Time for an alarm (?)

[aprotogerellis]

So the time has come to go with the times and get my turbo a nice modern alarm, dispensing with its ancient immobiliser...

Where to start though? There seem to be loads of alarms out there but practically no comparisons or reviews... Does anyone have any resources, personal experience and so on that might help me choose?

I think my only requirement is that I'm after an alarm and immob. I'll try to stay away from clifford as I've been told that they really don't fare well when short circuited (or is this just a rumour?).

The viper 5002 seems very good and very cheap but isn't Thatcham approved. I recall my insurers (firebond) telling me that on their classic policy it doesn't matter whether you have an alarm or not... so do you think its worth paying the extra money and going for (potentially) a lower spec alarm just to be certified?

All opinions welcome!

Many thanks,
Alex

 

[Guest]

i would stick with a clifford,i have had one on every car i have had and i have just got one for the new 944 i have got ,they are good and reliable and they can work the centrol locking open the boot etc and you can upgrade them
if the insurance do not want a bit of paper ,get a secondhand one off ebay and fit it your self if your hand with the wiring
hope this helps ryan

 

[zcacogp]

The fitting of an alarm is a much bigger factor in it's reliability and longevity than the model of alarm itself. I know that Toad are meant to be good, but a badly-fitted Toad will be a pain in the neck. Your best bet is to ask around your local area and find a fitter which people recommend, and then ask him to fit whatever alarm he chooses to sell you.

Almost all modern alarms will have additional functionality which can be used to control other things (boot release/window wind-up etc).

I have fitted alarms to cars before, and taken them along to a friendly local alarm fitting place who are usually happy to inspect the workings and wiring and write out a certificate, for £20 or so.


Oli.

 

[SEE YA]

Hello I went with Laserline after mega problems with clifford still cat 1 etc.

SEE YA

 

[xenon]

Mine has a TOAD something-or-other (little do-dah on the keyring) which seems to work right enough. There is an installation certificate from some outfit in Oxford who fitted it a couple of years ago, but looking at their wiring I wouldn't like to think of them working for Boeing. Has been OK in my tenure nevertheless.