Rating of car alarms: description of models, reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Surely every car owner knows how important a car alarm is. Choosing from hundreds of models offered is a very difficult task. Moreover, recently many not entirely successful countries (in terms of production) have thrown devices of dubious quality onto the automotive market.

In order to somehow facilitate the choice, let's try to decide first on the class and characteristics of devices, and then present a small rating of car alarms, which will indicate better and more intelligent models. The opinions of experts in this field and reviews of ordinary car owners will be taken into account.

Distinguishing Features

Car alarms can belong to a certain class - elite, economy or standard. They, in turn, are subdivided according to the following distinctive features.

1. Alert method. One-way devices do not have feedback from the driver and the only thing they can do is turn on the notification in the form of sound signals directly on the car. Car alarms with feedback (the rating is presented below)report a break-in to the owner on the key fob, which just performs the function of transmitting data in both directions. Intelligent devices provide uninterrupted communication at a distance of up to 2 km, and some inform the driver about the violation via SMS messages.

2. The presence of an immobilizer. This is a device for partial blocking of the engine. Many self-respecting and customer-respecting manufacturers equip cars with an immobilizer already at the factory.
3. Principle of blocking. Some models of car alarms are built into standard automation and block the fuel supply to the engine, while others, when triggered, simply break the power supply circuits.
4. Remote engine start. Cars equipped with this type of device can remotely start the engine using a key fob or phone.
5. Availability of a GPS system. Such a device constantly reports the coordinates of the car to a given number or key fob. If the car was stolen, then it is much easier for law enforcement to find it and return it to the owner.
6. CAN bus. This is a set of protocols that allow you to include a warning system in the overall scheme of electronic control of a car. Used only on new and expensive cars.

Also, when choosing an alarm, you should not discount any additional features, such as sensors: presence, push, volume and movement. Taking into account the above factors and nuances, a rating of car alarms was compiled, which included the popular and best models of security systems.

List of the best car security systems:

1. "Pandora" DXL 3910.
2. StarLine B64 Dialog CAN.
3. StarLine D94 2CAN GSM/GPS Slave.
4. Tomahawk 7.1.
5. "Alligator" C-500.

Pandora DXL 3910

This model compares favorably with all the variety that is presented on the car market. The owner of the car where the Pandora DXL 3910 car alarm is installed does not carry a key fob with him. Ordinary operations are performed using special tags, and the full functionality of the security system is available on a smartphone or tablet. Tags are a modest semblance of a key fob with two buttons without any additional monitors and other devices for displaying information. As a rule, they send only two commands to the main unit - turn the security system on or off.

Pandora DXL 3910 car alarm allows you to use the GSM voice interface or work through a proprietary mobile application - the choice is up to the owner. Special software Pandora Info works great on the "apple" and "android" platforms.

Extremely flexible settings make the Pandora security system versatile and easily adaptable to the owner's requirements. The alarm showed itself perfectly in such complex modes as remote and pre-start activation of several heaters. It will also not be superfluous to note that the system has a fine-tuning of parametersalarms for 16 main security zones.

Car alarm has excellent synergy with the regular system of any modern car. Thanks to this, you can use the factory immobilizer along with starting the engine from the "native" key, and not every expensive car alarm can boast of this.

Reviews about the Pandora system are mostly positive. Motorists liked the extensive functionality and the ability to use alarms with factory protection systems. But the disadvantage of the model, as usual, was one of its advantages - functionality. A multi-level menu and an abundance of additional settings sometimes confuse even car electronics gurus.

Average score (rating of car alarms) – 9.0 out of 10.

Estimated cost is 20,000 rubles.

StarLine B64 Dialog CAN

In addition to performing its basic functions, the B64 model can be used as a control center for car services: interior lighting, various indications, temperature control, etc. You can control the security system using the tags or key fob that are included in the kit, as well as from any gadget on the iOS or Android platform.

Starline comes with two key fobs - one compact without indication, and the other with an LCD display and more functional. Both have excellent two-way communication and can operate up to 2 kilometers from the central unit.

You can significantly win the price if you take a variable model without a GPS module. In this case, induring installation, an ordinary "immobilizer" will be involved. But if you later decide to install a GPS unit, then the system has a special connector for this.

Opinions of car owners

Reviews about the model are left mostly in a positive way. Motorists appreciated the availability of the security system, ease of installation and brand quality. The only drawback that will certainly be critical for fans of additional lotions is the lack of auto-start of the engine and the non-volatile mode, otherwise it is a quite successful and intelligently assembled system.

Average score (car alarm rating) – 8.6 out of 10.

Estimated cost is 9,500 rubles.

StarLine D94 2CAN GSM/GPS Slave

Unlike the previous version, the StarLine GSM D94 model can be called a full-fledged security complex with a wide range of capabilities. Independent experts especially point out the unparalleled GSM-GPS telematics module. With amazing accuracy, this module is able to determine the location of the car when stolen or searched in the parking lot.

Za Rulem magazine awarded the system with the highest score in the category of devices with a high level of protection against hacking and scanning, and the automotive publication AvtoProbka recognized the complex as the best security system of the past year.

It is worth noting separately the three-axis tilt and shock sensor, which is included in the standard package. It works when trying to lift the car onto a tow truck or during jacking. Significantly expanded (compared toanalogues) the engine autostart circuit during operation takes into account many factors: the duration of warm-up cycles, ambient temperature, last start, etc.

Owner Reviews

Many positive reviews on specialized forums indicate that the system is worth its money and more than pays for it. Motorists appreciated the wide functionality of the alarm and the reliability of the circuits. The only thing that owners sometimes complain about is the complexity of the initial setup, otherwise it is an excellent system for ensuring the safety of your car.

Average score - 9.9 out of 10.

Estimated cost is 26,000 rubles.

Tomahawk 7.1

Tomahawk 7.1 car alarm received the highest score (AvtoProbka and Behind the Wheel magazines) in the Best Value for Money category among all security systems.

The model has a lot of distinctive and good qualities, but it is worth noting separately the possibility of silent arming of the system. Many motorists are ready to purchase a Tomahawk just for this feature. Also, the alarm system has a high-quality intelligent autostart system.

Non-volatile mode is present, but only for the immobilizer. There are also indisputable bonuses - non-volatile memory, that is, at the moment of power failure, the chip saves all important data, and after turning on the system, the previously used security mode is restored.

Car alarm "Tomahawk" is equipped with an additional protection system, whichprovides a double dialogue code with a constantly changing coding algorithm.

Motorists' opinions

In their reviews, the owners note a convenient and, most importantly, understandable indication on the remote control's LCD display, and this applies not only to parameters and settings, but also to the general state of the system, coupled with triggers. The only fly in the ointment for many motorists is the lack of additional channels for controlling external gadgets and other devices in the car. But for the price the brand is asking for, along with the return it gets, some obvious flaws can be overlooked.

Average score - 9.2 out of 10.

Estimated cost is 4,000 rubles.

Alligator C-500

The first thing worth mentioning is the range of the system - 2.5 thousand meters in alert mode. This range is the envy of any premium security device. You can also add six completely independent security zones, the ability to control third-party gadgets and intelligent autorun.

With a relatively modest price and such extensive functionality, the Alligator C-500 becomes the most economical, popular and successful system for protecting your car. It was with such epithets that the Avtopolygon magazine awarded the device, giving the alarm the highest score in all respects.

The system successfully implements the functions of a turbo timer, advanced autostart and enabling security systems when the engine is running. The reliability of the device is determined by the presence of seven security zones and the possibility of installationadditional sensors. It's worth noting that the system uses frequency hopping and double-talk code, which will stop most electronic hackers.

Evaluation of owners

Car enthusiasts speak very warmly about the Alligator system. Users are attracted by the low price and quality of the model, coupled with extensive functionality. Some complain about the lack of an immobilizer crawler, but the problem can be solved with the help of an additional module, just for such cases, (purchased separately).

Average 9.6 out of 10.

Estimated cost is 10,000 rubles.

Summing up

Without a doubt, a modern car cannot do without a smart and reliable security system. Of course, you want the coolest and most sophisticated device. But before making a choice, it is wiser to first think about what you need from the system and what your real needs are. Sometimes it is easier, and even more correct, to buy an inexpensive model, for example, for the countryside or a brightly painted company car.

Clearly define your requirements, and only then choose. Separately, it is worth mentioning the large number of fakes in the automotive market, so it is better to buy such an important thing as an alarm in company stores or from trusted distributors. In any case, it will not hurt to check the documents (certificates, dealer list) for equipment with the seller once again.