Antenna for 2-Way Alarm (plus a few quetions)
 

I don't have a Honda but I figured I could possibly get some feedback here. I decided to swap out my keyless entry with the Python 902 2-Way system. The range is a 1/4 mile and I got it installed for $275 without tax. Good deal? My neighborhood is pretty safe for the most part, but around my school there are a lot of break ins, robberies, assaults, etc.

Anyways, what are realistic ranges for these alarms? What factors come into play besides obstructions, other radio signals, weather, etc? I wanted to get the 1 mile range but the price jumped up to $450 and had extra features that I didn't want (ie. remote start). I'm concerned about parking in a covered structure or around a mall and not being able to get a signal with the 1/4 range. I was thinking about swapping out the 548T antenna with the 1 mile range 6701T antenna for $90. These come standard on some of the more expensive 1 range alarms so I'm wondering if they would still be compatible with mine (ie. my current alarm may not have the extra technology like SST or whatever). Would this solution work? Would that get me the extra range I need? If so, how hard would it be to install the antenna myself?

Here's a link to the antenna. Are there any places where I could pick one up for a cheaper price?
http://www.autotechs.com/items/item1900.htm

Also, I can add 2 more sensors to my alarm. I already have the shock sensor set to the highest sensitivity so I don't think I would need a Glass Breakage Sensor. I was thinking about a Tilt Sensor, Proximity Sensor, or the GBS if needed. Any thoughts? I was told I could only add 2 more sensors to this alarm.

Re: Antenna for 2-Way Alarm (plus a few quetions)
 

$275 is only good if it was a stealth install, if it was not a stealth install, you just wasted $275.

I don't have a two way system so I'll let fcm or wrx or suspendedhatch (is he even here still) comment on that one.

Re: Antenna for 2-Way Alarm (plus a few quetions)
 

I read and saw some pictures of the stealth installs that have been done, and also came across the one site where the guy explained how to stealth install for Civics, Integras, and 240's. I found a new place to locate the brain. It's currently located under the steering column like any other generic install, but I was thinking about putting it behind the gauge cluster, which should be more than adequate given the length of the wires. How does that sound? The only problem is that I would need to cut an opening in a plastic panel that's right behind the gauge cluster (the one behind the cluster when you pull the gauge cluster out). For the wires, I don't think they will be exposed but I could wrap them up with plastic flex loom.

I'm still curious about swapping out the transceiver/antenna with the 1 mile range one. Just wanted to confirm that the unit/remote would still work and that the range would be the same as a kit that's rated up to 1 mile. Also, I was wondering if I could have 3 additional sensors put in even though I have 2 outputs (tilt, proximity, GBS). Regarding the proximity sensors, I heard that DEI and Crutchfield were both bad. I'm not sure why, but could someone tell me which one would be better out of those 2? I read somewhere that 2 sensors could be tapped into 1 output, is that correct? After reading some other advice, I figured I'd get the backup battery and maybe the hood pin switch.

EDIT: PMed fcm, wrx, and suspendedhatch.

Re: Antenna for 2-Way Alarm (plus a few quetions)
 

Those are just their abbreviated names.
WRX is wrxkiller stieater or something like that and I don't remember the exact syntax for fcm and suspendedhatch. You can find threads on this page with all of them in it though.
Whoever told you DEI and Crutchfield were bad, don't listen to anything else they say. Ever.

Re: Antenna for 2-Way Alarm (plus a few quetions)
 

I got a response from fcm and wrx. The antenna would not be compatible with the brain so I think I'll just go with the relocation and the other sensors. Thanks for the help mrdeadman.

Re: Antenna for 2-Way Alarm (plus a few quetions)
 

No you can not use a sst anttena on a non sst unit. It will not work. Yes you can tie 2 sensors on the dei shock sensor harness. The green wire will report as zone one and the blue wire as zone 2. Those wires are multi-plex. One sec neg input triggers the alarm to full alarm and anything under that triggers the warn away. Makes your job easier to do without all the diodes.

Re: Antenna for 2-Way Alarm (plus a few quetions)
 

I'm late to this thread but I'll chime in for future reference (people that use search).

$275 for alarm + install is pretty standard. $275 for labor alone is a rip, stealth or not. Unless it includes remote start etc etc.

Don't put it behind the cluster unless you absolutely have to.

DEI makes 2 way paging alarms w/out remote start, but Best Buy doesn't carry them because they feel it "doesn't make sense at (their) price point". That's how it was explained to me.

Any modification to the install will void the labor warranty. I'm not telling you this to discourage you from doing it. I've been on both sides of this coin actually. I'm just saying, don't break something and then take it in for them to fix it. Fair is fair.

Re: Antenna for 2-Way Alarm (plus a few quetions)
 

ummm we carry the 5002 led alarm as a special order from the website (have for the last 3 years). But yeah Its actually our customer base who decides (if it moves we carry it)

Re: Antenna for 2-Way Alarm (plus a few quetions)
 

Dei is really starting to piss me off. Have you seen the new clifford 50.7 brain? The first units shipped you were able to plug in a valet button and led. Now the revised it again and not there is no more plugs like this. your stuck with the led and valet button on one harness. Now we are forced to put the valet button and led on the attenna. Epic fail.

Re: Antenna for 2-Way Alarm (plus a few quetions)
 

I was referring to the fact that if it wasn't a stealth install, it's almost like having no alarm at all, due to the ease of access to the brain and surrounding wires.