Finalizing Alarm Purchase

[NViejeP]

There's a 50% chance I'm going to be installing my alarm this Saturday.

I plan on getting a Clifford 10.5x. Is there anything I need to know to test/make sure that they do a good job installing? I was the victim of a bad installation job at my last place I went to get an amp installed and it took me awhile to realize that the install was horrible.

So I decided to ask before I buy. Also, the dealer is charging me $450 cash for the Clifford 10.5x installed, how is that price?

ALSO: I noticed in the optional accesories it says that I can get a Glass Break Sensor. Does that mean the included shock sensor does not work for glass break ins?

Thanks

 

[Uneek]

There's a 50% chance I'm going to be installing my alarm this Saturday.

I plan on getting a Clifford 10.5x. Is there anything I need to know to test/make sure that they do a good job installing? I was the victim of a bad installation job at my last place I went to get an amp installed and it took me awhile to realize that the install was horrible.

So I decided to ask before I buy. Also, the dealer is charging me $450 cash for the Clifford 10.5x installed, how is that price?

ALSO: I noticed in the optional accesories it says that I can get a Glass Break Sensor. Does that mean the included shock sensor does not work for glass break ins?

Thanks

Test all the functions on your 4Runner and make sure everything works. Sunset Car Audio out in Richmond (district, not the city with high crime rates) put a screw through a computer on my uncle's '84 Maxima, which screwed up the radio, window controls and some other things that I can't remember. I think that brain cost over $800 in '86. Most installers today will only drill a few holes (most are under the hood), pin switch, mounting the siren/horn and maybe the shock sensor. Everything else should be zip tied.

Since you'll be paying cash, make sure you get a receipt. Most reputable shops will provide lifetime warrarnty on labor/workmanship.

The glass sensor is different than the shock sensor. The glass sensor has a mic and it picks up on high pitched sounds, like metal on glass contact (at least that's what the installer told me when they installed my alarm years ago). The shock sensor, well is just that, it detects shock and impacts. The shock sensor should be mounted on a firm surface, it can be screwed down, double taped, or zip tied down to a solid surface. My Clifford had an adapter so it can be tied to the steering column.

Good luck.

 

[NViejeP]

Never heard of sunset car audio but sounds pretty bad.

Motor Music has a cool ass dude working there, but their installers are pretty whack.

I think I may be goign to Bay Car Stereo just to try it out, they dont have the best prices nor ar their salesman really cool or anything.

 

[sketch1]

Re: Re: Finalizing Alarm Purchase

The glass sensor is different than the shock sensor. The glass sensor has a mic and it picks up on high pitched sounds, like metal on glass contact (at least that's what the installer told me when they installed my alarm years ago). The shock sensor, well is just that, it detects shock and impacts.

Exactly Right. Your glass can be broken without any movement being detected, the glass break sensor can hear the sounds that the shock sensor can't pick up on.

 

[NViejeP]

So the thief can still break in with being extra careful breaking the glass?

 

[Uneek]

So the thief can still break in with being extra careful breaking the glass?

Yes, I've seen a documentary type show where they show how quickly a car can be stolen and stripped or chop shopped. There's something like looks like a metal punch, just a tap and it'll crack all the glass (keep in mind it's safety glass) so it won't collapse like regular glass. Now the theif just has to push in on the glass a bit and remove enough to reach in. He probably can't open the door because it'll set off the alarm, but it's perfect for a "smash and grab."

A proximity sensor may help you out too, but it can be annoying, it's intended more for convertible or for those who park with their windows open. There's a secondary and primary zone, the secondary will sound a chirp or flash your lights like if someone gets too close to your car. The primary will be a full alarm such as someone reaching into your car. You can set how "far out" you want the proximity sensor to reach. Since you live in SF, and it's so crowded, you might got lots of false alarms and possibly piss off a lot of neighbors.

Unfortunately, if they're determined, they're going to get it. Good luck.

 

[NViejeP]

I'm going to check out custom car alarms on van ness.

Know anything about shops and alarm installs? Recommended anywhere?

And thats why I'm going to get a two way. Someone breaks in, I run out and knock some faces in.

 

[Good Times]

My thoughts regarding alarms. It's cool to have and a great feature BUT keep in mind that if a thief REALLY wants your 4runner, they're not going to stop just because you have an alarm. If they want it, consider it GONE

There is this false sense of security thinking that "YES I have an alarm so it's going to be SAFE" but you're kidding yourselves. Sadly all an alarm does is just annoy the people surrounding. If you think about it, have you heard an alarm go off in a parking structure? Did you even bother to look? Probably not right? As a society we've all become immune to that god awful sound (esp the multitone) that we don't care.

I did install an alarm on my gf's car that doesn't have an alarm/remote (like the 4runner). I purchased the Commando 870 (found here - http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=72881) and did the install myself. I will note that I've never done an alarm install myself. The most I've done was a radio install but this alarm install was pretty self explanatory.

I highly recommend this alarm as it's really easy to install (directions are pretty self explanatory and their tech support is very helpful when you're stuck or even have concerns). The cool thing about it is that it has an UI on the remote so you can see if your alarm is going off etc. Give it a shot if you haven't really decided on a specific alarm.

Good luck!

 

[sketch1]

That is exactly why I reccomend the clifford, it also has an auto immobilizer built into it...(check models to make sure, most have it) which means the only way a thief is getting your car is if they have a tow truck, and then really nothing can stop them. The auto immobilizer prevents the car from actually starting, so if a thief breaks into your car first off they can't discconect the alarm (assuming your installer hid everything well) and second even if they do shut the siren off, they still can't start the car. And then with my car, if someone does figure out how to steal it, clifford will give me up to $3,000 to cover my deductable and I get a new car.

 

[NViejeP]

Yup. The failsafe starter thing is amazing. They hid my brain under the dash so they have to take apart the whole damn thing if they want it that bad.

I went ahead adn got it installed. They did a good job.

 

[Mikhael]

Hiya NViejeP,

I'm looking to get an alarm installed as well. How's the install doing 5 months later? Any issues?

 

[3D_audio]

like everyone says, if someone really wants your car, they will steal it no matter what you do. I live in the Sunset too, S.F, CA. I own a Audio and Performance shop and almost everyday, I have customers comming in about their systems being stolen all the time. They all have alarms and so on, but the theives still went after it.
I think alarms are only good for keeping the car from being stolen, but the accessories inside, thats a different story. Good choice in picking the Clifford 10.5. Clifford is a really good brand, top quality and been in the business for years. I have the older version when I got it for my Acura, back in 2000 and it still works great. (i did get both my amps and deck stolen last year, but i'm glad my car couldn't be stolen because of the kill switch that comes with the clifford)

 

[mysticz]

My system has a nice setup, starter disable, radar sensors, pin auto kill start on hood, digital tilt sensor, motion & shock sensor, 2 way paging with autostart.

 

[tarheeltp17]

The starter interrupt really isn't all that hard to bypass. It's 2 wires that go to the brain. One side is an input on the brain and the other is an output, so basically you cut those 2 and connect them and it'll start. If someone wants your car they are going to get it, but features like that do keep your average idiot away.

If you REALLY wanted to get technical you can add GPS tracking devices which would also allow you to shut your car off. But chances are if the theif already got your car, that GPS stuff is probably already gone too.