Compustar vs. Marksman vs. Ultrastart
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Aurora
Direct Electronics who makes Viper, Clifford, Phython, etc now makes a 2 way remote that interacts with the alarm
http://www.directed.com/security/responder/default.asp
http://www.directed.com/security/responder/default.asp
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Newark
yes - the Viper 554 system - DEI is not marketing the remote on its own yet - you can get the whole system, and i don't know for how much yet cause they haven't released it - should be another couple of weeks.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Burtonsville, MD
Thanks Kwan. I saw that one in SCC and thought, "There's another two way paging alarm. 
There are many choices out there but I'm still looking for some feedback on all of them.
Anyone have the Marksman system installed on their car?? I like the look of that remote - looks droppable.
There are many choices out there but I'm still looking for some feedback on all of them. Anyone have the Marksman system installed on their car?? I like the look of that remote - looks droppable.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: anchorage
The 554 has been released, I have had a beta unit for a little over a month and love it. The just released units will have a better response time for sending intrusion alerts back to the remote.
In comparing to the compustar , in a serious system I would go with the 554 because it has the ability to add on a back up battery. This is more difficult on the compustars because they pull all there power off of one/ lead, this includes remote start power. So you would need a larger battery that has the ability to supply over 30+ amps of current for a backup battery. Without one someone can simply cut you battery power and you system is dead. The dei units pull power for the brain and starting separately so adding a backup battery is very simple. The compustar is going to have better range and is stick shift compatible. The stick shift safety issue can be dealt with a part from Aamp of America the nss switch, and 1/4 mile is more than enough for me. Most alarm/remote start combo units pull power the same way compustars do so I would check out the wiring first.
The other systems I am not really familiar with, I do know a local dealer that sold the ultra start for a couple of months and quickly pulled them from there shelves. I have also heard that they were not FCC legal. They now sell the autopage unit which looks exactly like about 4 other branded units on the market.
In comparing to the compustar , in a serious system I would go with the 554 because it has the ability to add on a back up battery. This is more difficult on the compustars because they pull all there power off of one/ lead, this includes remote start power. So you would need a larger battery that has the ability to supply over 30+ amps of current for a backup battery. Without one someone can simply cut you battery power and you system is dead. The dei units pull power for the brain and starting separately so adding a backup battery is very simple. The compustar is going to have better range and is stick shift compatible. The stick shift safety issue can be dealt with a part from Aamp of America the nss switch, and 1/4 mile is more than enough for me. Most alarm/remote start combo units pull power the same way compustars do so I would check out the wiring first.
The other systems I am not really familiar with, I do know a local dealer that sold the ultra start for a couple of months and quickly pulled them from there shelves. I have also heard that they were not FCC legal. They now sell the autopage unit which looks exactly like about 4 other branded units on the market.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Gresham, OR
Ive had the compustar for a few months now and I love it. the other day I was inside on my computer and my alarm paged me so I went outside and there was the neighbors cat on my trunk!!!! I was so pissed...so i got the hose snuck up on it and soaked it (and my car...but it was worth it ). I have not seen the cat scince . Its normally in the garage but I was just stopping the house so its usually not a problem. That is just one of my success stories with the alarm. Two very enthusiastic thumb up 
). I have not seen the cat scince . Its normally in the garage but I was just stopping the house so its usually not a problem. That is just one of my success stories with the alarm. Two very enthusiastic thumb up
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,820
Likes: 2
From: Gresham, OR
Ive had the compustar for a few months now and I love it. the other day I was inside on my computer and my alarm paged me so I went outside and there was the neighbors cat on my trunk!!!! I was so pissed...so i got the hose snuck up on it and soaked it (and my car...but it was worth it ). I have not seen the cat scince . Its normally in the garage but I was just stopping the house so its usually not a problem. That is just one of my success stories with the alarm. Two very enthusiastic thumb up!
). I have not seen the cat scince . Its normally in the garage but I was just stopping the house so its usually not a problem. That is just one of my success stories with the alarm. Two very enthusiastic thumb up!