I did a search on this topic but didn't find much.

I want to protect my new investment. What alarm system should I get? What local installer do you recommend? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

 

I have a Viper 790XV. I also had them add microwave sensor, and I did not go with remote start option.(You have to sacrifice a key they install into the car) I've had very little problem with this system other then when it rains it triggers the warn away sensor on the microwave sensor. But the alarm never goes off. Just chirps during a bad rain storm. The remote is nice since it lets me know if something is going on with the car. But it's all about what you want to protect. Me I wanted to protect car when top was down and I wanted to run into a store. This way I had sensor that let me know if someone was trying to reach in and steal something on seats or dash. I also like and I'm sure this can be changed but there is no passive arming. Which means (if you don't know) the alarm does not arm itself. I have garage and last thing I want is for the alarm to be set off by one of my kids... too loud.

Hope this helps. I'm sure other people have other alarms but I think this one suited me perfectly...

Oh yeah you can read more tech stuff here http://www.viper.com/security/viper/viper_...r_responder.asp

 

Thanks for the info. I like the remote monitor feature and was looking into the Compustar system. One complaint I heard of was that the remote eats up batteries. How long does the batteries in the remote last in your Viper?

 

I think it was down to the last bar on the remote after about a month & 1/2. It only takes one AAA battery. So yeah they do eat up batteries (I guess) but I get batteries at BJ's in bulk so I guess I really didn't mind that. The other cool thing when they wired mine they hooked the AUX up to trunk release. Not sure if most places do that I just know in past when I had Hondas they never hooked trunk release to remote.

 

I think I'm going to go with Compustar. I e-mailed the company and the only local distributer they gave me was CarTrendz in Alexandria. Has anyone ever been here before? Are they any good?

 

My brother got the Compustar for his RSX-S. It has one of the longest ranges for the 2 way communication. I'm pretty sure he bought his at CarTrendz but didn't have it installed there. He also added window modules as a really nice touch so that the engine stayed running until he got out and shut the door, thereby closing the windows automatically.

 

You gotta watch that feature! Yes it's very nice .. if you know it's there. When you take it in for service even if you put on valet if they for whatever reason disconnect battery and the alarm arms .. windows go up.. You get phone call your car is on lift with keys locked in. Happened to me at Honda many times with my old civic.

 

Hmm...never thought about that aspect. Good point.

 

car trenz does a good job, my friend has a rsx, she got it installed there... good stuff...
i donno what her alarm is but it comes iwth a sensor ont he windshield, if you knock on it, it pages her, it works 1.2 miles away... good stuff

 

Well, I'm taking my car into Car Trendz tomorrow (Monday) to have them install the Compustar SS alarm system. I'll let you know how it goes.