Originally Posted by Superjet

I have a Compustar with Drone. No remote, no antenna on the windshield. I use the OEM remote to start or the Drone app if I need long range. It's also a Push to start so the OEM fob always stays in my pocket.

The days of extra fobs and some with really cool displays are long gone. They still sell them, but why?

Originally Posted by Havik

I've had this system for just over a year. Mine came with 2 remotes, or you can use the app from your phone. Honestly, I use the remote it came with more than the app. Although, you totally can just use the app. I love it, I got a bunch of add-ons like the glass break sensor, shock sensor, extra battery, etc. because I was taking it on a long road trip and was going to have to park it in places I was unfamiliar with so I wanted to make sure it was as protected as it could get. I love the 2 way remote, it has like a 1 mile range and when I was in my hotel rooms, I could lock, unlock and get notified if the alarm went off (the app does this as well). It uses cellular service so the only issue I see with not having the remote is if you go off grid and can't start your truck. If you go camping with it in remote places, you are going to want the remote.

All in all, I love the Viper alarm, lets me see where my truck is at all times, can lock and unlock it remotely as well as start it from anywhere. It also will let you know if your battery is running down which is nice. It also doesn't stop the engine if you open the door like the factory remote start does. I would definitely recommend it.

If you anyone has specific questions, let me know. I'll do my best to answer them.

Originally Posted by 2021nightshade4x4

After reading so many threads, is the Viper system the only one that DOESN’T kill the engine when the car is started?


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Originally Posted by mrblah

Ok so this is a subscription/cellular based GPS system that you "SHOULD" add on to an existing viper alarm. I bought the SmartStart GPS pro add on, in addition to the viper 5706v. SmartStart GPS pro while technically is a stand alone product, it really isn't. If you just buy the SmartStart GPS itself, you basically only get GPS tracking and nothing else. Now when you pair it with a viper alarm system, then it becomes pretty cool, but expensive.

If you buy the SmartStart pro and a viper alarm, It basically turns your phone into a 2 way pager that allows you to do remote start, lock, unlock, and 2 auxiliary functions that you program it into (depending on original alarm system configuration) with unlimited distance and gps tracking. this allows you to monitor your vehicle and input and receive data and vehicle commands from anywhere that has cellular service. It also offers road side assistance, but obviously, you have to pay for it if you use it..so thats kind of gimmicky. I do like the battery voltage monitoring since I have alot of electronics wired into the vehicle and i worry about parasitic draining.

The biggest con is: there is maybe a 6 second delay though, and if cellular service is non existent (like underground garage), it won't work (but this isn't viper's fault, its the cellular service). You get a timed out error message.

From a offroading enthusiast's perspective, it don't work well since you don't have cellular service half the time. Now, in the city the GPS tracker works well cuz it allows multiple topographical overlays (i think it is based on google maps), so I like to just look down on it to get my bearings when im exploring the city. It also allows you to triangulate yourself to your vehicle (find car feature), so you can always find your vehicle even if you are lost in the woods. Obviously, this won't replace a Sat Nav (garmin in reach) because it uses cellular service, and it won't replace your regular GPS because you can't input destinations. It only TRACKS, and you can pan the surrounding areas like on google maps to see where you are at or whats close by. It's like a garmin in reach but for the city.....ol.

you can get up to date vehicle data when the vehicle is moved, or doors unlocked, or locked, and even temperature inside the vehicle and battery voltage. It even can track vehicle speed, or place an alert if the vehicle leaves a certain area. When paired with a compatible viper alarm, you get 2 way instant messaging and/or email notification WHEN your vehicle is broken into, or when its moved, or when the doors are open, etc (basically which sensor is being triggered, duration, time and place).

It also has blue tooth connectivity, but it doesn't work..PERIOD. I researched it and not sure if its part of the SmartStart GPS pro kit or part of the 5706v alarm system, but its to allow future upgrades and firmware upgrades. Currently, it don't do shieeeet.


Now on to the viper 5706v alarm system that I purchased to have the SmartStart GPS pro to piggy back off of:

I got the viper 5706v as the base alarm. It allows 1 mile, 2 way paging. it includes 1 (1 way) pager, and 1 (2 way LED) pager, but if you want, you can just have your OEM key fob programed (you lose 1 mile radius and lose remote start on your key fob but thats why i upgraded to the SmartStart GPS pro). This kit doesn't include the new OLED key fob, but i thought that was a waste of money if you are going to upgrade to the smart start, since your phone will do all the work. SO i'm happy with the LED key fob. However, after playing with the system all night, this is WAY overkill and redundant because whats the point of having a bad ass key fob when your smartphone just completely outclasses it (remote start, lock/unlock, instant messaging and email alerts vs key fob alerts), unless you like playing with different functions built into the key fob.

I also added glass break sensor and vehicle tilt sensor. You get a badass, bright and blue LED antenna that has a valet button on it, so no more fumbling for the stupid valet button. You also get a siren. The siren is equally as loud as the horn. I have it wired so when the alarm goes off, both horn and siren goes off. Now the only bummed thing is when it unlocks and locks, i only get the siren notification, and it doesn't sound very authoritative.

Remote start is pretty cool, you can set how long you want it to run for. You can lock and unlock your doors separately from the the remote start.. So you can run into the liquor store or whatever, and keep the vehicle running. Great for having a dog or pet in the vehicle if you have to have a quick bathroom break or something. With SmartStart you can do this anywhere..unlimited distance as long as you have cellular service.

Also the key fob from 5706v, will light up and vibrate to alert you if someone is breaking into the vehicle and I think it also makes a chime and is rechargeable via Mini USB.



So even though i have 2 key fobs that came with the 5706v. I plan on only using the SmartStart GPS pro (cell phone) and my OEM key. I don't want to carry more crap in my pockets.

I honestly like this setup ALOT, but I do have some regrets. If i had known better. I would have bought the cheapest viper alarm that has compatibility with the SmartStart GPS PRO, unless you like the redundancy of having the vehicle contact you multiple ways that your vehicle is being broken into (phone AND your key fob).

Data plans are not cheap, they range from 70 to 200 dollars a year. I bought the middle plan at 120ish i believe.

Original intent was to have a basic alarm with glass break sensor, then I got carried away and just optioned a alarm/remote system on what I wanted it to do...

Overall im happy but then again its only been 1 day....

cheers.

Originally Posted by 4lo.ko

Thanks for the review! Finally looking to getting Viper or Compustar. How's it treating you so far? And i'm assuming you had it professional installed, if so, where at in San Diego?

Originally Posted by mrblah

still loving it.

I bought it from and got it installed at soundiego in El cahon. It's a small mom and pop shop. They did a good job.

Originally Posted by 4lo.ko

Great to hear! How much was the system and labor cost? Might have to check out that spot. Planning on getting something similar this month.