best car alarm

i am very inexperienced with car alarms. can you tell me the best two-way car alarm with lcd on the market right now? money is no object.

also how does the audiovox pursuit pro-9800 compare to the avantguard 5? i am getting a 2005 gx470 and the dealer installs the pro-9800. is that good enough or should i just go aftermarket?

www.compustar.org

best on the market, no matter what anyone says

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Testing is the key

thanks slicksam. so would you say that the dealer-installed audiovox pursuit pro9800 is inadequate?

Both are good alarms but as a available dealer of both, I side with the Compustar. Matter of fact we would only order the Audiovox if specifically asked to. Generally a car dealer goes to what he gets the best price on, Audiovox fits that bill to a tee.

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

Try Galaxy 5100RS from ScyTek. Full color LCD 2-way remote.

asking that question is like this is like saying "which is better coke or pepsi" i personally like audiovox units ie pursuit and prestige.

by the way coke is better!

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exactly what FORBIDDEN said "Generally a car dealer goes to what he gets the best price on"

they would never go near the compustar cause of the price. dealers = losers and will scam you into anything(they want your money and blood)

stick with the compustar......and have a good installer install that for you(or if your going to try installing it)

I have the blue one on top

https://img118.exs.cx/img118/1226/2wayrevolution8mp.jpg

the best accurate alrm/starter out there, this company has won many awards for this unit.

all these other products are not bad.....if your trying to save a buck.

I see alot of people going for the cheap ones and having problems and end up coming back to me to in the compustar, ends up costing them double.

Those are my thoughts

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Testing is the key

personally i'd go with the Clifford....

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

You mean the big red dog?

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

you betcha !!   and for added security a T-Bone ( his trusty sidekick for those of you who dont have kids ) module....

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

Funny no one mentioned DEI products (Viper/Python/Valet) etc etc. they are one of the most reliable and quality oriented products I have seen..just not available easily for the Do-it-yourselfer or warrantied either... Then, again, on a $50k truck, a $500-$700 pro dealer installed alarm does make sense.. The comment with Clifford was a good one..truly a science of security as their motto stands. excellent products..lot of their features are todays manufacturers clones.. Hopefully DEI's takeover won't take them down the chute...too far ;) I just removed an avistart 6000 and an XL1000 Keyless entry/alarm unit from 2 different cars.. Working for more than 3+ years with zero issues, and I was the original installer, going to re-use them in different cars..at least the avistart unit. The darn things even feel right in my hands..solid built, clean connections..lots of mounting options (tabs, ears) etc. Even the brains did not even show signs of wear inside the units..(solders on board, especially by relays..high current) Something as basic as a mounting adapter for the shock sensor..I can convert it to a steering wheel mount from a flat firewall style mount...

Actually compustar is the last thing I would recommend. Seems to be a lot of chest thumpers here for their product..however, the naysayers seem to have a lot to say for it as well. Never heard of this product lasting reliably on the field, only thing going for it is range.. It seems lots of folks like to start they car from the state line, however, there are a lot more aspects to an alarm/remote start than range..it's has to protect what it is remote starting !! Call me bitter, I just had a 1W900FM-AS conk the dust again..for the 3rd time.. POS.. Looks like they (compustar) like to resolder jumper wires in the brain for engineering oversight/shortcomings.. (If you are doubtful, take apart the CM-3000 version 1.x brains and look for more than just the manual/automatic tranny cut wire) I found it on every one of the 1W900FM brain that failed on me in multiples.. Don't even get me started on the bullsh*t CM-4200 brains which are nothing more than labels with new firmware... An of course, their remotes will always die a sorry death.lcd or no lcd.. Just try to decipher their remotes with their programming manuals..I had to call 3 times before they even admitted an issue with wrong manuals that they knew about on the 1WFM line...

I would look at the clifford line..G5 Solaris, Clifford RSX 3.5 I would also look at the Autopage RS-855 (lots of channels..you can customize a lot of things) I would also look at the code-alarm line (not the circuit city line of products)

Don't go to the dealer with the money is no object attitude. That is an asking to get overcharged and underappreciated. You know your budget limits..ask him what he/she recommends..and why. You would want your car to be protected more than just a shock sensor which most if not alarms come basic with. Granted you already have a factory immobilizer system with coded keys, there is always a smarter thief out there.. Look at the basic requirements..

Do you like to drive with the windows and sunroof open ? You want an alarm that will have the option of rolling up windows and closing the sunroof without you having to worry about it..automatically upon arming.

Since the shock sensor is default (detects an impact to the car) you can investigate in a radar/perimeter sensor. Bear in mind these things can be overtly sensitive if improperly installed. However, they can do the job if installed properly and can warn potential unsavory characters who like to lurk around your vehicle.

Does the car already have the basic factory alarm built in and will the new alarm/remote start talk to the factory alarm and play nice ? Again, if installed properly, this will become seamless. You would be surprised at how effective a factory alarm can be if the situation arises (triggering horn and lights, and also immobilizing all computers until the factory key is seen)Makes a big difference from a car that was stolen vs one that almost got away..

What else can you turn off with your new alarm ? Fuel pump ? Engine computers ? Custom stereo Equipment ? Can it deflate the tires like a lamborghini security system (pushing the limits here) What can you turn on with your new alarm ? Defroster ? Headlights/Parking lights ? Wipers ? All these things can be done..options nonetheless, but not impossible. Do you need them ? That is another story..

Bear in mind if you get a dealer installed aftermarket alarm, you are at the mercy of the dealer. If your sytem fails, they will always play middleman and won't let you talk to the place of install. They will "take care of it" You will of course be in the dark about the whole thing..like every good dealer wants you to be. Better to deal with a pro place on your own..after recommendations and investigations of course.. Good luck with your quest..

I don't like Coke or Pepse ............................. but I sure recommend Compustar units, the 8000 FM or the 900 FM are the ones that I would recommend.

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA

jeff.... surprised u r the only one to comment on the coke thing.  welome back, hope all went well.

i have an idea about this post. find a brand that you can get warrantied with little hassle. all the companies mentioned here are pretty reputable. decide what features you want and then that will help narrow your search.

and by the way who doesnt like coke.... wierdos

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As long as the coke or pepsi has a good dose of Crown in it, it really does not matter to me.

No offence metaverse, but this dealer has sold them all in the last 18 years and for the last 6 I have been a Compustar dealer and I have never run into the problems you have encountered. Maybe you just got all the rotten eggs.  I have had more failures from other lines that I have ever had with compustar.

PS. my compustar has been in 3 different vehicles in 5 years, all I have done is upgrade to the new remote, long term reliability is just fine. These things are rock solid and have been for years. Maybe it is just all us Canuck chest thumpers that like their product.

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

Rob..looks like I was unlucky with the line.. Maybe firstech loves canadians more....(my wife is one) Maybe I will pick one up the next time I'm in vancouver..go there every year.. I do have to admit I like the way all their connectors are lined up on one side of the alarm so I can just wire loom one bundle...other manufacturers need to take note..