Remote Start, DEI or Autostart?

This is for a 2003 Chevy Tahoe.

So I had my mind made up on a Viper (DEI) 160XV 1 mile range remote start. or the 2 way version of it....

Then today....

I talk to another place who sells AUTOSTART brand. I am not a fan of buying brands I have not heard of however this place has sold DEI for 10 years, and then moved to autostart. So they must be doing something right for them to move.

They have a unit which is 2 way (AS-2600iTW-FM) claims to get 3,000 foot range for $550. The price point is about the same as the DEI one. DEI clams to get 1 mile range and the owner of the store (seller of DEI) has one in his truck, tested it at 1.2 miles and still worked (straight line of sight obviously)

I guess They are both the same $, I like the autostart remote a little better, but have never heard of them and don’t know about the range.

HE also showed me a autostart 'brain box' and I will say it had a whole lot more to it than the cheap DEI ones… felt like there was some REAL circuitry inside.

Thoughts?

we sold Autostart for years and dropped the line because of QC issues.... we now sell DEI product exclusively....

but, like anything in life, you have to make your own choices my friend......

LOL

I know, i just dont know ANYTHING about autostart.  I have had good luck w/ the DEI stuff (for the most part)

I did like the remote better on the autostart..  Can you comment at all on how the range was?

TOO MANY DECISIONS!

range was fine (although not as good as the new SST units from DEI)......

issues we had were relays sticking on... customers turning off their vehicles only to have them stay running, and they had to disconnect the battery to get it to shut off... not  good... could you imagine if the crank relay ever stuck????

Yeah, I hear you.

I actually had a crank relay stick on my older VIPER unit.  25 minutes of engine cranking..  it was  NIGHTMERE!!  turns out it was the installers problem not DEI

Well maybe I stick w/ my gut and go w/ the DEI

Now if you were going to pick would you go for the 160 XLV or the 2 way version (both 1 mile range)  I guess its simply a preference of the 2 way remote, any other function I may regret if i didnt go 2 way?  That remote it a LITTLE bulkey...

i'd call the SST 1-way remote more bulky.... plus the starrt button is so damn small you need to use your fingernail to press it

the 2-way uses the same remote as the old units only the antenna is a touch longer... i find the size fine, just dont leave it deep in a back pocket and sit on it....DOH!!

Is this the remote you think is bulky?  I guess they just changed to this style from the older (gm-looking one)  Yeah that start button IS small!!!