Today we have an interesting topics to be discussed.Factory Alarms VS Aftermarket Alarms…So which one is better?.Share your opinion here.
ORIGINAL FACTORY ALARMS
There are two types of factory alarms, one that uses a remote control and the other is activated when the car is locked with the key.It is just a matter of convenience of having the keyless entry and being able to open the trunk from far away.
Pros:
1.Factory alarms are as good quality or better than aftermarket alarms.
2.They are very reliable and don’t usually give false alarms (unless the owner does not know how to use them, which is common).Most do lack features such as microwave, shock, glass breakage sensors, etc. and are hard to customize and upgrade.
Cons:
The main problem with factory alarms is predictability.An experienced thief knows exactly what to do to disable the alarm before even breaking in the car.All factory alarms are installed the same way and in the same location for a certain model car.All they have to do is snip a single wire or remove a fuse.It only takes an experienced thief a few seconds to disable a factory security system.Still remember about the incident that happened to Selangor Chief of Polices last year?
AFTERMARKET ALARMS
Aftermarket alarms come in many different flavors, from the cheap 2-wire voltage drop sensing alarm, to high-end custom alarms.They present more installation and configuration options, and can be easily customized and upgraded.
Cons:
The predictability factor is somewhat decreased because installation depends on the installer.Different installers, even working for the same company, do different things. I said somewhat decreased because most shops use the all to common alarm wire-tied under the dash and starter disable tapped at the most accessible spot under the steering wheel column installation.This actually makes it easy for a thief because all they have to do is unplug the brain to disable the alarm.If they want to steal the car, the starter wires are already “pointed out” to them.
Even if a thief can’t get to the brain to disable it they can easily kill your alarm.Imagine the following scenario:A thief breaks the glass, pops the hood, opens he hood and cuts the siren wires or battery wires.How long did the alarm made noise? Not very long, maybe a few seconds.All the people that heard the alarm probably thought, there goes another one that doesn’t how to use their alarm.
If you want a good alarm system, the best thing to do is first, tap into wires and mount the brain in inaccessible locations. The next most important thing is to install a hood lock. If they can’t open the hood, it makes it a lot harder to disable the alarm.Add a battery backup to the alarm for extra piece of mind.
Below are some opinions from other readers and our friends.
Nazri Khalid, Pasir Gudang, Johor
For me, I integrate my alarm system.I use my stock ignition immobilizer, aftermarket ignition kill, aftermarket sensors (proximity, motion), aftermarket sirens (normal and interior pain generators) and battery back up. The aftermarket alarm powers everything and allows me to add whatever I wish in the future.
Stock is just stock. Locks the doors and kills the ignition. Someone comes along smashes the window, pops the hood, cuts the cable to battery, and tows the car away.Or they just stick it on a flatbed.
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Tan Wei Loon, Kangar, Perlis
Factory alarms are pretty basic – normally just triggered door locks, ignition kill, a horn interface and sometimes a remote start feature.Factory systems normally don’t offer shock sensors, motion detectors, and notification that the alarm has been triggered like through a remote control with some sort of display.
Aftermarket alarms can be pretty robust and are generally customizable – you can add or remove features as you please, you normally have a remote control that tells you if the alarm has tripped or if there is a problem with a sensor, and a potential criminal at least knows that you have something other than the factory system installed.
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Naim Syukri, Tanjung Malim, Perak
Aftermarket alarms, like stereos, have more options, more features,
lower prices, more selections, and always at the cutting edge of
technology. They offer silent mode, etc. The annoying part on some
factory alarms is the use of car horns instead of an alarm speaker.
For instance, a quick beep from a car horn locks or unlocks car doors
or sets the alarm. I just don’t get it. Some may disagree but it’s
just not normal.
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Aiman Muslim, Putrajaya
Factory system pros: Dealer installed, part of the vehicle electronics.
Factory system cons: Not very robust, can easily be defeated. Lots of information available about how they function (all you have to do is just get a diagram form the vehicle manufacturer and you know everything you need to know about how to defeat the alarm). Typical high cost of a dealer-installed accessory.
Aftermarket system pros: Robust, wide range of sensors to choose from, notification options (such as iPhone apps and remote controls), customizable, exact system configuration is unknown, long-range remote controls. Potential criminals don’t know exactly what’s protecting the vehicle.
Aftermarket system cons: High initial cost, complexity (you need to be very skilled at automotive electrical systems to do this yourself, otherwise you have to pay someone to do it), cumbersome remote controls, high cost of “necessary options” such as key transducers and output relays, not easily interfaced with the vehicle electronics.
Just as a point of reference, my truck got broken into a few years ago in front of my house in a lighted parking lot with the factory alarm system armed and functioning. When I found it in the morning, the factory system was still working properly. Whoever got my gear knew exactly how to get around my factory system.
Jom komen!