it looks to me that car alarms fall into 3 cateogories
1) security: starter kill/ shock sensor
2) remote start: remote start
3) both: security features and remote start features

this question is for anyone who has had previous expirence with a alarm system. if u had to choose one feature which would it be? starter kill or remote start?

i figure starter kill is enuff but if the remote start includes starter kill but no shock sensor then that's the best value. if the remote start is just for conveinence and leaves the car vulnerable then the security alarm is the best value. etc

i know i could just get both and be happy but the price doubles for both of what u would spend just for one feature.

 

I used a Viper 5704V but I haven't even hooked up the remote start, there's no real value in it for me and it requires me defeating another layer to use it anyway.

I also got the plug in harness for the remote start but I felt it was going to make the location of the alarm to easy to track down since the rest of the install is fully integrated into the factory wiring.

I'm not aware of any modern alarms that don't kill the starter, but I'm sure there's some bottom of the barrel crap out there somewhere. AFAIK all of the DEI stuff also has a shock sensor.

I did a lot of shopping around and the 5704V was by far the best value imo. The big thing is the install though, if you want it done well you need to fork out the cash or figure out how to do it yourself. The $99 zip tied install at Best Buy isn't going to do much for you.

 

i was thinking about this last night and figured that the remote start units are more for cars with factory security/engine immoblizer. where the security only/ both would be for a car with no factory security

interesting that u never hooked up the remote start. it gets cold where i live and having to wait for warm up is serious business. but without AUTO climate control i guess it doesn't matter that much anyway. and i dont want to expose a stealth install with extra gadgets

 

Yeah if I was in the way north it would be different, but down here it's just a waste of gas to avoid having a 130* car for a few minutes. I also felt that tapping into the clutch and brake was a little more invasive than I wanted to get.

 

so i decided to go with option 3. it only september and its getting cold in the morning and a warm car seems to be a great idea but the cold weather not so great

 

I'm really happy with the Viper 5704V.