Viper Car Alarms - Thoughts?

[FrangaFry]

Hi folks, looking for feedback on Viper Car alarms.

Have been doing a bit of poking around over the last day or so on car alarms and Viper seem to be the bees knees of car alarms. Im looking for all the usual bits that go with car alarms, door/bonnet entry, shock/bump/break glass, immobilizer, tilt module, battery disconnect etc and some of the extra bits look pretty cool with the latest models; GPS location, remote start, iPhone controller, inside movement sensor, battery backup siren etc and was wondering if any of the LS1 community are using Viper and what they think of them.

I am also getting the impression from reading plenty of posts/threads on these that getting them professionaly installed (not via your average JBHiFi or similar installers...) is a must to ensure that all the functionality actually works and they are installed in appropriate locations (ie. not under steering collumn but having the dash removed....), wired in anonymous colours etc and that your car is 'respected' during the install......

It's early 'research' days at the moment, so looking for any feedback on these alarm systems; Such as is the GPS/iPhone function worth the extra coin or will an after market GPS device work just as well in conjunction with the standard Viper alarm functions.

Keen to also get an idea of good installers and ballpark costs for installation into a VY Wags (live in Melb)

Any feedback from you kind folk would be greatly appreciated, as I have a bit of time on my hands at the moment and would like to better understand the pros and cons of an alarm system such as this.

I have posted a previous thread (some time ago) on securing cars and have plenty of feedback in locking up cars and keys and making sure your insurance is up to date etc etc, but having just gone through the 're negotiation' with several insurers for my wags, there is no way I can insure my ride for what I have pumped into it over the last couple of years...... so I am very keen to ensure that it is as hard as is possible for the average and semi pro car thief to take off with my pride and joy.

Appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Thanks in advance,

[CLUBRED]

I've always had Vipers, never missed a beat (professionally installed). My first car had something (supplied and installed by Ming) when I bought it and and it was a POS.

[FrangaFry]

I've always had Vipers, never missed a beat (professionally installed). My first car had something (supplied and installed by Ming) when I bought it and and it was a POS.

G'day mate, thanks for the info; What model Viper alarm are you using if you don't mind me asking and what extras did you have installed - can PM me if your not happy discussing on the forum.

Just had a quote from Tower Audio for the 5706V with LCD 2 way remote and it was pretty high, but as with anything you get what you pay for I suppose - just getting some more details on the install method and having a few questions answered.

Would love to hear from other folks and thier experiences.

Cheers,

[Wonky]

See my PM reply to your PM. For the benefit of others I have a Rhino alarm with SMS facility and love it. Probably cost me about $600 - $700 inc install by my usual auto elec (not the one you're probably thinking of FF as he hates car alarms - even the guy I used doesn't like them but did it for me as I'm a long time customer) and has only had one small problem in the 4+ years I've had it. While it was being fixed Rhino sent me down another to use which I returned when they sent my original back all fixed. :)

[Tryhard]

Been using viper and can't fault it for just over a year,has SMS alerts and 24hr gps for $109 a year. Can't remember what it cost me all up though as I went with all the modules.

[Wonky]

My Rhino doesn't only have SMS alerts but I can arm/disarm it by SMS plus check its status. Costs me $100 per year for a Telstra pre paid SIM which I've found is the only reliable coverage. Did have a Virgin SIM for a while (using Optus network) but half the time it couldn't get a signal. :nutkick:

[FrangaFry]

My Rhino doesn't only have SMS alerts but I can arm/disarm it by SMS plus check its status. Costs me $100 per year for a Telstra pre paid SIM which I've found is the only reliable coverage. Did have a Virgin SIM for a while (using Optus network) but half the time it couldn't get a signal. :nutkick:

Cheers Garry, currently trying to work out what 'services' are available with the Viper to iPhone and Viper to key controller and how the whole Pre paid sim thing works and who the carrier is (I assume I will get the choice - as Tesltra is clearly the best provider in Aus).

Install seems like it's probably going to be the killer but getting it done right the first time is always the way to go. I like the idea of a dash cam as well but budget probably wont extend that far at the moment (just purchased a new double din Head unit as well, so will probably be getting this installed at the same time, makes sense I suppose, especially if I end up going ahead with the Viper unit) - Anyone else have experience or preference of Viper/alarm installers in Melb (currently chatting with Tower Audio but keen to hear of others to explore options with - end of the day I want it done right and with someone who will respect my car at the same time .........).

Cheers,

[FrangaFry]

Been gretting some more details over the last couple of days and i'm interested in what 'options' folks chose with thier alarm installs (Viper or otherwise).

I ilke the idea of the proximity sensor and also the backup battery siren, but a couple of things bother me.

Chatting to the installer about battery backup siren, they indicated that it gets installed under the bonnet - doesn't this sort of defeat the purpose of having a battery backup siren; If you get into the car, open the bonnet, disconnect the battery then you also have access to the backup siren - can I assume that some of you folk have this ability but have it installed in an alternate location (not under the bonett).

Viper provide a GPS tracking function, but again, my assumption is that once the battery is disconnected, she's all over - no way of tracking via the inbuilt GPS (I have asked this question of Viper but no feedback as yet).

With the proximity sensor, the alarm beeps as a waning if you get too close (peering in the window), the alram goes off after a few more seconds if you don't move away. Does anyone have this featrue and what are there thoughts.

I am thinking of the following options at this point:
- Imobiliser
- Remote start/lock/gps tracking etc via iPhone
- Tilt sensor
- Break glass sensor
- Proximity sensor
- Backup battery siren

What options have some of you other folks gone with and what works for you and what is waste of time an money?

Love some more feedback.

Also, just as an FYI, I am also looking at the BlackVue dash cam DVR - this also has GPS but can this be tracked remotely as an alternate to the Viper function (sorry if this has been answered in other threads but I have read sooo much over the last few days it's all starting to blurr a little).

As usual,

Thanks

[white lie]

Haven't bothered with aftermarket car alarms since my first car but had all the options you're looking at bar the GPS.
Proxy sensor would randomly go off, making it a pain in the bum.

My view these days is that nobody even looks twice when an alarm is going off so hardly worth the cost. Not to mention the factory stuff these days is very good, can't drive the car without the keys and you've still got the horn alarm and deadlocks. If you want added security, I'd put a hidden GPS tracker in the car somewhere. If someone wants the car, they'll take it, no alarm will stop them but at least you may be able to find it later (but from personal experience, once it's stolen, you don't want it back).

I thought it was a requirement for the sirens to be battery back up anyway, so not really a feature to get excited about?