Best aftermarket Remote Start for CX-5

[thedaddyb]

Superwario - I answered part of your question in your other thread. (in regards to the factory remote not working while remotely started)

As for your other issues:

Key Takeover - The only company that has a data solution for the CX-5 is ADS. In their first solution, you could allow key takeover where you unlock the door, hop in, and then drive away (similar to what Tundraroamer explained) this early solution also required you to permanently lose a key for the remote start to activate. With their newer update, you don't lose a key for the remote start to work, but as a security/liability issue they can't offer key take over. If the car would not shut off when the door is opened, essentially a thief could break in and drive away with your car while it is remotely started. It has no way of knowing that you are getting in with the key.

Light flash - This came down to a lazy install by your installer. Wiring into the parking lights on the CX-5 is a pain in the butt, but it is do-able. The lazy alternative is to wire into the hazard switch to give you a visual confirmation of the remote start's operation. The downside? The lights will flash the entire time the car is remotely started.

 

[tibimakai]

Which is that ADS unit?

 

[lodisej]

Can you control your HVAC via any of the aftermarkets? Mazda states, you can 'pre-heat or pre-cool your car's interior, start the rear defroster.'

In my wifes car, if the temp is below 40, defrosters and seat heaters automatically turn on!

And if it's above a certain temp, AC kicks on.

 

[thedaddyb]

Which is that ADS unit?

The ADS unit http://www.idatalink.com is only the data/transponder bypass module. That unit communicates between the car and whatever remote start/alarm you decide to use.

Can you control your HVAC via any of the aftermarkets? Mazda states, you can 'pre-heat or pre-cool your car's interior, start the rear defroster.'

In my wifes car, if the temp is below 40, defrosters and seat heaters automatically turn on!

And if it's above a certain temp, AC kicks on.

You can control the rear defroster and heated seats with an aftermarket one, but the AC controls are not temp sensitive. That feature is available on some vehicles through aftermarket systems, but not currently on the CX-5. So you would have to remember to set your HVAC the night before, or leave it on the auto temp setting.

 

[tibimakai]

That module, works only with the smart key system. I don't have that one.

 

[thedaddyb]

That module, works only with the smart key system. I don't have that one.

For the standard key system, it looks like they aren't currently working on a data solution, so whatever system you would want would have to be hardwired in. For a remote start to function it would require the loss of a key unfortunately.

There is a chance that it might use the same tech from older previous Mazdas, but they aren't showing support for it. I haven't personally done a system on a key start CX-5 to see how it is wired.

 

[mentalcase]

I'm pretty stoked that they finally came out with a programable bypass for our cars. Now I do not have the advanced keyless system, but I believe all of our cars have smart keys.

Time to look back into a compustar ezgo/drone setup for remote start and passive keyless entry.

 

[akwasi]

I've actually contacted Fortin (one of the makers of the bypass) to see if we can now have the car start and not shut down on car door open and they told me it's impossible. Let me know if you find out otherwise.. without having to lose a key of course.

 

[TomFoolery]

I am interested in getting a 2015 GT AWD without Tech. I am trying to figure out the best remote to go with.

I read through this thread (which goes back to 2013 so there might have been some outdated info).
It looks like there are basically 3 good options.

1) OEM starter

2) Compustar

3) Viper / Python

I think the OEM starter might be the way to go because of less hassle (3rd party) but then again, if it is far inferior, I'd be interested in something different.

Can anyone give me a quick list of pro's and con's for the 2015 model?
I'm thinking some of what I read might be outdated.

Examples:
Distance to start car... not exact footage but I've read the OEM one isn't far compared to the 3rd party... is that still true,

Car shuts down when any of the doors are opened,

One fab is lost if you have remote start (this was kind of old and might now have changed but also not sure if this applies to the OEM one),
etc...

Thanks

 

[mentalcase]

The OEM one is pretty terrible. Range is bad and reliability is the same, but the install is really, really easy compared to an aftermarket. Definitely DIY.

Compustar and Viper (could also be several other brands like python and clifford which are all owned by Directed) are both phenomenal and offer great range and reliability, but unless you know what you are doing a professional install is recommended and usually required for warranty purposes.

You used to have to give up a key, but they finally have a programmable bypass to save the key and $$$$ needed to grab one from the dealer.

 

[tibimakai]

You know that, when you will open the door, the engine with stop?

 

[TomFoolery]

Open door... shuts car off?
Is this for the OEM one only?

Because I thought I saw that the new aftermarket had an automatic switchover if u had a fob in your pocket.
Not only that, I thought they also accomplished this without giving up the extra fob also?
Is this not the case?

 

[mentalcase]

I scheduled an install at bestbuy to install a compustar brain in a few weeks. At least with the compustar models the remote start will turn off when the door is open which is a security feature to prevent theft.

Also once the vehicle is started, you can only unlock the doors via the remote start remote. This is only because our cars disable lock/unlock via the factory fob once the car is started.

 

[TomFoolery]

It's definitely hard finding the info about these starters.

I guess there aren't many that get them or at least they don't follow the forums.

I still find conflicting info about them... For example: (from above, post 93) "car shuts off when door opened".

Yet I have found a few post saying that it doesn't...

From post 75 a reply to someone's issues about remote start...

"We installed a Viper 4704 in our 2014 CX-5 in 2013 by a local installer. No wiring issues."

Issue raised but another person:
"• When the door is opened, the car shuts down. There is no takeover option. The installer said that there is no way to wire it on a Mazda so that I can have this."

Reply:
'No, not true. I open the door all the time and hop in and drive off. Must have key on me of course. In fact, I have driven off without my key and it will drive until you stop and then it shuts down."

 

[mentalcase]

It might depend on the manufacture, but our cars do not check for the key again once the vehicle is started. So I still find the take over hard to believe.

 

[mentalcase]

It looks like there may be a bypass available that allows for a takeover option. I have a question out on Fortin.ca to confirm. The model is EVO-ALL.

 

[Sekmor]

We had the OEM remote starter installed before we took delivery. The range isn't the greatest, if you can see the vehicle, it works ok. Not a big deal for us, but if you like starting it from your office on the other side of the building, it probably won't work. Range might have something to do with antenna. I don't see one on the windshield, so it must be in the dash somewhere.
Biggest reason I picked OEM, is with all the electronics in new vehicles. Did not want someone hacking into all the wires and causing problems down the road. Not sure how the aftermarket systems affect warranty issues, so at least with the OEM remote, the dealer will take care of me.

 

[TomFoolery]

Hey Sekmor,

The OEM is what I was thinking of going with for the same reasons.
I was hoping to find many folks on here.that could tell me about their experiences with their aftermarkets but seems like very few.

 

[Sekmor]

The dealer hooked mine up when we purchased the car new, but from what I understand, they plug it into an existing harness and done.
Range is ok, but definitely not a 1/4 mile like the viper on our previous car.
Press a couple buttons and the FOB communicates back the car is running.
Extra FOB, at first seemed a PITA, but we don't use it all the time. So the wife just has it in her purse instead of on her key chain.
Engine shuts off when door is opened. Again at first seemed stupid, but now we're used to it, no big deal. Good theft deterrent.
Now that it's cold up here, the wife leaves the heat on full, seat warmers on, so they all start up when the remote is used.
As for cost up here, by itself it was around $700, (aftermarket the same) but we made a deal with all our accessories so the cost was way cheaper.
If I did it again, I'd probably buy the same setup.

 

[mentalcase]

Takeover looks like it might dependent on which bypass is used when installing the remote start. The OEM unit doesn't require a bypass since....welll....it's designed by mazda and likely uses the vehicle bus.

The EVO-ALL by Fortin looks to have a take over regiment but I wasn't able to find one with any other manufacture. Hopefully the other's will develop the same thing and firmware can be updated.