Jeep 2002 GC Ltd.start/alarm upgrade

Hello all and thank you for providing such a great resource.  This is my first post, so please be patient....

My '92 Cherokee recently collapsed into a pile of oxide so when the chance came I snapped up a loaded '02 Grand Cherokee Ltd. just off lease for a very good price.  The previous "owner" apparently upgraded from the factory RKE plus alarm to a remote starter.  The equipment that I can identify is an Avantal 4-button remote, XHF antenna (XHF label embossed on it) and a non-descript box with a large reflective "Directed" logo and no other visible marking.  This system seems to be an upgrade (Hornet 700T?) to the basics with remote start, parking light flash, dome light management and a few other basics.  The remote is recognized as "user 1" for seat and mirror memory and seems to work in concert with the Jeep's EVIC (info console).  There's a kill switch toggle and what looks like a black button down by the pedals and of course all of this was supplied without manual.  I will probably never be certain what functions the current box supports, but it appears that "defroster" is not one of them.

Beyond being my winter vehicle (while my summer toy is put away), I will use the Jeep to haul band equipment and pricey instruments.  I am contemplating a more secure alarm system with two-way capabilities (and a defroster!).   Of course there are other worthwhile options like glassbreak sensor etc.  The models I'm considering (so far) are the Viper 791xv and if I can find more information, perhaps the Clifford Avantguard 5.  Seemingly everything comes from Directed nowadays.

As a total noob (is that the correct term here?) I guess the questions that I should ask the experts are...  beyond sacrificing my current remotes, what are the implications for the Jeep's EVIC  (flash lights and beep with lock, lock doors at @ 15kph, etc).  Are common functions recognized natively or rendered useless by the new alarm?  Are there other systems that I should be considering or is the 791xv really the current "state of the art"?   

All polite opinions are welcome and thanks in advance for taking a stab at this mess.

Andrew

This may be your lucky day.  I do remote starters for a Jeep dealership.  far as your doors locking @ 15mph that will not change with whatever alarm you choose.  However to get the the point you have many options, it just depends on what you want to do.  for instance if you wanted to have remote start and still use your factory remotes you could, or if you wanted to go as far as the 791 you could do just that as well.

Apologies for the late reply and thank you for responding lsampson! 

I guess the real difficulty I'm having is that I haven't found an installer that I feel good about yet and I am certainly not competent enough to do this work myself.  I wish you were located nearby. 

I have opted for the 791xv for the two-way functionality, but I'm not 100% happy with the answers coming back from the local installer.  We have few choices here in Ottawa.  He tells me that installing a hidden switch for deactivation of the alarm is not possible, but I see that there is a switch for this purpose in the 791xv box.  Also he is telling me that the Sentry Key system will no longer function which has me a little bit worried.  Do these answers make sense?  Should I just relax and let this young fellow get to work?

Thanks for your indulgence.  I realize that this is a forum for installers (I am obviously not one).  Thank you.

Your Sentry key system will operate as factory if it is bypassed properly (only during remote start).  That switch in box is to deactivate the alarm.  It MUST be installed, as it is also used to program the unit.