Spy-FM LCD remote-all of a suden 1/2range

OK, I put one of these "Spy FM" remote starters in for a customer that brought it to me. (this is a link to the picture of the unit http://www.caraudioexpert.com/images/products/812.jpg ) this one is the one with the clock display, if that matters. This thing worked fine since last October, now 6 months later it has 1/2 the range. I replaced the battery- of course. verified all connections and the ant and cable. no new things in the car nor no service apointments at the dealer. No one has touched this car but me six monthes ago. I opened the remote and varied the trim pots slightly- no help. Then put them back to the factory presets. Still have the same prob, only 1/2 original range. next step is new remote. hate to do it. just looking to see if any one had any past exp with this prob or this unit type. is this common with this one? I liked it so much I was gona keep a few around but not if it has bugs in it. feedback is appr! Thank you men. Mark

I had fabulous range on mine when those first came out but I had troubble with them so I am glad I never installed them for a customer. I never had it long enough to have any problems with the range, but the transmitters were just bad. I would start the car and then as I wwas walking up to it I would disarm and the siren would go off and the car would shut off. I thought that maybe the panic feature was just too sensitive, but that wasnt the case. I tried to pop the trunk before and the car started. Not only did these type of problems occur once, or twice, but on a regular basis. The most frequent problem was the alarm being triggered by disarming every other time I used it. I hate to say it, but they're crap. They did have the longest range of any unit I have had. Well actually that comparison is tough now since I have a new vehicle. My Chevy Venture's antenna covers my entire windshield causing crazy poor range.J Rilla

Owner/Installer

thanks again J. I was afraid i would hear that-"the things crap". any other two way FM that is reliable? still would like to offer a version of this style that is tested reliable.

Commando FM-5005 Email me if you are interested in trying one out.J Rilla

Owner/Installer

Those units are mass manufactured by a company in Korea ( I think ) and they make them for Commando, Vampire, Impulse & alot of other companies. In my opinion, they are not very well made and I had the same problem witht he range deminishing to the point that I was about 50 feet from the customer's vehicle and it wouldn't communicate with the system. He ended up asking for it to be taken out and I put in a Lynx 2000 for him and he hasn't had any problems yet. The Lynx 2000 had better range than the FM-2007 system he had he said.Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Yeah Commando stopped selling those about 6 months after they started due to the problems. Jeff, I thought the Lynx was $389 Canadian, but since that is a USD figure, I dont think I am in the market anymore. Even that was too much for the Audi TT customer.J Rilla

Owner/Installer

Hey J, I haven't ahd time to update the site but the manufacturer is giving the dealers a break on the new models. Look for the new price next week. Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Will do. Thanks for the heads up.J Rilla

Owner/Installer