Clifford or Laserline?

[yellowperilv8]

Today, for insurance purposes (and my own peace of mind and to get a good night's sleep), I had to 'phone around a few car alarm speialists to get prices for fitting etc.

The two most common quoted Cat 1 systems were Clifford and Laserline.

The Clifford was the most expensive costing about £450.00 to fit and the Laserline was about £345.00.

Question is, is expensive really the best? What other systems would you recommend?

The specialist I'm going to use worked with our local Monaro dealership at the time of the UK launch to see which Cat 1 system could be adapted to fit and then supplied to customers new cars prior to delivery if requested.

But your experiences might help me make a more informed choice!

Thanks

Paul

[rob_78]

Humm.......

I didn't need an alarm etc to be fitted (as the standard fit was ok) for insurance (Greenlight) but I need a tracker as the car was over £15000 to buy & that (the tracker) was £300 fitted

Might be worth asking if a tracker is a better option.

Rob

[mose]

Most insurance companies I called for a new policy on the Monaro were happy with the current alarm, but all required a tracker of some description to be fitted given the value of the car.

It was easier for me to continue with the current policy I had for the M3. So on the hunt for a tracker at the moment!

[BigNige]

Elephant didn't ask me to get a tracker fitted, happy enough with the Vauxhall alarm/immob.

[Strife]

yeap I have use elephant for my last 3 cars, never needed a tracker fitted with them and a good price too

[yellowperilv8]

I'm with Elephant too, but they did say they'd prefer that the car had a Cat 1 alarm. the standard one is a Cat 2.

If I remember correctly, the Thatcham site rates the Monaro as either 2 or 3 stars out of 5 based on the factory fitted alarm and I'd rather it didn't leave my drive without me!

I'm not too clear on Trackers, do you pay a one off payment to the tracking company or do you pay monthly/annually for cover? - Sorry to be thick!

Thanks

Paul

[rob_78]

Paul

I have a tracker fitted.

iirc it was something like £115 per year for the tracker (paid in one go)
or
a one off payment of £335 of the time you own the car.

As I have a 5 year loan for the monaro the second option made sense for me

Tracker have a web site - www.TRACKER.co.uk
or try their number 01895 811 989

Hope this helps

Rob

[island boy hsv]

I went round the loop on security with my HSV when I was hunting for insurance. The security system fitted to Monaro's is the ESS system; this should be detailed in your user manual.

Basically the ESS system talks to your key every time you start the car. There is a secure code that is passed through the metal nipple on your key to the engine management system.

Because this is all built into the car in my opinion it is much more secure than a Cat 1 alarm immobiliser it is factory fitted so no tell tail extra wires!

If you wont to convince yourself put some cardboard between the nipple and the metal ring on the ignition and try and start the car!

If you are worried I would get a tracker but this will only be any use if some one tows your car or steals your keys.

[bennno]

yellowperilv8 said:

Today, for insurance purposes (and my own peace of mind and to get a good night's sleep), I had to 'phone around a few car alarm speialists to get prices for fitting etc. The two most common quoted Cat 1 systems were Clifford and Laserline. The Clifford was the most expensive costing about £450.00 to fit and the Laserline was about £345.00. Question is, is expensive really the best? What other systems would you recommend? The specialist I'm going to use worked with our local Monaro dealership at the time of the UK launch to see which Cat 1 system could be adapted to fit and then supplied to customers new cars prior to delivery if requested. But your experiences might help me make a more informed choice! Thanks Paul

I have had my monaro insured with Liverpool Victoria and subsequently with Norwich Union Direct and both wer happy with the standard fit alarm / immobiliser.

My advice would be to select a different insurer and keep the security standard, i had a expensive clifford fitted to an imported golf v5 and it was a royal pain in the ass,in terms of false sensing (and it was fitted by one of their best dealers.)

Clarkson had similar compaints and rejected his GT40 for the same reason, after market alarm sounding repeatedly.

Bennno

[A57 HSV]

I have a very simple, no thrills Cat1 system fitted on top of the HSV ESS system. It's a Sigma & to date has caused no problems.
I reccomend that if you have to go down this route, Norwich Union insisted I did, then get the most basic possible system.
In the past on different cars I have had some problems with over clever Clifford systems!

[V8HSV]

I have RAC Trackstar fitted & Clifford Concept 600, whilst the Clifford has a 'mind of it's own' at times it would be difficult for a theif to drive it away, even with the key, without the key absolutely no way (I keep the key in a safe at night or when the car is not been driven)and the RAC install is good as they phone me when its parked in the drive when I am tinkering with it, plus I have a direct voice satalite link to the RAC centre in emergencies. If the car is towed or put on a flat bed it will be detected by the Trackstar system. The Clifford is very sensitive, just touch something in the engine bay and all the windows go up & it locks itself!

[Well_Fans]

I've got the RAC Trackstar system as well which has the handy extra of the gps speed camera warning system included. 300 quid supplied and fitted and 600 quid for lifetime subscription or as long as I keep the car - its 350 or so without the traffic camera option.