Decent alarm recommendations

Decent alarm recommendations

Author
Discussion

rmaurer

Original Poster:

251 posts

271 months

Wednesday 10th July 2002
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I've got the old Foxguard system currently on my 95 4.0HC and while I have 2 key fobs, one has totally packed up and the other only has 1 working button! I'm planning on getting a new alarm installed and was just wondering whether anyone has any recommendations...

David Batty has quoted around £350 to fit a Meta, but I read so many threads about these going wrong (drowned sirens etc) that I'm not sure...

Does anyone have another alarm fitted and would you recommend it? Ideally, I'd like a boot release option as well... Insurance spec is not too important as Direct Line don't even require an alarm on a car under £30,000!

Cheers,
Ross

Kwacker

633 posts

285 months

Wednesday 10th July 2002
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I had a TOAD fitted to mine. Thatcham CAT 1. Works a treat. Cost £400. and I got the boot opening option as well, I decided not to go for the window open/close option as I didn't have the dosh at the time.

Make sure the whoever fits it knows what they are doing! You will need to have extra relays put in so that the little locking button on the door opener works correctly.

Kwacker

jeboa

535 posts

262 months

Wednesday 10th July 2002
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You can get a replacement key fob from TImpson Locksmiths, they're about £35. They have an offer on at the moment - buy one, get one half price.

If you really want to go for a new one I'd agree with the Toad recommendation. I had the C5 version fitted to a 300zxTT, £250 (Cat 1). Never had a problem with it, and there were lots of options if you wanted them.

The only thing to check is the kind of movement sensor, I think ultrasonic isn't effective in soft-tops, and the Foxgaurd is a radar model (I think?).

RCA

1,769 posts

269 months

Wednesday 10th July 2002
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Am having a Clifford fitted as we speak!!! £450, including remote door lock, boot pop, remote engine start!!!!, BlackJax - an anti jacking feature so your wheels can not be pinched!!! + all other normal bits that come with an alarm!!!

tamago

532 posts

263 months

Wednesday 10th July 2002
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Jeboa
Have you got a weblink/ tel number for Timpsons Locksmiths? I am down to one fob and it is quite nerve racking !

Thanks!

lrussell5

567 posts

264 months

Wednesday 10th July 2002
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they're in most high streets - try yellow pages (?)

lrussell5

567 posts

264 months

Wednesday 10th July 2002
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....the "Shoe People" who cut keys etc as well. they have immob programming kit

tvrforever

3,182 posts

266 months

Wednesday 10th July 2002
quotequote all
Went through the same thing but with my Meta...

I'm now having the Clifford Concept G.4 600 fitted to my Chimaera this Thurs & Fri @ Premier Alarms in MK - top place and (hopefully) a top alarm.

Cat-1 and includes all the normal stuff + windows, microwaves, wireless slave immobiliser. I'm also adding boot pop, headlights, dual zone OmniSensor, PC data connection (techie at heart) - not all the toys but nearly! Wanted to add 'remote engine start' but technically this invalidates the Cat-1 certificate so veered away from that...

Whilst they are at it they are also doing my Mod-Wise radio amp and re-fitting Multi CD & head unit.

Are you sure re Direct Line as Tescos (who use Direct Line for their insurance) now require Cat-1 for their TVRs...

Clifford's web site is www.clifford.co.uk or www.clifford.co.uk/html/system_selector.html for the product range, but Dave Morgan @ Premier (01908 220337) knows his stuff...

Cheers


>> Edited by tvrforever on Wednesday 10th July 18:59

>> Edited by tvrforever on Wednesday 10th July 19:00

>> Edited by tvrforever on Wednesday 10th July 19:01

>> Edited by tvrforever on Wednesday 21st August 08:30

rmaurer

Original Poster:

251 posts

271 months

Wednesday 10th July 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Are you sure re Direct Line as Tescos (who use Direct Line for their insurance) now require Cat-1 for their TVRs...

Clifford's web site is www.clifford.co.uk or www.clifford.co.uk/html/system_selector.html for the product range, but Dave Morgan @ Premier (01908 220337) knows his stuff...

Cheers

Ian



Ian, thanks for all the info. I was being swayed towards the Cliffords or a Toad, and have heard positive and negative comments about both.

What does concern me slightly is that the old Foxguard alarm will have to be removed... I'm not sure who is capable of doing this, so will have to start ringing around. Might give the guys above a call.

Direct Line definitely said no alarm was required as my car does have a Tracker fitted but this made no difference to the policy at all!

tvrforever

3,182 posts

266 months

Thursday 11th July 2002
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Yeah I have the same issue in that the Meta 'gubbins' is having to be removed but the guys don't think it's too much of an issue. One point is that the Clifford LED is bigger than the Meta one in the dash so having to think how to sort that one.

Premier want 1.5->2 days to fit and 'settle' all the stuff properly so that I don't get false alarms etc so just off to take it there now...

Not heard anything bad re Clifford - what have you heard?

Cheers


>> Edited by tvrforever on Wednesday 21st August 08:30

JonRB

74,611 posts

273 months

Thursday 11th July 2002
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quote:
Not heard anything bad re Clifford - what have you heard?
The guys at Hawthorns were quite disparaging when I mentioned Clifford to them. They said they've had nothing but trouble with Cliffords fitted to TVRs, with false alarms, lockouts, glitches, etc. all over the place.

I can't comment on the validity of this as I don't have direct experience of Clifford.

raceboy

13,120 posts

281 months

Thursday 11th July 2002
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My Clifford Concept 500 is a bit of a nightmare, the problem is the frequency the blipper transmits on is the same as some mobile phone masts, therefore when you press the button diddly squat happens, the alarm then passive arms and you have to use the valet switch to start it, luckily my car has key holes so it can be locked manually.
Apparently this has been sorted on newer models, but can't be retro-fitted to mine
I've had a few other minor problems but Sextons of Nottingham have sorted them all no quibbles on the lifetime guarntee, even fitting new batteries in the plippers

RCA

1,769 posts

269 months

Thursday 11th July 2002
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All new Clifford alarms are G4, which is Cliffords new generation alarms. Fairly easy to put in compared to the old ones with very few problems, If a trained Clifford fitter fits your alarm you should not have any problems!!!, These alarms all have the function of being able to be plugged into a laptop to change all the settings and control most things on your car, this is how the fitter sets them up!!!! Pretty impressive. If you have the right accessory you to can plug your laptop in and change anything you want. As far as lockouts and stuff all this can be turned on or off. Sorry to go on, you shouldn't really get problems with the G4 Cliffords!!
I have also been told by independant fitters that the top of the range Toads are also very good!!

philip_cooke

5,183 posts

282 months

Friday 12th July 2002
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My Meta alarm packed up last year (after Brundle TVR 'messed' around with it (Bloody Cowboys) so I had Kerridges fit a Laserline 996V3 alarm, full Thatcham Cat 1, ultrasonics etc etc, has never given me any problems, probably has the facility for windows boot etc but I don't use them. It cost £300.00 including fitting. Kerridges used a local alarm fitter who also remover the old Meta unit (makes a good paperweight!!).

I have no other details other than to say contact Kerridges.

andyvg

201 posts

283 months

Friday 12th July 2002
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quote:

David Batty has quoted around £350 to fit a Meta, but I read so many threads about these going wrong (drowned sirens etc) that I'm not sure...



I had the 'drowned siren' with my Meta and in the process of sorting it out discovered the following misconceptions about the Meta system :-

The siren is 'water tight' NOT 'water proof' and is only guaranteed if fitted in the Meta specified location which is high up on the bulkhead NOT in the nosecone as TVR fit it.

I must say that after replacing the siren unit and adding some extra waterproofing to it (sillicon seal around the plug etc..) It has (touch wood) proved to be faultless.

Andy.

Bangers

58 posts

263 months

Sunday 14th July 2002
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TVRFOREVER :

Hi, I'm off to premier tomorrow to get them to have a look at my mesa system as it is very hit and miss as to whether it will respond to the clicker.

How is your new system and do you mind saying how much it cost you? Did you manage to get around the LED problem? I recon I will probably need to get a new one put in so it would be good to get your thoughts.

Cheers

James.

markbigears

2,274 posts

270 months

Monday 15th July 2002
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clifford 300 on mine......never had a problem with it. Heard a funny story the other day from a mate in the bodywork trade, bloke in a porsche comes in for a quote for some bodywork.....as hes leaving he hits the auto start on the cars alarm...only problem is the car is in gear.....at which point front of porsche and waiting room have a comming together....waiting room and car not a pretty sight! ouch......left that off my alarm spec.....

rmaurer

Original Poster:

251 posts

271 months

Monday 15th July 2002
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quote:

clifford 300 on mine......never had a problem with it.


Had a quote for £299.95 on a Clifford 300 over the weekend with an additional £50 charge to remove the Foxguard. Sounded pretty good to me, all from Xtreme in Harlow. I'm not too sure whether they've worked on TVRs before though. Just debating whether to go ahead and book it in....

celticprince

25 posts

280 months

Monday 15th July 2002
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I would also consider Autowatch, who have a very good reputation with the installers themselves, and an extensive range. I have recently had an Autowatch Blue Cat 1 fitted, which has boot release, if required. Make sure your installer is VSIB accredited. Insurance companies may shortly insist upon this. I have no experience of Clifford, but I was advised by an installer, who has done their course, to avoid.

RCA

1,769 posts

269 months

Monday 15th July 2002
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Had my clifford done by Gap Security, very good and professional, The bloke had not worked on a TVR before but was very careful and once I had showed him the bolts on the dash there was no problems. Very impressed with the result and the remote engine start will not work if the car is left in gear!!!!