after a bit of diagnostic over the weekend (and a bit more to come next weekend), it seem my current security system on the S is failing.
seems to be causing excessive drain on the battery where the battery wont last more than 2-3 days.

ie: sat 6pm > sunday 6pm; 0.3v drop with alarm on. (12.4 down to 12.1)
sunday 6pm > this morning 8am with alarm off = 0v drop (12.1 > 12.1)

I'm going to give it another test with the alarm disabled this upcoming weekend (test it at 12.4v), but it seems pretty conclusive!

fwiw, I have a cobra system, not the Honda one..

so, what sort of security systems are available and for what budget?
I'd like remote start, and remote boot open, but i think those 'luxury' items will be outside of my budget (im expecting £300 area)

Clifford instantly comes to mind...

 

Ask PaulF...he had a new one put in recently

 

Lofty's right, I've recently had one fitted, you have a PM with the details.

FWIW, I think that most folk ignore car alarms if they don't come from thier cars, so getting an all singing all dancing alarm that even makes the tea seems a bit pointless to me. I would get the chepest alarm that meets the insurance criteria and proves to be a little more reliable than the one you currently have.

HTH

 

I recently had a Viper 480xv fitted in Essex, had the choice of that or a Clifford Concept 650. Does what it says on the tin, seems fine. Cost approximately £300 fitted, including removal of the OEM HP alarm. It came with two different button fobs, one with an LCD screen that tells me if anyone is near the car (using the proximity sensor) visually and audibly if I so desire. Started to annoy me a bit and I reckon possibly a bit of a gymick, so I use the plain, smaller key fob. Depending where the car is going to be parked etc though I may use the LCD fob though.

I would steer well clear of remote start personally (the Clifford and Vipers can provide if if wanted), they basically downgrade the alarm from being fully Thatcham approved as you don't have an immobilisor (or PATS, Passive Anti Theft System) any more. The PATS chip is built into the key and the car will not start unless that chip is near the lock barrel. To enable a remote start system to work, apparently the alarm fitter has to install one of your spare keys near the lock barrel somewhere, so that the PATS chip is always present.

Pointless making your car less secure after getting a new alarm! Also gets rid of the possible insurance benefits.

If you need any more info, fire away.