alarm choice opinions from the experts

Hello all,

I've been lurking around here for a while, as there are so many interesting forums.

Some of you really know a lot about vehicle security systems, so I wanted to ask if there is really much difference on the ones made by DEI and if any of the one's I'm considering should be avoided, or if one would be preferable to another.

These 4 have features that I am interested in, let me know if I may have forgotten anything.

Also, I'm under the impression that I will need the XpressKit XK07 in order to have remote start for my Pathfinder\Murano, and that this will allow me to not sacrifice a key?

Do I also require a "keyless entry module"?

What about:?
Directed 500T
Directed 504D
Directed 507M
Directed 508D
Directed 509U
Directed 516L
Directed 520T

Besides some diodes, tape, loom, solder etc and a battery backup to be mounted in a very inaccessible place, what add-ons or parts do you recommend?

Thanks for your time and efforts, your suggestions are appreciated!

Cheers

https://www......com/compare_items.php?sort_order=%2Fviewcat.php%3Fcat egory_id%3D133%26items_per_page%3D100%26sort_order%3Dprice_desc&product_id%5B%5D =8625&product_id%5B%5D=16157&product_id%5B%5D=8623&product_id%5B%5D=16156

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The12volt.com blocks most links to retailers.

What are the specific alarms you are looking at?

Generally, if you stick with a name brand system you'll be fine.

DEI has their premier line aka Viper. From this, the leading companies under it are clifford and python, where the unit is basically a rebadged viper unit, with differant remotes.

all of the ones you listed will be fine. you might want to stock up on 2 relays for defrost and second starter. no keyless entry model required. the xk07 if flashed with correct firmware will work.

im not much of a DEI user. more of audiovox and compustar.

Thanks to both for the replies!

Sorry about the link, I wasnt aware of removing the linkage, I can remove the url if it is against the rules.

The four choices are under the DEI brandage, but I am open to alternatives. I chose them due to their addon offerings and pricerange.

I get your point about using a relay for the defroster, but maybe a bit foggy about the "and a second starter" part.

Do you mean using a std relay between the alarm and starter selonoid for the remore start?

if you can pass along an AudioVox or CompuStar recommendation, I would be glad to take a look.

THANKS HOWIE II

Maybe that's the problem with all the alarms in the low rent apartments across the street, those alarms go off day and night as if they're trying to "out alarm" each other.

I was thinking about setting the sensitivity on that in conjunction with a warn away if someone got close enough to try and see inside the windows.

well all known alarm/rs companies price their units fairly well to be competitive.

what i mean by a second starter is, nissans and toyota are most commonly found to have 2 start wires. One is the main starter wire, as the second supplies extra current if necessary. Since the viper only has 1 starter output, you will need to use a relay in conjunction with the unit of your choice to create an additio nstarter wire output.

I am big on the Compustar Pro models such as P2W900FMAS.

Thanks to tedmond and 05murano for the recomendations etc.

I'm going to visit the Compustar Pro specs and see what they have.

And roger that on the second starter wire for addition current. I'll check the FSM and try to inspect it visually.

I reluctantly confess that many eons ago, I worked as a car stereo installer for 2 years. That and $2.50 gets my something from Starbucks.

I've been looking at the wiring diagrams for both the vehicles and the alarm units since last Oct, so I think I'm about ready to put a soldering iron to it and get'er done.

if you have patience and want to learn something new, this will be a fun task.

remember everyone is willing to help, just post questions if you got them. you can check out the 5901 and caravan thread. he was about to get it done at his shop, i told him to diy and save the buck. before you know it, he is done without problems and is adding more and more to protect his system.

Hello again!

I took some time off most forums, been camping a lot and bought a metal detector for a new hobby.

Since I started this thread I haven't made an alarm purchase, so it's time to bustamove.

I still have a couple of choices bookmarked, so if these aren't outdated I will probably buy one of these:

Clifford Matrix 70.5X (p/n 5501C) = $199.99

Viper 7900 (p/n 5501V) R/B =  $189.99 (refurb, same as 70.5X but marked Viper)

Python 991 (p/n 5702P) = $269.99

Viper 5901 (p/n 5702V) =  $259.99

XpressKit XK07 = $54.99 (required)

I know there are some folks that love other mfr, but when I look at those products, I just don't get it somehow. :(

Anyone have first hand experience with any of these? Successes? Horror stories? Recommendations?

Thx again!

No offense Howie but that was my point, and I have searched the forums for related posts, I'm now soliciting new replies.

"Good luck with the remotes and the brains." Exactly what I was getting at. If someone has a lot of bad experiences or returns, please indicate.

There was a problem originally with the first generation lc3 responder systems which they now supposedly corrected, i have installed quite a few since they corrected the defect, but i have still had some problems with the remotes on a few, let's say, one out of every ten.

In comparison to the earlier generation responders i would say they should have stuck to it except maybe for some of the design changes which do make things easier.

Thanks for the feedback. I am of the impression that DEI makes most brand of alarm systems. If that's the case, how in hades would I chose between any of them from the same mfr if all the brands have these problems? "one out of every ten" is an insane fail rate.

Secondly, If I want to buy and install myself, then I think it comes down to which reseller I buy from and what level of support they offer.

Let's push all DEi aside with the 1-in10 problems, any suggestion in the next best no nassle works-out-of-the-box solution?

TIA

Compustar CM5000 or CM6000 would be a good choice.  Very reliable.  Also capable of using iDatalink Blade modules or D2D with Fortin and iDatalink.  Not exactly sure what make / model / year we are talking about.  I saw something earlier about Pathfinder or Murano.  Nissans with push to start can be time consuming. 

Most major manufacturers don't support DIYers.  The XK07 will need to be flashed with the correct firmware just as the iDatalink or Blade module would.   Fortin bypass modules usually come with the latest firmware on them and are ready right out of the box. 

x1 on what Howie mentioned.

compustar, and dei products would be the most popular. Zenesis alarms were very faulty in the early gens, but they have corrected those. The range is not bad, but nothing compares to the compustar in my opinion. I have installed many from leading brands and i like compustar the most.

next in line is i like the autopage line, the remotes are very nice and the range is just as good as any other unit out there.

howie ll wrote:

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None of these are at all suitable for DIY install, most of the problems posted here are because of DIYers making the sort of mistakes that pros from experience simply wouldn't.

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Now THAT'S why I read the forums for months on end and gather all of the diagrams and map things out before buying.

I've had an email thread with #that guarantees me that the XK77 will be flashed to the latest firmware before shipping.

All of the questions regarding fusing, crimping, door triger polarity, tach wire color, dual remote starter selonoids and programable relays will be ironed out before hand.

Plus, I worked as an installer once upon a time and have an extensive electronics background similar to oldspark (just not as old, my diagrams werent written on papyrus) :D

Thx for the reassurances, I'll revisit the compustar models.

Thx to Velocity Motors for posting the Compustar CM6000 install v2 pdf!