Car Remote systems

[The Mum]

Anyone know anything about a system called AVITAL by Viper? There's a shop in town that installs them for $140.00 with one remote and 1 year warranty. You can get two remotes for $160.00 or a keyless entry for an additional $40.00 (whatever that means).
They also advertize a Viper 160 $270 and a Viper 591XV 400 lifetime warranties and extras etc. but I don't want to spend that much.

I was wondering if anyone has one, knows of them and has any thoughts.
Thanks

[Kayak_Rat]

What are you wanting it to do?just keyless, or remote start?

[The Mum]

Originally Posted by Kayak_Rat

What are you wanting it to do?just keyless, or remote start?

Remote is the first priority. I would like her to be able to start the car from inside the house so the windows could defrost and the car warms up etc.
Thanks

[Kayak_Rat]

What year and make of car? Is the shop a Best Buy type or an actual car audio shop?

[The Mum]

Originally Posted by Kayak_Rat

What year and make of car? Is the shop a Best Buy type or an actual car audio shop?

2004 Honda Civic. The shop is called Auto Works. They do that and detailing, audio systems etc.

[Kayak_Rat]

Originally Posted by The Mum

2004 Honda Civic. The shop is called Auto Works. They do that and detailing, audio systems etc.

That shouldnt be too much trouble to install. Some of the older cars had reverse polarity on their wiring.......major pain.

Avital is made by Directed Electronic. When we were doing them, we used alot of Directed products. Never had too much trouble.

The issue you might ask about is:

You are basically hotwiring your car with a radio receiver. If the car recognizes this, it can shut down and lock itself up. We had to have a Ford Focus we were showing in a competition towed back from Memphis because of this. That being said, if it doesnt have an existing security system this is alot less likely to happen. Also make sure the unit has a limiter for the ignition. If not, it can lock up and basically burn up your starter. It has been five years since I installed one, so these may not even be issues anymore. Just some stuff we had to watch for. Also make sure they will stand by the install. Check out their install bays, it usually tells a ton about how your install will go.

Did that answer any of your questions?

[Ski1215]

You might want to spend a little more to get some more features. (As much as I hate the store) Circuit City has pretty good deal on remote start and keyless entry systems.

A two way feature would be good to have. It communicates back with your key fob so you don't mistakenly hit the start button twice and grind the starter gear and flywheel.

For 250$ you get that feature, 1000 ft range, keyless, one aux button and a handful of other things.

Just a suggestion. This is the one I'm getting.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/DEI-P...oductDetail.do

[GoodFella]

Originally Posted by Ski1215

You might want to spend a little more to get some more features. (As much as I hate the store) Circuit City has pretty good deal on remote start and keyless entry systems.

A two way feature would be good to have. It communicates back with your key fob so you don't mistakenly hit the start button twice and grind the starter gear and flywheel.

For 250$ you get that feature, 1000 ft range, keyless, one aux button and a handful of other things.

Just a suggestion. This is the one I'm getting.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/DEI-P...oductDetail.do

yep what he said
if you are going to do it do it right the first time
there is no reason to cheap on car alarms and the 2 wat thing is the best i use to have a integra gsr and that is the one thing i spent some cash on. i am not saying drop 600 + on it but go to best buy or the city and get it dont right

[The Mum]

Thanks Kayak_Rat, Ski215 and GoodFella for all your help and advice.
I have some questions to ask the stores and some additional research to do but in the end it should be worth it.

[RPB67]

Viper is one of the best.

I have factory remote and alarm in my car now. Its not Viper but its still good.

Viper is one of the best aftermarket devices on the market.

Just make sure whatever one you get, they guarantee that it will work from a distance and it will also work from inside your home and office.

[Mark C]

The car is an automatic right? Manual transmissions get a little tricky.

[The Mum]

Originally Posted by Mark C

The car is an automatic right? Manual transmissions get a little tricky.

Yep, it's automatic and like most cars will need an additional part to by pass the honda security. Looks like the keyless entry is the way to go so ny daughter won't be caring around 2 remotes.

[Ski1215]

Originally Posted by The Mum

Thanks Kayak_Rat, Ski215 and GoodFella for all your help and advice.
I have some questions to ask the stores and some additional research to do but in the end it should be worth it.

Im not claiming I know everything about them, because I certainly do not. But usually a salesperson at Circuit City will either be A) incompetent, or B) try and run you through the ringer about other products. I'm looking at one myself, the one I posted. I had no clue about what features were good. I looked online for maybe an hour and found out what I'm looking for. Its easy to find info on them.

Another thing to mention is that depending on your ignition system you may need an extra part, usually about 50$. I believe its an ignition override of some sorts.

In my opinion, your best bet would be research online and find out what unit you want and what you will need with it, and at what costs. Find the unit at Circuit City or a comperable place, and go to the store with cash. Tell them thats exactly what you want and you want it installed. To maintain the warranty, the store needs to install it. Just don't go through any of the BS. I want this, now, installed, I have cash.

You might do it completley different, but I've found when buying things from stores like Best Buy or Circuit City, I usually know more about what I'm buying than ther person does about what they're selling.

[aliefj96]

I had an Avital alarm with keyless entry installed on a new Accord I bought years ago as well as on my Honda motorcycle. I never had a problem with either. Clifford is in my opinion the best alarm system you can buy and they share components as they are from the same company.

Another thing you might want to consider, that I learned as a Honda salesman, is that all Hondas built after 97 have keyless systems pre-installed. When purchasing the option all you are really buying is a key fob and the two minutes it takes a tech to program it for your car.

[BamaDoc77]

Buy a viper 791 XV off ebay, then have a mom and pop shop do the install, should be much......try to do biz with small biz owners..help a family, not a corporation.