Who offers the best support?

I would like to install a remote starter in my 2001 GMC Sierra. It currently has a Design Tech (28624) that I installed last year. The range is horrible, so I would like something better, preferably a two way, but not necessarily. The old unit will then be installed in my wifes 2001 Grand Cherokee since we don't need as much range with that vehicle.

I would like to install an Astro Start 2205 or a Compustar 1W900FMR. However, neither appears to offer any support to the do it yourselfer and I have no idea how good the directions are, or even if there are any. Local shops will sell them to me, but with no support at all (maybe a wiring diagram) and they are pricier than online vendors.

I was a dealer technician for a 1 1/2 and I have worked on my own cars for years, as well as having installed to remote starters, so I am no stranger to working on cars. However, without good directions it is just a bunch of wires coming out of a black box.

Can anyone tell me who has good directions and will offer support to the non-dealer community? I know bulldog does, but I have heard nothing good about that brand. Also, I can buy an Astrostart 2205 on eBay for $200. Is eBay a bad idea for this kind of thing?

Thanks!

I don't think many manufacturers offer installation support to the end user. Too much liability in it.

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Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
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I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

I understand your point, but the strange this is they'll let anyone buy and install their own brake components. Yes, pads are a rather low risk, but think about the hydraulic system. When I had to replace lines in our car over the summer, I actually had the associate from Advanced Auto suggested slipping a rubber hose and two clamps over the rusty part of the hydraulic line (majorly incorrect and unsafe for those of you who don't know). Worse yet, he said he also worked at a Lexus dealer. I also had N.A.P.A. sell me a sloppy fitting connector (english/metric mismatch) and suggested that I could use a comprssion fitting (also unsafe in a brake hydraulic system). Talk about liability. But still I see your point even if it is frustrating to someone like myself.

Although I do not consider them high end, I have done a few Scytek pieces and I believe they offer support to the do it yourself installer. You can check out there stuff at www.scytek.net. My preference would be DEI (not the designtech or BOA stuff), but there are others that do support a self install.

Try the Audiovox line, Aps 996,997or 998.

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Tacomacrew

buy any unit of DEI, compustar, astrostart, or prestige, and youll get the best supports here for DIY.

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Houston,TX
"The two most common elements in the universe are H+ and stupidity" (Ellison).

Generally speaking, if the unit is anygood than there is not support for DIY'ers its jus the way it is. Both the Compustar and the DEi products do have very good manuals though. I dont know about the Astro stuff but I have heard good things so I bet they follow suit. And as for support, there are many people on here that can help who are authorized dealers and have been doing it for much more than a year and a half so I think your covered.

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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

The main reason companies like DEI and Compustar don't provide support to DIY's is because they would have to hire another 100 people to answer phone calls from clueless comsumers who have no idea what they are doing. By using trained authorized dealers to do installs, they receive much less support calls and much less "defective" product returned to them.

I agree with the part that everything should be done by qualified people. I mean people at some stores wont even sell you a remote start or alarm unless they install it which is good for the part that a so called qualified person will install it, or just some labour that is some what trained. Personally, i get wized right off at those stores that tell me that kind of stuff when the salesman tells me im not qualified to install the product they sell. The first year of school for a electrical ticket  is all DC voltage and basic theory which im sure most installers only get trained in. I have been a electrician for 10 years and a master for 3. On the other hand, i have seen some guys do there own electrical work that use speaker wire to wire up 120volt plugs and lights, and it is kind of surprising that there isnt more house fires then there is.

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Master Electrician