Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If you want access to members only forums on HSO, you will gain access only when you Sign-in or Sign-Up .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member. ?

  • 0

Remote car starters

Mike #1

Asked by Mike #1,

 Share

Question

40 answers to this question

Recommended Posts

  • 0
Blaze Experienced

Blaze

Posted
Posted

Not sure where to find them, but I have a mechanic friend that used to install Astro brand starters. He had installed many other brands for people, but said Astro was by far the best he had worked with in terms of quality and features for the price. I'm sure someone else will have much better info for you tho.

Good luck,

Blaze

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Dragonsm Proficient

Dragonsm

Posted
Posted

We have a AstroStart on my wife's car. I have never heard anything bad about the actual product from AstroStart and have a few friends/family that have this brand also. However, I have heard some horror stories about the quirks and installation of them. Some people have had nothing but great luck with them like us....some have ran into problems with wires melting, electronics not working properly and everything else. Ours was dealer installed, and they have only 1 guy that does the installation for them...he's their certified expert. If your vehicle is under warranty, I'd consider having it done at the dealer just in case complications pop up....it's their butt for the warranty work....they can't blame it on some third party sub-par installation.

Good luck with the choices!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Fishing Junky Proficient

Fishing Junky

Posted
Posted

As the previous poster mentioned, Astro Start. They work very well. If you can dish out a little more money, get the two-way remote. It will tell you right on the remote if your car started or not. My Wife has this option on her Astro Start and works great. I don't have the two-way remote on mine and I have to visually go look out to make sure it started. Best investment I have put in any of our vehicles. Good luck, Junky...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Jeremy airjer W Grand Master

Jeremy airjer W

Posted
Posted

Welcome to fishing minnesota!

There is a place in Roseville called Dealer Automotive Services. The place I work at uses them everyonce in a while for A/C work but they also install a lot of aftermarket electronics. They have been good people to work with.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
LwnmwnMan2 Grand Master

LwnmwnMan2

Posted
Posted

I know alot of people don't like big box stores, but I've had 6 installed at Best Buy, the one in Maplewood.

I just get the cheapest one with 2 remotes, never had any problems.

The only thing that's keeping me from getting one again, is that where my wife works, there's no way for her to start her vehicle with the remote, so I'm looking to try to find one where you can call a number and start your vehicle.

There's got to be someone out there with that service I would think.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
eyefever Explorer

eyefever

Posted
Posted

Clifford is out of business, bought out by Directed electronics. When I worked at best buy they carried directed, and I'm almost positive they still do. I know that there is a service so you can call and activate any of the features of the system, ie. start, unlock doors, engage alarm. I'm just not sure on what model you have to get in order to use this, but I believe it is on the two-way models.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
LwnmwnMan2 Grand Master

LwnmwnMan2

Posted
Posted

One the internet, there's a post about a one-way satellite pager that you can hook to certain alarms / remote starts so you can call an 800 number, and start your vehicle from anywhere in the world.

Yesterday, I went to the Circuit City in Roseville and talked with a couple of guys, they actually knew what I was talking about.

First out of 12 stores (Circuit City, Best Buy, Ultimate Electronics, some specialty stores in auto electronics). Anyways, the install manager there has an alarm / remote start with a programmable feature on it, where you can program the vehicle to start at certain times, or if the vehicle gets above or below a certain temperature.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
echotrail Experienced

echotrail

Posted
Posted

My experience with Circuit City with remote starters last year was bad enough that I will never spend a dime in that dump. I bought a Viper remote starter (Burnville store) and made a point to enquire if there would be any add on charges. I was assured the price quoted me was an installed price with nothing more to buy. They started the install the next day and promised they would be finished by 3pm. At about 2 pm. they called and said I needed additional relays installed and the added cost would be another $100. I refused to authorize the added cost and requested to speak with the store manager. He also refused to complete the job without additonal money. I told them to stop work, remove what they had done and return my car to it's orignal condition and refund my money. The manager first told me I couldn't get a refund, but I would get "In store Credit". After threatening to use his name in letters to the Corporate Office, Better Business Burearu and The Minnesota Attorney General (Consumer Fraud) Division he said he would make an exception and refund my money. WHAT AN OUTFIT! Done venting, whew!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
echotrail Experienced

echotrail

Posted
Posted

Ater my Circuit City experience I had an "Auto Page" remote starter installed in my wifes car. She can activate it through her office window from about 120 yards. Sorry, but I don't know what maximum range they advertise it to work at.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Macgyver55 Grand Master

Macgyver55

Posted
Posted

Quote:

My son in laws remote fob stopped working (not the battery) and he only has one. Can this be replaced?

If you know the brand you can usually find replacements on the internet right from the manufacturer in most cases. They will give instructions and how to program it. They are kind of spendy though. Mine has quit working a couple times but I've had some luck taking it apart and cleaning the button contacts.

Bart, an older friend of mine had one that worked from nearly a 1000 ft. and also had a display on the key fob that told you when the car started. Unfortunately he passed away recently so I cant tell you what brand it was.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
LwnmwnMan2 Grand Master

LwnmwnMan2

Posted
Posted

Some of them are talking 1/2 - 1 mile range, although I'm sure that's on flat territory, with nothing between and the wind at your back.

Anyways, most will say at the store, or you can do a google on remote car starter, and you'll see ALOT of different ones.

Personally, I like to shop the local stores, because I'm not extremely comfortable myself with cutting into my ignition system, without someone to blame if the car stops running while my wife's on her way home from work at 11:30 at night 1/2 way in the middle of nowhere when it's -15.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
luckey Community Regular

luckey

Posted
Posted

I have an AutoPage in my truck. The range depends to a great deal how much RF is being blasted in the area. At my home in the burbs I can go more than a block away and it will work but at work, it's only good for 50 yards or so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to question listing


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept