The next thing in auto alarms?

[lukasbmw]

So I'm ready to splurge and drop $270 on a compustar top of the line alarm. The thing does everything possible and does it well.

However, I can't help but wonder about the next developments in the industry. I understand Clifford has an alarm coming out that will be Windows XP compatible. I also see the new Lexus and Mercedes cars have credit card sized keys that you never need to take out of your pocket. Simply walk to your car and it disarms. Walk away and it arms. To turn on the car you just turn a switch that has replaced the ignition. How much longer do you think it will be before an alarm like this hits the market?

[royalflush313]

Re: The next thing in auto alarms?

So I'm ready to splurge and drop $270 on a compustar top of the line alarm. The thing does everything possible and does it well.

However, I can't help but wonder about the next developments in the industry. I understand Clifford has an alarm coming out that will be Windows XP compatible. I also see the new Lexus and Mercedes cars have credit card sized keys that you never need to take out of your pocket. Simply walk to your car and it disarms. Walk away and it arms. To turn on the car you just turn a switch that has replaced the ignition. How much longer do you think it will be before an alarm like this hits the market?

the unlocking/locking when you get close to the car is already common, not just in Lexus and Mercedes. If you are getting a CompuStar, you can use that option. (although, you still have to use the key to start the car up...)

I used to have a CompuStar pager alarm on my last car. It's so annoying, I hated it. I went back to the ordinary alarm system.

If you get a CompuStar, you really have to be careful. The buttons are pretty sensitive, and I get really paranoid putting it in my pocket - because say, I was at at school, the CompuStar allows me to disarm my car from a long distance away. (i've done this few times - and I have talked to other pager owners and they experienced the same problem).

I don't think that there are any pagers with key-lock features (like cellfones) but not sure, - I haven't been looking into these things for a while.
But if you decide to invest in a pager alarm, I would defenetely look for the key-lock feature and slso, make sure the pager has a vibrate option.

[StereoInstaller1]

I heartily agree with the anoyance factor of CompuStar. I can have whatever I want, at actual wholesale or less.

Believe it or not, I choose Audiovox.

Check out the APS-996. I feel this is the best car alarm available today, regardless of brand name. Audiovox bought Code-Alarm, which was the absolute best for 2 decades, but got greedy and went to shit. The Comp is not bad, just annoying. The Audiovox rox!

On the keyless transmitter...seems easy to streal to me. Maybe a thembprint scanner to start or trigger?
Luke

[hamann318is]

Top gear on the Merecedes S-class proved how cool of a system that is.

BUT, knowing me, I'd lose that key in 5 seconds.

[ColdAccord]

compustar is the shit. remote start on 5 sp is hot. i had one on my old car, and my winter car I just got already has one. about to put one in the bimmer. and the Z (mm turbo timer).

the ss is the way to go, 1 mile range. you can just click button IV to check the status of the car, lock or unlock, so you always know.

[royalflush313]

I heartily agree with the anoyance factor of CompuStar. I can have whatever I want, at actual wholesale or less.

Believe it or not, I choose Audiovox.

Check out the APS-996. I feel this is the best car alarm available today, regardless of brand name. Audiovox bought Code-Alarm, which was the absolute best for 2 decades, but got greedy and went to shit. The Comp is not bad, just annoying. The Audiovox rox!

On the keyless transmitter...seems easy to streal to me. Maybe a thembprint scanner to start or trigger?
Luke

do you know of any Pager alarms that have a key-lock function and vibrate mode as well?

I rememebr I had the CompuStar (2wfm I believe), and I had the car parked at school, and during class, my pager kept going off because of the bumble bee ricers passing by my car My prof wasn't very impressed.

I would say that with any alarm system with that kind of range, vibrate and key-lock are essential features.

[JPbmw]

compustar is the shit. remote start on 5 sp is hot. i had one on my old car, and my winter car I just got already has one. about to put one in the bimmer. and the Z (mm turbo timer).

the ss is the way to go, 1 mile range. you can just click button IV to check the status of the car, lock or unlock, so you always know.

how much does that alarm go for?

[Saul325is]

compustar is the shit. remote start on 5 sp is hot. i had one on my old car, and my winter car I just got already has one. about to put one in the bimmer. and the Z (mm turbo timer).

the ss is the way to go, 1 mile range. you can just click button IV to check the status of the car, lock or unlock, so you always know.

how much does that alarm go for?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48611&item=5736776992&rd=1

[JPbmw]

Thanks.

Also it says the new 2WSS-AS has the vibration option for the controller :)

[JPbmw]

do e30s haver power locks? or does it work with a vaccum system? im wondering because i was calling different places to get a quote on installing an alarm in my car and at one of the places a guy told me the 86 BMW works with a vaccum system and they are not power. is it true?

[JPbmw]

after doing a search on google i found this. is this how our locks work?

http://www.the12volt.com/doorlocks/page3.asp#vac

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

One thing I love in an alarm system is if they implement the sound system.

Like instead of the "bleep bleep" when u press unlock. Imagine, two deep bass hits "DOHNG DOHNG"

[colt325e]

how come you started sportin that Phoenix Suns picture this year? when theyre actually good?

[StereoInstaller1]

do e30s haver power locks? or does it work with a vaccum system? im wondering because i was calling different places to get a quote on installing an alarm in my car and at one of the places a guy told me the 86 BMW works with a vaccum system and they are not power. is it true?

Bad installer. No BMW that I know of has vacuum locks, and even those I make the pump turn on (except in early 80's and before Mercedes, which use engine vacuum). instead of using an actuator.

Someone else can correct me on this, but I believe all US e30's have power locks.

You can use the factory relay system with most alarms, locking and unlock all doors, trunk and gas cap, if your car has locking gas cap.

Typical labor to install a basic alarm with light flash, LED, door pins, impact sensor and keyless entry is about $150 to $175. The shop I work for is VERY expensive, we would be about $200.

Luke

[JPbmw]

what do yall think about the prestige APS 996?