Need advice on a Viper/Python alarm (I searched!)

[getfuzzy77]

I have been looking everywhere online to help decide which alarm I should get for my '98 SE. I am debating on the Viper 350/791 and the Python 460/500. So, I need help from people who have had experience or heard things down the grapevine.

Having remote start is not important, but I do want keyless entry. I don't want an alarm that will go off if a cat (we have outside cats) decides to sleep on my hood, but I would want it to go off if someone rams themself into the car. I am moving to an area that (according to directed's website) has a high rate of car theft.

I am interested in 2-way (is that the right term?) remotes that would let me know if my alarm has been triggered (what is the range on it?). This is not necessary, and I probably wouldn't get it at the price range I am hoping to stay in.

Obviously, I haven't been able to find a lot of useful information on any of these alarms. I have heard good things about the Viper 350 and Python 460.

This is the first time I'd have an active alarm on a car, which is why I have a lot of questions. If someone knows of a good website (I've looked around 12volt.com and consumerreview.com and ecoustics) that would answer my questions, I'd appreciate it. Or, of someone has any pointers.

Also, the place I would be getting this alarm installed determines which alarm I'd get. Circuit City installs pythons, while Best Buy installs Vipers. The better price is at CC, but I haven't gotten good customer service from them. If they treat me bad, I can only imagine how they'd treat my car. CC installed my stereo, and I'm pleased with it, but their customer service could use a little help. As for Best Buy, the guy was helpful when directing me towards an alarm, but was antsy and wanted to leave. I haven't heard anything negative or positive about best buy's installation quality. Their prices also seem a little steeper than CC's.

EDIT: I just realized this should probably go in the security forum - if need be can the MODs move it?

[180fan]

Pythons and Vipers and Cliffords for that matter are all built by DEI. Don't fall too hard on the name thing, they're basically the same product with minor differences. With an alarm, the intial setup is crucial. Once it's done, it's pretty much set and forget. You can also get door actuators if you want keyless entry. I'm personally biased towards Circuit City since a few of my buddies are roadshop installers there and the best buy in my area sucks balls.

[skydragoness]

You could try to find a shop in your area that only does audio/alarm word and go by word-of-mouth to see if they do good work. Or you could visit the shop and take a look to see what kind of work they've done. They should be glad to show you what they do if they have nothing to hide.

[getfuzzy77]

I ended up getting the Python 700 installed at Circuit City. So far I am pleased. The guy who installed it walked me through the sensor locations, their sensitivity, how the remote worked, and what the chirps meant. The manager in the car audio section told me about his alarm, and said he also had the Python 700. He said from the back of the store he could alarm, disarm, and start his car. Good enough for me.

The only things I have to gripe about are how big the remote is, the guy didn't tell me where the valet switch is or how many presses it would take to put the alarm in valet mode, and I don't remember if there was a panel under the steering wheel column, but if there ever was it is now gone.

[EW]

Pythons and Vipers and Cliffords for that matter are all built by DEI. Don't fall too hard on the name thing, they're basically the same product with minor differences. With an alarm, the intial setup is crucial. Once it's done, it's pretty much set and forget. You can also get door actuators if you want keyless entry. I'm personally biased towards Circuit City since a few of my buddies are roadshop installers there and the best buy in my area sucks balls.

Just to clarify, Clifford MATRIX is like Viper and Python. Clifford G5 is NOT.

[piston]

Teh valet / bypass button only requires one press to set the valet, or you could do it by opening your door then pressing arm - disarm - arm. You will know it works when the led no longer flashes and goes solid.

This is also a bypass button. It should be hidden and not out in the open. This is for use if you lose your remote, or the battery dies and you still need to use your car. In this case, you would open the car via key, and put the key in to the on position and press the button 1 time, this will turn the alarm off.

Personall I have teh python 881xp in my scion and it works perfect, range is good for about 1000 feet with some buildings.

If you every wanted to, you could upgrade your alarm to the 900 to get the lcd remote instead of the led one.

Jason