[Guest]

Since i just got my headunit in and dont want to take with me all the time, i am gonna get the viper 550 esp probably, but i would like to get it with remote start. i am thinking of getting the window rollup thing, but heard its not good for impala's from someone. Any ideas or comments?????thanks guys, i love this forum!

 

[Guest]

The Viper 550 is one of the finest alarms on the market, and it comes with remote start. Most places quote you a price with remote start already, which is why it is in the 400-600 dollar price range (depending on where you are located). The alarm only has 3 channels, so you will have a problem doing the window roll up on the car. Channel 1 is dedicated to arm/disarm/panic, Channel 2 is supposed to be for trunk pop, and Channel 3 is remote start. It can be done, but it will take some extra programming and maybe an extra module to create a channel. I have roll-up on my F-body, and it really doesn't do too much for me. Mostly it's just a cool factor type deal, not really practical. Remote start, however, is a WHOLE 'nother subject!

 

[Guest]

I have a window roll up/down modual, and absolutely love it! On hot days I can roll down the window before I get there, and let out that initial "heat blast" before I get to the car. An excellent option IMHO. The roll up feature is more of a gimmicky cool thing, but that is just the other half of the roll down feature. I plan on putting it in the 9C1 as well. (same alarm- preteige 600) Now I will have remote start, remote garage opener, window rollup/down, keyless entry, headlight activation, trunk, and of course alarm, for about $200. Of course I had to put it in, but hey thats half the fun.....right?
I dont know if they make the 600 anymore, but it sure has a bunch of outputs!

Peter

 

[Guest]

I have been using viper 550 for a couple of months already and I love it. First I got it installed at one place for $300 (unit and labor)... But the remote start worked up to 30 feet. So I went to the more expensive guy someone recommended ($400). He checked it and said it was all f...ed up. He was actually taking care of all the complaints in this region for directed electronics. So he calls up the company, they send another brand new unit and pay him to replace it. Couple hours later I got brand new unit/remotes and a range of 800-900 feet. Since then I love it, couldn't live without the auto start option. It doesn't matter how cold or hot it is in Chicago, it's always nice in my car. Make sure you go to a place where they know what they are doing. I would call directed electronics - manufacturer of viper - and ask them who is taking care of their complaints. This way you know you get it installed right the first time.

 

[Guest]

I have the 550 also and love it. The range on the remote start is amazing and gets even further if you are elevated form the vehicle (personal experiance). I take the train from the burbs into work everyday in Chicgao and in the winter when I get home I can start the car while on the train passing the parking lot coming into the train station. I love it and higly reccomend it!!

B. Currey

 

[Guest]

I just bought the 550 myself and plan to install it over the weekend if time allows.

(I was certified as an installer although I never actually DID any installs... So I know but don't have a lot of experience.... )

Looks to be a nice alarm...
For about $100 you can add 6 more channels.
I THINK you get a different remote with it too... (May be less...)

In my cavalier I used Cliffords Smart Windows on its two windows. I used them because the SW unit would handle all the difficulties of making sure the window didn't catch anybody unaware.

If setup normally it would roll the windows up when the alarm was armed. The convienience factor was that you had one touch up AND down with the unit. And if you had an output hooked to the SW unit if you pushed the button within a few seconds of arming the alarm you could 'vent' the window. I think it also had if you hit the button again it would go down all the way...

I disregarded the normal alarm settings and wired relays to the window switch wiring. It ended up using 2 outputs of my remote since I had both windows wired up in parallel.

One button would roll both windows up and the other would roll them both down. Worked quite well actually. Other then the fact that the relays couldn't always trigger the one touch up and down feature. Was REAL fun playing with the windows in a crowded parking lot though.

I also had cliffords "sense and tell" module as well which was a radar unit. It would detect your presense and warn you away with a voice.

Pretty cool except RF would set it off..

I had those modules wired to a Code Alarm Elite Competition alarm.

I will probably be yanking the code alarm in favor of the viper 550 with a couple extra modules...