d4rin

I am afraid once I put a bunch of new equipment into my car, I will mostly likely need to put an alarm system in . Nothing was stolen in my previous car, but the neighborhood was really quiet and very low traffic. Where I am now there are more teenagers and stealing going on around here in the summer. So I think I should get a basic alarm system, something that is not over the top expensive.

Any recommendation of a solid basic alarm system?

JohnVroom

I will say up front I cannot recomend a self install of an alarm system

sunfired

iTrader: (-1)

ArcticStart.com

I picked up an arctic start from a dealer in cambridge ontario for around 75.00 out the door(not installed). Works great,no false alarms, no issues what so ever! been using it for about 8 months now.
They are very affordable and made by company that makes compustar i believe. I totally reccomend!

sunfired

iTrader: (-1)

Why not? I installed mine, was my second install of an alarm system. There is plenty of info on the net for vehicle wiring, colors and locations.
Someone with skills installing stereos successfully could easily install an alarm imo.

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

Compustar Pro is a great alarm system.

Sikk Nation

iTrader: (1)

They can also and often do, cause serious electrical damage to their cars. The key to any alarm system in a car is proper installation. The brand name of the alarm itself is much less importan. Any quality brand name alarm system will do the same job.

RomanticMoments

Just an opinion here, but I would invest in a 2-way alarm. With a "standard" 1-way, the only way you're going to know if someone's jacking your stuff is if you're within earshot of the car (inside the house havin a shower or playin the tunes = not hearing alarm = stuff gets jacked anyways). 2-ways will either give you audio or visual (sometimes both) alarms on the key fob. Most vibrate too. That way you can have your favorite tool for vigilante justice handy when you launch off your front step I like the Directed products (Viper, Clifford) for fit, finish, reliability, and ease of install. I don't know what kind of budget you have to work with, but if you can swing it, I don't think you'd be disappointed.

sunfired

iTrader: (-1)

Dangers apply when installing head units,amps etc etc as well. At first because of people saying ,oh dont do it etc,i was a little intimadated but i read up,prepared,warmed up my soldering gun and went to town and you know what, it was quite easy and straight forward!
As long as one has the proper tools,info,and basic skills i say go for it!(at own risk) lol

And just a thought, as far as the difference between 1 way, and 2 way alarms go, I get it but how would a theif know when looking at your little blue flashing l.e.d know if you have a 1 way or a 2 way? he wouldnt.
lets face it, alarms are a deterrent plain and simple. If a theif is gonna steal from you he's gonna, period. 1 way, 2 way, side ways, etc. How is your fancy 500 dollar 2way alarm gonna help you when your sawing wood?

RomanticMoments

Because it makes noise & vibrates...... My keys are usually in my pocket, which, when sleeping, isn't to far from my bed. If your bedroom window is right next to the car, makes no diff, but if not (like my place) how else are you going to know? Agreed, if someone's gonna steal your stuff, they'll steal it. At least with a 2 way, you know it's happening when it's happening and you can do something about it. Otherwise, you'll come out to an empty, screaming car, so why waste the money on a 1 way in the first place?

Njord

Haha, anyways. How are the 2way alarms? I live in an apartment building with under ground parking, so with cement every where I doubt it would work. Although I'm actually directly above my car in the under ground.
I've thought about 2way's and decided the best anti theft device is not looking riced out. If your car looks stock from both inside and out, no one is going to break into it. Also, turn down your stereo a block or two from your house/where you are going to park.