Utterly confused!

Hi all,

Hopefully somebody can give me a clue here. I'm' in the market for a keyless entry car alarm, but have no clueon what I need to look for. I've been browsing the internet and there is obviously a ton of different products out there. Also I noticed that it seems like the same alarms are packaged with different names. So far this is what I've come up with.  It seems like you can get a FM LCD remote start etc, system for fairly cheap. Well I started on Ebay, and there is one there by two diff. sellers, they look exactly the same, but have different names.  One of them is called the Delta Pro 5005 and the other is called Delta Panther Pro 5005. I'm assuming the company is Delta, however looking for them, the only Delta product that I came up with was the Pro 2000, so I'm not sure if these are the same Delta companies.  Then from another site I came up with the Venom 5005, which looks exactly like the Delta 5005.  On this particular site it also had the Lynx 2000 and M-3600, I haven't found another version of the Lynx but the M-3600, I was able to find at a different site, but it was called Commando FM-870, which also has the Commando FM-5005, which once again seems to be same as all the other ones called "5005".

So here are my choices: Hornet 554T, Lynx 2000, M-3600, FM-2900, Venom 5005 (all can be viewed at asianwolf.com)

My first question is: are all the 5005 models the same unit under diff. names, as is the m3600 and fm 870 by commando?

Secondly, out of these units which would you pick and why?

If not one of these units, can you suggest other units in this price range?

What should I be looking for in choosing one?

I'd like to be able to add more functionality in the future, such as control over the rear window in my 4 runner. The kid at circuit city told me he would suggest the viper, because things can always be added on, in a fairly easy way. Is this true about vipers?

Because Vipers are made by DEI, I thought that the Hornet 554t might be a good bet, I'm assuming the Hornet like the Viper are easily upgradeable.  The other alarms that I mentioned, do they belong to a larger group like DEI, will I get the same type of support and the assurance of a big company from these other alarms?

Thank you so very  much for any wisdom in this manner! Please feel free to answer questions that I did not list because of my ignorance. Oh, I would also know if with these units, I need to purchase other things before I go to an installer.

Thank you!!      -David

Thank you very much guys for such a quick response!

So I guess stay away from Hornet 545t LCD and the FM-2009.

I guess that leaves the 5005, the Lynx, and the FM 870 and its variations (m-3600).

Do I need to buy any extra stuff like relays for these, or do these units come with everything necessary

for the install job?

Does anyone know of a good installer in the Princeton, NJ area which also means the Philadelphia, PA area?

Thank you.

David

Those are the remote controls that I was referring to ( with Roman numerals ), horrible ! The 5005 ( I thought was like the old Delta's ) I have not had an opportunity to install so I really can't give you any feedback on it. The Viper & the Lynx have good range & both have 2 or 3 AUX outputs. The Viper you can install yourself, but no warranty, but the Lynx you can install and carries a DIY warranty.

If you need an installer you can try looking them up here on this forum.

Well as far as the relays and the type of vehicle.

This alarm will be going on a 1995 Toyotal 4runner limited.

It used to have a keyless entry system from the previous owner, but just recently, it has been acting up..(i.e. randomly going off, inconsistent behavior, etc)

That is why I want to replace it. So this is what I would like to do.

1. Besides the basic function of unlocking/locking/setting the alarm, I was thinking of being able to

control the rear window of the 4runner. The 4 runner has a rear window that needs to go down, in order to open up the back and bring down the tail gate. At present, you can do this from inside the truck, or by inserting the key in the rear tail gate lock

2. I was considering a glass break sensor

3. A laser blue scanner "thingee" that activates when security system is on

4. Keypad combination digital starter kill

5. A radar motion sensor

As far as the radar motion sensor, i saw a website saying these were crap and it was better to get a microwave sensor, any ideas?

Also, besides 1) all these other things are just things that seem cool, but completely not necessary, so if there are any negatives to these ideas please feel free to mention that.

Also, how convenient is remote starter? Is there any possibility that an inexperienced installer could screw with my car if they mess up installing a remote starter?

The reason being, is that I've been calling around for different installers, but a lot won't touch an alarm not sold by them. In any case, I will definitely buy an alarm that is new and that has a nice warranty.  Once I mentioned this, one installer seemed like he might do it, but since he only works with a couple of name brands, he had not

heard of any of the alarms that I mentioned in previous posts. Should that scare me?

There is a guy at circuit city nearby that can do it for $130. (For their products they charge $120, for non-circuit city alarms $130)  Should I first print off a description of each of these alarms and stop by and show them the products. Is there a chance that a complication could arise?

Basically, this whole crusade started because I just wanted keyless entry and an alarm. But once I started perusing the net, I found that there were alarms with all sorts of functions much cheaper than at retail stores, and then I got it in my head to get remote start, etc...But if the cons outweigh the pros, I can just pick up a more basic alarm so that it will be easier on an installer.

Basically, when I went to circuit city, to get a DEI Viper 600, which is the basic alarm it costs $250 installed.

That is $130 for the unit, and $120 for the install. Which I was about to do, but they ran out, so I started looking on the internet. And saw that I could get a "cool" alarm for $120, and it seemed like basic alarms went for $50.

Thus, if I circuit city would still install for me, for the same total price I could have one of these cool lcd alarm things for the same price as the basic Viper.

My last question in this post is:

If I decided to go to a basic alarm. One without remote start, any suggestions, any models, websites, etc?

When I say basic (level 1), I mean like the viper 600, 2 4-button remotes, and the option to add stuff later, like rear window control.

The next level (level 2) up for me would be an alarm that uses FM 2 way LCD, without remote start, once again with the ability to upgrade.

From these two levels any suggestions?? I am price conscious, but quality is something I am definitely willing to pay for.

Here are some alarms on the web that I've seen for level 1 &2 ):

1. http://www.stores.ebay.com/mandsenterprises/plistings/list/all/dept1/index.html?col=2&dir=-1

2. http://sitemanager.theinternetsolution.com/hometronicz/products

3. http://commandocaralarms.com

4. http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2F/.com%2Fws%2F&krd=1&from=R8&MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&ht=1&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&query=car+alarm

5. www.indoaudio.com

6. www.asianwolf.com

My eyes are getting bleary looking through these sites, trying to see which are the same, and etc...

But basically I'm running into a lot of Delta DA 1005, a lot of crimestoppers 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2011, 2015, gargoyle, etc...Any comments about these crimestoppers? Are the remotes the same durability on all these models?

Than you in advance

-David

Also at offroadtoyz.com, they mention if you buy the black widow 7150 (which looks exactly like the 5005)  from them they will throw in a $20 power lock module for free. Is this something that I need?

Also I found a place that has the 5005 + glass sensor + 2 power door lock motors +  back up siren with built in battery+ power trunk release + 4 heavy duty 12 volt 30/40 amp relays + power window rollup module for $168

Is this too good to be true? Or I can just get the 5005 for $118.

-David

Any comments about THOR alarm system, with 2 LCD remotes, cellphone style

http:///.com/dll?ViewItem&item=3044917776&category=14934

and

Alphaguard security systems, 2 way color LCD...I believe a seller in hong kong is shipping them.

http:///.com/ebaymotors/dll?ViewItem&category=33721&item=2431464834

Thanks