The first car alarms appeared in the 1970s and have been constantly improving ever since. Today, security devices can be found on the market for any wallet and any car. How can we deal with this diversity? Which car alarm is better and how do you choose the best security for the car? What are the alarms?
What are the alarms?
To start with, any alarm must have three functions:
- impact sensor,
- the reaction to the opening of doors, the hood and the boot,
- locking the engine during an attempted carjacking.
Depending on the technology used, all alarms can be divided into three types:
- Unilateral. The cheapest and most primitive type of alarm which has no feedback to the driver and does not alert the actuation actuation. I mean, you clicked on a key fob, and the car closed and everything. The maximum possible after this is to give a sound or a light signal in the event of an alarm. The range of the alarm is usually small-up to 200 m in open terrain.
- Bilateral. Such alarms have a more "advanced" log with a small LCD screen on which you can see at any moment the state of the car (both around it and inside). If an attempt is made to steal a car, the system immediately sends a signal and shows the exact expression of the encroachment on your car (door opened, broken glass, etc.). The range of the two-way signaling is 4 km away.
- Satellite. The most expensive and modern type of signalling, the range is not limited to anything (unless there is a lack of satellite communication in particularly remote areas). At any time, you can get information about the status of the car, its location, or its movements.
What's the alarm? The best option to date is a two-way signaling system. On the one hand, it is much cheaper than satellite, and on the other, it provides you with a "contact" with the car. Even if you are limited in resources, you can find quite a few budget options in this category.
Most modern alarms are fitted with an immobilizer. His task is to immobilize the car and prevent it from getting buddjacked. What other useful options could be used in modern alarms?
What other useful options could be used in modern alarms?
The main function of any alarm is to resist the hijacker and notify the owner as quickly and efficiently as possible. In addition, however, there are many additional features in the modern alarm system. They can be divided into:
- security guards (which are directly related to the protection of a car from miscreants),
- Service (which improves the comfort level of the car operation).
Security functions that can be useful in modern signalling:
- Set up the alarm with all the windows. A very useful option for forgetful drivers who regularly leave open windows in a car.
- Alarm Adventure. Another "bonus" for forgetful: after a while, the car itself is signaling. Also, if the alarm was off, but for a certain period of time, no door was opened, the car will be back on the alarm.
- Automatic locking of doors while driving. When a certain speed (usually 30 to 40 km/h) is reached, the doors of the vehicle are locked. This allows the passengers (especially children) to be protected from accidental opening of the door during traffic, and also protects the car from miscreants who can enter the passenger compartment at a traffic light.
- The only way to open the driver's door. Very effective protection against "barsetoers", which steal things from the passenger seat. The first click on the button opens only the driver's license door if you want to open two doors-the button is clicked again.
- Tilt sensors. This option is relevant if you have road wheels or tire thieves in your area. If the machine tries to "talk sense", then the tilt sensor will immediately signal.
Service functions that can be useful in the modern alarm: Remote start of engine. Perhaps the most relevant and demanded service function for most motorists: you can start the engine in advance and warm up the passenger compartment before the trip. Some alarms have the ability to program the autostart for a certain time or period of time. It's very important if you put the alarm late at night or take off early in the morning, and the car is under the windows of a residential building. In the winter, you can get out of the car for a while or leave a child in it without stopping the engine. Discovering the boot from the button. Very relevant if your hands are busy with bags and you can't open the trunk to load them. How can you choose a car alarm?
- Remote start of engine. Perhaps the most relevant and demanded service function for most motorists: you can start the engine in advance and warm up the passenger compartment before the trip. Some alarms have the ability to program the autostart for a specific time or period of time.
- It's noisy setting on the alarm system. It's very important if you put the alarm late at night or take off early in the morning, and the car is under the windows of a residential building.
- Possibility of setting the alarm with the running engine. In the winter, you can get out of the car for a while or leave a child in it without stopping the engine.
- Discovering the boot from the button. Very relevant if your hands are busy with bags and you can't open the trunk to load them.
How can you choose a car alarm?
Among the owners is the opinion that the price of the alarm should be about 5-7 percent of the cost of the car itself. There is no point in saving on the security system, but it is too much to be wasted if the funds are limited.
The only correct answer to the question, "What is the better alarm?" just doesn't exist. Choosing a security system for a car should be individually based on your lifestyle, parking space, make and model of the car itself.
Besides, don't forget that no signaling does guarantee 100% protection against hijacking. It is best to "protect" the electronic system by mechanical antitheft devices-in such a case the protection will be much more reliable.
