Compustar or viper alarm

[unlikely hero]

Well I`m getting a alarm for my tsi awd and I`m having a hard time deciding between a compustar 2WSS-AS and a viper 791xv. Both are car starters/alarms and hav ethe two way remotes. I need this cause i have to park in BFE for school and cars get broken into pretty frequently. The compustar is a little more expenisve but it has a range of over a mile. Anyone used either of these. Just trying to see my options in what to get.
=Jason-

 

[SpYYder]

i had this discussion the other day with one of my co-workers. we work at a store that sells directed electronics so i can get the viper for 145. according to him, compustars have slightly better range, slightly more expensive (with exception being the remotes.) he also said you have to do extra things to get the viper remote start to work with a manual transmission.

 

[devlish]

I'm also a DEI dealer, i'd go with the Viper. IN MY OPINION... it's a solid unit. we've installed hundreds and hundreds of their alarms & starters and whatnot, and they are a good unit if you have the proper installer.

as for the remote start working with a manual, nothing extra needed, but think twice about doing it. YOU are responsible if your car takes off by starting it in gear. your insurance company WILL NOT cover you, neither will DEI. DEI state that these units are NOT for use in a manual transmission, therefore your Ins company will back that up. just think twice about it

VIPER

 

[unlikely hero]

Well i know the compustar is set up for a manuel. I do plan either way to use the turbo timer feature just at least for the fact that I won't forget to leave it in neutral. Is there any features that the viper has that the compustar doesn't?
=Jason-

 

[jepherz]

I have the compuster 2WSS-AS on my car. So far I am a huge fan. I installed it myself and have had NO problems whatsoever. In my opinion, it's much easier to get an alarm like this that is made for a manual transmission and not have to worry about it. Sure, you can make a neutral sensor with a magnetic switch for any alarm, but I myself still would not be able to fully trust that it works.

As far as the distance, I have compared it to a friend's directed electronics alarm, and mine did have better range because of the spread spectrum technology. However, it either works or it doesn't. What I mean by this is if you park your car outside of work and they cancel out any radio transmission, it doesn't matter how far it will work. I'm just saying that the extra half a mile or whatever it may be, probably only matters for a select few. All I care is that mine does work from inside my apartment. I cannot expect to take the remote to campus and expect it to work.

I know both alarms are built well, but I have heard of Compustar remotes being their weak point. Some people have had them totally malfunction, and they are only covered for a year under their own warranty, not lifetime like the rest of the unit. However, since I got mine off of ebay and installed it myself, I have no warranty anyways.

I believe they both have the same functionality, so don't have to worry about that. I would say you need to decide based on price (I believe compustars are a lot more) and the fact that the Compustar is made for manual.

If you decide on compustar, make sure you get the one with the BLUE sticker on the antenna box, not the BLACK. The Blue sticker is the newer model and can accept up to two remotes at a time(I have the 2 way remote and a 1 way remote as well).

Good luck on the decision and let me know if you have any other Q's
Jeff

 

[dynatos]

i too have the compustar alarm - though without the spread spectrum. I am really happy with it. Turbo timer, remote start, basic alarm features.. all work great. Range is good.. works typically about 100-250 feet away depending on walls/cars/etc..

 

[devlish]

well, the VIPER is fairly easy to do with a manual, there is a wire that needs to be connected to GROUND that will override the remote start if not grounded. hook up that wire to your parking break (which grounds it) and your set. with no parking break on, no start. (you still need to override the clutch depress though like on any starter, which is not hard either)

the Viper remotes are pretty good, however also only carry a one year warranty as well. but as with any remote, it should last a long time if it's taken care of. beat on the remote, drop it a lot, etc... and it probably won't last long no matter what brand it is.

 

[emcee]

I have a 1997 GSX equipped with Viper when new, and the alarm still works! At least for reliability, I can say Viper has been reliable.

 

[ThunderChild]

I'm a directed and compustar dealer dealer and installer. Both companies offer good options and features, but I'd choose a viper everytime over the compustar. The support is better and feature expansion is better IMO.

I'll be putting a security/keyless in mine eventually, but the remote starter in a manual is one wire, and a relay for the clutch bypass. Granted, as mentioned before, if you do it this way YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE for what happens if u botch a remote start and it flies into your garage, another car, or a person.

Persknally, I'd go with a 5806v or 5706v. 1 mile range, 2 way remote, 5706 has the lcd whi choose tells u zones that were affected. If you can find the audio sensor, you can use that to cover window breaks, then the shock sensor covers impact, and the door triggers....well u get the idea.

I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has.