Clifford/Viper Alarms: Is there a difference?

[Big Mack]

$700?!!!! Did you seriously mean just for the cost of installation or did you mean alarm + installation? A CompuStar 2way jobby I'm looking at plus window up/down modules plus installation is quoted at $565 from my installer; though dude did my past Compustar alarm the SOB still isn't giving me a discount but I'm getting it as soon as I stop drinking all my money away.

Now wait just a damn minute. Did you just say you're going to stop drinking to buy something? Get your priorities in order!!

Big Mack

[Dawgz]

Ive got the rsx 3.5

I wouldnt think of using anything less

I'm not a fan of the Responder systems. I've talked to numerous people and the bad experiences are piling up. Their old lines were damn near indestructible (I know, we tried ) but these? Not so much. I would absolutely not recommend something from a no-name company, but Autopage is as good if not better than DEI in many respects.

I'm right next to NYC, installations start @ $700 to install an alarm.

That's a lot of green. Make sure you buy the guy willing to do it for $125 a few pints once he's finished.

Big Mack

How is the rsx 3.5 bad?

[Big Mack]

How is the rsx 3.5 bad?

Since I don't work with DEI rproduct anymore, I cannot comment on the current model, but the ones they had 2 years ago were having all kinds of problems with remotes and the soldering done in them. Cold solder joints, no response from one remote but the other works, and the issue of the screen being extremely fragile. I'm not saying you should be able to stop a bullet with it, but if you drop it from a reasonable height like oh, I don't know door handle location, it shouldn't break like a little toy.

Also, I have dealt with DEI customer service on problems for customers that were not their fault, and they were less than helpful. Several times they sent out replacement under the lifetime warranty that worked no better than the unit they were supposed to replace. I had to write a personal letter to the president of the company in order to get a unit replaced that was installed at a DEI authorized dealer! I had copies of receipts, installation dates, mailed in the card, everything, and they still gave me grief.

As the product has moved to off shore engineering and selling development ideas to other companies, DEI has gone downhill IMO. Judging by their stock price, I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Big Mack

[cklinh]

OK... I guess that kinda answers my question.

I had the Viper installed, but was given the Clifford Remote (RSX 3.5), about four years ago.

In the last half a year or so, I'm finding that the remote is not as responsive as it used to be. I have to get right up close to the car for any buttons to work, and half the time, it doesn't even work. All I would get is that beep, and the blinking "empty" sensor icon saying it's not in range.

Is this a remote problem or an antenna (inside car problem)? Would a new remote help things?

Also, my remote start has been shotty. I've traced it back to the U555 universal bypass that was installed. If I find that the remote start isn't working (mostly due to the car cranking and not starting), a quick unplug/replug of the cables entering the unit would fix it. I bought a replacement U556, but the number of wires are different. Anyone know how I can wire that in?

[Big Mack]

OK... I guess that kinda answers my question.

I had the Viper installed, but was given the Clifford Remote (RSX 3.5), about four years ago.

In the last half a year or so, I'm finding that the remote is not as responsive as it used to be. I have to get right up close to the car for any buttons to work, and half the time, it doesn't even work. All I would get is that beep, and the blinking "empty" sensor icon saying it's not in range.

Is this a remote problem or an antenna (inside car problem)? Would a new remote help things?

Also, my remote start has been shotty. I've traced it back to the U555 universal bypass that was installed. If I find that the remote start isn't working (mostly due to the car cranking and not starting), a quick unplug/replug of the cables entering the unit would fix it. I bought a replacement U556, but the number of wires are different. Anyone know how I can wire that in?

Without seeing it, I cannot guarantee that it's the antenna or the remote. My best educated guess is that the remote is faulty or just plain worn out. Adding a remote to replace it shouldn't be that tough, and a good authorized shop will probably test one for you. If it works, buy the remote from them and you're golden.

As for the universals, you should probably get another 555U if your unit is different. I haven't seen the 556U, but if the connector is different (which it shouldn't be), you may have a problem. If it's not, you need to talk with an installer and have him look at it to wire it up properly. You don't want to mess with it and get it incorrect when it comes to protecting (or worse - starting!!) the car.

Big Mack

[trdkamuri51o]

wow.. none of you read the manuals.. i bought my remote and installed mine with a friend..

programming the remotes are simple too.. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!!!!

all honesty though.. i have had zero issues with viper alarms... i have 791xv and have a spare matrix 3.5 remote.. clifford and viper remotes minus cases are the exact same...


alarm install = 1 solid day and a case of corona.. that was because we were workin on the stereo too..

[JamesT]

I installed my remote start myself. It's not too much of a hassle - just practice your soldering first.

[krook]

I had to put my $0.02 here...

at my workplace we install Autopage and Clifford.

Simply put, if you want a reliable one-way alarm (no paging remote) then get the basic Autopage.

if you want a reliable 2-way alarm w/paging remote go with DEI products.

i've had both Autopage and Clifford paging units. (RS-750 Autopage/Clifford RSX 3.5) and i've had only ONE problem with the Clifford remote vs. 3-4 with the Autopage remote.