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Product Spotlight: Compustar CS852-A Car Alarm System

Compustar CS852-A

A car alarm system like the Compustar CS852-A helps protect the contents of your car or truck and dramatically reduces the chances of vehicle theft. As a step-up solution from the CS697-A, this alarm system offers increased remote-control range and a high-output siren to ward off would-be criminals.

Reliable Vehicle Theft Protection

At the heart of the CS852-A is the Compustar CM2400 Security Control Module. This powerful yet compact microcomputer can monitor the doors, hood and trunk of your car or truck to alert you if someone has tampered with your vehicle. An integrated dual-stage shock sensor monitors the body of the vehicle for impacts. A mild impact will trigger a warning blast from the included high-output 105+dB siren. An impact from car door or an inattentive driver that will cause damage to the vehicle triggers the full siren. The system can also flash the parking lights and sound the horn to attract even more attention and scare off criminals.

Compustar CS852-A
The 105+dB siren included with the CS852-A helps scare away thieves to protect your car or truck.

Thanks to the included E-LOCK starter kill relay, hot-wiring your car by conventional means is nearly impossible. Even if you have unlocked the doors with the key, so long as the alarm is armed, thieves won’t be able to start the engine.

Compustar CS852-A
The included E-LOCK relay helps prevent your vehicle from being stolen when the alarm is armed.

Long-Range Communication

The CS852-A security system includes a pair of PRO-Series G15 one-way long-range remote controls. These easy-to-use key fobs transmit lock, unlock, trunk release and auxiliary output commands from distances as far as 3,000 feet away from your car or truck. If you live in an apartment building or work in an office tower, this extra signal transmission power helps maintain communication with the vehicle through walls and other obstacles.

The CS852-A includes keyless entry functionality to upgrade almost any vehicle with power door locks. You can even opt for power trunk release and power sliding door or power tailgate operation as an option.

The PRO-Series remotes are backed by a three-year warranty, and the control module in the vehicle carries a lifetime warranty, so you can be confident with your purchase.

Compustar CS852-A
The PRO-Series one-way four-button remotes included with the CS852-A offer up to 3,000 feet of range for reliable communication.

Upgrade Your Car Alarm for Added Protection

If you want to receive warnings or alerts from your car alarm, consider upgrading it with the Drone telematics system. DroneMobile combines a cellular communication module that talks to your Compustar car alarm and relays information to the DroneMobile app on your Android or iOS smartphone. You have all the same control features right at your fingertips, and you’ll know instantly if someone is tampering with your vehicle. You can also check the battery voltage and the temperature inside the vehicle. When combined with the Premium service plan, GPS locating functionality and location-based alerts are added for an additional level of confidence.

Compustar CS852-A
Adding the Drone system to your car alarm gives you real-time two-way communication with your vehicle from anywhere that you have access to the Internet.

Another popular upgrade is the DAS-II security sensor. This four-in-one module includes a shock sensor, a digital tilt sensor, vehicle motion monitoring and a glass breakage sensor. If you are worried about someone stealing your wheels or a catalytic converter or smashing a window, adding the DAS-II is wise.

Protect Your Vehicle with Compustar Security Systems

If you’re concerned about automotive theft or vandalism, drop into one of the more than 2,000 Compustar retailers across North America and ask about their vehicle car alarm solutions like the CS852-A. You can find a shop near you by using the Dealer Locator on their website. To learn more about Compustar car alarm systems, follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to visit their YouTube channel.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, PRODUCTS, Remote Car Starters, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Compustar

Should You Buy a Remote Car Starter from a Car Dealer?

Dealer Remote Starter

Before we dive into a discussion of the potential benefits and drawbacks of purchasing a dealer-installed remote car starter, let’s make it clear that, as they say, your mileage may vary. What we mean is that no two installers will install a car starter the same way, and your car dealer might offer high-quality products and employ an expertly trained technician with years of experience. The alternative, as we’ll point out in this article, is that someone unqualified might be messing with the wiring in the dash of your brand-new vehicle.

The Dealership Remote Starter Sales Process

More often than not, new cars don’t come with a remote car starter. Cars are often designed as global solutions, so while the folks in Mexico could benefit from letting the air conditioning run for a few minutes on a 120-degree summer day, most people associate starter systems with cold weather. If you ask about a starter during the purchase process and it’s not something on the feature list in the brochure, chances are very good that the dealership will be performing, or at least coordinating, the installation before you pick up the vehicle. This is very common and not in any way abnormal. Hundreds of reputable mobile enhancement shops around the country provide upgrades and enhancements for local car dealers.

Find Out Who’s Working on Your Vehicle

Dealer Remote Starter
Here’s an example of proper remote car starter wiring preparation from Mobile Edge in Lehighton, Pennsylvania.

Let’s get to the point, shall we? If you agree to purchase a remote car starter system from the dealership, you need to ask a few very important questions. First, find out who will be installing the system in the vehicle. Ask for proof of their qualifications. Sadly, and though there are exceptions, automotive repair technicians are not always trained to upgrade vehicles reliably. If a local shop is doing the work, visit that shop and ask to see samples of their wiring. Quality retailers will typically be able to show you how they prep the remote starter hardware before working on the vehicle.

How Are Electrical Connections Made?

Dealer Remote Starter
This is not how to wire a relay into a vehicle. T-taps can damage wires over time, and a loose relay will likely rattle as you travel down the road.

A car or truck driving down the road is subject to often intense vibrations. All of these little bumps and wiggles can wreak havoc on poorly executed electrical connections. Vehicle manufacturers have invested millions of dollars to ensure that the wiring in your vehicle is secure and connections to components remain reliable. It’s crucial that you know how the shop that is going to work on your car will make mechanically stable connections when installing a car starter. There are many different ways to connect two wires. When executed properly, both soldered and crimped connections can work well. What doesn’t work well is twisting and taping or T-taps.

Dealer Remote Starter
Messy wiring is a clear sign that someone unqualified has worked on your vehicle.

What Remote Starter System Are You Buying?

Next, and of similar importance to the reliability of your vehicle, is the quality of the remote starter hardware. There are very inexpensive starter systems on the market. These systems often don’t include many extra features or options and definitely don’t provide much range. You may find that old starter technology puts greater strain on a vehicle’s electrical system. If you don’t drive at least once or twice a week, you could wake up to a dead or very weak battery on a cold morning.

Dealer Remote Starter
This car starter remote, installed by the dealer, came with a 2019 Mazda CX-5 that was purchased brand new. Pull-out antennae are archaic technology.

Find out what brand of starter is being installed in the vehicle. It’s your money, and you most certainly have the right to know what’s being installed in your car.

Remote Range and Control Options

If you visit a specialty mobile enhancement retailer to purchase a car starter, they should ask you a series of questions that will help them determine which product is best for your situation. This extends beyond knowing the make, model and year of the vehicle. The salesperson should be trying to determine how much remote range you need, if you need a single- or multi-button remote, if you want rear window defroster control, if there are heated seats, a heated steering wheel or perhaps a power sliding door in a minivan that you want to open remotely. If you aren’t being asked these questions, the process is broken.

Dealer Remote Starter
This single-button remote from Compustar provides up to 2 miles of range.

Another great option is a telematics solution. Products like DroneMobile allow you to use an app on your phone to start your car with a simple tap. You can even upgrade the service to include GPS-based vehicle locating and geofencing features for added safety.

What Should a Car Starter Cost?

The answer to this is tricky. Without knowing exactly what you are getting, it’s hard to determine value. We suggest that you shop around at some local specialty retailers to find out what they charge for a car starter for your vehicle. The owner of the Mazda CX-5 with the single-function, pull-up antenna remote shown above was charged $700 for the car starter system. That’s an unreasonable price for old technology.

Choose Who Works on Your Vehicle

Before you agree to any dealership-installed upgrades on a new vehicle, find out exactly what they intend to do. Get the make and model of the car starter (or window tint or paint protection film) and do some research. Chances are, a local specialty mobile enhancement retailer can offer a similar or better solution, with a better installation for improved reliability, often for a lot less money.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Remote Car Starters, RESOURCE LIBRARY

Enhance Vehicle Security with a DroneMobile Smartphone Interface

Vehicle Security

When it comes to protecting your vehicle from damage or theft, a Compustar security system with a DroneMobile interface ensures that you are always in constant communication. Whether you’re on the sofa watching TV or across the city at your desk, DroneMobile will let you know if someone is tampering with or trying to steal your car or truck.

What Is DroneMobile?

Known as a telematics solution, the DroneMobile app is a remote-control option for your remote car starter or security system. Unlike the keychain fobs that use direct radio-frequency communication with the vehicle, DroneMobile uses the cellular phone network to relay commands from the app on your smartphone to your car or truck. More importantly, a Compustar or Arctic Start security system can send security alerts to your phone to let you know if someone is tampering with your vehicle.

DroneMobile Security Warnings

When it comes to keeping your car or truck safe, combining DroneMobile connectivity with a car starter or security system that includes the DAS-II security module is a fantastic combination. The DAS-II includes four sensors in one compact package. The integrated shock sensor monitors the vehicle for impacts. The tilt sensor will warn you if someone is lifting your car or truck to steal your wheels. The motion sensor will provide warnings if someone is trying to tow it away. Finally, the glass-breakage sensor will let you know if someone is trying to break a window.

Vehicle Security
The DAS-II 4-in-1 security sensor monitors your vehicle for movement or damage.
Vehicle Security
Another option for protecting your vehicle is the Drone X1MAX. This stand-alone system includes door lock control and all the security sensors in the DAS-II.

In a conventional installation without DroneMobile, the vehicle’s siren or horn would be the only warning that something is happening. If you’ve chosen a two-way remote control like the PRO T13 or PRO T9 (which both include the Drone hardware), then the remote will beep when a protection zone is violated as long as you are close enough to the car or truck.

If you have equipped the vehicle with DroneMobile and subscribed to at least the Basic subscription package, warnings from the DAS-II sensor, along with the door, hood and truck monitoring information, are displayed on your smartphone almost instantly. So long as you and your vehicle have access to the cellular data network, you are connected.

Vehicle Security
Alerts from a Compustar security system are forwarded to your smartphone through the DroneMobile smartphone interface.

Improved Car Security with DroneMobile Location Alerts

If you opt for the Premium, Premium Plus or Ultimate service plan for your DroneMobile system, the GPS receiver integrated into the Drone hardware can provide additional warnings. The Premium plan includes Driver Monitoring features like Speeding and Curfew alerts. The Curfew alert allows you to configure a time period when the vehicle shouldn’t be in use. If someone starts the engine, you’ll get a notification right away. Aside from the obvious security benefits, this is a great feature for monitoring fleet vehicles. Curfew alerts remain functional even if the car or truck starts with the key, so you’ll still receive notifications, even if a thief has stolen your keys.

Vehicle Security
The DroneMobile system will send alert notifications to your smartphone if the alarm system is triggered.
Vehicle Security
You can configure the DroneMobile system from the website to alert you if the vehicle is used outside of Curfew hours.
Vehicle Security
If your car goes missing, the GPS Car Finder feature will let you pinpoint its location and alert local law enforcement agencies.

Protect Your Vehicle with a Security System that includes DroneMobile

Protecting your vehicle and its contents with a Compustar or Arctic Start security system that includes a telematics interface like DroneMobile is one of the best options for maintaining the security of your vehicle and its contents. To find an authorized Compustar or Drone retailer in your area, you can use the dealer locator on their website. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for updates on the latest vehicle security and convenience solutions.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, PRODUCTS, Remote Car Starters, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: DroneMobile

Car Alarms Do More than Help Prevent Vehicle Theft

Car Alarm

Whenever the media focus on vehicle theft statistics, it’s a clear reminder that there’s always the potential for someone to steal something from or vandalize or steal your vehicle. Let’s take a look at why an aftermarket vehicle security system is a wise investment.

Preventing Vehicle Content Theft

Most crimes are based on an easy opportunity. If someone walks past your car and notices a laptop bag in the back seat, they’re far more likely to check to see if the doors are locked or consider smashing a window than if nothing was visible. Thieves will watch parking lots to see who is hiding belongings in the trunk before leaving the vehicle. Your best protection is not to leave anything in the car.

If a thief decides they want to break into your car, one of the first things they’ll look for is an LED from a security system like the Compustar CS697-A. This LED is typically installed on the dash or in the center console and lets a thief know that you’ve invested in added precautions to safeguard your belongings. They don’t know whether the alarm has a shock sensor or a two-way paging system that will alert you to their tampering. Seeing this LED is a significant deterrent.

Choosing a security system with a shock sensor is a wise investment. If the thief decides the LED isn’t enough of a deterrent, they might tap on or attempt to break a window. If your car is in a parking lot or your driveway, the impact required to get into the car is enough to set off the alarm and attract attention the thief won’t want.

A multifunction sensor like the Compustar DAS-II includes dedicated glass-breakage protection that will let you know if someone tries to break a window.

Car Alarm
The DAS-II from Compustar monitors vehicle impacts, motion, tilting and glass breakage.

Protecting Your Vehicle Components

There’s a constant stream of used wheels and tires for sale on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Thieves can make anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars selling a full set. To steal your wheels, a thief will need to jack up the vehicle. The Compustar DAS-II has an integrated tilt sensor that will trigger the alarm when one corner of the vehicle is raised. Best of all, the sensor recalibrates itself each time the system is armed. This process ensures that you are protected when parking on a hill or a steeply angled driveway. We always recommend adding a set of wheel locks to make stealing your wheels more difficult. This warning applies especially to Jeeps with a spare tire mounted on the back of the vehicle.

As the value of rare metals has increased, so too has the scrap value of catalytic converters. Removing a catalytic converter from a car or truck requires the use of a saw, and most thieves use a cordless hacksaw or reciprocating saw. If they didn’t have to jack up your vehicle to access the converter, the vibrations would trigger a properly calibrated shock sensor.

Car Alarm
Thieves are stealing catalytic converters from cars and trucks for their scrap value. Thanks to Seth Stewart from Burlington, Ontario, for the photo of this vehicle.

Ensure that You Have Communication

If the flashing LED and siren aren’t enough to scare away a thief, then investing in a car alarm with a two-way remote control or a telematics system is a good idea. Two-way remote controls like the Compustar Prime T9 included in the CSX7905-A can beep when the alarm is triggered at distances up to 3,000 feet from the vehicle. You can check the LCD screen to know what zone set off the alarm and respond appropriately.

Another option is the Drone telematics system. The Drone uses a cellular-based communication system to send security alerts to your smartphone without any concern about range. You could be at your desk on the 20th floor of an office building, sitting on your couch in an apartment or working in the middle of a large factory complex – so long as your iPhone or Android smartphone has access to the internet, you’ll receive notifications in a matter of seconds.

Car Alarm
The Prime T9 remote from Compustar provides two-way communication between your vehicle and the remote to let you know if the alarm has been triggered.

Did I Lock the Doors?

Have you ever noticed that even the smallest of distractions can derail an otherwise foolproof routine? What if you’ve arrived at home or work and someone is waiting there to talk to you? Hours later, you may wonder if you remembered to lock your vehicle. If you have a car alarm that’s integrated with the vehicle locking system, all you have to do is press the lock button on your remote or tap the lock icon in the DroneMobile app and you’re safe. The Drone system is particularly convenient when the thought of whether or not your car doors are locked arrives while you are cuddled up in bed.

Top Tips To Keep Your Vehicle Safe

Here are few things to remember if you want to keep your vehicle and its contents as safe as possible:

  • Always lock your vehicle.
  • Always set the parking brake.
  • Park in a well-illuminated area.
  • Never leave belongings, company access cards or loose change in your vehicle.
  • Invest in a high-quality car alarm with a shock sensor and LED.

Aftermarket car alarms like the Compustar CS582-A offer significantly more protection than the factory-installed security systems that come with most vehicles. Aside from all the security features, the long-range Prime G15 remotes that will let you lock the vehicle from inside your home are worth the upgrade. Think of all the hassle you can avoid with an insurance claim with this simple upgrade.

For more information about the vehicle security options available for your car or truck, visit your local Compustar dealer. You can find a shop near you using the Dealer Locator on the Compustar website.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, PRODUCTS, Remote Car Starters, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Compustar

Product Spotlight: Compustar CS697-A Vehicle Security System

Compustar Security

Though best known for its class-leading remote car starters, Compustar is rolling out a new line of vehicle security systems that includes the affordable CS697-A to protect your car or truck. While many vehicle owners believe the security system that comes with their vehicle is adequate, the reality is that those solutions are limited in their capabilities. An aftermarket alarm is the only way to completely protect your vehicle.

Features of the Compustar CS697-A Vehicle Security System

The CS697-A car alarm includes a dual-stage shock sensor, starter disable circuitry and two remote controls. The shock sensor monitors the body of the car or truck for sudden impacts from door dings in a parking lot or an attempt to break a window. Moderate impacts will result in the system honking the vehicle horn and flashing the parking lights. Significant impacts set off the full alarm, flashing the lights and honking the horn for 30 seconds. The system also includes dedicated door monitoring inputs and the ability to monitor the hood and trunk or hatch of your car or SUV. Additional sensors and door switches can be added for commercial vehicles or heavy-equipment applications.

Compustar Security
The CS697-A is based on the easily expandable Compustar CM2400 control module.

The system includes keyless entry functionality that will let you lock or unlock your doors remotely. Your installer can integrate the 697-A system with the remote trunk or hatch release function to make loading or unloading easier. The system activates the interior dome light for 45 seconds after receiving the unlock command so you can make sure everything inside is safe before you get in. Finally, two auxiliary outputs are provided to control options like a power sliding door or power window control module for added convenience.

Compustar Security
The CS697-A includes a pair of four-button remotes that control the alarm and keyless entry functions.

According to the FBI, almost 250,000 vehicles are stolen in the United States every year. To help combat this, Compustar includes its E-LOCK relay in the 697-A. When properly integrated into your vehicle, this relay functions as a stand-alone starter-kill to further complicate the efforts of thieves hoping to steal your vehicle.

Vehicle Protection Upgrade Options

While this vehicle security system provides a solid set of features, just like Compustar’s remote car starters, it’s based around a control unit that’s easily upgradable. A high-output siren can be added to attract additional attention to the vehicle. Likewise, the DAS-II four-in-one sensor is another popular upgrade as it adds a digital tilt/motion sensor with glass breakage detection. If you’re concerned about wheel or catalytic converter theft, DAS-II is a great option.

You can also add the KP2 touchpad that mounts to the inside of your windshield. You can enter a user-defined code by touching the glass to disarm and unlock the vehicle. You can also choose to upgrade to a two-way remote control that will alert you when the alarm is triggered. If you choose a remote upgrade package like the PRO R5 or PRO T13, the proximity unlock function will unlock the doors automatically when you are within about 6 feet of the vehicle.

Compustar Security
The optional DAS-II sensor adds tilt, motion and glass-breakage monitoring to the CS697-A.

The ultimate upgrade is the Drone telematics system. You can be anywhere on the planet and still receive security warning notifications from your car or truck, so long as your smartphone can access the Internet. Better yet, Drone includes options to add GPS-based features that will send alerts if the car or truck moves while the system is armed or during user-programmable curfew hours. Impact, motion, tilt and glass breakage alerts from the DAS-II sensor are also relayed to your smartphone using the DroneMobile app.

Compustar Security
The DroneMobile app on your smartphone will display alerts from the CS697-A, including those from the optional DAS-II sensor.

Protect Your Investment with an Aftermarket Car Alarm

In 2019, Ford and Ram pickup trucks were the top two most stolen vehicles in the U.S. While these trucks came with factory-installed security, their popularity made them key targets for thieves. An aftermarket security system adds valuable damage and vandalism protection and a second starter-kill circuit that, when appropriately integrated, makes unauthorized starting of the vehicle nearly impossible.

Drop by your local Compustar retailer today to learn more about the CS697-A and its security and convenience options. You can learn more about Compustar car alarm and remote starter solutions by visiting their website, Facebook Page, Instagram Page or their YouTube channel.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, PRODUCTS, Remote Car Starters, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Compustar

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