Recommended Car Alarm/Disabler System

[Hoppertn]

There seems to be an abundance of claims by auto alarm manufacturers but not many third party independent comparisons. I'm looking for recommendations from the members for a car alarm/disabler system going into an older Porsche 911. (Yes, I did search the forum but didn't find anything relevant )

Specifically, I'd like your input on a system you may have on your car that works well, did you install it yourself or have it professionally installed, likes and dislikes. Does your system work on the ignition, fuel pump, other method?

Maybe I've watched too much James Bond but seems like a key code pad could be included, maybe an RFID chip on your keychain with corresponding receiver in the car, etc?

Price limit is around $1000.

Thanks for reading!

[dipso]

I have an alarm and I don't even know if it works anymore. I would like to take it out .
I am more worried about the alarm malfunctioning and me not being to start my own car.
I think the blinking light is more valuable than the alarm system that comes with it.
If you look in the "tech articles" section, I think, you will find a write up about a kill switch. That is great, I installed one and haven't thought about my car being stolen since. I also have lo-jac but I would go for the kill switch first.
I placed the kill switch in one of the knockouts on the instrument panel, you would never know it is there because it is plain sight.

[Hoppertn]

Thanks for the lead on the kill switch install Dipso, I'll have to check the forum for the instructions. There actually is an old volkswagen key and ignition switch wired into the fuel pump circuit under the dash. It was put in about 34 years ago for insurance purposes. Seems like a thief could just rip off the leads in the back and twist them together to bypass this old school deterrent.

Whats been your experience with Lo-Jac? Is it a monthly fee, yearly? What are the up front install costs?

[Blackie911]

I bot an older generation UNGO from my tech-- keyless door lock w/ flashing red light & siren- $150 installed w/ 2 remotes. The newer they are the more complicated. Also have a well hidden interior kill switch that interrupts the starter. Very reliable and recommended.

[3.2 CAB]

The "key pad" type is like some of the old Clifford alarms. I have a Cabriolet, and when I am out in it, I do not put the top up when I park somewhere for a few minutes. I don't want my new top opened by a knife or the like. I do not leave anything inside the car in plain sight. I do have a couple of different types of kill devices. I do not have an alarm anymore, I did have a very nice Viper unit. Took it out and made my own mods to kill the car. I device kills the ignition circuit, while the other kills all voltage to the car. The cost was not expensive, but the effects are hard to get around them to defeat. But if someone really wants the car, they will pull up to it with one of the Saturday night special, REPO haulers, then it, and just about all others would be gone.

[PSportoVeloce]

http://www.ravelco.com/

i've heard ravelco is really good, no personal experience; i'm considering one myself since my car just got stolen and recovered. read the testimonials, they seem to be pretty convincing...

[dipso]

Originally Posted by Hoppertn

Whats been your experience with Lo-Jac? Is it a monthly fee, yearly? What are the up front install costs?

There has been no experience with lo-jac. I haven't had to use them since the install, that is a good thing.
There is a one time fee and I think it was 800.00.
This is my second system, the first one was stolen?, mis-placed? Trashed?
One day I called lo-jac to come out and test my system and the guy couldn't find it. No signal, no device no anything. It seems somebody working on my car threw it out. I figure it was the upholstery or stereo guys who didn't know what it was.
It is just a black box about the size of a cigarette pack.
I thought it was kind of funny even though an expensive laugh.

[Jack Olsen]

Are you worried about a stereo? Joyriders? Flatbed?

In my opinion, simpler is better, and most installed 'systems' are a waste of money.

A removable steering wheel and/or a kill switch is the best inexpensive way to keep someone from driving it away.

If you want GPS or Lo-Jac protection, you're talking more money.

[Por_sha911]

From what I've read and seen, the installer is as important that the system for reasons of reliability. The last thing you need is a whole host of gremlins in your system due to some creative wiring (and wire cutting) by so-called experts who are just stereo installers.

[Hoppertn]

Thanks to everyone for their input into the alarm vs/& kill switch question. I read up on the tachometer ground kill switch idea for the older porsches and it sounds like a winner. Think I'll be going with a club as well on the wheel. Still would like to hear from anyone with experience on the Lo-Jack in the P-car. I live out in the sticks currently so it might not be worth that investment yet if the local PD's and Sheriff Dept don't even have the equipment to track a stolen Lo-Jack car.

Final question... where have you found was the best install place for your kill switches? Under drivers seat, microswitch in dash, under dash, etc etc??? Are you interrupting the starter circuit, the fuel pump circuit, or something else?



Much appreciated.

[dipso]

If I remember correctly, the distributor has a wire that runs to the front of the car. I think to the fuse box or maybe the battery. I cut that wire, in the trunk, and added a few feet to run to the kill switch installed in the dash. Then from the switch, added a few feet back to the other piece of cut wire to continue the run. I think there are 3 connections on the switch you need. Two to continue the circuit, a third to ground the distributor when the switch is moved. It's all in the article you read.
Pretty simple.
The color code on the distributor wire, at the distributor, should be the same as in the trunk.
Flick the switch in the car, car no starty.