I don't know very much about alarms at all. What are the things that I should be looking for when buying an alarm? I don't mind spending the money if it's worth it. Some of the options that have been recommended to me are:

- battery backup in case they cut the siren
- tilt sensor

Given your suggestions, what brand/model should I look at? People have told me to consider the Compustar and Clifford Concept 400. Any help would be appreciated.

 

My short list:

1) Installation...pretty self explanitory...this is what makes the alarm what it is.
2) Protection of all entry points...hood,trunk/hatch doors,etc.
3) Redundant sensors or road blocks-ie:hoodlock,pinswitch,battery backup.
4) convience features- keyless entry,trunk/hatch release,garage/gate opener...can I add later options or am i stuck with just one.
5) Ease of use-can my mum work it without a 8 hour seminar before hand.
6) Dealer network- Is it widely known or am I pooched if i have a prob.

This should help you along...happy hunting.

 

Thanks for the info, Chuck. Any suggestions on which systems are a good buy?

 

In my old accord I had a battery back-up and four sirens, two full (128db) sirens under the hood, one full siren in the cabin and one (126db)piezo siren in the cabin. when you got in my car it was unbearable, you either had to get out or cover both of your ears, and i wired my brain over to the kick panel under the passengers side under the carpet with my battery back up next to it. this was a bit of extra work but well worth it, the first place a theif will look for the alarm is near the steering column. In total my alarm sirens reached 136.1 dbs damn loud!

 

oh yeah one more thing, pager systems are a waste of money! I used to work @ a best buy and we refused to sell them because every time the customers had a wall that was at least 12 in thick in between them it would no longer work.
and get it installed by someone you know knows their ****. Don't be afraid to ask the installer tons of questions, if they don't have time to answer them it means they shouldn't be working on your car.

 

Thanks, incubus. So you're saying I shouldn't bother with the Compustar unit? I think I'm leaning towards the Clifford Concept 400 right now. Any comments on this unit?

 

How can I protect my hatch trunk on my 99 integra?

 

The Clifford Concept 400 is a great alarm, I'd skip the prox sensor and get the 200 unless you have a convertible. Add a glass break sensor if you're paranoid. Two more options to get are hood pin switch and battery backup (both a must with any alarm IMO.)

 

Okay as for security systems......Anyones entry level will do
alpine,dei(clifford,avital,hornet,sidewinder,pytho n,viper)audiovox,clarion(ungo)etc.
most of these models will have the following:

1) keyless entry output
2) door trigger and additional ground trigger ( hood or trunk )
3) shock sensor
4) park light flash output ( positive)
5) starter or imobilizer output
6) option output

These are the building blocks of a security system....to this you can add
a) battery backup
b) pinswitchs on hood and trunk hatch
c) glass break sensors/radar sensors
d) hatch/trunk/fuel door/remote start....an option

The world is your oyster.

As for the acura....your car should be wired to turn on the hatch light when it is raised...on the light one wire is positive and the other should show a ground when its raised...that is your trigger wire ( you can also get this wire up front....hit me up with year and model and i'll tell you what to look for.

have fun

 

I think the Concept 200 looks like a great option. I'll probably add the tilt function to it, and that's probably good enough. What do you think?

 

Tilt sensor is fine if you're worried about thieves jacking your rims.

 

Actually, I don't have any and probably won't be buying rims. I was thinking more along the lines of thieves trying to tow the car. :D

 

If they tow it the shock sensor will set the alarm off. Maybe not until they're rolling but it will go off. At that point the alarm is useless, there's not much you can do about towing (unless you have an alarm/pager.)