Help me decide on an alarm

[garyj]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post! I bought a '97 Protege a couple weeks ago and just discovered this board. Looks like a great place with lots of valuable information! I hope to be able to contribute to the wealth of knowlege here, but for now, I could use some help.

I'm in the market for a car alarm now after installing my stereo system. I've narrowed my search down to two choices that are both in the same price range. One is a DEI HORNET 553T and the other is an Alpine SEC 150R. I know both Alpine and DEI are highly respected companies, so I'm really having a hard time deciding. Does anyone have any opionion on which one I should go for. They both have similar features and I can get either one on eBay for around $125. I plan on installing it myself, but don't have a lot of experience. Is one easier to install than the other? Or maybe is one less prone to false alarms than the other ? Any info would be appreciated. TIA!

 

[LinuxRacr]

You could go with a Compustar or Autopage alarm systems also. These two page you when something happens to your ride, and has a little LCD readout to tell you what part of your car is being affected. 1/4-1&1/2 mile range! I think they even have a turbo timer built in? Check them out.

 

[1sty]

Alarms are all about the install. A godd installer will need atleast 6 hours to properly install an alarm, otherwise it will be easy to get around for a theif.

Most of the people I work with have decided to remove ther alpine alarms and switch to the Viper 790, another DEI product. DEI is by far the leading manufacturer of alarms but there colors are more know by theifs.

If you are doing the install you should plan the location of everything out first. Nothing should just go under the dash. Many times we remove the guages of cars to hide the alarm there. Also the relay banks that come with the alarm also should not be easily accesable. Every wire should be taped up so that they can not be distiquished from the factory wires.

 

[JellyBean98]

One thing the Alpine includes is a Proximity sensor. It works alot different than the one DEI offers though. Also if you haven't installed an alarm before I think DEI alarms are a little more user friendly. especially when it comes to programming.

 

[garyj]

Thanks for your input guys! Maybe instead of buying a good one off ebay for about $150 and trying to install it myself, I could just go to a place that installs them and get a cheap one installed for that price. I don't need the best, I just want to have keyless entry and an alarm that works!

 

[LinuxRacr]

You don't wan to skimp on the alram, cause the thieves will love you for it. At least get a Perimeter Sensor with whatever alarm you get.

 

[garyj]

Can someone recommend me a good installer in the D/FW area? I wish I knew someone who did it on the side so I didn't have to pay retail..

 

[garyj]

Well I took you're advice and just purchased the Alpine SEC 150R that has the proximity sensor. It was $125 + $15 shipping on eBay. The guy with the Hornet still has the same 12 of them for sale now as he did yesterday. But the guy with the Alpine had six yesderday, and then when I checked it a few minutes ago, he only had one left. So I jumped on it! Now I just need to find someone to hook it up. Is there no such thing as a place that will do a professional job, cheap? Car Toys wants $150!!