Compustar vs Viper — which alarm?

Compustar and Viper both make car alarms. They are competitors, they work differently, and we use both — we pick by the car. Compustar kills the ignition when you walk away, so the car will not start without your fob; that is what we want on Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and some newer cars where someone can copy the arm/disarm code and steal it. Viper has an electronic ignition kill you turn on — the right call on GMC, Ford, and fleet vehicles — but on those copy-code cars, unlocking with a copied code can disarm the Viper. Dodge gets Compustar. A diesel Ford gets Viper. Both are top quality. Come in or call and we will point you to the right one.

DroneMobile is Compustar's phone app. Start, lock, unlock, locate, and control comfort from anywhere — no fob range limit. Drone XC adds a camera module. It is not a Viper SmartStart clone; the hardware families are different. We quote Compustar plus DroneMobile together when phone control is the point.

Why add a GPS tracker that notifies you?

In LA you leave the car for hours or all day — Vegas, the outlets, hotels, movie theaters. A GPS tracker with phone alerts (Viper SmartStart, Drone XC, DroneMobile) tells you if someone hits the car, opens a door, or tampers with it. A screaming alarm does not get the police called. This is peace of mind for the investment — people who leave expensive tools or equipment in the vehicle, and high-theft cars like Kia, Hyundai, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler. If it does get taken, you know where it is so you can get it back.

What is the difference between an immobilizer and a siren?

A siren makes noise. An immobilizer stops the engine from starting. Relay and keyless theft do not care about a speaker in the engine bay. We spec a starter interrupt or Firstech anti-theft module so a thief with a booster does not drive away. Siren, shock sensor, and pager are still useful — they are not a substitute for an immobilizer on a Charger, Challenger, or Wrangler.

Do you publish prices?

Viper 3108V is $269 installed. Compustar 9910 is $499 installed, most cars. Other security, DroneMobile, and anti-theft stay a quote. Call (310) 513-8800 or text us with the year, make, and model.

Do some cars need a bypass module?

Yes. Remote start on a lot of late-model cars needs a bypass module so the factory immobilizer stays happy. That is extra parts. We tell you before we book the bay — we do not hide it after the car is on the lift.

Do you do mobile car alarm installs?

No. Every car alarm, remote start, GPS tracker, ignition kill, and dash camera is installed in our own bay at 22025 S Avalon Blvd Ste A, Carson. Walk in Monday through Saturday, 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM. Sunday closed.