Keyless entry or security system?

[corsair]

Ok so I just got my replacement door installed but I didn't go through the trouble of changing the handles or swapping lock cylinders or anything. This got me thinking, it'd be cool if I could just get some keyless entry jobbie setup and I'd be set.

However, I live in an area where 1 in 20,000 cars are broken in to per year, and that's by an ex-girlfriend or something and nothing is stolen except CDs or anything within reach. In fact, in Lewisburg most break-ins happen on an unlocked car. I don't think I have much reason for a full security system.

So basically I'm left with the option of getting keyless entry or a full fledged alarm system. Any opinions on the two and who makes the best one?

[scottzg]

http://www.bbs.legacycentral.org/viewto ... =3950#3950

That was my solution.

[corsair]

Scott, I could just swap out locks but I don't think I'm going to bother as my driver's door works fine and if it stops working I can always crawl in from the back. I more or less am trying to get opinions on keyless entry/security systems. But that thread you linked will help if I ever want to switch door locks.

[dscoobydoo]

Nowadays, going from Keyless entry to full alarm is just a little bit more. If you never leave where you are from, then go with the keyless.

Myself, I travel a bit and I like knowing the car has a top notch alarm to deter the WRX crowd from getting my car for a donor.

That and I can piss off the neighbors when it goes off!

[LaureltheQueen]

I had a slightly different locking problem with my car, due to the dealer installed keyless system. My lock solenoid wouln't fully work on the driver's door, and would make the driver's door "stick" unless it was open.

For my birthday I was lucky enough to have friends that love me enough to know that I hate climbing through the passenger seat every time I want to get into my locked car. So, they bought me an alarm, and it took a few hours of tinkering just with that door to make the solenoid work correctly(unless you try to open the door before it's been unlocked by the alarm, then it does what it used to) It's pretty bizarre, but long story short, go with the alarm.

You can do remote start(if you want) and can feel more comfortable parking places other than home

[Tleg93]

You have some good friends.

[LaureltheQueen]

well, one of them is an installer at a high end audio dealer, so we got install for free(more proof that he's a good friend)

[corsair]

so who makes a good system then? are there any systems that aren't going to like to play nice with our cars?

[corsair]

anyone? someone?

[dscoobydoo]

I went with Clifford. That way later on I can add all the extras if I wanted to.

[professor]

since alarms are completely useless and just annoy the sh!t out of me all day long,

I vote for just the keyless entry

alarms make noise, but $5 hidden kill switches keep you car from getting stolen

alarms are the most indulged-in rice item out there, a status symbol more than a useful product

[LaureltheQueen]

my alarm lets me know when the kids next door hit me with their basketball, or if someone bumps my car when they're trying to park. It also allows me to unlock my car remotely, as well as start it when it's fucking cold outside. I also went with a clifford alarm.

The thing you gotta know about alarms is 90% of the alarm is the install. If you get a good alarm, but try to install it yourself, it'll likely be less effective than a $20 schucks alarm installed by a (real) professional.

My alarm is not there to keep my car from getting stolen(though it employs a starter kill when tripped), it's there for convenience. That's why i'm getting tint before I even think about doing a stereo.

[scottzg]

My alarm is not there to keep my car from getting stolen(though it employs a starter kill when tripped), it's there for convenience.

your alarm is annoying!!!

[Yukonart]

alarms are the most indulged-in rice item out there, a status symbol more than a useful product

Ahhh. . . I guess all those foiled theft attempts involving cars with alarms are just figments of everyone's imagination.

[LaureltheQueen]

My alarm is not there to keep my car from getting stolen(though it employs a starter kill when tripped), it's there for convenience.

your alarm is annoying!!!

that's the point.

[dzx]

I worry more about my shit inside my car getting stolen than the car itself. Most people around here would rather steal the stereo or any valuables you have in the car. Thats why i got an alarm and its been extremely useful. A status symbol? I think not.

[professor]

wow, your thieves pay attention to the fact that you have an alarm ?

I need to move to where the polite thieves live

it's smash, grab, gone in 30 seconds wherever I've lived, alarm or not

I'm sure I could count 100 false alarms daily in my neighborhood, no one pays the slightest attention to them whatsoever

[tris91ricer]

Really? In nice little Providence, Rhode Island? Wow. So much for a scholarly dream.

You should move, out here with the rest of us. East coast eats paint chips for jelly beans.

[LaureltheQueen]

around here people usually pay attention to alarms. Guess I'm just lucky

[magicmike]

Hey Laurel, just to correct you. Your alarm is ALWAYS disabling the starter circuit. It only lets you start the car when it is disarmed. You could rip out the alarm completely and not be able to start the car (at the key switch)

But anyway, to who ever started this post, sometimes just seeing that little red blinking light is enough fot the guy to move onto the next quiet car. I should also point out that the main difference between alarms is anti code grabbing. That is when everytime you push the button on your remote is switches to a different freqency. Clifford (which is what I have also) actually sends 2 different freqencies. One which carries the scambled signal and one which carries the unscramble code. Pretty cool stuff but the bottom line is that if they want your car they will just take it with a flatbed. I got a full blown alarm and remote starter for the sake that I plan on doing a full blown system in it at some point and I need a remote starter for the winter. It also has a built in turbo timer which is invaluable. But what ever you decide, get it installed somewhere good, not like a best buy or somewhere like that. Tweeter is the best (chain) store you could find if you dont have a good local shop.

[Legacy777]

Hey Laurel, just to correct you. Your alarm is ALWAYS disabling the starter circuit. It only lets you start the car when it is disarmed. You could rip out the alarm completely and not be able to start the car (at the key switch)

That's not how it "should" work. I know....I rewired my alarm because the dumbasses wired in the trigger for the starter kill into the ignition "ON" lead, rather then the start lead.

There is a relay that is energized based off this lead. When energized the starter won't turn over. Sooo....the relay was energized with the key was in the ON position, but not in the START position.

It was funny how I found out. I was screwing around, sat in my car, armed the car, and tried to start the car. Needless to say, I was surprised when I could start my car with the alarm armed.

You wouldn't want that relay engaged all the time, especially when the car is sitting, because it would drain your battery.

You could also tie into the ignition system, and have another way to kill things, however if things fail with that, you lose ignition, and the car won't run. With the starter, it's not really as big a deal.

[magicmike]

Maybe I didnt explain that very well. The way that it works is that the starter circuit is wired normally open through the relay. So it rests at normally open. It only energizes or closes when the alarm is disamarmed and the ignition ON wire triggers the coil. Im explaining how the Clifford systems work, not any other type of system. Just to clarify what you wrote, the ON possition IS on durring the crank position also so it was wired correctly for that type of starter kill. Sounds like they wired it to a ingnition lead but not the one thats hot during crank.

[Legacy777]

Just to clarify what you wrote, the ON possition IS on durring the crank position also so it was wired correctly for that type of starter kill. Sounds like they wired it to a ingnition lead but not the one thats hot during crank.

Yeah, that's what they did.

BTW, I've got a clifford, so it should be wired the same as what you're describing. My memory may be a little fuzzy on the specific details, but I'm pretty sure it's something like how I described.