Hello all,

So, i'll start out with the basics. I own a 2008 Honda Civic EX. I love the car, but there is one thing that I found which I don't love so much. I use my car for personal use, volunteer fire dept response, and to and from work and school. I was at work this morning and I parked my car in the morning, locked it and went inside. I come out a few hours later to find that my drivers window had been busted out and that my police/fire dept scanner was stolen. Unfortunately, the car alarm did not go off.

For all of you who are unaware. The car alarm which you purchased with the car from honda, does not detect the breakage of glass. The only time the alarm will go off is if you attempt to open the door from the inside (Reaching in and unlocking it), jam something into the key hole on the handle, or rock the car back and forth. I found this out the hard way, and it is quite disturbing.

I post this for two reasons. One, to make you all aware that the security system made by honda is not such a great system. And two, to attempt to find a better more advanced security system. If anybody knows of a security system that monitors glass, doors, motion and anything else, That would be awesome.

 

Sorry to hear about that incident. I'm not all to well versed in car alarms, but Autopage has kits that include sensors for windows that attach to the a-pillar. So I'd recommend looking into that particular brand. Good luck.

 

Factory Hondas don't have an "alarm" system, really. I'm sure there are optional packages you can buy, but in general there is no alarm in existence.

It is simply a panic/safety feature.

 

In my opinion, if you don't mind splurging then get Clifford G5 they have a lot of features so much that I think its just missing ballistic resistance or you could get the Clifford Matrix 50.7x which will give you alerts on your remote up to 1 mile range as they claim. I have a Clifford on my car so I might be a little bias, but then again I would have gotten a compustar but the dealer wont install the remote start on my manual but that was a while back and I believe they have made remote starts that works for a manual from what I have seen on Clifford.Whatever you go with you need a good installer to hide all those wires and good luck with your purchase.

 

Yes thank you for informing me of this I was always under the impression that the alarm would sounds if the windows were broken I myself am looking into a Viper system with remote start, as I have come to know this brand by reputation and personal experiences. So again thanx for the info

 

not a problem, and thanks xken for that info. i'll definitely look into that company as an option.

 

Whatever system you get...make sure it is from a reputable place.

 

Just a quick question since I recently bought my Civic. When I press the lock button once, it locks the doors. When I press it a second time, the horn beeps signalling that the alarm is activated. This is how the car came, no added alarm options. Am I correct in assuming this is the Honda alarm you are talking about?

 

Yeah, that's it. I just hit the button once, and if I put key in ignition it freaks out, so alarm is always on.

As for aftermarket, DEI (makers of Clifford, Python, Viper, Hornet, and some others) makes great alarms. A 50.5x (now being deprecated) can cost $200 for the stuff and give you a 1/4 mile range. I plan to install one on my 2007 EX.
Currently my 1996 has the superior 50.7x, but it's much more likely to be tampered with.

Join us over in Audio / Security / Video - https://honda-tech.com/forums/audio-security-video-27/
You'll find a lot of interesting information and writeups about alarm features, installation, and being stealthy about it.

EDIT: To the next poster: cool.

 

viper

 

I have a viper and i have the SSR version with the LCD screen unfortunatley they discontinued this model but it works great for me. Stick with Viper Cobra and or Python they are all made by same company and work great.

 

One thing, if you are looking for an alarm with glass breakage detection, make sure you can install it on the sunroof too. This has become the preferred method of entry for many thieves. That or motion detection.

 

Yeah I just got my python system installed yesterday and am loving it! plus remote start is a nice bonus! Thanks to OP for opening my eyes to hondas shitty security

 

Radeon3
I just purchased a '09 Civic Coupe (AT) yesterday (cash for clunkers program) and I opted to not get the additional KARR alarm that was already partially installed (didn't have a "chip") because it was like $400. After hearing of your experience, I will certainly look at getting a glass breakage sensor-

maybe one can be added to the existing Honda factory alarm?

 

damn that ***** good to know.
Although I'm sure they'd break into the S13 before my car.. yet you never know.
I suppose we will be looking into a better alarm system soon.

 

I'm currently shopping around for 2010 Civics (either VP or LX) and was hoping to get some feedback on the KARR system. Having this installed is more expensive on the VP than the LX, because the VP doesn't have power locks. After reading some earlier posts, it seems that the factory installed security system just doesn't cut it. I'm wondering - is KARR worth it? I know Civics don't have a theft deterrent system which keeps the car from being hotwired or started by a copy of my key, and seeing that this is the most stolen car in America, I'm feeling a little nervous. I just don't know enough about cars in general (this is my first time buying), and was hoping someone could shed some light on the whole situation. Help!

 

Familiarize yourself with the Audio/Video/Security section on Honda-Tech and read through the FAQ's

After a quick Google search to verify what you were talking about, the first 3 sites that popped up were people that were completely dissatisfied with that system.

Just get a good DEI setup installed by a professional, and make sure it's not ziptied and bundled up behind the steering column cover like some are.

I also don't know what stats you're looking at but the 2010 Civic VP/LX are not the most stolen......

 

The 8th gen Civic is not the "most stolen car in America". This is not the '90s, where the Civics were light and people were stealing cars to swap engines to those chassis. There is an immobilizer system in these cars where a key will need to be recognized before the car will be able to start. You should be worried about people breaking into the car instead of it being stolen.

 

 

This is an old post but here's my 2 cents. I wnet throgh same thing. Bought Clifford system on sale at Frys (less than $100 installed if you can wait) and these don't hav ewindow sensor but instead, vibration sensor - so if anyone knocks the car or trys to break in, alarm goes off. For $100 (less I think), defiinitly great deal - but again, if you have new(er) car, may not make sense in waiting just to save $50-$100. Just make sure you know what you are buying as they say that alarm has auto door unlock, trunk opening etc but these are usually EXTRA $'s you have to pay. Good luck

 

bringing it back,what alarm sounds like the stock bmw on i want it

 

lol thats why its a panic button not a alarm button.....

 

Thanks for the heads up. I have an 09 and I figured that it came with a full fledged alarm. Detecting glass breakage would vital. Looks like I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on my car from now on.

____________________
Used Cars Indiana

 

Yea your better off buying a new alarm