Viper vs. Compustar in a Small Town

I'm in a small town in Minnesota for school and want to get a remote car starter/alarm. I'm not, however, too worried about the security of my car. If anything happens to it, it will most likely be some high school kids who lean on it, or think they see a cell phone they want to steel. I'm in the Twin Cities a couple times a month, but park in a lot w/ an attendant or at a friend's house. So, while an alarm is something I want, I'm not too freaked about the security of my car on a daily basis.

BUT, my concern is that I will not live very close to my car—at least the chances of living close are not too good. I could be within 50 feet, 200 feet, or a half a mile. I will not know until I’m assigned a lot next term, but either way, I want to be able to keep somewhat of an eye on it when I’m in my room or when I’m in class. SOOOOOO, my main draws to these 2-way systems are the convenience features they offer. Remote start is what is most important to me (-40 is cold as hell and I would like the heat and seat warmers going when I get in the car), auto up/down windows is great in the summer, etc. But, range could be an issue with me... I know that Compustar is new (thanks to Dan for answering some of my questions via email) and people swear by DEI because of their reputation, but in this situation, I’m trying to figure out which system would best fit my needs.

Does anyone have experience with the range on the Viper 791 xv or a Compustar 2W900FM-AS. If I’m in Target, which one will keep a signal? I’ve heard some complaints about the signal in the Viper not being anywhere near what its advertised to be in real-life situations and that, honestly, is what made me seriously consider the Compustar. I heard of the Compustar when talking with a local audio/security shop that sells both models. They told me just about everyone in their shop uses the Compustar and not the Viper. I have, however, heard the exact opposite thing from other people.

From a quality standpoint, which one would do best? From a features, which one?

Also, I got this price quote and am wondering how good it sounds:

Compustar unit: $500 w/ install. Add: $130 for windows up/down, $30 for trunk pop, and $80 for a backup battery for the siren.

I lost the damn quote for the Viper, but I’m sure it’s cheaper for the unit w/ install, just don’t remember exact prices...

Thanks

carletonguy wrote:

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I'm in a small town in Minnesota for school and want to get a remote car starter/alarm. I'm not, however, too worried about the security of my car. If anything happens to it, it will most likely be some high school kids who lean on it, or think they see a cell phone they want to steel. I'm in the Twin Cities a couple times a month, but park in a lot w/ an attendant or at a friend's house. So, while an alarm is something I want, I'm not too freaked about the security of my car on a daily basis.

BUT, my concern is that I will not live very close to my car—at least the chances of living close are not too good. I could be within 50 feet, 200 feet, or a half a mile. I will not know until I’m assigned a lot next term, but either way, I want to be able to keep somewhat of an eye on it when I’m in my room or when I’m in class. SOOOOOO, my main draws to these 2-way systems are the convenience features they offer. Remote start is what is most important to me (-40 is cold as hell and I would like the heat and seat warmers going when I get in the car), auto up/down windows is great in the summer, etc. But, range could be an issue with me... I know that Compustar is new (thanks to Dan for answering some of my questions via email) and people swear by DEI because of their reputation, but in this situation, I’m trying to figure out which system would best fit my needs.

Does anyone have experience with the range on the Viper 791 xv or a Compustar 2W900FM-AS. If I’m in Target, which one will keep a signal? I’ve heard some complaints about the signal in the Viper not being anywhere near what its advertised to be in real-life situations and that, honestly, is what made me seriously consider the Compustar. I heard of the Compustar when talking with a local audio/security shop that sells both models. They told me just about everyone in their shop uses the Compustar and not the Viper. I have, however, heard the exact opposite thing from other people.

From a quality standpoint, which one would do best? From a features, which one?

Also, I got this price quote and am wondering how good it sounds:

Compustar unit: $500 w/ install. Add: $130 for windows up/down, $30 for trunk pop, and $80 for a backup battery for the siren.

I lost the damn quote for the Viper, but I’m sure it’s cheaper for the unit w/ install, just don’t remember exact prices...

Thanks

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i just got the Viper 791XV. retail is $599 installed, however, bestbuy in my area has it for $499 installed (dc metro area). but, i used to install at this shop in my town, and the owner still loves me and gives me employee prices (after quitting 6 years ago) so i paid $300 even for my Viper 791 and i will install it myself, since i used to install its cake for me.

when i used to work there, compustar wasnt around (i think? or at least we didnt carry it - in the late 90's). when i went last week the owner suggested a compustar to me, he said something about almost a mile range on the top of the line 2 way remote. i declined only because i had never heard of compustar and i had dealt with vipers all of my career and they always worked great. after i bought the viper that day, i went home out of curiosity and searched online for compustar (ive been out of the car electronics mix for some 6 years now) and checked out some of their stuff. had i researched it before i went to the store i MIGHT have bought a compustar. however, i am still happy with the viper purchase (i havent installed it yet though)

while the range on the compustar may be a bit farther (i cannot confirm this) i dont think the quality is any better. bottom line - you cant go wrong with either one, they are both great alarms. hopefully you will get input from another installer who has experience with both.

i will come back and post in a few days on the range i get with the viper. however, i live around DC in a huge metro area with buildings, shopping centers, and all sorts of other interference. i think the range that manufacturers advertise is just a straight shot to the alarm, for example in the middle of nowhere, with no buildings or trees in between, and no radio interference. add buildings, concrete walls, parking garages, etc and that cuts the range back.

good luck and let me know what you get! if you get the compustar id love to hear about it!

william

If I’m in Target, which one will keep a signal?



Well, my 791vx goes in today and I work at Target, so if I remember, I'll let you know tomorrow when I get off work

Although I actually doubt it. I've read that most of the alarm system signals don't go very far in doors.

The Ferrari and Lamborghini are great cars. It’s hard for me to decipher which car is the better car if I could ever afford to buy one. Price is important and top priority, but if you go beyond the price. The issue, which I think will be important to me, is service and warranty. Lots of great shop around who sell for much less, but not around when you need them to correct some issue you may have. Just my two cents.     

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Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.

i sold dei for years, viper and python. nothing wrong with them. but nw i have had the opportunity to deal with compustar, i love them. they range (no offense to anyone) blows the vipers away in the top of the line model. even on dei's web site they only advertise the viper 791 as 1/4 mile range. as said above you cant go wrong either way but i range is your main concern get the copustar. i can not sometimes believe the range i get with mine. they are both about the same to install and firstech (compustar) is awsome with thier tech support just as dei is. they only drawback i can see to a compustar is for the warranty you have to have a authorized shop install it and do the warr. work. there are far fewer compaustar dealers to pick from than there are dei. if you are away from your local area and your local shop it will be much harder to find a local compustar dealer than viper or python

Well, I'm leaning towards the Compustar SW900FM-AS. Anyone use that one? It's not the one with the CRAZY range (over a mile) but it gets 3/4 of a mile, and that should do me. It's the 2nd model on this website: https://www.compustar.org/security_with_remote_start.htm

I talked with a place that does the installs here. They actually recommended it to me over the Viper from the start, but I wanted to see if others said the same. They said that just about everyone in their shop has this one on their cars, so I think I'll be okay with it. I just didn't plan on spending that much money! It'll be $740, before tax, for what I want (windows up/down, trunk pop, and backup bat.). I was only planning on spending around $550... ouch. But, if it's worth it, then I guess I'd do it...

thats a lot for that system even with the add ons...... its a good system. i use the 2wss the next one up with the crazy range. but i hate the remote its huge and doesnt respond very fast. just a suggestion check to see if anyone carrys the scosche brand alarms in your area. their systems are compustar's exact copies of them. they have the 900fm model. i have found installed they are usually a little cheaper than the compustar. not to knock compustar just always nice to save money. check out thier website youll see its exactly the same. more distributors carry the scosche piece so more stores can get thier hands on it and it still has the lifetime warr which is handles in the end by compustar anyway. or if your brave and dont care about the warr. get one off ebay. the 2wss for 239.00 shipped and the 900fm for 209.00. no warranty though. 740...... ouch well the roll up module they are probably using is the dei 530t which can be had for around 50 bucks 2 windows up and 2 windows down or all 4 up or down. backup battery is not that expensive and the trunk pop same thing. if they were charging 550 for just the alarm installed then i guess that sounds right, wow i gotta start carrying these if i can make that much on them damn!!!!!

Where in Minnesota are you ? I'm about 30 minutes from the USA border by Walhalla and about 45 minutes from Pembina, ND. If you close enough to me I can install that system with all the add-on for your vehicle for $ 700.00 Canadian and that is taxes included ( but doesn't include bypass module if one is required ). You can even get your taxes back when you go over the border so it will be even less money. Email me for details. I love the 900 FM and the 8000 FM series for the range and also the ability to add on the extra stuff.

BTW, you didn't mention what kind of car it is.

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

is the 8000 a canada piece?? i have yet to see then on the us web site??

Yes, it was specially manufactured for my supplier in BC to sell because they wanted a new unit ( like the 900 series ) to sell that was still compatible with the older 433 mhz series so that their customer's and installer's could still be able to integrate older units with the newer 433 mhz systems as a 2nd vehicle controller. The 900 mhz systems will not be able to integrate with the older Compustar units because it uses a different frequency.

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

Humm...well, I'm in Northfield, MN. That's south of the Twin Cities. Where are you in relation to the Cities?

carletonguy wrote:

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Humm...well, I'm in Northfield, MN. That's south of the Twin Cities. Where are you in relation to the Cities?

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About 6 hours north on I29 up through Grand Forks and on the other side of Emerson, Mb

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