Help me pick out an alarm

Clemsonfan15

Clemsonfan15

New member
I'm thinking about getting a new alarm for Christmas. The only feature that I really want is a remote start.

I was hoping ya'll could recommend a good alarm for me. I don't need anything super fancy.

I suppose my budget is $150ish. That is assuming install is $100(I have no clue if that is accurate).

Thanks.
 
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Hey Clemsonfan15. I think you're gonna have a heard time finding a good one with remote start for $150ish. It's hard enough finding one without RS for $150. Of course, get a no-name alarm and you may save some money, but you are almost guaranteed to have reliability issues with the alarm, and alarm remote.
You're probably looking at more like $200 - $450 for a "good" one, buying from a car audio/alarm shop, or Best Buy, Circuit City.
Remember, that not only will you need to buy the alarm, but you will also need to buy the remote start interface/bypass as well. One of these will cost roughly $50 - $100. Of course, add window roll-up and it goes up even more.

Obviously, you know your abilities & how much (or little) free time you have more than anybody, but if you are able to install it yourself, that will definitely save you some more for your alarm budget. Buy it off of Ebay, and you can save even more.


Here's a link to Sounddomain where some installers rate the alarms they install on a daily basis.


http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1253953/page/1#Post1253953
 
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Thanks for the reply. I am definitely going to buy it off Ebay. Shoot, it seems like I've bought everything off Ebay recently.

Maybe I should just be looking for a remote start system?

I already have the factory alarm.
 
You should be able to get just remote start for $150 installed. My girl had a Python remote start/keyless entry installed on my 4Runner for my b-day for $200. Although if you want it to coincide with the factory alarm it will be more. They failed to mention that to her when she had it done so I still have my factory key fob as well so I can still set my alarm depending on which part of town im in. Circuit city did the install.

I just noticed that you have a Tocoma skid plate on your 4Runner. Got a pic?? I've seen them on the 99-02 but haven't seen what they look like on a 98.
 
I agree. You are not going to find an alarm with remote start for that price. Nothing decent. You don't want to cheap out, especially with a remote start. I bought my unit off ebay and did the install myself and it was still $200+. Also don't be installing things like this yourself if you are any bit clueless. You can get add on remote starts in that range, but they are not alarm systems.
 
So how much would a decent remote start + items need to keep factory alarm cost?

Any links to good ones?

bgmac-I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow, although it has been raining the past day and is supposed to continue tomorrow.
 
It all depends on what you want...

You may or may not need a bypass for the remote start... My 00' did but my friends 02' didn't. If you key is gray or just a silver key then you shouldn't need it. Anything with the black plastic top will generally require a transponder bypass (another $50).

If you wanted a remote start and alarm, the basic viper is the 560XV but they no longer make these. The new version is the 5601. You can pick the 560XV up online for $100.

The downside to getting viper products online is that they offer a lifetime warranty on them when purchased through an authorized dealer... to me, lifetime warranty justifies paying a little more.
 
Yeah, my key has the black part on top so I guess I need to add $50 more to any price I see.

I'm really thinking that the factory alarm is not that bad. I know it doesn't have proximity, etc... Although I'm going to college next year.

Maybe just a remote start is the way to go.
 
The 5901 is their newest 2-way with LCD Display. It is sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

You won't have to use two remotes... You can use your factory remote to activate remote start if you wanted. Remote start systems have an "activation input" which is normally triggered pressing the lock button 3 times. However, if your factory remote only works 10-15 feet away, thats how close you have to be to activate the remote start. Using the remote that will come with the remote start, you can arm/disarm the factory alarm. If i remember correctly, the Toyota alarm arms with lock, and disarms with unlock... so there isn't any special additional wires to connect.

A good basic remote start is the 561R by valet. You can always add an alarm to this later you just end up spending more money than you would if you did it all from the start.
 
tarheeltp17 said:
The 5901 is their newest 2-way with LCD Display. It is sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

You won't have to use two remotes... You can use your factory remote to activate remote start if you wanted. Remote start systems have an "activation input" which is normally triggered pressing the lock button 3 times. However, if your factory remote only works 10-15 feet away, thats how close you have to be to activate the remote start. Using the remote that will come with the remote start, you can arm/disarm the factory alarm. If i remember correctly, the Toyota alarm arms with lock, and disarms with unlock... so there isn't any special additional wires to connect.

A good basic remote start is the 561R by valet. You can always add an alarm to this later you just end up spending more money than you would if you did it all from the start.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help. I think I'm going to just go with a remote start and use the factory alarm.

I appricate the link. I know this is picky, but are there any other good ones around that price range? I'm not a huge fan of that fob. :D
 
For that price, sadly no. The 561r is 1 remote.

The viper 160xv is close to that price.

Sadly almost all remotes produced by directed electronics look nearly identical.
 
Alright. I appricate the help. I agree that the remote looks similar.

I'm probalby just going to go with the Valet 561r.

Two questions then I should be done:

1. Do I need anything else in order to use the remote start remote with my factory alarm?

2. How much do you think a remote start install would cost?

Thanks again.
 
remote start + keyless entry + bypass = about $150.

At my old shop we priced it as $90 for Remote start, $25 to add keyless and $35 for immobilizer bypass.
 
tarheeltp17 said:
remote start + keyless entry + bypass = about $150.

At my old shop we priced it as $90 for Remote start, $25 to add keyless and $35 for immobilizer bypass.
Click to expand...

Ok. That's not terrible.

Did I need an immoblizer bypass?

Since I'm the person I am, I've been reading a lot on the internet about these remote start and their remotes. I'm pretty interested in the two way remotes. I think it's a pretty good feature because sure you can press the "ignition" button, but you don't really know if it started. I don't think there is, but is it possible to buy a two way remote and link it to the valet remote start?
 
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bgmac said:
clemson- Did you get a chance to take a pic yet?
Click to expand...

I haven't forgotten. :D

It's just stopped raining today and I had to work today.

I should be able to get one tomorrow. It may be late in the day though.
 
Ok. I took a few quick pictures. Let me know if you would like some more.

P1040671.jpg~original


P1040669.jpg~original


P1040667.jpg~original
 
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