Whats the deal with alternative car alarms?

[damnfinechim]

Thanks to those who advised me on where to go for an alarm but i'm still not convinced about why alt alarms (ie Clifford etc) wont last in the TVR.

I have been shopping around and sales people are saying theirs will be fine in any TVR.

Falcon alarms use a resin potted cpu/mainboard so no parts can move etc. Also, they use 30amp fuses/relays incase of spiking etc. Does this sound like it would be a safe option?

Hmmm.. Alarms aren't cheap so dont wanna waste £££ and time.

Thanks again.

Kempy

[Big Al.]

Talk to Carl the meta man!

here www.tvruk.tv/index.cfm

He'll put you straight! OH

ed to add link

>> Edited by Big Al. on Wednesday 20th July 12:42

[Nuggs]

Big Al. said:

Talk to Carl the meta man! He'll put you straight! OH

Seconded...

[raceboy]

Mines had a Clifford on it since I bought it over 6 years ago
Wouldn't say it's that good, but I believe newer spec units are a bit better.
Had a Toad fitted to racegirls runabout and that has almost the same features as the Clifford for 1/2 the price and the chap that fitted it, a fellow Chimaera driver, has a Toad on his car and can't rate them high enough

[schueymcfee]

I've had a Clifford 650 Concept installed, one of the new G5 generation as I had no alarm/central locking or bugger all when I got the car.

I can start the car/open the boot/switch on the headlights from the key fob and it warns people off if they get close I had a problem with pikeys keying it) or sets off the full alarm if they get inside.

You can add sensors like break glass or tilt/motion to stop them nicking your wheels etc

Not had any problems with false alarms (I'd been warned about this), so maybe it was a problem with the G4s

I didn't think it was bad at all for £270 including fitting.

[damnfinechim]

schueymcfee said:

I've had a Clifford 650 Concept installed, one of the new G5 generation as I had no alarm/central locking or bugger all when I got the car. I can start the car/open the boot/switch on the headlights from the key fob and it warns people off if they get close I had a problem with pikeys keying it) or sets off the full alarm if they get inside. You can add sensors like break glass or tilt/motion to stop them nicking your wheels etc Not had any problems with false alarms (I'd been warned about this), so maybe it was a problem with the G4s I didn't think it was bad at all for £270 including fitting.

£270 inc fitting?????????????????
Where'd you get that done? Clifford quoted me over £800!!! Damn Theifs!!

[schueymcfee]

Well, it was £270 including vat and fitting, but the remote starter was extra and I picked it up on ebay for £30 and installed myself.

The local ICE shop was doing a special offer.

>> Edited by schueymcfee on Wednesday 20th July 14:32

[Fire99]

Hi There,

Firstly i would definitely recommend speaking to Carl about alarms..
We had a good chat about them when i got mine sorted a couple of months ago..

The basics are that the the problem with TVR's is their electrical system which is not the most stable of systems.
TVR electrics have tendency to have electrical spikes which drives alot of alarms round the bend.

The Meta alarm doesnt have the most features but generally it is very resilient to the tough working environment it has to suffer in a TVR.

Ive heard some less than favourable comments from people regarding Clifford alarms but i have to concede they may have improved with the current models..

But i wouldnt single Clifford out as i think many other of the 'function filled' alarms would struggle in a TVR.
Also im sure there are people who have Cliffords etc and have had no problems at all.

For me, since the Chimaera has no key locks to get into the car if the alarm goes wonky, reliability is key for me and ive stuck with a Meta.

Hope my 5 penneth worth helps..

[damnfinechim]

Nice one Fire,

It certainly sheds some light.

I have bit the bullet and bought the Falcon Predator. It comes with lifetime warranty and free extra options (anti car-jacking, 3 stage immobiliser, 2 stage microwave sensor with warn-off signal). I guess you should 'watch this space'....... You may be hearing more from me re this alarm.

Wish me luck. Thanks for all your help.

Kempy

[Fire99]

no worries mate.

let us know how you get on with the Falcon..

Cheers,

Nick

[schueymcfee]

Ah remember the name - Technicar.

Also, nice car mate, where did those headlight pods come from? It looks as though they can be removed and the old style lights be retrofitted.

[damnfinechim]

schueymcfee said:

Also, nice car mate, where did those headlight pods come from? It looks as though they can be removed and the old style lights be retrofitted.

Cheers,

I believe they were from Team Central TVR. Not sure if they can be removed and replaced with too much ease but I like em anyway. A little different - just like me

[schueymcfee]

Ah, Team Central, that's where my car was bought new.

Out of business now though, well is in a different incarnation - and all of their records were lost when they threw the computer in the bin when it went bust

[damnfinechim]

Oh right... Didnt know that. Oh well. Such is life.

[brian chim]

We had this discusion on the nissan gti-r owners club about a year ago.

Everyone was slating the new/latest clifford alarms saying they aint worth the money and i would tend to agree. Years ago they were good but i rate toad better. I had a toad on my last car and never had any problems with it.

Bry

[zumbruk]

brian chim said:

We had this discusion on the nissan gti-r owners club about a year ago. Everyone was slating the new/latest clifford alarms saying they aint worth the money and i would tend to agree. Years ago they were good but i rate toad better. I had a toad on my last car and never had any problems with it.

Having done business with Toad in the past, I certainly wouldn't deal with them ever again, not because of their equipment, which may well be very good, but because of their attitude towards customers, which I personally found unacceptable.

[damnfinechim]

Anyone ever had any dealings with Falcon products (and servicing)?