avital 5303, prestige aps920, or aps 997a

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=120213
Printed Date: July 07, 2025 at 10:27 PM

Topic: avital 5303, prestige aps920, or aps 997a

Posted By: jamesfoster
Subject: avital 5303, prestige aps920, or aps 997a
Date Posted: February 18, 2010 at 11:57 AM

I'm looking to get a new alarm. Out of the three, I've installed a handful of the APS-997a's, and I like them, but I'm interested in the newer ones and they're all the same price range. What do you guys here think would be the best choice out of the three?

Replies:

Posted By: lectricguy
Date Posted: February 18, 2010 at 6:06 PM

I prefer Audiovox, but others may prefer the Avital (DEI). Of the Audiovox units, the APS997a has a few more features than the APS920. Both the APS920 and APS997a have the same overall feature set, and claim 1400' range. The differences are:

APS997a--

2 stage unlock

Trunk output plus 4 additional Aux outputs

Headlight control on Arm/Disarm

Spare contacts for additional Starter/Auxillary/Ignition Start control control

Telematic port

Compatible with APS687N remotes

APS920--

Single stage unlock

Trunk output plus 1 additional Aux output

No Headlight control

No Spare contacts

No Telematic port

Compatible with APS620N remotes

For the same price, If you want to go with an Audiovox unit, I would recommend tha APS997a (or APS997N--the same product without the mounting screws, spade lugs and diode assembly).

-------------
Lectric Guy

Posted By: Chris Luongo
Date Posted: February 18, 2010 at 6:24 PM

I agree with lectricguy.

The Avital 5303 uses what I call DEI's "spaghetti system."

It's an antiquated idea that no other company uses anymore---the brain and relays are two separate pieces, so it takes twice as long to bench-prep, and still comes out looking like a big mess anyway.

There are some installers who still prefer the separate relay pack and will disagree with me.

Audiovox is my favorite, and what I've been using for the last nine years.

The APS620 and APS920 units are clearly not as well-made as the regular Audiovox product, and only have basic features.....lectricguy already did a perfect job of explaining the differences.

920 certainly should be cheaper than the 997 by quite a few bucks. If you're finding both of them for the same price, the 997 is definitely better.

If you're willing to spend a little more money for better range, look for the Prestige XR9000. It has pretty much the same features as the 997, but with slightly nicer-looking remotes, and far greater range.

Posted By: jamesfoster
Date Posted: February 18, 2010 at 10:29 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I've always liked the aps-997 and you've basically just confirmed what I thought about it. It's good and I should keep using it.