I just bought an 06 xA, and to save money I decided to go wtih an aftermarket remote keyless versus the remote keyless/alarm factory option. I went to Car Toys, just because I thought I would be more likely to get a professional install. The only model they had was the Audiovox APS-45B Keyless Entry System. While it was more than I thought a remote keyless should cost, I bit the bullet and had them put it in.

That was yesterday. Today, coming out of Target, I notice that it doesn't work until I'm about 6 feet away from the vehicle. I did some testing once I got home, and yep, it doesn't work any further away than that. This was outside my garage, with no obstacles of any kind.

In addition to this, there is about a 1.5 second lag between when I hit the button and when the car locks/unlocks. I called Car Toys to complain, and the guy on the phone told me this is due to the car having double pulse locks, and that's just the way it is. Is this true? He offered to swap the unit out for another one of the same model, but I don't see how that could really fix anything. He said they could swap "the brains" of the unit, but to me it seems like either a problem with the install or just a crappy model. But I know nothing about this sort of thing, which is why I'm posting.

I'm just really unhappy with the unit, and told them I wanted to return it. I'd be out about $100 on the install, but I don't want to get ____ed off whenever I think about my car (like I'm starting to now). I had a Rattler on a car way back when, and it worked beautifully. It was instantaneous, and worked over very long distances. Should have gone with that again, but I didn't see it on the big retailers' sites (BB, Circuit City, etc.).

So throw me some advice, guys. I need it.

 

Ahaz ...

This is a great site for most questions but when it comes to remote starts and alarms I always go to
http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubb/ult...?ubb=forum;f=9
They are professionals who will give you the correct answer.

Also ask about recommended installers in your area, as not all installers are created equal!

As a quick rule of thumb you cant go wrong with any DEI product (Rattler included). http://www.directed.com/

Hope that helps.

 

Yes double pulse does take an extra second to unlock...you figure it has to try and unlock it twice... As for the range...it proably has a built in piece of wire for the antenna that has not so good range vs say a two way alram that has an antenna that goes on the glass and gives you excellent range.. What you may do is to have the installer see if he can reroute the antenna wire so it gives you a little bit better range.. I have the same type of antenna on my old Viper alarm and I get about 60 -75 ft of range on it..

 

Thanks guys. The guy on the phone at Car Toys said the unit should get at least 10 to 15 feet, which I think is a pretty lowball estimate. I don't to make them mess around with it or replace it, only for them to tell me it's fixed when the range is only 10 or 15 feet.

I can't help comparing my experience with this unit ($180 installed) and my Rattler ($120 installed 7 years ago in a Sentra). The Rattler had insane range and was cheaper to boot!

 

Agreed... At Circuit City a keyless runs about $110 plus tax installed.. Wish you good luck with the issue..

 

Just got back from Car Toys. They went out to test the range, and it was working a little better (isn't that ALWAYS the case when you tell someone it's not working, and then they try it?). It still wasn't great though, maybe 15 feet or so. I asked why it was not performing as well as my old Rattler, and they really didn't have an answer for me.

The salesguy suggested that maybe they could adjust the antenna, and the installer pointed to a small wire coming out of the display unit, and said that was the antenna and there really was no way to reposition it.

They offered to remove it for free and put in an alarm, where I just pay the difference. The alarms had a seperate antenna, and they said the range would be greatly increased. It was more than I had intended to spend, but I ended up going with the Clifford Matrix 10.

Two hours and 3 beers and a burger at Bennigans later, it was ready. Wow. So much better! The doors lock and unlock instantly. Double pulse causing lag, my ___. I haven't played with the range a ton, but from some quick tests, it seems to be great. The car now chirps on lock/unlock, which is nice, and I have a blinking LED to scare off...well, people who a phobia for LEDs.

 

DEI products are the best!
Clifford Matrix 10, good choice.

 

Good to know! I know nothing about what brands in car security are good, so I was kinda picking based on price and staying away from Audiovox. Didn't leave me too many choices.