i was wondering what you guys think about cliffords new alarm line the matrix? i was thinking about either the matrix3, rs or rs2. is this line of cliffords a waste of time and should i go with their other alarms? i can get this new line at hella good price since i got a friend that works for the "BEST" company. (if you know what i mean). any suggestions will help thanks.

 

It's basically a DEI piece in a Clifford casing. DEI made these so the Clifford name could be installed easier for there dealers who only sold Clifford. Install is the same as your basic Viper/Sidewinder. They don't offer you the same features that set the Concept series/AG4 apart from everything else on the market. My opinion, I would atleast try and get a Concept 600 or even spring for the AG4. If you can get a good deal and you are happy with the features, go for it. Just don't have BB install it.

 

I wouldn't bother w/ those... aside from getting a good installation.. I'd get either a Concept, Intelliguard/IQ series, Solaris, or AG4 G4 alarms... also don't get your alarm installed at Best Buy.. get it done at a car audio/alarm shop that will hide the brain well, stealth wiring, solder connections, and add all the other stuff you want... its not going to be cheap but at least you don't pop your dash and the brain and wiring is right there (like the CC, BB, GG, etc basic installs).. I guess you get what you pay for.. free installation = basic/crappy installation...

 

thanks for your opinion. i was aiming originally to get the higher end cliffords but i hurting for cash right now and im scared to drive around without an alarm since i got a car stolen from me no too long ago. the only reason i was thinking about this line is cause i have a friend that works at BB and the alarm will end up only costing around $100. im just peranoide parking my car without anytime of security. should i just pass and save the hundred and eventually get a better clifford? i mean an alarm is the first step in my car security. im also planning on using kill switches, club, hood lock,back up batt siren. basically anything i can do to make harder and take the thief longer to do what he wants.

 

than what alarm to do guys think with out spending a lot of cash that i dont have since im a student and 20hrs a week worker. thanks for the help

 

we both (kwhitelaw and I) already listed our suggestions.. (Clifford intelliguard/IQ series, Concept, AG4 G4 alarms)...depending on what options you want.. those come in diff models...(IG 7000, 8000, 9000, Concept 600, 700, 800, etc.. ) make sure you get a good installation though because a good alarm w/ a crappy installation is still not going to do much.. on basic installs you pop the lower dash and the brain, wires, starter kill relays, etc.. is all exposed and in front of out.. make sure the brains hidden well, hidden wires, etc...

look at it this way.. your getting hooked up.. yeah.. but your still getting a low end product... so I guess yeah your friend is hooking you up at cost or whatever.. but all your doing is paying less than retail for a base/entry level product which isn't all that... I guess if your not willing to shell out the money for a decent install job then you might as well get the base model alarms because a good alarm w/ a crappy install won't do much.. and yeah its good that your getting kill switches, club, autolock and other layers of security.. I guess its really up to you and your budget...

it also depends what kind of thief tries to steal you car.. if he's a pro then he'll do whatever it takes to get your car or get a tow truck.. in that case it wont matter...

 

hey gsrracerboi, wut is stealth wiring? Just curious.

 

most alarms have color coded wiring..to make the job easier for the installer and what not.. so an installer.. or a thief would know that say (I'm making up random colors) Orange = starter interrupt, Red = power, blue = fuel cut, etc... so by seeing the wire colors (and having exposed wiring) it makes the job easy for the theif to know what wire is what on the alarm and reverse the install/deactivate the alarm... if you hide the wires well and cut the wires short from where the brain is hidden and make ALL the wiring black.. it makes it much harder for a theif to identify what wire is what...

 

i work for Bestbuy and i got my alarm installed through them...they did a good job installing it, CC sucks at any installation, i havent heard of anything bad about bestbuy. I bought the Clifford RS2 model for like 120 or so. the reason why they say Free installation is because it attracts customers. the alarm retails for like $440. i recommend buying it b/c it comes with extended range, remote start...it has the most options u can add for it if needed. u can bring it to bestbuy and get it installed there for $150.

 

also, the alarm has fault-proof starter interrupt...if that helped any.

 

all the chain stores will give you a "functional" install.. and the alarm will work.. but it won't stop a theif cuz the installs are all basic.. you get what you pay for.. the brain and wiring or wirelooms will be visible after you pop the lower steering column and won't take much time for a theif to find all the wires he needs... so yes it'll work but its a basic install...