4runnerNoypi
New member
Hi i am new here and i just purchased a 2014 4runner SR5. I am looking to get an alarm and i dont know what to pick. Any advice will be helpful. Thanks
What is the best car alarm?
- Thread starter 4runnerNoypi
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cbreze
Member
I saw on here somewhere that our alarm systems(SR5) are inactive by default and can be activated by the dealer. Takes care of a door being opened, or hood also breaking glass sets it off. The computer program is called tech stream? I think. I had them do my seat belt chime. Search around or someone will chime in and have maybe some more info. Be an option to paying extra for it unless you want something more. Theres a list of stuff you can modify with this program. Check it out, might find other things to change.
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chmura
New member
IMO installing a alarm on a mass produced new car is a waste. Thats what your car insurance if for. If it gets stolen your insurance will take care of it. Unless you live in a very sketchy neighborhood or plan install a $10k stereo system than get an alarm. Or if you have a classic car that cannot be replaced than get a good alarm, but for a new car like the 4runner its a waste IMO. Save your money.
4runnerNoypi
New member
Thanks a lot guys for the input
gshadow325
New member
So much opinion in this thread yet no one answers the ops original question.
Best car alarm?
-depends on what features you want
*remote starter
*smart phone capabilities
*distance
*paging remote
*upgradability
*types of sensors, tilt sensor, radar sensor, glass sensor
*battery backup
*what other things you like to control
Possibilities are endless. Hardest problem is finding the right place to do your install, decent price and warranty.
Basically they are all the same and do the same thing. It is only the little things that sets then apart.
Personally, I use compustar. I have the 901ss remote starter alarm system. I also have a optional touch rps, drone mobile phone interface, ez go rfid remote, battery back up, and das sensor (digital angle sensor).
I have my system set to use my train horns on full alarm, yet doesn't make a peep when I am and disarm it, some systems love to honk the horn when it arms (auto page is one of those, cheaper vipers don't even have that option).
For me, I use compustar because of its flexibility and upgradeability. For instance, right now you think you don't need a paging remote. Fine you buy a regular remote, 2 weeks later you find the distance sucks where you live and want the convenience of confirmation of the commands you sent to the car or you want to know when the car alarm is going off. Compustar you can come in and we can upgrade it. Viper, does not have this capability unless the entire system gets removed and replaced. That one example is just the tip of the iceberg.
I read people telling you to get guns, extra starter kills, don't get anything at all and best of all scare you with their own experience of a install gone awry. Thieves most commonly break into cars for its contents, rarely are they ever stolen completely. Oem security is what I call a false sense of security. It's like locking the screen door but leaving your regular door open.
It's not the best protection.
I do installs on a daily basis. I did my first 2014 jeep jku in July 2013. I work on a bigger variety of cars in a week than most see in a year.
Don't become a statistic. Having a aftermarket alarm system can mean the difference of being a target or not. All you need is for it to happen once and you will be saying"i should have gotten a alarm". Then again who's to say that would have never happened if you had a alarm?
Good luck in choosing the right product then the right place to install it.
Best car alarm?
-depends on what features you want
*remote starter
*smart phone capabilities
*distance
*paging remote
*upgradability
*types of sensors, tilt sensor, radar sensor, glass sensor
*battery backup
*what other things you like to control
Possibilities are endless. Hardest problem is finding the right place to do your install, decent price and warranty.
Basically they are all the same and do the same thing. It is only the little things that sets then apart.
Personally, I use compustar. I have the 901ss remote starter alarm system. I also have a optional touch rps, drone mobile phone interface, ez go rfid remote, battery back up, and das sensor (digital angle sensor).
I have my system set to use my train horns on full alarm, yet doesn't make a peep when I am and disarm it, some systems love to honk the horn when it arms (auto page is one of those, cheaper vipers don't even have that option).
For me, I use compustar because of its flexibility and upgradeability. For instance, right now you think you don't need a paging remote. Fine you buy a regular remote, 2 weeks later you find the distance sucks where you live and want the convenience of confirmation of the commands you sent to the car or you want to know when the car alarm is going off. Compustar you can come in and we can upgrade it. Viper, does not have this capability unless the entire system gets removed and replaced. That one example is just the tip of the iceberg.
I read people telling you to get guns, extra starter kills, don't get anything at all and best of all scare you with their own experience of a install gone awry. Thieves most commonly break into cars for its contents, rarely are they ever stolen completely. Oem security is what I call a false sense of security. It's like locking the screen door but leaving your regular door open.
It's not the best protection.
I do installs on a daily basis. I did my first 2014 jeep jku in July 2013. I work on a bigger variety of cars in a week than most see in a year.
Don't become a statistic. Having a aftermarket alarm system can mean the difference of being a target or not. All you need is for it to happen once and you will be saying"i should have gotten a alarm". Then again who's to say that would have never happened if you had a alarm?
Good luck in choosing the right product then the right place to install it.
4runnerNoypi
New member
thanks gshadow325 for your well in deep opinion and will consider Compustar for my alarm. They are charging me $350.00 for the alarm without the remote just uses my factory key is that a fair price?
moneypit
New member
gshadow325
New member
Personally, no.
Food for thought.
2014 Tundra 1784 edition, something like that lol.
Remote starter, two remotes that do 1000 ft range and I setup truck to start from oem remote and aftermarket remotes will turn on Oem security and for $35 option I can add on das sensor. I sell this at $325 all day everyday, so basically for almost 350 you get alarm remote starter with upgrade remote for longer range. Btw my remotes are oem grade water proof remotes.
Just to clarify, my system can arm aftermarket system from oem remote and start the truck from oem remotes as well as using the two remotes I provided for longer range.
gshadow325
New member
And yes, of you can afford it get a trunk monkey! I love that one!
4runster
New member
Going to breathe some life into this stale thread....
All I want is remote start. I want to keep using the factory smart key, and don't want an aftermarket fob just to start the engine remotely. So, basically, do you know if it's possible to get a Viper smartstart ONLY, without getting the whole 9 yards viper security system install? I'm only going to use this in the winter, and having it accessible through the iPhone app is all I want.
All I want is remote start. I want to keep using the factory smart key, and don't want an aftermarket fob just to start the engine remotely. So, basically, do you know if it's possible to get a Viper smartstart ONLY, without getting the whole 9 yards viper security system install? I'm only going to use this in the winter, and having it accessible through the iPhone app is all I want.
NoDak
Senior Member
unless viper makes a stand alone system like compustar does, I don't think you can get it installed without buying both units.
I know the compustar stand alone unit is a very recent module that came out and I have a authorized dealer/installed quote $500 bought/installed.
this is the drone mobile version I am talking about which is equal to viper smart start.
I know the compustar stand alone unit is a very recent module that came out and I have a authorized dealer/installed quote $500 bought/installed.
this is the drone mobile version I am talking about which is equal to viper smart start.
Well bit the bullet and got Compustar pro alarm with bypass with remote start and 2 way 1 mile range remote. OEM key fob starts/arms and disarm both factory and compustar alarm. Also now I'm able to roll down/up the rear hatch window via 2 way remote. Skipped the window roll down to save some money and as I'm already able to do that with oem fob.
Shop was having a hard time trying to stop the factory alarm from going off when remote starting it and had to disable it thru techstream but after doing some reading compustar manuals on their website for the brain they used, found one programmable option that will unlock the car thus disarming factory alarm then remote starting then relock/arm when it's running so now both alarm is working together.
Range seems great haven't done any real range test but in myusual publix trail trip parked on the other edge of the parking trail lot I was able to check the inside temp of the car while in the other edge of milk and eggs trail area.:driving:
4runster: If I was going to do it again to save money I'd opt for just installing the compustar remote start only module (uses almost exact brain as mine) and asked for a 1 mile range 1 way remote so that I can uprade and buy the 2way lcd remote somewhere else for much cheaper . You can still get paged if the factory alarm goes off and the horn honk is harder to disable than the pos siren that it comes with the alarm module.
You can also add this dronemobile unit which looks straightforward install.
Agree with gshadow123 compustar system edges dei with ugradability. What I like most with the system is the 1 mile 2 way pager it will actually page you 1st at the milk and egg section first before setting the alarm off. :uzi:
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gshadow325
New member
Using the cm7200 platform has its pros and cons.
It's not a full featured alarm. It covers basic features. Since you are using a blade module it can be set up to be used like oem alarm and alert you like a alarm system. It doesn't come standard with any type of shock/impact sensor or siren. In some installs this might be ok for you. But beautiful thing about compustar, it's upgradeable and flexible in installation.
Sorry I sound like I am preaching or sound like a big fan Boi. ....I am a Compustar top gun pro installer for 3 years in a row
