VW aftermarket alarm

[Flippped]

Yesterday I stopped by the dealer to finalize some paperwork on my new ride. Anyway while speaking with the finance manager he informed me they have a aftermarket anti theft system (company name Pursuit) that won't void the warranty and could install it for $248.00 if I was interested.

Now normally I wouldn't bother with any dealer installed alarm however, before I made a decision figured I'd inquire with you all.

So here's the question has anyone had this or any other dealer installed alarm done. If so is it worth doing or should I just have an outside company do it.

[Z28Driver]

what exactly is upgraded about this alarm thats not on the factory keyless entry "alarm" which goes off in the event that entry is gained to the vehicle...I would pay that money but it would have to come with a shock sensor

[Flippped]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>what exactly is upgraded about this alarm thats not on the factory keyless entry "alarm" which goes off in the event that entry is gained to the vehicle...I would pay that money but it would have to come with a shock sensor<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Joe my bad I forgot to mention that part.

According to this guy it comes with a shock sensor. However, now I think about it I should of asked him if the setup requires an additional siren. I will contact him tomorrow for more details.

[Z28Driver]

shock sensor is good
siren is better
and if its got a radar capability then thats supreme

[Espaz11]

Any aftermarket alarm install should'nt void your warrente. $240 is a little high for that alarm. I'd look in to either a Clifford or Viper, both of which are far better, but still about the same price.

[Flippped]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Any aftermarket alarm install should'nt void your warrente. $240 is a little high for that alarm. I'd look in to either a Clifford or Viper, both of which are far better, but still about the same price.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Espan11, Let me clarify the warranty quote. What I mean is it works in conjuction with the factory system. So if for example I were to encounter any future problems invovling this system as compared to an outside installed product.
The stealer wouldn't have an excuse not to honor the problem under warranty.

Z28 Driver, spoke to the rep and confirmed the system does come with a shock sensor as well as a siren.

[Z28Driver]

flipped is this 240 installed? I think thats a pretty damn good price if you ask me...considering this is a VW warrantied product...i mean say you start having electrical issues 6 months from now...if they track it down to the aftermarket alarm guess whos paying...but if its installed by VW and its a VW part its not an issue

I say go for it man

[Flippped]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>flipped is this 240 installed? I think thats a pretty damn good price if you ask me...considering this is a VW warrantied product...i mean say you start having electrical issues 6 months from now...if they track it down to the aftermarket alarm guess whos paying...but if its installed by VW and its a VW part its not an issue

I say go for it man<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Joe the alarm is $240 installed with no extra charges for labor.

I more then likely think I am going to have it done. Thanks for the replies.

[Dago Red]

I have also been looking into upgrading my factory alarm with something a little more substantial. There are a few companies that make "upgrade alarms" that add passive arming, sirens, and shock sensors. DEI has a Hornet model 700T,
Black Widow makes the BW-700, and the Pursuit model that your dealer mentioned is made by Audiovox, the PRO9232. As far as I know the Hornet and Black Widow models can be bought through retail stores and self-installed. The Audiovox model is only available through new car dealers.

Here are some links to info:
Audiovox - http://www.audiovox.com/cgi-bin/ncom...ut?prrfnbr=696

Dei - http://www.directed.com/security/hornet/horn_ke.asp

Black Widow - http://www.blackwidowsecurity.com/catalog/700.htm

If anyone knows of any other upgrade systems, or has had experience with these, please let me know. Thanks.

[Z28Driver]

personally if it were me i would run the DEI alarm...they have been in buisness a long time and have the combined knowledge of alot of people. They also seem to be the alarm of choice for most mobile electronics competitors however my personal favorite alarm system that was on the market is also hands down the most difficult to install....Alpine makes great alarms

[Ricardo]

Atfer reading the posted links I will choose the Hornet 700T.

[Z28Driver]

after reading all the links i would still run the VW factory alarm...as i said i wouldnt run the risk of having an electrical problem down the line

If price isnt an option you folks may want to look into the Alpine high end systems or the Code Alarm systems both are top notch

[Flippped]

Just to let everyone know I have deceided on going with the dealer upgrade for the simple reason of possible future vehicle problems. Don't need the dealer to say My outside alarm installatation caused this.

Now I know these other systems are more reputable then the Audiovox however, I don't want any future headaches.

[Bonthron]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Just to let everyone know I have deceided on going with the dealer upgrade for the simple reason of possible future vehicle problems. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good choice... I wished my dealer offered that alarm but the don't (didn't).

Last week I had a very reputable car audio/security shop here in Toronto install one of the Hornet 700T's in my 2000 B5. I took it in Wednesday and they said it wouldn't take more than a day. I got a call later that afternoon from them saying they were having problems and that they'd need it for another day. It seems that due to the CAN bus system in our cars, the signals between the OEM alarm and the door lock motors are more complex than just (+) and (-) 12 volt pulses. They were getting pulse voltages ranging between 1.8V and 12V. They spoke with DEI tech support but they weren't much help and they also found out from them that the 700T's production date stamp was 1992! They finally fixed the problem with a relay and a small capacitor on the door lock motors the next day but it wasn't always perfect and would give false alarms occasionally.

I picked the car up Thursday afternoon and drove it home. Once home I went to get out of the car and it went off again It seems that when when the ignition turns off the system armed, then when I pulled out the key it would unlock and disarm but this disarming is initiated by something other than the remote or door locks, so the new alarm would go off.

I was off at noon on Friday so I took it back to the shop to see what they could do. They spoke again with DEI and resolved the problem after about 2 hours. So off I go on my way... but I have to make a few stops on the way home. At every place I stop I have no problem with the previous problem but now when I disarm the system when I go to get back into the car the thing starts going off! This happened at all 3 spots I stopped at.

I've now set it to valet mode. It doesn't go off now but it also doesn't give me any benefits from the new alarm.

I'm going to call the shop right after I send this to either get them to resolve the problem or take the thing out and give me my money back. I just wanted to get this message off ASAP today before anyone here even considers purchasing the Hornet 700T. I'll let everyone know the outcome either way. Sorry this was so long.

[Flippped]

Just to update everyone unfortunately I was unable to have the Pursuit system installed. It seems that the alarm has some issues with W8s. (Don't know the details of what the problems but asked if they could find out and get back to me)
So it looks like I'll be looking at other systems unless they resolve the problems soon.

But on the bright side I picked up the bad boy this evening.