Astrostart 2205 or AutoStart 2300?

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=45245
Printed Date: August 03, 2025 at 1:12 PM

Topic: Astrostart 2205 or AutoStart 2300?

Posted By: hayman
Subject: Astrostart 2205 or AutoStart 2300?
Date Posted: December 15, 2004 at 12:51 AM

Ok looked at some more remote starts found 2 local common ones that look they will do what I want. Astro 2205 and the Autostart 2300. They are $120 differance in price though. Are the Auto Start's components made in China or something? Or maybe its the warranty ?? Darn I forgot to ask about the AutoStar warrantyt!! The AstroStart is as long as you own the vehicle that it was installed in.

Replies:

Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: December 15, 2004 at 9:03 AM

The astrostarts are all made in north america.....far as I know the are the ONLY manufactured in our side of the pond!!! Yopu will get a life time of service from this product Limited lifetime warrenty on brains and 2 years on plug in modules

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Posted By: magnarider
Date Posted: January 09, 2005 at 10:17 PM

I also shopped for a remote start for my wife. I looked at ultra start, polar start, artric start, viper, clifford and astrostart remote starters. I picked the Astrostart 2205u based on ease of use and ease of installation. My wife likes the remote because it is simply and very usefull. I am liking forward to having this remote starter installed in my wife's 1993 Bonnie SSE when it comes back from the paint shop. I have a Valet and Command Start in my other vehicles and have had problems with both.The installer is as imporant as the unit you pick. So pick a good not cheap installer.

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Cool posted_image

rider

Posted By: jrilla
Date Posted: January 09, 2005 at 10:23 PM

Astrostart 2205 is the way to go.

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J Rilla

Owner/Installer

Posted By: hayman
Date Posted: January 10, 2005 at 12:50 AM

magnaride & jrilla

Thanks for the comments.

I went with the AutoStart unit as it was 100 bucks cheaper, they wanted like $280 for the AstroStart.

As for installations I can't see it getting any easier then the AutoStart. Just wire it in, program remotes, tach and its ready to go! I didn't need any extra relays or anything. On my application I didn't have to program any specail features so I'm sure that would have made a differance if that was needed. .

I agree if your getting it installed get a pro not some place that will slam it in in a half hour with scotch locks and a roll of tape.

I am a bit disapointed in the transmitter range though. In open areas is fine but when I"m in the local recreation Center its not great. You have to been in certain areas to get it to work from in there. I'm told that big steel structures are not great for transmitting range.

Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: January 10, 2005 at 1:12 AM

hayman.....did the shop you bought your autostart from sell it to you "over the counter"

And was the price on the astro 2205 installed, or sold to you?

P.S. once youve got a few astrostart installs under your belt......nothins better

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Posted By: hayman
Date Posted: January 10, 2005 at 1:48 PM

Yes both were over the counter retail quotes for just the remote. I sorta wanted to go with the Astroflex but for a 100 bucks more, nothing extra in features and the same range I couldn't justify it.

$178 for the Autostart 2300 and 280 for the Astrostart 2205

Posted By: magnarider
Date Posted: January 14, 2005 at 11:03 PM

Hi hayman

Is the Autostart 2300 a 2way LED 5 button remote. If so I think this unit is the same as the polar start TW 4600 and nordic XXXXX. I had originally purchased this unit from A&B sound for $158.00 plus gst. Then returned and bought a Astrostart 2505u after I read and studied both the user and installation guide for both. I believe that the 2505u is a better unit.

The reason the 2505u cost more is that it is remote starter and security alarm combo while the 2300 is just a remote starter. This is only one point. If you need more please ask.

Let me know how this unit works out for you.

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Cool posted_image

rider

Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: January 15, 2005 at 1:55 PM

MAN....I'd sell an astroflex 2205 ALL DAY LONG for 199.00 out the door, over the counter, not installed!!!! WoW

I dont understand.....these units are NOT supposed to be sold un-installed! I guess Im missin somethin here posted_image

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Posted By: hayman
Date Posted: January 15, 2005 at 4:47 PM

magnarider

I was comparing the 2300 by Autostart, and the 2205 Astroflex not a 2505U. I don't believe the 2205 has any alarm from what they said. Which is fine cause I didn't want an alarm. I know when I was shopping they always wanted to up sell me an alarm and other goodies. Which is fine I guess if you want that. BUT I always had to tell them over I just want to start the van!!!

Now I'm a little mad cause they originally quoted me 158 bucks for the 2300 autostart.

Then when I went back to buy it another day I got a different dude and he swore up and down that wasn't the right price and I ended up paying the extra 20 bucks!!!

Yes they weren't crazy about selling it over the counter and gave me a bit of a hard time.

My remote has the 5 buttons and flashes and beeps when the van starts. Really I can't complain I mean the thing works great. From what guys told me for simple straight forward installs there is nothing wrong with the Autostart Units. I have nothing against the Astroflex like I said I kinda wanted to try one out as I know guys who have them. I noticed they use the dip switches like the designtech does or did when I put them in years back. It was handy for programing or changing polarties and stuff. But like I said for mine it was a real simple install no alarm, no relays, just wire it in, program remote, program tach and done deal! The default setting was at the 15 minute run time that I wanted etc.

later

Hayman

Posted By: magnarider
Date Posted: January 16, 2005 at 4:55 PM

Hi hayman

I bought the Astrostart 2505u, but I believe the 2505 is the same thing, because the Astroflex web site describes features same as on the box and guides. A quote for the astroflex web site, "It is also possible to transform the 2205 into a full-featured two-way alarm system by simply adding a kit (part # 310-120-503) that includes a six-tone siren, a shock sensor, an alarm status LED and the necessary wiring for the alarm components." I bought this unit because of the simply use, installation and alarm feature. I have yet to install it.

Question. Had the supplier of the Autostart 2300 give you the warranty on the unit??? A&B Sound would not!!!!!!!

Hi KarTuneMan

I bought the Astrostart 2505u from a dealer I know. I have 20 years of experience of all kinds of electronics, electrical, instrumentation, Refridgeration, ETC. Also have all the Trade qualifications. I would have the Astroflex dealer install the unit, but I am retired and enjoy doing this type of job. Also, I do good work!!!!!!

Is the price for the 2505 of $199 out the door in US dollars? Also, would you pass on the 2 year warranty on components (transmitter, main unit and modules? If so, I have a lot of buddies that would buy from you.

Thank-you for your replies to all my postings. I enjoy reading your replies to all the problems. You are a good man.

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Cool posted_image

rider

Posted By: hayman
Date Posted: January 16, 2005 at 6:17 PM

I bought it at Visions and I got warranty or at least they "said" I did also long I was a licensed automotive tech. I said " ok thanks I' m a licensed auto tech so that will work fine". posted_image Then the guy had the nerve to say well only if you "really are" is there warranty. Basically he didn't want to lose the install money.

JB's had the Astroflex and they were willing to sell it over the counter to me also. We didn't get into the warranty issues if I did the install. Like I said looks like a great product just didn't feel it was worth the extra 100 bucks for what I needed.

If your really worried about warranty get a unit from Canadian Tire. I know they are not as fancy but if you want a basic starter the prostarts work. I darn near bought one back when I was shopping they had one sale for half price but it wasn't a 2 way FM model like I wanted. When comes to CT if you complain you'll get warranty on just about anything and more. Actually I think they have a FM 2way unit on sale now with an alarm.

But for curiousity sake what makes the Astroflex easer to install in a 1998 transport over other brands like the Autostart I have in mine?? I needed 2 ign. 1 acc. 2 power feed, all at ign. switch. Then Tach, hood pin, ground, brake, parklights, lock and unlock wires . No relays no modules just a straight wire in job. Or as we used to say in the trade a gravy job when your getting paid flat rate. . posted_image

Posted By: magnarider
Date Posted: January 16, 2005 at 10:34 PM

Hi Hayman

I think your right, auto remote starter are almost all the same when it comes to starting the vehicle. I have a 10 year old Valet(DEI) 552T, 2 button, one way with satilite relays which cost $170.00 CDN dollars in 1995. Also,I have a Command Start, 2 button, one way that is 9 years old.

DEI is Directed Electronics Inc. who also manufacture Viper and a host of other units. These are good units also. I get a lot of help from DEI technical support

When is looked at the 2300 the programming and doorlock option looked a bit ackward. Also, I believe you cannot do just driver door unlock, then a second pulse all door unlock. You need a second unlock negative output and a programmable relay (pulse on second unlock). In addition the lock and unlock are relays not just negative and postive pulses. The Astrostart 2505 can do this.

When I was in Autotemp's shop getting information about my Valet unit a gentleman was there looking at pulling out a remote starter he just had installed by Certified Radio and installing a Viper. I am not sure if it was a Autostart 2300 or not. Just playing.
The genlteman said that his kids were in the vehicle playing with the door locks and he was pushing the unlock/ lock button when the main unit smoked (burnout)(fryed). That is why I like relay outputs.

I just about bought a Prostart unit from Canadian Tire also, but they didn't have any stock at Christmas. Ha,HA, HA.

I recommended the Polar Start tw 4600 (same as Autostart 2300) to a buddy. Nice talking with you.

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Cool posted_image

rider

Posted By: hayman
Date Posted: January 17, 2005 at 10:21 AM

I don't think Certified Radio carries Auto Start at least by me. I tried ph. them for prices but I couldn't get through. posted_image Everyone I know who has got one put in there got an Ultra start unit put in. That's what they push & advertise on the radio all the time anyway. What ever brand it was sounds like it wasn't installed correctly. I know the way my locks work it only requires a low amp - pulse to trigger a relay. Bit if one needs a higher amp door lock out put you must wire in a relay with Autostart. If astroflex has those built in thats a bonus for sure. Like you say for more complicated installs the astrofex maybe the way to go for sue.

As for the drivers door & priority door lock thing my factor keyless entry has that and I didn't like it! With all the kids I would always have to hit the darn button twice to open all doors. I quite like the way I have it now with the remote starter where it opens everything with one push of the button. posted_image

Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: January 17, 2005 at 11:40 AM

Man you guys are lucky there in Oh Canada....you cant hardly find a remote starter in Wash. state without asking for it. Even @ the BIG car audio joints! If poeple around here understood the benefits of having one, I might have less time on my hands. (to not post nearly 14 times a day on this site) posted_image

Hell you guys can buy one at the local tire shop.....WoW posted_image

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