Advice on aftermarket alarms

[ebumdude]

Here's my deal:

Today I get a phone call from my wife saying that two guys that were in the neighborhood moving furnature for someone else, was eye-balling my Camry. It has sweet wheels and a nice system inside that I sweat and worked my ass off to save up for and install myself.

I have been teeter'ing on the fence about gettin an aftermarket alarm. Here are my pro's and con's, any input is appreciated.

PRO'S:

-It can momentarily "spoof" or completely deter some of your low-level theives and buy you an extra couple of seconds to catch someone in the act when activated.

-It let's everyone know around you that you have an alarm when you "chirp" it.

-Even just the simple little blinking light can often prevent someone from breaking into your car.

-It can give you a peace of mind knowing that there is at least some level of protection.

CON'S:

-Nobody really pays attention to car alarms these days. In fact, they are rather annoying.

-The cost for a good alarm and installation can run between $400-$1000.

-If someone really wants your stuff inside, they will get it no matter what.

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When I first started my mods, I lowered my comprehensive deductable to $250 just in case anything gets stolen anyway. So in the event something like that did happen, I would'nt have to pay a fortune to have everything replaced through my insurance company.


So my question is:

Since everything is covered under insurance anyway, would it still be worth it to get a high end alarm installed if the possiblity of getting jacked is always going to be around? That's what insurance is for, right?

Surely I can get some good takers on this subject. Thanks in advance.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

Some alarms will bring your insurance rates down up to 40% also. It's more of a peace-of-mind thing, but they can halp. If you're worried about your car, get one. I plan to when i get my rims put on.

I've been looking at the Viper alarm systems, reading up on them and will probably have one installed in the new year.

[bandit]

Originally Posted by ebumdude

Here's my deal:

Today I get a phone call from my wife saying that two guys that were in the neighborhood moving furnature for someone else, was eye-balling my Camry. It has sweet wheels and a nice system inside that I sweat and worked my ass off to save up for and install myself.

I have been teeter'ing on the fence about gettin an aftermarket alarm. Here are my pro's and con's, any input is appreciated.

PRO'S:
-It can momentarily "spoof" or completely deter some of your low-level theives and buy you an extra couple of seconds to catch someone in the act when activated.
-It let's everyone know around you that you have an alarm when you "chirp" it.
-Even just the simple little blinking light can often prevent someone from breaking into your car.
-It can give you a peace of mind knowing that there is at least some level of protection.

CON'S:
-Nobody really pays attention to car alarms these days. In fact, they are rather annoying.
-The cost for a good alarm and installation can run between $400-$1000.
-If someone really wants your stuff inside, they will get it no matter what.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

When I first started my mods, I lowered my comprehensive deductable to $250 just in case anything gets stolen anyway. So in the event something like that did happen, I would'nt have to pay a fortune to have everything replaced through my insurance company.

So my question is:

Since everything is covered under insurance anyway, would it still be worth it to get a high end alarm installed if the possiblity of getting jacked is always going to be around? That's what insurance is for, right?

Surely I can get some good takers on this subject. Thanks in advance.

They could just be admiring your ride. I doubt they know you have a system unless you had it open for them to see, getting stuff out or got home blasting it while they were moving furniture.

I dont have the nice wheels or sound system setup you have but I have a Viper 5701 alarm. All my previous cars I dont have alarm except for my 1995 Ford Taurus with Lowjack which I kind of got ripped off on. But regardless of whether you have a nice sound system or not, I would get an alarm. Thieves will take things whether you have a nice sound system, portable GPS, iPod or aftermarket radio. They'll take it and sell it for drugs or what not. They'll break into your car just for the hell of it to see if you got anything and probably your loose change.

During our NYC car meet, bigloupumpin told us that his car got broken into right in front of his driveway. They took iPod but he said that the cars that got broken into by the thieves all didnt have an alarm. I think it was his wife or daughters car that was in the same driveway didnt get broken into cuz there was an alarm in the car.

My 5701 alarm and install was $450. I talked them into no tax. For added protection you can get Digital Tilt Motion Sensor (model 507M), Audio Glass Break Sensor (model 506T), Invisibeam® Field Disturbance Sensor (model 508D). Descriptions for each can be found @ http://viper.com/ShopViperProducts/S...tegoryCode=106 .

I originally bought the Viper 5900 on eBay along with extra remote but ended up selling it for a profit. I didnt get the 5900 because of the low battery life on the LCD remote. Its nice to have it but no need for it nor is the 1 mile (open field) range necessary. The 5701 does the same thing but no LCD screen, battery for remote lasts longer, and is 2-way like the 5900. So if my car goes off, my remote will alert me. The 5900 will let you know what is open such as door, hood trunk or if glass is broken. The 5701 just plays a music tone.

Of course, my 5701 is also a remote start. You may not need it as you're looking for alarm only but the amount you spend on installation and alarm only, you might as well pay a little extra and get the remote start. On average, alarm and installation should cost no more than $500. I agree that alarms are annoying when they go off at like 4am and the owner of the vehicle doesnt turn it off. However, you can adjust the sensitivity of the alarms.

If you do get the remote start and you dont want to give up the valet key, you'll need XpressKit Programmable Platform #05: Transponder Override Interface (XK05). This is a bypass module that fools the Camry's ECU to think there is a key (code) in the ignition that allows it to start.

If you go to Viper's site, the prices are retail prices. They are high priced expensive. They have the XK05 listed as $100 but I paid $35 on eBay. The 5701 was about $300 and they list it as $480. The 5900 that I bought on eBay for $160 after 30% cashback and later sold is $600 on Vipers website. Best Buy even tried to sell me it including installation for $500 plus tax. Installation at Best Buy is about $200. $600+ for installation and alarm is ridiculous!

I suggest taking it to a professional shop that does audio/alarms when it comes to these (Viper lets you search for a list of authorized sellers/installers - http://viper.com/Stores/). You dont want to pay top dollar for an alarm and they did a crappy job on the installation. The place I got mine done soldered all the wires and blended it with the factory wiring and hid the brain of the alarm very well.

So I suggest shopping around going from store to store and ask them what alarm system they carry and how much. If not, buy an alarm on eBay and just pay installation. Installation should be no more than $200. Viper, Clifford, Python is the same company just all rebranded. CompuStar is another good brand.

[PRINCESS PEACH]

they can steal the things inside.

they can't steal your car though.

get a backup battery wired to your alarm system.

or get what lammy has: revalco.
http://www.ravelco.com/

cars with this NEVER got their car stolen. EVER.

[bandit]

Originally Posted by PrincessPeach

they can steal the things inside.

they can't steal your car though.

get a backup battery wired to your alarm system.

or get what lammy has: revalco.
http://www.ravelco.com/

cars with this NEVER got their car stolen. EVER.

I dont think he's worried about the car stolen itself..its the rims and sound system. The Ravelco prevents the car from being moved but I think ebumdude is looking for something more audible to deter thieves. If it goes off, they either run away or they have to do what they got to do even quicker.

I agree though, get a backup battery and extra siren. Place the siren inside one of your air vents inside the car. They may see the siren in the trunk and rip it out but they wont know where the other siren is coming from.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by PrincessPeach

they can steal the things inside.

they can't steal your car though.

get a backup battery wired to your alarm system.

or get what lammy has: revalco.
http://www.ravelco.com/

cars with this NEVER got their car stolen. EVER.

+1 I have this ravelcom anti-theft device and never worry about my car is not there when I come back. My boss has this installed on his Porche 911 also.

[ebumdude]

You all have very valid points and great ideas.

Your right, I'm not so much worried for the vehicle itsef being stolen, just the contents. I don't have anything extra in there (loose change, ipod, etc...) just what I have installed already.

I checked with insurance, and they said the only discount I would get would be to get LoJack, which is something I am not really interested in.

My wife said when those dudes were looking at the car, it is when she popped open the trunk to get something out of it....which is another reason why I have been looking into a "stealth" set up for my subs so that when the trunk is open, you cant really tell that there are subs inside.

If I get an alarm, I know what I would go with, I just dont know if I want to spend money on it since everything is covered under insurance anyway.

Although, an alarm would be great to have the little blinking light, back up siren and audible features to spoof someone.

Just thinking about this gets me fired up man. It pisses me off that people have to worry about this kind of crap.

[98CamryLE]

While they were probably just admiring your ride... I'd say that doing a few smart, cheap, and easy things would be a much more effective way to protect your investments and hard work:

1) Wheel locks (if you don't have them already- you can get them as low as $20.
2) Park in well-lit areas that are visible to lots of people. Like parking on the street vs. parking in a back alley.
3) Lock your doors.
4) Never blast or "show off" your stereo system within a mile of where you park. Thieves pay attention to cars that "advertise" what they have to offer.
5) Park near someone who was careless enough to leave their doors unlocked, left a portable GPS on their dash, has tinted windows, and did other things that beg thieves to target their car.

The real key is to make your car look as stock as possible. Your wheels are already an indication to would-be thieves that there might be something good inside. I'd make sure that your interior looks as bone stock as possible for people looking in. If you have tinted windows- thieves are going to assume that there is something good inside.

Alarms usually are wastes of money. Like you said, no one really pays attention to them- and even if they did- no one is going to walk up to a thief and tell them to stop. Unfortunately, this is reality in 2008.

Also, check with your insurance company to make sure that your aftermarket components will be covered. Make sure you save all of the receipts to prove that you actually had those items.

[ebumdude]

Originally Posted by 98CamryLE

While they were probably just admiring your ride... I'd say that doing a few smart, cheap, and easy things would be a much more effective way to protect your investments and hard work:

1) Wheel locks (if you don't have them already- you can get them as low as $20.
2) Park in well-lit areas that are visible to lots of people. Like parking on the street vs. parking in a back alley.
3) Lock your doors.
4) Never blast or "show off" your stereo system within a mile of where you park. Thieves pay attention to cars that "advertise" what they have to offer.
5) Park near someone who was careless enough to leave their doors unlocked, left a portable GPS on their dash, has tinted windows, and did other things that beg thieves to target their car.

The real key is to make your car look as stock as possible. Your wheels are already an indication to would-be thieves that there might be something good inside. I'd make sure that your interior looks as bone stock as possible for people looking in. If you have tinted windows- thieves are going to assume that there is something good inside.

Alarms usually are wastes of money. Like you said, no one really pays attention to them- and even if they did- no one is going to walk up to a thief and tell them to stop. Unfortunately, this is reality in 2008.

Also, check with your insurance company to make sure that your aftermarket components will be covered. Make sure you save all of the receipts to prove that you actually had those items.

I have tint, wheel locks, inside is stock except for the head unit. I always lock my doors and I dont jam near my house...

I double checked with insurance to make sure everything...I mean everything, is covered and it is.

After a few hours of giving this some thought, I am deciding to not go with an aftermarket alarm.

Really, they are pointless. If someone wants inside my vehicle, they will get inside no matter what. I have insurance on everything, so I will save my $499 for an alarm and use half of it for my deductable in case someone does decide to break into it.

Thanks to all for your input. I appreciate it.

[bandit]

Originally Posted by ebumdude

I have tint, wheel locks, inside is stock except for the head unit. I always lock my doors and I dont jam near my house...

I double checked with insurance to make sure everything...I mean everything, is covered and it is.

After a few hours of giving this some thought, I am deciding to not go with an aftermarket alarm.

Really, they are pointless. If someone wants inside my vehicle, they will get inside no matter what. I have insurance on everything, so I will save my $499 for an alarm and use half of it for my deductable in case someone does decide to break into it.

Thanks to all for your input. I appreciate it.

At least with alarm, it would give a warning and either alert you or people around the area. But smart choice.

[bottlecaps]

Get a proper cannon, park your car out front, and wait in the bushes. Serves anyone right for touching what they don't own.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by ebumdude

I have tint, wheel locks, inside is stock except for the head unit. I always lock my doors and I dont jam near my house...

I double checked with insurance to make sure everything...I mean everything, is covered and it is.

After a few hours of giving this some thought, I am deciding to not go with an aftermarket alarm.

Really, they are pointless. If someone wants inside my vehicle, they will get inside no matter what. I have insurance on everything, so I will save my $499 for an alarm and use half of it for my deductable in case someone does decide to break into it.

Thanks to all for your input. I appreciate it.

You specifically informed them about the equipment in the vehicle? Your premium may increase because of the extra equipment.

Most policies don't cover your possessions inside your vehicle and you may have to rely on your homeowners insurance. Ensure you read through your policy rather than speaking to customer service.

[desentrix]

I think I'm going to look into that ravelco device.

I thought that our Camrys had a stock kill-start?

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by desentrix

I think I'm going to look into that ravelco device.

I thought that our Camrys had a stock kill-start?

There some type of device in the key that prevents the car from starting without it. I think that device does basically the same thing, but it still won't stop a flatbed.

If you make a copy of the key with a plain metal key, you can do everything but start the car.

[akira751]

Originally Posted by touringcamry

There some type of device in the key that prevents the car from starting without it. I think that device does basically the same thing, but it still won't stop a flatbed.

If you make a copy of the key with a plain metal key, you can do everything but start the car.

Very true nothing stops a flatbed. For pros its easier to steal a flatbed and they pick the car they want to steal. Bottom line nothing is 100% just use common sense. The first Gen 6 Camry I sold was stolen a month later because the woman left the car running and the door wide open.