Car alarms; which brands + where to buy (online?)

[dogbreath_48]

Good evening all.

I've recently been looking into car alarms. I'm after a fairly basic alarm/immobiliser (none of this 2-way remote, remote start etc required) and had my heart set on a Mongoose m60g. I'm having trouble finding a local retailler who stocks mongoose and mongoose head office weren't much help with suggestions. There are plenty of other brands available through autobarn and the like - none of which i can find much information about online - crappy websites at best, not a trace at worst. Mongoose certainly seems to be the most professionally presented manufacturer i've come across.

What brands other than mongoose would people recommend i look into? Can anybody recommend a decent retailer in the eastern suburbs of melbourne, or a good Online shop? (pref not ebay). I'll be fitting the alarm myself.

Thanks in advance for the help Search turned up limited, dated information.

-Stu

[dave_str]

I have the last model in my Navara and I got it through autobarn.

Dave.

[atari4x4]

the installation is more important than the brand.... i wouldn't trust the pimply kid at wogbarn or smashfields to install a brake light globe.

the dynamco range is super reliable & are build to the australian standard

http://www.dynamco.com.au/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[chimpboy]

Is the Jaycar Aust standard one any good?

[djroberts]

No body has stolen my 80 since i put the Jaycar in it

[T_Diesel]

I've got a Cobra Platinum system in the 100.

They were very professional to deal with and did a great install and i've never had any hassles with it.

http://www.cobracaralarms.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They are based in Rooks Road in Vermont.

They even have a theft guarantee that if you vehicle is stolen with one of their alarms fitted and your insurance company pays out, they will refund you the theft excess.

[BJMorgo]

I have a Mongoose alarm in my shorty and whilst it still works, the switches that tell it that the door is open don't seem to handle dirt and water. So after cancelling the alarm with remote, opening the rear doors or driver's door doesn't always cancel the alarm, which means I usually forget when working on the car and end up setting the alarm off. So it worries me a little worried that the thing is going to malfunction and immobilise the car in the middle of the Simpson desert or other remote place. The remote control unit is flimsy and broke easily so now it is held onto the key ring with duct tape and a cable tie.

Having said that I have a newer model Mongoose on my road car which is a lot more professional looking (the remote control looks like a factory one and is much less likely to break) plus everything still works. However, the car doesn't cop the dust and water etc.

[MrGrim]

i could help you out with a warlock or 3rd millenium alarm as i was the mgr there doing there import and wholesales
they are the alarms you can get through JBHIFI ...

pm me

[VHPirie]

I've bought 3 Mongoose alarms off ebay bout 1-2 years ago (was a legit shop). Bought an M80, and 2 M60's. Haven't installed the M80 yet (bought it for my project car which still isn't finished), but the 2 M60's I put in and had no drama's with.

Why don't ya wanna buy off ebay?

[howsie]

i got a jaycar special cost me 189 but it has the microwave sensor so i dont have to rely on my doors. Havent put it in yet but looks very solid and good value for money

[Clanky]

Got mine (mongo M80) from this place. They have a real shop as well
All good

http://myworld.ebay.com.au/hectic_boy/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[GAS-747]

I have used a Mongoose M80 with extras. (I think it was the M80au?)

All doors & bonnet protection.
2 point imoboliser
2 stage shock sensor.
Interior microwave sensor.
Tilt sensor.
And a piez siren mounted under the dash to blow any thieves eardrums.


I have also used Quiktrack + extras and it was a great system with 24hr satelite tracking (while the b@stards were operating and not selling the company anyway).

[dogbreath_48]

Thanks everyone for the feedback - very much appreciated!

The dynamco's look like a good unit - probably on par with the mongoose's i'd say? I'll have to price them.

I had a look at jaycar and they only had one model - remotes looked cheap and the packaging looked cheaper - it was also a 'whiz-bang' one with lots of (imo) useless and reliability-compromising features.

I'll have to head down to cobra next week and see what they're like - appear pretty no nonsense but only one model available? And appears to be specified on demand - not sure they'd be happy or good value for supply without fitting. i have heard good things in the past, though.

BJMorgo - my understanding was that most alarms used the factory door (interior light) switches, is this not the case? I too have heard earlier mongoose remotes were pretty useless but they appear to have picked up their game recently - to be honest they're the only ones i've seen that inspire some sort of confidence in their longevity.

Thanks for the offer mr. Grim. I had a look at a couple of the warlock alarms and they seemed about on par with the jaycar mentioned above, but i'll have a look further into their range and get back to you, i appreciate the offer

I havent had much luck finding much of anything on ebay and i'm generally not a fan of ebay. I saw hektic_boy's shop and struggled to get past the username I'll try getting details for his shop and give him a call.

-Stu