the first thing to go bad on an alarm since you come in contact with it every time you use your alarm. not a bad claim if ya aks me.

go with a Clifford Matrix or a Viper Responder 791X.

[geminimouse]

Got my clifford matrix 3.5 for $200 + $120 install.
Bestbuy sells it for $500 without install

[Jon11582]

Im really leary on the quality because its a whole lot cheaper.

Im talkin 200 installed, and 275 If i wanted an alarm on top of it. I know high qual alarms are alot better, but Im just talkin about the remote start/entry part of it. The guy is not a full time installer, just doing it on the side, but hes done quite a few. (His main business is tint). One of my friends got her stang remote started there about four years ago and she reported "no problems" for the year she had it til she sold the pony. I know when people report no problems, it doesnt always mean theres no problems w/ it tho.

So its basically the remote quality? Is that it as far as the different between the cheapy units and the top of the line ones? Im sure theres got to be other stuff. Wiring issues? Electrical problems?

BTW thats a good price on the Clifford. Private installer? The cheapest I found from a retail store was 325 installed for some Audiovox unit with Alarm/RS/RE

[geminimouse]

Had it for 4months, haven't had a problem with it. The guy I got mine from installs factory alarms for a couple car dealerships, one of them being my bro's work...so that's how I got mine.

[prowlerartist]

the bull dog remote starters are realy cheap, like $50. Is it worth it to buy the better more expensive brands.

[gnaw_divad]

I've had the Viper 790XV for almost 2 years w/ autostarter and it works GREAT, i had to sacrifice a valet key though but its worth it.... the good thing about the viper or the higher end alarms is that if you wanted to add features like the auto windows etc. etc. all you need is another add on moduel and your golden... I actually have an extra VIPER 790XV untouched if you want it.... 220

[gnaw_divad]

... just to clarify.. i had an older model of the VIPER before, since the 790XV hasnt been out for 2 years yet.. but i switched the brain and upgraded so i've had pretty much the same alarm w/ auto starter for 2 years... NO PROBS...

[krook]

Im really leary on the quality because its a whole lot cheaper.

So its basically the remote quality? Is that it as far as the different between the cheapy units and the top of the line ones? Im sure theres got to be other stuff. Wiring issues? Electrical problems?

as with a lot of things price and quality come hand in hand.

no, remotes are not the only difference between one alarm and the next. if something goes wrong with an alarm though it's usually 1 of 2 things: the alarm brain, or the remote. this is under the condition that the install of the alarm is done properly.

if you're having a "wiring issue" or an "electrical problem" it sounds like you may have a crappy installer.

as a customer, 2 things you may want to consider is the number of accessory channels on the alarm (for future upgrades), and the guarantee of the install.

the Clifford Matrix RS 3/3.5 and the Viper 790XV both come with a lifetime warranty on the main unit. paired with their 1% return rate on remotes, i'd say that's a lot of assurance.

[Jon11582]

Im really leary on the quality because its a whole lot cheaper.

So its basically the remote quality? Is that it as far as the different between the cheapy units and the top of the line ones? Im sure theres got to be other stuff. Wiring issues? Electrical problems?

as with a lot of things price and quality come hand in hand.

no, remotes are not the only difference between one alarm and the next. if something goes wrong with an alarm though it's usually 1 of 2 things: the alarm brain, or the remote. this is under the condition that the install of the alarm is done properly.

if you're having a "wiring issue" or an "electrical problem" it sounds like you may have a crappy installer.

as a customer, 2 things you may want to consider is the number of accessory channels on the alarm (for future upgrades), and the guarantee of the install.

the Clifford Matrix RS 3/3.5 and the Viper 790XV both come with a lifetime warranty on the main unit. paired with their 1% return rate on remotes, i'd say that's a lot of assurance.

Check out the paragraph between the two you quoted from me. I know higher priced alarms have major quality differences from cheaper ones, but Im just talking about a RS/RE unit, sans alarm, and I think prowler is too. I dont think they have a brain, do they?