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First thing I ever do when I get a new car, is alarm it.
I'm not going to spend $11K on a car and risk losing it in a parking lot to some asshole.

SO. I had a Viper in my last Neon. I think it was a 350HV. Could have been a 250HV...but i'm not sure. It was a midrange system that Best Buy installed.
I had zero issues with it. It was a great system. So i'm not adverse to going Viper again.

However, I was looking for input on Clifford systems. Fry's Electronics sells and installs them. One of my local friends suggested Clifford. He said he always puts Cliffords in his cars and he's always happy with them. I think he know's one of the Fry's install guys too, so he gets a good deal on the install.


I don't need remote start. Would be nice, but not a must.
I just need a simple all around solid unit.
I hear that some systems have built in Turbo Timers. Yes? How can I tell? Does it have to specifically say it does? I'd rather get an alarm system with a TT, than buy an alarm AND a TT.

http://www.frys.com/product/5851163 This one says it has a built in Turbo Timer. But I looked up the same model on Clifford's website and it didn't say anything about a Turbo Timer.

http://www.frys.com/product/6067078 But this one has Manual Transmission Mode. What the hell is that?

I wanna know what i'm buying before buying x.x

Any help?

That second link, as far as I can tell, is ONLY a remote start system. I looked online real quick and keep seeing this as the explanation for the "manual transmission mode:"

i contatcted viper and they said for the remote start to work for manual transmission mode you have to follow a few steps perfectly. with the in neutral and e brake up, started. push the remote start button on the fob. remove the key, but the engine will stay on, without changing any settings (windows, air, locks) get out and close the door, lock it and hit the remote start button to turn it off. now if you do that the remote start is ready and safe. now thats the only way to do it so it knows that its impossible to jump (unless the window is open and you put it in gear

I'm assuming it's so the remote start knows the car is in neutral, so it will allow it to start.

Ok just to clarify...DEI is the owner of all viper, clifford, python hornet etc etc....they are pretty much all the same just different "brand stamps"

That being said Clifford is the exact same as Viper. I actually like the Clifford remotes sometime better than the Viper ones because of looks.

Turbo timer is pretty much standard on all DEI remote starts.. its a liitle button that gets mounted somewhere in the car and allows the car to run for a pre set time before shutting down

Manual SAFE is new and helps those with a stick shift car install a remote start safely. There is a process you have to do before pulling the keys out of the ignition to allow for the remote start to work the next time around..


If you want let me know what you are looking for the unit to do....alarm remote start etc etc...

Ill send you the link to a few model numbers you can look into!!

The manual transmission mode isn't something I was too concerned about. Considering I really don't car about remote start. I just had no idea what they meant O:
Good to know though!


Caraudioholic24: Good info. Thanks!
Basically, everything my Viper system did, plus a Turbo Timer! I was happy with my last alarm, it just didn't have a Turbo Timer option. I don't need a 1 mile range remote. And I don't need a 2 way remote. I only every hear horror stories about the 2 way remotes with screens. They sound like a nightmare. I just want my system to arm and disarm. Having a Turbo Timer would be a very nice bonus.

Am I correct in thinking that the Turbo timer that Clifford system comes with only allows for a Turbo Timer to be added separatly? It's not a stand alone Turbo Timer? ie i'll still need to purchase a Turbo Timer?
Or does that Clifford unit come with a full stand alone Turbo Timer feature? ie I buy the alarm and it has all the features of a Turbo Timer?

in ordere to use the turbo timer feature you will have to get a remote start unit...it basically keeps the car running for the preset time....so in ur case you will have to get a manual safe one (I assume ur car is a 5 speed)....

the turbo timer is built into the brain of the unit...basically you can hit a button on the keypad or get a seperate push button installed...then the installer sets the time the vehicle will run....

if you want to stay away from the remote start then you are better off getting an aftermarket turbo timer...hope this helps

Sorta!
So the Clifford Matrix + 1....is that unit what i'm looking for?
It says Turbo Timer...and that's the exact one that Fry's Electronics installs.

alarm is useless as long as you are too far away from the car to hear it or you don't have a pocket alarm receiver.
in these days every people just ignors a blinking and yelling car.
And if someone wanna steal the car - they will do.

But yes - in the end it helps you to sleep better and if you can reach your car quick enough you can maybe catch some steal kids.

True. I hate wailing alarms in parking lots and normally ignore them. But i'd like an aftermarket alarm for the starter/electrical lockdown features they have. Better than stock imo.
Besides, it gives me a discount on my insurance. And hopefully the blinky light will be SOME sort of discouragement for thieves.

In the end, if someone REALLY wants to steal it, they will.
It's just an extra barrier between my car and a chop shop.

If you want something that will work, get a Ravelco system or the like and then add a remote start for remote start.

Knowing me, i'd lose that stupid multi-prong key v.v

Looks like I have the factory VTA activated.
So i'm not going to bother with an aftermarket alarm. I'll just buy a turbo timer later.
No one pays attention to the sirens anyway. If anything they just ignore them. So it's not like the extra shock and impact sensors will do much for me.
I'm mostly concerned with the vehicle actually being stolen. I never leave anything in my car and I hate aftermarket stereos. So I'm not too worried about someone breaking my glass just to take something from the car.

On that note, the factory alarm light on the dash is kinda dim, especially through tinted windows.
Can I replace that light with a super bright LED?
And if so...any idea what kind? Is it the same one used to change out the rest of the dash lights?

If you are that worried about it being stolen. Install a switch for the starter that only you would know where it is at. My sisters 68 oldsmobile was hooked up that way. You couldn't start it unless you flicked the switch that was hidden.

factory anti-theft is okay.
friends told me something about the "poland anty theft"
(guys from poland are known here for stealing lots of cars to brim them to ukraine. don't wana sound racist but it is like it is)
whatever - the poland anti theft:

you can program 2 (or more?) very random switches to that system (like "left window up" and "rear deforster on/off") and it will not start before you pressed exactly that combination!
no one will know and it is much better than a hidden switch or such.


but really: i think our stock system works pretty good.

you could have a simple electronic with an old cellphone hidden in your car - that will inform you if someone steals your car and you can track the phone signal!

How is that better than just flicking a switch? Just curious.

Jenni wrote: you can program 2 (or more?) very random switches to that system (like "left window up" and "rear deforster on/off") and it will not start before you pressed exactly that combination!
no one will know and it is much better than a hidden switch or such.

I drove a car just like that! You HAD to turn the headlights on before it would start.
Good idea.
Though I haven't heard anything negative about the factory alarm, other than people losing keys and not being able to turn the alarm off
But other than that, it seems to work just fine. So i'm definitely gonna pass on the aftermarket alarm and put that money towards a DSP and a/f gauge.

only turn off for the oem alarm is the fact if they break a window it wont activate..it only goes off if the doors are opened...

aftermarket alarms usually have a shock sensor which picks up if the car is jarred in any way..it also comes with an led so you can mount it anywhere you like

I have a couple of used viper units if you can find someone to install it in your area...let me know man

So, about that dash light...what number LED can I replace it with? I want something bright.

Caraudioholic24 wrote:only turn off for the oem alarm is the fact if they break a window it wont activate..it only goes off if the doors are opened...

aftermarket alarms usually have a shock sensor which picks up if the car is jarred in any way..it also comes with an led so you can mount it anywhere you like

I have a couple of used viper units if you can find someone to install it in your area...let me know man

My window is going to be broken either one. If someone wants to break it, they'll break it. Only difference is whether the car is going to make noise or not.

The shock sensors would be nice, but that's about it. And I don't want to hassle with a 2-way pager thing cause I never hear anything good about them

So by the time I got to my car, my window would still be broken >.<

true no matter what you do if a thief wants something they will find a way to get it...

its mainly a piece of mind thing...the alarm with the flashing led will deter a thief whos in a hurry and doesnt want to be bothered but also think that one the window gets smacked the alarm will go off usually causing the thief to run....unless again he wants something bad enough and doesnt care..


I have always had a 2 way pager and I am very careful about where I take my car..but you never know

Caraudioholic24 wrote: aftermarket alarms usually have a shock sensor which picks up if the car is jarred in any way..

...or if someone with a fart can drives by.

Lol true if the sensor is turned up pretty close to max any little vibration can set it off....

darthroush wrote:

Caraudioholic24 wrote: aftermarket alarms usually have a shock sensor which picks up if the car is jarred in any way..

...or if someone with a fart can drives by.

lmao cars set off way more alarms than thieves!

OB wrote:

darthroush wrote:

Caraudioholic24 wrote: aftermarket alarms usually have a shock sensor which picks up if the car is jarred in any way..

...or if someone with a fart can drives by.

lmao cars set off way more alarms than thieves!

I set off my coworker's alarm every morning now >:3