Just purchased a 2000 hatchback dx first thing I really want to take care of is the alarm. I've seen people mentioning 2-way alarm systems as well as alarms with kill switches.

I think I would like to go this route (kill switch) if it's pretty reasonable

Any insight on some brands to look out for, both good and bad? Any help would be great

 

Bump for help bump

 

http://causeforalarm.thecarthing.com...arm/index.html this might help

 

Wow that is a lot of great info man I appreciate that. Not sure I want to dabble in to that in depth of an installation just yet, I'm not too savvy with this stuff.

I saved it to my favorites for a future reference in case I get brave

For this time, though, I'm looking to get something professionally installed. Any info on where I should take my car, and is what I'm looking for available through professional installation? Or is it completely custom?

 

Bump - any person with info will be my best friend for at least 48 hours. Thank you

 

Who is supposed to know what is in your area? Are there any audio shops in the area? Yellow pages? Call one of them up and ask if they perform this service or knows someone that does.

 

Lol I was mainly referring to any mainstream stores, such as Best Buy, that might be able to accommodate what I'm looking for.

But mainly my concern is what brands to keep an eye on or stay away from. There's a ton to choose from and, as a lot of people preach on this forum, I would like to do it right the first time. Thanks for the suggestion, though. I'll definitely call some of the local audio shops and see what they have to offer.

 

By the way, nice Civic Grumble. I like it

 

I would not got to Best Buy, most installers are newbies, and 2 way alarms can be a little complicated.

Check your local phone book and call around to some shops, see how long in business, ask questions to the installers, see if they give you reference for their work etc.

 

**** bestbuy. 9 times out of 10, those idiots have little to no experience.
I have heard/seen major issues with those guys. my favorite. Dumbass had the speakers wired back wards. Front is back, back is front. Didn't have the switch 12 hooked up, and the connections were done poorly. The car sat at best for 3 hours before while tried to figure out why the deck, or the amp wouldn't turn on. Sadly, they didn't figure out that you need the damn amp lead hooked up. The owner, (freind's dad) finialy got mad, and said **** it, I am taking the car, I ended up fixing it.

At minimum, cartoys.


Anything from DEI is worth it. I have a clifford 2 way, other then my ability to brake the remotes left and right the alarm is great.

 

motegicivic - thanks man i appreciate the advice. didn't realize most shops around where i live are mainly local shops until you guys mentioned it

98civdx - haha i have a feeling i'm going to be either really lucky, or unlucky with the remotes!

would either of you know if shops tend to offer extras such as fuel kill or ignition kill? completely depending on the shop, or is that pretty much going to be my responsibility?

 

The alarm itelf has built in cutoffs, typically iginition related.

 

Sorry, yeah I'm reading up on the Vipers right now. Looks like they come with a kill switch but the remote itself only has a 1 mile range on it with line-of-sight. Probably gonna be the best I can do with any aftermarket setup regardless huh?

 

1 mile is a long way, and typical of these systems. You can spend meg bucks, and there are systems I think call your phone etc.

 

I did the Viper 592 system with tilt sensor, mini siren, battery back, audio sensor and GPS tracking. All the stuff is made by DEI. Good stuff

 

You'll never get the 1 mile range out of it.

The 1 mile is if you parked it in a feild, and walked a mile away. My buddy's has a 1 mile range, it doesn't work at half a mile. Unless, you can see it.

 

Yeah I figured that's why they included the "line-of-sight" clause in there. Even half a mile is good as far as remote starting goes.

But for the actual security aspect of it, is there components out there that can give me further range than this? I mean, if someone jumps in my car and punches it, they can be 2 miles away in a matter of one minute you know?

Just trying to look at my best options. The car itself wasn't breaking the bank account, or anything. However, the value insurance will pay you for it is about half of what they sell for on the street so the investment in security is a no-brainer for me.

 

It's all about layers. The more layers, the harder it is to steal.

Clubs, are pretty simple to get past, but those, a well installed alarm, and a kill switch will keep that baby there. Unless the person really wants the car, or the tow it.

Back up battery/siren. And inside siren.

 

Any dei alarm(viper,clifford,etc.) with sensors: proximity, glass break, tilt, battery backup and a piezo siren for inside the car. Hide the alarm, anywhere other than underneath the dash. Inside the dash, behind the cluster, behind the glove box, behind plastic panels, anywhere that would take time to get to. Also look into removable quick release steering wheels, NRG. Kill switch the fuel pump. In the meantime you can always take your ecu with you when you leave the car.

 

I'm working on my first Honda and that last point you made sounds extremely simple, yet effective. Is it complicated to do? The night I bought it, I went from being care-free, to having paranoia lol

 

It is in the passenger foot well area, peel back the carpet and you should see a metal box. It might even be bolted to a bracket. Look at plugs and remove logically, lol dont just pull them out there is a small tab to push down while pulling out, its obvious if you are looking at it.

Cliffs: Passenger feet area, peel back rug, find metal box, remove plugs carefully from box. Take box with you

If that is all you have for now security-wise, do not get lazy, make it part of the procedure like turning lights off, pulling ebrake etc.

 

That's it? Wow sounds like a plan to me bro thanks for the input. Waking outside to do it right now

 

Theifs have been caught with ECU's, and damn near every ecu with respect to the OBD will start the car. It run will like hell, but it will run.

My ECU will start my friend's ITR, his will start mine.

 

Rarely, unless they stake out the car and know that you take your ecu with you then ya they might bring one. But if your running into Publix or parking your car at school, then I doubt your car will be started and driven away. Removing the ecu is quick, easy and free. Im not saying don't get an alarm but take precautions now, leaving your ecu only makes it easier if you have nothing besides a locked door

 

Glad I could help. I'm sure civics go missing every day over there in cali, I don't know what I would do if mine just disappeared