Remote start brands warranty: DIY vs dealer

Since I am definitely not letting morons at BB touch my truck (and no reputable shops around), warranty type and terms are pretty important. Feel free to add/comment to this list. DEI (Directed Electronics) - Viper, Autostart, Clifford, Astrostart, Automate, Python, Avital, XpressKit. "Your product warranty starts on the date that you purchased the product. A copy of your store receipt with the purchase date and authorized dealer's information must accompany the return of any warranted product." Looks like lifetime warranty for systems installed by authorized dealers and no warranty for DIY installs. Compustar "“Authorized Dealer” is defined by Firstech as a company who qualifies to purchase Firstech’s products directly from Firstech, LLC., or one of its approved distributors. Thus, products not sold nor installed by an “Authorized Dealer” are not covered by this warranty. This includes, but is not limited to, Firstech products sold on Amazon.com, eBay.com, and Newegg.com." Same as DEI (warranty void if not dealer installed) Audiovox/Voxx - Advent, Omega, Audiovox, Code Alarm (also sold from voxx website) Advent Pursuit: Lifetime warranty, (5 years traveler, 1 year transmitter), no mention of dealer Omega Excalibur: Lifetime warranty, no mention of dealer Audiovox Prestige: Lifetime warranty (1 year transmitter), no mention of dealer Code Alarm: Lifetime warranty (1 year transmitter), no mention of dealer Crimestopper Crimestopper Cool Start: Couldn't find any warranty info on their website. Owner and installation manuals are pretty detailed. Based on above, I will be looking at Voxx and Crimestopper models. Would anyone have more info? Brands, details?

Where are you located at? Why do you not think that there are any reputable shops around you. What in your mind makes a reputable shop? I know professionals in every state and many different countries. Either way, warranties do not cover if the system was installed improperly and with the new vehicles and their electronics getting more complicated I would want my system to be covered in case something goes wrong (short out a bcm, headlight switch, ignition systm) I want to make sure that the shop takes care of that versus it being on me. Saving the few bucks to do it my self over finding a shop that can do it and take that liability out of my hands is worth finding a quality installation.

I am in SE Wisconsin, almost 1 hour from Madison, WI. I go there maybe couple times a year. I would have the system installed by the diesel mechanic (friend of mine) that is way more experienced in wiring than Geek Squad employee and likely still more experienced than audio/alarm accessory shop employee (and I know of just 1 in Madison) While I am not as good in low voltage wiring as he is, I just can't see why it couldn't be done by the car owner. Both Voxx and Crimestopper provide extensive help in form of diagrams and potential customer's fault (mistake) would be easy to identify by service department. One can see how badly the things can get messed up with improper install, but I have read way more stories about shops screwing things up than car owners.

Interesting post. Learnt sth new today. Thnx

There are an infinite number of ways to screw up an install. No way can a "service department" help you figure out what you did wrong over the phone. These companies are in business to sell product, not educate DIY'rs to do a single install. Go read your other thread on this subject. I responded there. A Diesel Excursion isn't too tough, but not the easiest first-time install either. There are a LOT of wires to hook up. And before you can "hook them up", you need to understand what the wires do, and where to hook them up TO in the truck. When I did my Super Duty install, it didn't at first "work". I don't remember what the problem was, but I eventually got that sorted on my own. But the door would activate LOCK when I plugged the harness into the module, and not release. I'm VERY good with low-volt electrical, I knew it was wired correctly. I went to the shop that sold me the system, and the tech saw what it did, and gave me a blank stare. He had no idea what it was, because he didn't install it. I understood that. I took it home and discovered I had the lock harness plugged into the bitwriter port. Moved it to the lock port, and it was fixed. Sequel, I did another install years later, and the locks did the same thing when I put the fuse in. Sure enough, I had the locks in the wrong port again. Experience counts. These installs aren't slam-dunks for a novice. If you're confident you can do it correctly, you don't need the warranty. These systems are factory tested, and are almost never bad out of the box.