Alpine Alarms. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

***REN69*** · 11-26-2002, 11:13 PM

I posted this in the tech section and got no replies.. so I'll try the right section.. LOL

Does anyone out there have any thoughts or advice regarding Alpine alarms?? (Xenon, u there man? ) I'm looking into buying an alarm system, and Alpine and Clifford are a couple of the brands I'm looking at.. I don't wanna go too cheap, like walmart or canadian tire alarms and sh!t.. hehe so any advice would be appreciated.

Xenon · 11-27-2002, 02:36 AM

What's up Ren. sorry I've been off the board for a while..

There's allot of different high-end alarms..

Alpine is an alright alarm, but it isn't top of the line.

Honestly though, it all depends on your budget and needs! Do you want a starter too?
There's also the new two way remote alarms, if you remember we mentioned them at the MR2 meet a couple of months ago.

Tell me what your budget and needs are and I'll try and find you a suitable alarm...

boyet · 11-27-2002, 10:25 AM

xenon,

while youre at it, im looking for a remote starter & keyless entry system, no alarm. just the basic stuff... no bells and whistle....

any recommendation? lemme know pls.

TIA,

Xenon · 11-28-2002, 11:15 AM

You have to be more specific boyet! What kind of car? Does it have power door locks? Do you want to hook up the power door locks to the car! Is it manual or auto! All these questions will decide the price...

boyet · 11-28-2002, 12:43 PM

well, i thought you saw my sig....

i have a 96 camry LE, auto, with power door locks

right now, Best Buy has Avital 3200 for $230 installed (remote start & keyless entry), they've also got Clifford Matrix RS for $280 installed (same features as Avital)

so, i've prolly go to Best Buy... im trying to decide right now which one to get... Avital 3200 or Clifford Matrix RS?????

unless you're store has got a better deal than this... :wink: then let me know quick!!!!!

***Phi*** · 11-28-2002, 12:55 PM

Word of caution dude. I haven't been to Best Buy, but if it's like the rest of the cahin stores, I wouldn't trust their installers. Take it to a specialty shop that your trust.

boyet · 11-28-2002, 02:21 PM

yeah, true!

but best buy has the MECP (mobile electonics certified professional) logo displayed and claims that their installer is certified.

i just dont know if that MECP is an industry standard or just something that best buy cooked up!

***Phi*** · 11-28-2002, 02:37 PM

More info on MECP cert;
http://www.ce.org/certifications/mecp/default.asp

Okay. let's say he's "certified"...do you really think that means they'll take the extra time ensure that the install is more than the bare minimum to get the alarm working? I doubt it. He'll prolly rip your panels out breaking a few clip in the process, tape the unit to the steering column, twist teh connections together and wrap it in wads of electrical tape, slap the panels as best he can since he broke the clips earlier..you get my point. Just be careful.

Luc · 11-28-2002, 03:25 PM

MECP is just a selling point, that's all. All you need is about 70% to pass to get the Basic Installer certification, and the tests are a joke. You don't really need to be technical, just have common sense and know the terms of the tools used. The second level is pretty much the same as Basic, but just with more relay scenerios. However, the Master level is somewhat intimidating, since you will need to know wiring colors!!! But seriously, do NOT take it to Best Buy in general, even for stereos, albeit there are a few that will do a very good job. Check around and get other quotes too. You wouldn't believe the kind of mess I had to clean up from one terribly installed headunit in a Camaro.

Luc

boyet · 11-28-2002, 10:31 PM

thanx for the input, i'll continue to shop.... i'll check out kromer radio next...

***Phi*** · 11-28-2002, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boyet

thanx for the input, i'll continue to shop.... i'll check out kromer radio next...

Be prepared to pay! They're expensive, but worth it if you don't mind paying (from what I've heard.)

***REN69*** · 11-28-2002, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenon

What's up Ren. sorry I've been off the board for a while..

There's allot of different high-end alarms..

Alpine is an alright alarm, but it isn't top of the line.

Honestly though, it all depends on your budget and needs! Do you want a starter too?
There's also the new two way remote alarms, if you remember we mentioned them at the MR2 meet a couple of months ago.

Tell me what your budget and needs are and I'll try and find you a suitable alarm...

well.. I don't need a starter, since I always leave my car in first gear and with the brake on. No pwr windows or door locks on my car either, so that's not really a concern. Just a nice alarm would do. Budget.. we'll see.

Xenon · 11-29-2002, 11:42 AM

Boyet. I'm sorry I haven't checked for you yet. I'll try my best to do it today, I haven't been to work in a few days. I was sick, and now I have exams to study for, so I'm kind of on a short vacation now..

Xenon · 11-29-2002, 03:09 PM

OK, boyet.

So, I checked for you, and we offer the DEI Python which is exactly the same system as the Clifford Matrix RS for $199 +tax, it all comes together to be $228 with Keyless entry...

And trust me, I can guarntee better quality work than best buy, cause you really can't see what these guys are doing in the back..

There you go, you get to decide..

cdnsupra · 11-29-2002, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenon

OK, boyet.

So, I checked for you, and we offer the DEI Python which is exactly the same system as the Clifford Matrix RS for $199 +tax, it all comes together to be $228 with Keyless entry...

And trust me, I can guarntee better quality work than best buy, cause you really can't see what these guys are doing in the back..

There you go, you get to decide..

hey xenon,
is that the price of the alarm, and the install is extra, or included.
i ask because it seems like a nice price, but you also added in that you would do a better job than other yahooooos out there.