2-way pager alarm in condo underground?
 

Hey guys,

Looking for a recommendation based on experience preferrably for a 2-way pager security/alarm system for my car. I don't want a remote starter, just an alarm preferrably. I'm on the 9th floor of my building and the car is on the second parking level.

Would something like the CompuStar RF-P2WSS (900mhz spectrum, claims 6000ft) work? ie: would the pager get the signal in my condo? Any kind of test I can do to find out without buying it first and finding out the hard way?

Thanks!
Chris

uhhh, why are you worried about it? doesn't your parking garage need special access to get in? and my assumption is that there are cameras as well, which would help you catch the person rather than have your alarm go off and you rush down to see your glass is broken anyways. unless of course this is a very crappy condo. I know run down apartment buildings with underground parking that require special tags to access. I also know a crappy one that you could lift the door and it would tell the sensor something was underneath and it would open the door, but it had cameras. but thats just my two cents

Underground parking at any apt. building, regardless of having a secure method of getting in, is an issue.

My wife's car was broken into in an underground when we lived at an apartment, and a number of other cars. They get in regardless, and can pick cars that are out of view of security cameras.

Tim

the best security is to tell no one about your system never play it anywhere near your place and if you can always remove your face plate. Remove any audio brand stickers from your windows, lol. But to answer your question try to find someone either on this forum or a friend and park his car in your spot and invite them up for coffee. Set the alarm off and see what happens. My guess is it won’t work, I live in a condo and my cell doesn't even work on Second level parking in my building, never mind 900mHz. Cement walls stop signal I even called Rogers about that and they said there is nothing they can do.

Ok, if your cars are getting broken into because they're out of view of the cameras, then either its a crappy camera setup or the people who broke in work there and have access to the screens showing what the cameras can see. its damn near impossible to figure out a cameras blindspot without seeing what it sees, I know this from experience. the fact that you mention cars being out of the cameras view to me shouts an inside job.

anyways, if you listen to Tim and believe your car is still in danger then just park outside, if possible where you can see the vehicle. that way you no it will go off and the signal will reach your remote, and you lessen the chances of it getting broken into so long as there is a decent amount of light. no offense Tim my man.

criminology 101, if people can see you, you can get caught, and getting caught is bad for business. many guys freak out with they hear an alarm, espcecially when its outdoors, because that draws attention. if your condo has outdoor parking then utilize that if you can't find an alarm strong enough.

Maybe I just worded things wrong. :)

Just from my experience, I've heard of more breakings/thefts from vehicles when they've been parked underground, compared to above ground.

I think it would be good to have an alarm either way, even if it doesn't set off the page to the remote when you are in your condo. At least it could help scare a thief away. Definitely good to have if you go somewhere else and park.

Tim

agreed. orrrrrr buy a pitbull and let him sleep in your car.

I appreciate the concern regarding whether I need it or not, but I am really just looking for recommendations on an alarm that will work.

For those that really care, I am in a condo downtown toronto and the camera setup is lacking. While the underground parking is 'secure', crackheads have found their way into our underground and broken into several cars simply for loose change. In this case, ideally my pager would go off and I would be able to get down there before they get out in order to smash them over the head with a shovel.

crackheads are fast. even the fat ones.

I'll repel down off my balcony if I have to

My buddy has a Viper 2way alarm & parks underground. He's on the 6th floor and his works fine. :) Pretty sure its Viper...

I have a compustar cm4000, live in an apartment with underground parking. Although my parkade only has 1 level, and I'm on the bottom floor, I'm still on the other side of the building VS my car. I can still lock/unlock and remote start my car.

Thieves are getting bolder though, sometimes nothing short of camping beside your vehicle with a shotgun would stop them. Friends of the family just had their (2008, I believe) Honda CRV stolen from work, in broad daylight in an outdoor parking lot. Apparently they broke a window, couldn't start it due to the anti theft device, and the coffee truck guy witnessed them pushing it out to the road and towing it away. So don't rely on parking outdoors to stop a determined thief.

I know someone who had a BMW with a crazy alarm system and actuators which made the seat go all the way up and fold down so there would be no way someone could drive off with his car. Also put a few ear piercers under the dash and stuff. He was pissed when he came out and the car was gone, bustards just picked it up with a tow truck and gone.

^^^^ should of put a 160db train air horn behind the front bumper!

Compustar 900fm SHOULD be able to do the job.... maybe have someone with theirs try it out??

if i still had mine, id offer (if i was in the area)

I just tested mine. I went up to the top floor (4th) from one side of the building to the other and had 100% signal. My car, as said above is 1 floor underground. I'm surprised it worked since my building is 90% concrete.

I use mine from the 18th floor of my condo all the time and my car works in the basement, mind you its only a 1level underground parkng but it does work from the 18th floor and i just have a compustar alarm with a 3000ft range i believe. I duno about a 2story underground though thats a bit difficult to say. I should also point out my balcony faces north and my car is underground on the north side of the building. I know my brother-in-law's compustar with a 6000ft range works even from by my elevator when his car is in the basement, but hey thats just my experience with these alarms mayeb someone else will have something a bit more specific for a 2story underground:)