Viper iPhone SmartStart Remote Start + Security System
 

Hi, could someone confirm this is what I need for installation on a 370z?

Amazon.com: Xpresskits Xk09 Programmable Door Lock & Override Solution: Buy.com

$53.99

Amazon.com: Viper 5701 Pink 2 Way security w/ R.Start Pink: Electronics

$138.00

Amazon.com: Viper Smart Start Module VSM100: Electronics

$268.00

Geek Squad® - Alarm, Remote Start, Keyless Entry Installation - COMALARMRE

$199.99

Since I intend to purchase the products outside of Best Buy, does anyone know if I can take the products to Best Buy and have them install just by purchasing the Geek Squad install?

Thanks in advance...:tiphat:

All you need is the Viper SmartStart system (VSS4000). Its the complete system. Any auto shop including Best Buy will install it for you even if not purchased there. I had it installed 2 weeks ago and trust me it is WELL worth it. It is the coolest thing to be able to start/stop unlock/lock car from anywhere in the U.S. all from you Iphone. No more having to get close to the car to start it. I comfirmation comes up on the iphone saying car has received signal to let you know its started or not. Real cool

You can go anywhere, and I could emphasize that, please go somewhere else.

^^:iagree:^^

Find a shop in your area, you'll thank everyone later.

Really?
Oh, looks like you deleted, wonder why?

Rhood, you seem to be missing the point of a board. If we wanted to simply ask one guy a question, there is an email system for that. You post here because youre looking for many people's opinions. Dreamer obviously thinks best buy is not the place to go for having something installed, and he shared that to hopefully warn the original poster. What's the problem?

I build cars (electronically) for LVMPD, (coverts, black & whites, plain, motorcycles, etc).

one of our installers worked at best buy before being hired on.

I'll back up their opinions, DO NOT TAKE IT TO BEST BUY. We regret hiring that guy.

Keep in mind that they will install it for you BUT will not honor the warranty nor will viper honor it either if it is not bought by an authorized retailer.

I agree I use to work from them I left a week later I hated how they wanted me to do installs.

I'd take it to someone who works on Z's. You'll have better luck having someone do the install who knows how to properly remove the necessary trim. They'll also use a service manual to determine where to connect the alarm instead of poking around with a test light.

I did most of my installer time at Circuit City (before they screwed everything up) and we constantly fixed BB's work. I'm not saying CC as a whole was better, but I know our shop was. BB uses a lot of shortcuts to get things to work and tries to do as little as possible especially on things like alarms and video installs. Just because the installers have that gay MECP patch on their arm does not mean they are a quality installer, it just means they know what color handled tin snips they need to use for a left cut. Yes, that's a real question on the test.

I later went on to Sub for some high end dealerships after I got laid off and that was definitely where the fun stuff was. Especially working on cars on the floor of HIN :D

Basically, do your research, talk to the Techs at the shop, and see who you're comfortable with working on your car. The guy that slams HU+2's into Civics all day is probably not your best bet.

Okay, you guys are recommending against a Best Buy install. How about a InstallCard from Crutchfield? Will this give me better access to better shops, and can I use products not purchased from Crutchfield? I just want to put a fixed limit on install costs. Also, Best Buy says they can do an install while one of the best-known shops in my town won't even work on an I-key Altima! So for now BB is my best choice.

Honestly man it could be good or bad. You are playing rush and rulet you could get the best install place or the worst. All that card is is like a gift card. I would go around to shops and talk to them and ask how they do there installs, do they use wire taps? "bad" Do they have any experience with the 370z? How are the wires going to be hidden? Have they worked with the model remote start you have before? And so on. If you want to take your car to BB be my guest it is not my car but after working for them I wouldn't.

I agree with big,

You are not limiting your install dollars by buying the card. Alarm installs aren't your typical radio install. They are always custom (unless it's a 96 chevy pickup). Every shop has there own rate, and it's almost always extra for addons, like door locks, dome light supervision, parking light flash, remote start, smart start.

All the card gets you is going to basic labor. In Houston, that's hooking up, starter kill, ignition, door trigger, and mounting a siren or horn honk. That's it. Especially if we make nothing on the alarm (you buy it elsewhere). If you buy a basic unit from us, we throw in parking lights an door locks. A remote starter comes with the basics and remote start. But we're making money on both ends.

I was with Best Buy in the 90s, we had 3 different levels of remote start (Best Buy back then only soldered, things have changed) basic, standard, and advanced. Advanced was everything you could want, that came as an on board option. If you needed extra relays for trunk pop, they were extra, but everything else was included.

The 370z is not a difficult car to work on, any reputable shop in your area should have no problem installing it.

If it were me, I'd go to all of your local guys and let them quote it for you. If you tell them you are looking to buy stuff online, there is a good likeliness somebody will try to come close. (don't expect them to match it).

Last thing I'll say is this. Directed Electronics makes the best alarms available, but nobody is perfect, when you buy your product online and take it into a shop, you have no warranty. If there is anything wrong with your unit out of the box, it's on you. You'll have to deal with paying to pull it out, paying to send it off for repair, and paying for reinstall. By buying it local, your authorized dealer has a 3 year over the counter exchange warranty on the brain, and lifetime mail in warranty on the brain. Meaning, if you have a problem in the first 3 years, they'll swap it out on site and send you on your way.

You have a $30K car, is it really worth saving maybe $300 for all that risk?

Just an opinion.

P

The issues with the Z are going to be the transponder starting (easy with a programmable module) and the transponder locks. The locks are probably the biggest issue.

In thinking about this issue before purchasing my Z I initially thought about using the pre-start output to pulse the factory disarm, then use a post-start pulse to lock the car after it was started.

Hopefully that XK09 module handles that issue for you. Let me know if it does. Then I can slap this bad boy in in no time. :D

An idea I had also (since I have a 6MT)...... Using a diode of course, tie the parking brake into a zone so the car won't arm unless it's up. Granted, it won't tell you if it's up all the way, but I find myself worrying from time to time if I've set the brake or not.

Also, thank goodness for neutral safety switches and gear indicators so I don't have to worry about a make-shift grounding system using springs to know if the car is in gear or not :tup: