Car Alarm Reccomendations

bdbecker

Adventurer
I did a search and didn't find much so I figured I'd start a thread dedicated specifically to car alarm systems.

Last night, my F150 got broken into at the hotel I was staying at, truck was parked under a light in clear view of the front entrance, and it's a pretty nice hotel in Overland Park, KS. The only things I left laying on the seat was a jacket and a coffee mug - still rockin the OEM tape deck, so no temptation there. According to the police, there were several other F150's of the same era broken into that night in the area, I'd guess they were just tageting that vehicle type because they knew how to get in. The theives didn't get much - just my road side emergency bag that contained a jack, lug wrench, and some work/warning lights, total loss of about $50-$75. All things considered, it could have been a lot worse, they popped the lock with a screwdriver, so at least I won't have to deal with a broken window on my drive home.

Anyway, I started looking at some car alarms and am having trouble deciding what direction to go. I had a noisemaker car alarm on my previous vehicle, and I believe it stopped the potential theives from getting my stereo the last time I was broken into. I didn't really think about equiping my truck because where I live currently, crime really isn't that big of an issue so I don't think I need a hardcore alarm, but if I'm spending the money, I'd consider an igntion bypass this time around. I rarely spend much time in larger cities, and even less often am I staying at a hotel (usually at friends houses). At the same time, I wonder if a noisemaker is even going to be effective - how many times have you heard an alarm without even looking in the direction of the noise?

Comments, suggestions, opinions?

Thanks all!
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
I had Cartoys install an expensive alarm system the day after I drove home my rig.
I would look for one that disables your ignition, and if you have doorlocks, they can tie that into the system where you never have to use your key in the door anymore.

Also my remote has a pager built into good for about one mile of transmitting I believe.
If someone sets off the alarm, the LCD display on the remote shows what zone they dripped.

Lots of good brands out there, I would look at a professional installation from a reputable car stereo shop.

Also a battery backup alarm can be added if they cut your main battery cables, this devise will sense it, and another alarm siren under your hood will go off.
 

bdbecker

Adventurer
So good news, the PD caught the thief and got all my stuff back. I'll guess that I won't be so lucky next time, so the search continues for an alarm system.

Right now I'm leaning towards something like this:

http://www.championwheel.com/lawman-remotecontrolalarmwithbuilt-inmotiondetector.aspx

I just don't like the price for what it is - I think something like that should be $30, not $60. Not too keen on the other systems because I wouldn't be able to use a lot of the features - no power locks or windows, no real desire to have remote start (even though I live in the midwest). Besides, the less I mess with the factory wiring harness, the better off I will be.

I've also been looking at this little setup:

http://www.mastersentryseries.com/starter/index.shtml

So now I'd have two remotes attached to my keychain, but the 2nd system could be pretty useful in helping the vehicle stay put. I guess could just as easily hide a kill switch somewhere, I guess I'll keep weighing out my options. And sure, the first system can be bypassed if the thief knows what he's looking for, but if he's that determined, I don't think any alarm would stop him.
 
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corax

Explorer
At the same time, I wonder if a noisemaker is even going to be effective - how many times have you heard an alarm without even looking in the direction of the noise?

Comments, suggestions, opinions?

Thanks all!

I've been toying with the idea of getting a high decibel, high pitch horn for the interior of the vehicle in addition to the normal exterior siren (using a relay so the driver in the module doesn't burn out). My thought process being: if someone breaks a window or opens a door I want them to get a migraine or be in some kind of pain if they spend more than a few seconds inside.
 

off-roader

Expedition Leader
install it yourself. installers usually butcher the installs with quick taps that end up failing after a few hundred miles of bumpy roads. solder all your connections, etc.

Agreed they can butcher the install. One I had install mine provided a lifetime install warranty so if anything ever failed they would fix it. Never had installation issues except the hood sensor pin/switch broke. They replaced it, with a different style pin, no questions asked.

Also, soldering wiring connections is not a good idea because with the wires moving, it's now become a failure point due to stresses induced by the movement especially off road. Consider all the wiring from the factory is crimped, not soldered and rarely fails. What's recommended is using quality crimp connectors with weather seal heat shrink tubing.

I prefer to use marine grade crimp connectors in combination with additional shrink on tubing myself. I also bundle wires using braided plastic wire loom to prevent water from collecting at a low spot in the loom. Never had electrical issues doing it that way.:smiley_drive:
 

RocKrawler

Supporting Sponsor
I wonder if a noisemaker is even going to be effective - how many times have you heard an alarm without even looking in the direction of the noise?

Comments, suggestions, opinions?

My FJ Cruiser alarm was connected to the Train Horns I had installed on it. I guarantee everyone looks when something that loud goes off because its not the typical car alarm sound, and very fun when people start lingering around it too long or leaning on it & hitting the panic button.
 

Hltoppr

El Gringo Spectacular!
Unless it's an OEM system, I'm not a fan of any alarm system. Ultimately, the aftermarket stuff just ends up causing problems in my experience. I find it much more useful to put a starter/fuel pump/injection pump kill switch somewhere on the vehicle.

If you absolutely have to have a blinking light, a nice LED/resistor/battery pack unit can be made for under $10.

-H-
 
I heard a horror story about a fancy immobilizer system.
A guy bought a BMW X5 in Perth. The dealer said
"sure you can cross rivers" They were in northern
WA and tried to cross one of the many shallow rivers.
Water got on the electronics. The immobilizer kicked in, the
doors locked ,windows rolled and stayed up, brakes locked and of course ignition wouldn't work, It couldn't even be towed
out of the river.

Charlie
 

bdbecker

Adventurer
...If you absolutely have to have a blinking light, a nice LED/resistor/battery pack unit can be made for under $10...

Fords do have the blinking security light on the dash from the factory, at least my '03 and my Dad's '06 both have them. Neither have a real security system though.
 

robert

Expedition Leader
The current generation Tacomas have a blinking light too. You can buy the OEM security system but dang it's complicated looking to install. I need to get something for my truck now that I upgraded the stereo. I'd like an automatic decapitator device that also places the head on a pike in front of the truck, but I haven't found one yet- yes, I hate thieves with a passion.
 

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