Car Alarm Pagers

I'll be honest, I haven't really been involved w/ car security products for a few years now.  Back then car alarm pagers weren't worth having.  Back then the "one mile range" that they advertised was usually only if it was open air, it couldn't even penetrate buildings.

Have the pagers become better products now?  Are they worth getting?  Any websites/links where I can read up on the current ones?

Thanks in advance.

Chimp

Hey Chimp, most of the technology is based on the old so the range has increased, but the EMI and building restrictions still hold true ( just not as bad ). Almost all the alarm companies have 2 way FM systems out on the market. Just go to their site or punch in FM alarm systems as a search and you'll find hundreds to choose from.

Hey Shadow,

You are correct about the range of these new FM tranmitter alarms systems and remote car starter. For the most part the average consumer doesn't want to start or unlock his/her car from 5 miles away. Nor does the average consumer have this ability because how is he/she going to be able to respond to an alarm when they are that far away in time to catch the crook(s) ? As a side note , the range that you would get from a 30 meter antenna would still be dependant on the grounding plane that you install it on as well as a good SWR, mounting location and type of antenna.

Hey Chimp; if you read the fine print on most of the systems out there they have a little exclusion phrase that states that the range is directly affected by topological variations, climate, EMI and battery life of the remote control. Most state that they can get 1500 + feet from their units. This may be the case..... but they do not say that this measurement was done in a car but rather on a piece of wood outside on the parking lot of a football stadium with no other buildings, vehicles or roof above them on a gorgeous sunny California day. If you factor the real life variants, the range will be about 1/2 or less of the claimed range. Use your own judgement on the system that you choose and do not be surprised if your range is any less than what the manufacturer claims it is.

Thanks for the replies.  I usually visit another forum on a routine basis and it seems everyone there is getting an alarm w/ a pager.  I never was impressed with them and was just curious if things had changed that much for the better.  Guess not.

Thanks again.

Chimp