Anybody know anything about Viper alarm systems?

[krispos42]

I finally got my insurance check from my delightful wreck last June. I replaced my beloved Subie with a low-milage but minimally-equipped Dodge from a government auction (GSA surplus, and it's got the 200hp V-6, which is very nice indeed).

My Dodge doesn't have remote-controlled locks or trunk release, although it does have power locks and trunk release. Nor does it have an alarm system, although it does have an RFID chip in the key so that the car won't start unless the key is near the ignition.


So a lot of the Viper systems include remote lock and remote trunk release as well as the alarm system, which is all fine and dandy and what I want, but they also include remote start capability.


Does anybody know if I can use this system if my factory RFID system is in place? Can the Viper system copy and duplicate my key's RFID code so the remote start system works? Or would the factory RFID system have to be disabled to use it?


Neither the Viper website or Best Buy seem to have this information available, so I'm hoping a Lounger who went through this before could share some knowledge.


TIA

[Kali]

1. do car alarms actually prevent theft or vandalism?

or are they strictly for irritating entire neighborhoods? B-)

personally I drive beat-up pieces of crap that people don't even look at - I think they may even toss change in through the open window out of pity:rofl:

[krispos42]

5. I've had cars like that!

1989 Olds Regency 98 and 1987 Thunderbird, to be exact. :-)


In this case, I really miss the power lock/unlock/trunk-pop remote that came with my Subie, so if I'm going to have somebody crawling around the innards splicing in wires, I might as well spend a bit extra for the nice one with the neighbor-irritator, right??

Besides, I might get some kind of insurance discount. Lord knows they don't need any more of my money!

[denbot]

2. I believe that Viper is owned by that world class dickwad Rep. Issa

I would not put a penny in that asshole's pocket.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darrell_Issa

[krispos42]

4. Hmph, I didn't know that, although he's supposedly divested himself now

"As of 2004, Directed Electronics was North America's largest aftermarket automotive electronics manufacturer. Issa divested personal interest in Directed Electronics after being elected to public office, but he is the richest member of the House and the second richest in all of the 111th Congress. He is worth an estimated $251 million."


I guess it's not an issue anymore.

[Brother Buzz]

3. Why not contact congressman Darrell Issa

He knows all about the Viper system.

Sorry if I sound snarky, but Issa is a burr under my saddle and the idea of using his system is, well, unpatriotic.

[krispos42]

6. I didn't know he was the founder of Viper, although Wiki says he's divested now.

:shrug:

If you know of an alternative to a Viper I'm all ears. Viper is just one brand, yanno? I don't deal with this part of the aftermarket market, so I'm open to suggestions.

[Roon]

7. We bought one for our car to protect our million watt stereo system

problem is, my ex was always too lazy to arm it. The stereo lasted about 3 months before it got stolen.