Car Alarm recommendations among other things

SuperMatty · 08-17-2002, 09:07 PM

I just moved to a bad area (near Allentown, PA) and some of the neighbors say that car break-ins are common. I need some advice for an alarm that is $300 or less, as well as I was wondering if its possible to build a car cell phone charger? Is there anything complicated about that? I have a Motorola talkabout if it makes any difference.

allenruble · 08-17-2002, 11:28 PM

here is the one I got and works good for me alarm

00CericaRuss · 08-19-2002, 12:40 PM

well... looks like you're going for inexpensive rather than top of the line...
here's what I got
http://www.clifford.com/products/cp_ag4.htm
AvantGuard 4 includes:

All of the security and convenience features of the Concept 600, except the Dual-Zone OmniSensor- PLUS all of the remote starting features of the Solaris
Accepts new plug-in Dual-Zone OmniSensor (remotely adjustable)
Digital Tilt/Motion Sensor
Exclusive Wireless Immobilizer
Untraceable, unbreachable 3rd-point immobilization of the fuel pump or other device for ultimate security
Smart Self-Powered Siren 4

here's the feature chart
http://www.clifford.com/products/c_fchart.htm

anyways.. retail.. expect about $1000 for the alarm installed.

Luckily, i used to be an installer, and bought the alarm from my old work for $300 and did the install myself.... and yes, it was a pain.

m3rdpwr · 08-19-2002, 01:28 PM

If you have a newer car, and don't mind paying a few dollars extra, look at Crutchfueld.com and they may have a direct connect harness for your vehicle to make the installation much easier...

-Mario

Skippman · 08-19-2002, 01:43 PM

Love the Alpince SEC-8063.

Electronicsuk · 08-19-2002, 04:18 PM

As long as you have a few tools you can make a phone charger using some common parts. Take a look here:
http://www.mitedu.freeserve.co.uk/Ci...ower/lm317.htm
Of course you need a multimeter and you need to know the voltage of your phone.
Best regards,
Matthew

SuperMatty · 08-21-2002, 02:38 AM

Amazing...so that's all there is to it? Just hooking it up to the appropriate voltage source? Why would anyone pay $30 for something like that??? I thought for $30 it would have to be much more complicated .

ODYSSEY · 08-21-2002, 03:44 AM

Get one of those usb -> cell phone chargers. (assuming your computer is installed in your car)

http://www.neticamall.com/P_1131.htm

You can make them too.

Mastero · 08-21-2002, 05:24 AM

my suggestion will be a pager security system ...

belive me sometimes we dont know if its our car or someone eleses screaming help !

so the pager alarm is nice ..

mastero

ShinkunoNamida · 08-21-2002, 11:36 AM

I've heard the pager alarms don't work well at all.

m3rdpwr · 08-21-2002, 01:10 PM

My pager alarm from 1988 worked pretty well actually.
It had a 1/4 mile range.

Check out this one:
http://www.gotapex.com/deals.php?search=alarm

Although the vendor doesn't have them now so it seams, I bet you can find it elsewhere...

-Mario

Electronicsuk · 08-21-2002, 01:13 PM

It's suprising how simple many expensive items can be. As long as you adjust the circuit to the same voltage as your phone charger it should be fine. Usually any circuits to limit the battery charging current will be inside the phone, so all you need to do is make a power supply the same voltage as the phone charger. Anyhow it worked for me.
Best regards,
Matthew

00CericaRuss · 08-21-2002, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mastero
belive me sometimes we dont know if its our car or someone eleses screaming help !

unless you can control what sounds your siren outputs and also have airhorns hooked up to it...

it's pretty distinguishable

not to mention LOUD!

Rob · 08-27-2002, 04:57 PM

I'm not sure if Thamchum exist in the US, but if they do it's worth keeping an eye out for them. They don't make alarms rather they are a standard, or govening body for alarms. If you get one which is Thatchum approved then it's serious good, and nearlly all insurance companies (well the ones in the UK) will give you money of if you've got a Thatchum Alarm.

On the down side they have to be fitted by an authoriesed fitter, you can't just go into the shop and by on, and they tend to be expensive. But if you plan to keep the car for a long time they should pay for themselves in insurance savings.

Also talk to your insurance company, they will almost definately, recemend a few alarms, after all they don't want your car to be stolen any more than you do.

Rob · 09-16-2002, 04:46 PM

After talking to various people in the business I finally go my alarm installed to day. Ended up going for a laserline 291 alarm and imobiliser.

Really good quality with nice features like, connects to central looking, automatic windows, evan controls the all important roof

From what I've heard they're a bugger to by-pass and if you you try and disconnect the speaker it'll go off on it's own, and all the parts have internal back up batteries.

Price wise it's more than your budget, but it came with fitting. However they also sell the alarmon it's own with out the imobiliser and that might be a bit more affordable.

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