Viper smart start

[TDot]

I think I'm finally going to take the dive, just a couple questions if anyone knows. 1/ It apparently works off AT&T network, how good is that network in ny/nj?
2/ The quote I got from someone I feel is competent to buy and install is $695. Is that fair? I think I can get it a little cheaper if I buy the unit.
3/ Most of all I've heard stories of hit and miss with its consistency, is that true? Is it true if you July use it through the phone app or both through phone app and remote?
4/ also maybe a stupid question, but do I need the alarm system to hook up the tilt sensor? Can I just get the tilt sensor and get an indication on my phone if anything?

[Larz]

Apparently, and this is after researching a while back ... The original version had major issues - worked less than 50% of the time it didn't provide your phone with a response to let you know the car had switched on.
The latest version (VSS4000 about 3 months back when I was considering it) now sends your phone a confirm notice that the car has switched on. There were still issues with it not working 100% and some people were having an internal antenna installed. Other people reported that when the system failed they would re-boot the app on their phone and it fixed the problem.

Seems there are 4 issues:
1) good AT&T coverage in your area (AT&T can tell you if you're in a weak signal area)
2) installed by a professional
3) maintain the latest version of the APP and re-boot it when it fails to start the car
4) paying $50 yearly for the basic plan up to $239 yearly for the premium plan

Why did I NOT buy it? It seems a great idea if you wake up to freezing temps and snow / ice on your wind screen, etc. I'm in South Florida and WE ever get those temps or snow - you know the planet has left it's orbit and the world is ending, LOL. With my window tint (legal tint) and wind screen shade to keep the dash vents cool, even on 90 degree days the car and seats cool in 5 minutes so even though it's a mad cool mod, it's really not necessary for me. If I lived in the north, I'd buy it for sure so that by the time I finished my Earl and Baco-butty (earl grey tea and bacon-egg-cheese sandwich) the ice is gone, car is toasty and I'm off.

[SmoovC]

I think I'm finally going to take the dive, just a couple questions if anyone knows. 1/ It apparently works off AT&T network, how good is that network in ny/nj?
2/ The quote I got from someone I feel is competent to buy and install is $695. Is that fair? I think I can get it a little cheaper if I buy the unit.
3/ Most of all I've heard stories of hit and miss with its consistency, is that true? Is it true if you July use it through the phone app or both through phone app and remote?
4/ also maybe a stupid question, but do I need the alarm system to hook up the tilt sensor? Can I just get the tilt sensor and get an indication on my phone if anything?

Speaking as a retailer of DEI products:

1) The M's are very complex vehicles, and I would not trust installation to just anyone. It is well worth a few extra bucks to employ a shop and an experienced installer that is knowledgeable on these vehicles. Further, most reputable shops will shy away from installing customer supplied gear. It really does a disservice to both the consumer and the shop, and puts both in a no-win situation should issues arise. A common example: your supplied unit has an issue. I did not sell you the product, so I have to charge labor to diagnose, labor to remove and re-install, and you get to ship the unit back to where you bought it for warranty at your expense. Conversely, if I sold you the system and installed it, parts and labor are covered in-house at no cost during the warranty period.

2) I have had no issues with coverage in my area; but cannot speak for all areas. Depending on what system you purchase, you are able to use both a remote and your phone.

3) Again, depending on what particular system, you can get the features you desire. I went with the Viper 5704 security system with remote start and the VSM250 SmartStart module. I also added the tilt sensor. I went with the 5704 over the 5904 because while the 5904's color remote has more advanced functions that are easier to access, the color LCD display washes in the sun, and is virtually impossible to see in these conditions.

Take some time to consult with an experienced DEI Dealer about how you would like the system to function and what features you desire. They can tailor a system for you and your particular application.

I hope this info helps.

[szh]

Ask for the technology of the cellular radio used in the Viper device (on AT&T, you said, right?).

If it is 2G GPRS ... pass for sure! AT&T is shutting down their 2G network on Dec 31, 2016 and your device will stop working then. Ask Viper if they are aware of this - if not, tell them to go read my paper on the topic (at http://www.aeris.com/wp-content/uploads ... spatch.pdf) for the gory details.

If it is 3G HSPA, then you are good if the market you are in has 3G available from AT&T now. If it does not, then it is not absolutely clear that AT&T will put 3G there - it is more likely that they will install 4G LTE instead.

Z

[TDot]

I was looking at the vss3000 if I can put the tilt sensor on without the alarm. If I need the alarm then I'd go with the vss5000. Id probably look into the 5104 specifically. i dont really think id need the higher ones if im going to be using the phone which i pretty much get two way communication on (correct me if im wrong). I'll shoot directed about the AT&T technology today.
I asked the guy which one he was planning on installing and he said he didn't know, but it would be something from directed, almost as if at the end of the day all of them were the same except for a couple of features...which I pretty much told him all I wanted really was just smart start capability.

[TDot]

FYI Just an update, I haven't done it yet, just revisited the idea and doing some pricing. Saltronics, who does the install for the infiniti dealers will do the smart start alone for $500 and alarm with it for $600 on the M. He's in White Plains and Yonkers area

[dball]

i had mine done in south jersey for i believe under or around 500 and that was for the phone app. never have connectivity issues unless the phones dead! i knnow there was a bypass inluded in there for some reason i forget.. but yea that sounds like the going price for one of these.. imo one of the best investments i made, cars cool for me in the summer and toasty in the winter

[Ilya]

I think I'm finally going to take the dive, just a couple questions if anyone knows. 1/ It apparently works off AT&T network, how good is that network in ny/nj?
2/ The quote I got from someone I feel is competent to buy and install is $695. Is that fair? I think I can get it a little cheaper if I buy the unit.
3/ Most of all I've heard stories of hit and miss with its consistency, is that true? Is it true if you July use it through the phone app or both through phone app and remote?
4/ also maybe a stupid question, but do I need the alarm system to hook up the tilt sensor? Can I just get the tilt sensor and get an indication on my phone if anything?

Speaking as a retailer of DEI products:

1) The M's are very complex vehicles, and I would not trust installation to just anyone. It is well worth a few extra bucks to employ a shop and an experienced installer that is knowledgeable on these vehicles. Further, most reputable shops will shy away from installing customer supplied gear. It really does a disservice to both the consumer and the shop, and puts both in a no-win situation should issues arise. A common example: your supplied unit has an issue. I did not sell you the product, so I have to charge labor to diagnose, labor to remove and re-install, and you get to ship the unit back to where you bought it for warranty at your expense. Conversely, if I sold you the system and installed it, parts and labor are covered in-house at no cost during the warranty period.

2) I have had no issues with coverage in my area; but cannot speak for all areas. Depending on what system you purchase, you are able to use both a remote and your phone.

3) Again, depending on what particular system, you can get the features you desire. I went with the Viper 5704 security system with remote start and the VSM250 SmartStart module. I also added the tilt sensor. I went with the 5704 over the 5904 because while the 5904's color remote has more advanced functions that are easier to access, the color LCD display washes in the sun, and is virtually impossible to see in these conditions.

Take some time to consult with an experienced DEI Dealer about how you would like the system to function and what features you desire. They can tailor a system for you and your particular application.

I hope this info helps.

Smoov, you still around?

What do you recommend today as the best bang for the buck. I don't want a clunky remote. I just want it to turn the car on and off...don't need security, etc.

[Divindra]

I just got this done in Queens withe the Viper 5906V with smart start vsm200 and the talking module. It will help for the up and coming winter

[Ilya]

Can you explain what your setup does (meaning, as opposed to other Viper versions and VSM models)? Why that specific setup? Also, what is the talking module?

Did the installer have any issues because of the car? I've heard Infiniti's are hard to work on in this regard.

[Divindra]

Can you explain what your setup does (meaning, as opposed to other Viper versions and VSM models)? Why that specific setup? Also, what is the talking module?

Did the installer have any issues because of the car? I've heard Infiniti's are hard to work on in this regard.

Well I chose mine primarily because my brothers car has it. The 5906V allows use to use our LED remote to remote start, lock, unlock both cars with a single remote. Car one is his and car two is mine so it declutters our key rack lol. Some of the cool features that this alarm has is being able to access current car interior temp, being able to activate the window defroster from the remote and probably other things i haven't found out about. I believe the VSM200 allows the smart start from my iphone versus the VSM250 which has a gps module as well that allows you to pinpoint the car and do some other cool things but wasnt really justifiable in my case.

Another thing that wasn't justifiable is the talking module lol. All it does is say "Viper is armed, Viper is disarmed and Protected by Viper, Stand Back" Useless but i thought it would be cool. Evidently you can record your own message and alerts but i haven't gotten around to that yet.

Anyways the only issue i came across was the Autolights weren't shutting off and the courtesy lights wouldn't come on when the door was open. Turned out to be the door magnet that senses when the driver door is open. Took it to him and he readjusted it (probably will be replaced soon) and everything works as should.

I can still unlock the car with the smart key and do all the regular functions with the smart key although when i unlock it with smart key the talking module will not speak. Typically i use the Viper remote to unlock and lock, step right in and once the key is recognized drive off. Also the delay from the Viper Smart Start app to vehicle is around 15 seconds.

[Ilya]

Hmm interesting. Thanks.

[TDot]

and once the key is recognized drive off.

This kind of sucks for me because for some reason my computer prevents my car from recognizing my fob once the computer starts up if the fob isn't already in the car. I have to track down what's causing this.

Also the delay from the Viper Smart Start app to vehicle is around 15 seconds.

This would bother me on principle. If I press the button it should simply start on point. Cell phone communication shouldn't take this long.