Thinking about an aftermarket alarm

[deadonkey]

Hi. As the subject really.

Got the passengers side window smashed last weekend and my tom tom one sat nav stolen off the dash.
I know I should have took it out etc etc and I certainly will in the future.

However this theft and the fact that I dont live in the worlds most "Crime Free" Region got me thinking about getting an alarm fitted.

What are modern alarms like? All I can remember of them from the early 90's is that they were useless, constantly going off when no one was near your car and messing around with the imobiliser so the alarm system took convincing that you wernt trying to steal your own car! Fun Fun Fun

Obviously things have moved on. But how far.

What alarms should I be looking at Clifford G5? Toad etc
Im not bothered about an all singing all dancing alarm that starts my car and controls my non existant air con but something that is going to provide a high level of security.
Idealy also it would work with the existing Renault key so that I dont have to carry another keyfob around.

Hope to hear everyones views. My Wallet awaits.

 

[timmmah]

How much are you looking to spend as obviously you need to pay out for a new tomtom as well now!?

 

[deadonkey]

Got the new tom tom sorted. (got the ONE XL today)

Im not sure how much I am willing to spend. Im fairly flexible. say up to around £400. But if I dont need to spend that much im quite happy not to.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

I have a thatcham approved Toad A850 , with a lifetime warranty fitted to mine , intergrates with the factory fit immobiliser and uses the Renault key fob. £300 fitted by a Toad approved mobile installer . Its the second time i've used this guy and he's bob on . He'll come to your home or workplace to fit it .Never had any false alarms .

The guys name is Dennis . Tel 07980221525

 

[riz]

i have the viper for around £350 tilt/proximity sensor also pages me when alarm goes off

 

[cat171]

I'd go for a cobra or a toad alarm.
Have you considered that window film stuff for the windows ?? (the stuff like sticky back plastic, which holds the glass together when it's smashed)

 

[deadonkey]

I like the look of the toad a850, will work with my renault imobiliser and existing key and is thatcham cat 1
Wonder how much the insurance company (churchill) will discount me HA guess £0..
Anyone got any experience of clifford, their G5 looks decent.

 

[riz]

viper and clifford are family companies my alarm is better than most in price bracket and thatcham approved etc

 

[MRBILLYUK]

I got 60 quid off with Adrian Flux when i sent a copy of the certificate . It upgrades the Renault Cat 2 immobiliser to Cat 1 so its called a 2 .1 upgrade , it works with the existing Renault key fob . It has 2 ultrasonic sensors and a glass breakage sensor , so if something metallic is tapped on the wondow it goes off . They might be cheaper now as it was 18 months ago when i had it fitted .

If you give Dennis a bell he'll tell you all you want to know . He won't bullshit you .

 

[deadonkey]

Just been on the Thatcham website trying to understand the cat system.

It seems that the Toad a850 is a 2/1 but the Toad a616i is a cat 1.
They are exactly the same price on the toad website so I am a little confused.
Which is the best alarm

 

[cat171]

Straight cat 1 alarm, none of that cat 2/1 upgrade.

 

[Shotgunsjay]

http://www.electrifyingtouch.co.uk/information/car_alarm/system.htm

this might help, have a browse through this.......

 

[deadonkey]

Straight cat 1 alarm, none of that cat 2/1 upgrade.

So I want the Toad a616 then if its the same price and its CAT 1 not Cat 2.1

 

[cat171]

Yep.

 

[deadonkey]

Ok, I need to phone around to get some prices now.
Am I right in thinking the Toad 850T will work with my existing remote key and the ai606 wont.

This makes it look that way:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Toad range[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Thatcham category 1 alarm and immobiliser[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Toad Ai606 - modular alarm and immobiliser[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Toad C5T - compact alarm and immobiliser [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Thatcham category 2 to 1 alarm upgrade[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Toad C4T - compact alarm upgrade[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Toad 850T - alarm upgrade utilises manufacturer's central door locking remote control[/SIZE][/FONT]

(taken from : http://www.electrifyingtouch.co.uk/toad/850t_cat_2_1_alarm.htm )

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Straight cat 1 alarm, none of that cat 2/1 upgrade.

Why not ? It's recognised as a Thatcham Cat 1 system !

 

[john182rs]

the Toad Ai606 will work with your exsiting fob aswell if you wanted or change to the new fob your choice.
I used to have it on a differnt car but when i get round to it ill be buying this system again as it never failed on me like the clifford did.

 

[cat171]

Straight cat 1 alarm, none of that cat 2/1 upgrade.

Why not ? It's recognised as a Thatcham Cat 1 system !

Is it ?? I was told ages ago by a lod of people that it wasn't at all

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Why not ? It's recognised as a Thatcham Cat 1 system !

Is it ?? I was told ages ago by a lod of people that it wasn't at all

A load of people aren't always right , lol . Adrian Flux recognise it as a Cat 1 system .

http://www.electrifyingtouch.co.uk/toad/850t_cat_2_1_alarm.htm

TOAD car alarm 850T - Upgrades any category 2 immobiliser to a category 1 alarm and immobiliser. Wide range of security features including door, bonnet and boot protection, ultrasonic interior protection, a self powered siren and distress alert is complemented by many convenient enhancements including remote control central locking, system override. Door, bonnet and boot protection - Ultrasonic interior protection - Status LED - Battery backup siren will continue even if intruder cuts all the cables - Flashing indicators

 

[T4TVS]

It seems like a lot of you dont know what you are talking about.
Now i dont want to sound like an ass but this is what i do for a living
Fisrt of all the clifford alarm system is the most unreliable alarm out there followed buy the toad alarms
I can almost bet that when the phone rings to remove or bypass an alarm its a clifford or a toad!!!
My recommendation to you will be a laserline 290i2 which is a 2/1 upgrade alarm system which runs along side the factory immobiliser.
This way you know if the car breaks down its not the immobiliser in the alarm.
laserline systems have been fitted to renault cars for years as standard equipment from the main dealers.
I charge £250.00 for a 2/1 upgrade alarm by the way if you are paying more than that you are being ripped off!!!!!!!

 

[AmDaMan]

i've heard nothing but praise for the toad systems.

Heard the clifford systems have become a bit gimicky though.