Need an alarm...should I do it myself?

[LBX2G 10+ year member]

Keep in mind that most DEI Dealers wont install any alarm that isn't a DEI product. You have to watch buying the ebay stuff, because ALOT of reputable shops (including the one I install at) wont do it.

this is very true and if u find one that will install an non-DEI alarm it might cost ur an arm a leg and a nut to get it put in. BUt check out millionbuy.com they got some good prices.

 

[jleecong 10+ year member]

My 2 cents...

Have a pro install your alarm. (Best Buy, Circuit City are not pros. At least not the ones in my area.)

My local shop sold the alarm I wanted for $500.00 (Ungo MS8300) not including install. I found it mail order for 200.00 (SmilePhoto) and asked if they could come close to that price. They said no, so I asked if I could just order it have them install it. While they assured me I was getting a gray market or bad alarm for that price, they would be happy to do the install.

That was over 6 years ago and 2 cars ago and the shop that installed my alarm is closed along with all the other local shops, but my alarm is still kicking (3rd install now, all by the same installer). Install was $50.00, but was done after hours. Thanks Chad!

 

[fugit 10+ year member]

Install for 50$ that rocks, I know no one where I live so I had to DIY, or get *****. I went to a shop that wanted 600$ for a viper 790xv(?) w/ RS installed in a 96 yukon. 100$ each for 530t window modules and 50$ per window to put them in. Thats like 1000$ for all that if they don't try to get me to get anything else. :thumbsdow I went ahead and bought 2 530t's and a 560xv for 280$ and installed it all myself. I know only a little about the electronis part, but I used to dismantle cars for LEA's for 4 years. It was hard, but not impossible. The only thing I still can't get exactly right is the **** Remote Start, but I'm willing to have everything else work perfectly, wires hidden, everything soldered, and I know where everything is.

From my experience, the only really "hard" part is knowing where all the wires are. Make sure you have a volt/ohm meter and TIME (like 2-3 full days). The inexperience will make you take 3-4 times as long as a decent installer at least. It all depends on how strapped you are for cash and if your willing to bust your *** and learn. I think the install would've been worth 200$ for all that, but not 700-800 like they wanted. Shop around, or read up, either way you have to live with what you do but no guts, no glory.

 

[crhye250r 10+ year member]

I agree with part of the post above me. For starters, it is awesome that you did the window automation and stuff yourself. Thats something to be proud of. Any shop would charge close to that to do that much work. That is a bit on the high side though. I could have done that in probably 6 hours or so, but i have done so many i have lost count by now.

What kind of problem are you having with your remote start. Im sure i could help you iron it out. Get back with me, id be glad to help you out.

 

[fugit 10+ year member]

The "From my experience" part, I forgot to say that was my first and only alarm experience. The time to install too was geared toward someone who has never done it before. It's spooky at first because its your car and you don't want to screw it up but like I said about the guts and glory. I mean if I could do it, I'm sure anyone could. crhye250r, thanks for the offer, I'll pm.

 

[nitsuj 10+ year member]

I bought one of those Crutchfield alarms with the premade harness for my Blazer and it only took me a good part of a day to get it in. Not easy by any means, but again I knew where everything was and knew how to change any settings myself.

That harness saved my life, would have never even gotten close if it hadn't been for that.

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

Shopping for a good quality reputable alarm can be a frustrating task. Alot of shops do overcharge and for simple things. Granted they have overhead and mouths to feed, so not exactly ripping anyone off, but still. Case in point..most dealers around me (self excluded) charge $65-$95 to connect keyless entry..In most cases it is just two more wires and a few minutes of time.

Drawbacks of buying online of course would be the warranty as well as most places not wanting to install them. If they do they will ( as do I) charge a somewhat higher price. The fairness in that...If something goes wrong with the alarm where are you going to go? Back to them, and they have to deal with it. Can be very time consuming a frustrating to the dealer. Also anything in the DEI- Viper,Clifford, or Python lines..MUST be dealer sold and installed.

I pretty much have all lines available to me, but I firmly stick with DEI. Most trusted,most proven,etc...

-_Don

 

[sumone 10+ year member]

ok, I'm back and still undecided on:

1. what alarm (don't know what to look for)

2. where to buy or who to buy from and who to install (def. not me).

I'm just inclined to go to best buy and get this viper one put in for 300. I know a lot of you guys diss their rep as an audio installation service, but what about as an alarm installation service?

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

ok, I'm back and still undecided on:1. what alarm (don't know what to look for)

2. where to buy or who to buy from and who to install (def. not me).

I'm just inclined to go to best buy and get this viper one put in for 300. I know a lot of you guys diss their rep as an audio installation service, but what about as an alarm installation service?

As for BestBuy/Circuit City/etc..if theyre bad at radios, then they would typically be worse at alarms. Since it is a bit more difficult task. On the other hand it would depend which one you go to, so actually have decent installers whereas other dont know thier a$$ from a hole in the ground. Those stores dont really have much requirments when applying for those jobs....

--Don

 

[Zerstorer 10+ year member]

Not to steal the thread, but this is something I'm looking into also... but I'm looking for something with fewer features... I don't need remote start, lcd to carry around, or any of that fancy stuff.

Where can I find a good system/dealer for a security system that will do this:

1. blink lights when armed/disarmed

2. go off when armed and doors are opened

3. page me

Thanks for pointing me the right way!

 

[LBX2G 10+ year member]

go to millionbuy.com get the crimestopper 2-way pager and go find a good repabutle shop to install it.

 

[Zerstorer 10+ year member]

go to millionbuy.com get the crimestopper 2-way pager and go find a good repabutle shop to install it.

I was eyeballin' that one earlier today... I'll check around and see who will install it.

 

[sumone 10+ year member]

does crimestopper have a good rep?

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

does crimestopper have a good rep?

They make a *decent* product. Dependability and reliabilty arent their storng points. I stopped carrying them awhile back due to those reasons.

--Don

 

[sumone 10+ year member]

anyone in the chicago area know of any reputable installers? it seems, no offense to anyone, that the shops by me are unprofessional hispanics from down the block. I just don't wanna get f*cked over again by a shop (had a bad first experience before I tried learning to install).