Sometime during the spring or early summer I want to purchase a better alarm system than the stock car alarm. Nothing too hardcore (at least for now) but something decent with a two way pager and a proximity sensor so it chirps/goes off if someone is near it or the car is being tampered with. Anyone have any suggestions and experience with any alarms with those?

If so, a name, estimated price, and a good place to purchase it would help a lot.

 

clifford or viper.

the quality of the alarm will be highly dependent on the skills of your installer.

prices vary between 250 - 450, according to cliffords website, higher msrp for alarms with remote starts.

keep in mind that 2 way systems have limited range, if you're in a shopping mall and the car is tampered with, it's highly unlikely the paging system will reach you. most of the quoted distances assume unobstructed line of sights

 

Basically the more range it has, the better. I don't think I'll need a remote start since I have a stick shift and sometimes park in gear due to hills. How sensitive are these alarm systems btw? As in, how easy is it for the alarm to go off? By taps, scratches, cuts, bumping into it if its installed well?

 

Get the viper with text service. So even if the key fob is out of range, as long as there's a cellular connection, provided your service provider has good signal, you will get a text message if your alarm goes off.

 

Nice! Are there specific Viper models that offers this service? Also, does it cost anything and how much for the text service?

 

the sensitivity is adjustable. the higher end models will offer the text service. dont forget you will also need to pay the installation fee on top of the alarm price. I have a viper with 2 way paging, tilt sensor, and proximity sensor that cost about $500 installed

 

Ok thanks a lot. I'll look more into Viper alarms and see what I can find.

 

I don't remember which model I have but since this service is new along with the smart remote start, I simply purchased the add-on. Luckily what I had was not too old to take this add-on. You don't need the smart start so just buy the entry level. The key-fobs that has one way or two way or even differentiated by distance is pointless if you go with the text messaging service. It works well as when my car is at the shop and I'm at work, I know when they work on my car as my alarm triggers. Even when I'm at least 30miles away. I don't remember the annual charge but it's not significant. I do remember paying for 3 years service with a discount.

 

Compustar...

http://www.compustar.com/

 

Viper and Clifford are the same, both are DEI. SST technology is going to give you the best range. If you need more the text service is exactly what you are looking for. I'm a certified installer, too bad you don't live close I'd give ya a hand.