Im going to have to start parking my car outside so I can bring my project car in the garage (1 car), and my main concern is getting my wheels stolen. Basically Im looking for input on a decent 2-way alarm system, that is sensitive enough to sound if the car is jacked up, ect. I dont need anything fancy like remote start or keyless entry, something that has an adjustable vibration sensor would be nice though.

Any suggestions?

Look into a DEI alarm(viper/rattler/python). To protect your wheels, first consider a great pair of secure lugs. Electronically, You can do a 4 way mercury switch, so any way the car is tilted it would trigger the alarm. However keep in mind, you would have to be on flat ground or disable the sensor from your remote if on uneven surface. You can also look into proximity sensors which would only project field range close to the windows unless you mounted the modules outside the cabin of vehicle(not recommended). Theres probably a ton of ideas out here, lets see what anyone else says.

Dei 504d - dual stage shock sensor
Dei 508d - dual zone proximity sensor
Dei 8610 - mercury tilt switch( i think thats the part number)

[This message has been edited by wingless (edited 03-14-2007).]

Any system by DEI will be a good system, and something I would feel confident enough to put my trust in. DEI systems are among the best in the industry, and are notorious for their build quality and durability.

quote Originally posted by Deabionni: Any system by DEI will be a good system, and something I would feel confident enough to put my trust in. DEI systems are among the best in the industry, and are notorious for their build quality and durability.

I have to say DEI systems are better than a lot of systems but I don't think they are the best

Also the quality of the install is going to dictate how well the system will work

I'm pretty sure Directed has sensors meant to be installed in the wheel wells to prevent wheel theft. Also, definatly get a pager style alarm.

As for keyless entry, I'm sure that feature will be included in whatever system you buy, it's just whether or not you want to hook it up.

Sidenote: If anyone knows where I can get an installation manual for the Clifford Arrow III system, let me know. I want to temporarily hook it up to my door poppers until I get my new system installed. So I need to know which wire is which.

The quality of an alarm system is mostly related to the skill and craftsmanship of the installer. The best alarm won't work if it's not installed right; they're not much use if they're easily bypassed due to shoddy installation, either.

Every car thief knows how to look up under the dash and pull the wires out of the alarm box - if you want it to work when it's needed, it needs to be better hidden and the wires neatly concealed.

Crimestopper makes some full-featured yet inexpensive alarm systems. I've had good luck with the ones I've bought; they're very reliable and work as expected. You can usually find them for a good price on Ebay. There's other brands out there; some very good, some very high priced junk.

If you take the time to install it well yourself this would be a good choice. Just try not to have any part of the alarm system or its wiring visible by looking up under the dash. Make good connections - soldered and insulated with heat-shrink tubing. Try to run the new wiring along / inside the factory wiring harnesses. Plan your install out in advance. There's always more than one place to tap the car's wiring for this or that signal; choose carefully and run all wires to an area at the same time. Much easier to bundle / conceal this way.

Places to stash the alarm box: If you don't have a subwoofer, the pocket that the subwoofer amp would mount in is a great location for the alarm box. Under the driver's side speaker - pull the insulation back from the defroster duct and glue the alarm box to the duct - when done installing, push the insulation back into place. Under the console skeleton between the seats is also a good location. Glue it to the back of the map pocket on the passenger side, even - then run the wires up and conceal them in the factory wiring.

If you're not going to do it youself, hang around the install bay for a few and see what's going on. If it's some young kids that don't know or don't care, go somewhere else.

You can also put in a decoy alarm. but the best is to add a couple of the small 130db alarm sirens under the dash near the alarm and the stereo.

I dont care how "hard core" the thief is, he can not take 130db in his face for more than a few seconds. I bought 5 of them from allelectronics.com for less than $10.00 each. used them to make a recumbent bike alarm and the rest went in the cars to cause pain and misery to the thief.

Coolest part is the thief, thinking he's clever, will pop the hood to cut the battery lead... wont he be suprised to not find an engine and car battery, but make sure the siren is not mounted in there within easy reach. or he'll cut that.

Make sure your trunk pop button is wired to not work unless the ignition is on.

quote Originally posted by Deabionni: Any system by DEI will be a good system, and something I would feel confident enough to put my trust in. DEI systems are among the best in the industry, and are notorious for their build quality and durability.

DEI ....... Don't think so.....

i'm gonna have to agree with Mr. Visions on this one... I've been isntalling remote starter system and alarms for quite some time now and after working with both Astro Start and Compustar after dealing with DEI I will never again recommend a DEI product unless the person looking for something wants to save a buck.

Compared to Astrostart and Compustar Viper is a pile of junk.

However, last year astrostart was bought out by DEI but they still have their own proprietary systems in place.

I would recommend one of these two first before anything else:
Astro Start 5224:
http://www.astroflex.com/in...c=view&id=21&page=21

Compustar Pro 2WSSR:
http://www.compustar.com/products/P2WSSR.htm

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Club Redline - Northern Minnesota Sport and Modified

Um, thanks for the help, but......

This threads over a year old!!!!

No more alarm needed

TIMGRAY'S FAULT!!!

TIMGRAY - welcome to 2008

Good wheel locks. For when your home, I way prefer property perimeter alarms with the alert in the house over any car alarm. NO ONE ever pays any attention to car alarms anymore. Cops here just write tickets for ones going off for disturbing the peace.