Many of us remember the TV show Knight Rider, watching with envy as Michael Knight controlled and monitored his car KITT with simple commands from miles away. Although today's technology hasn't quite matched 1980's television fantasy, auto security companies such as Audiovox, AutoPage and CompuStar have developed products that allow users to control and monitor their vehicles over great distances via two-way communication.
The ability to start a vehicle via remote isn't exactly breaking news, with auto security manufacturers offering the technology for well over a decade. These remote start and security systems have always been limited by the effectiveness of the transmitter, but the increasing use of two-way technologies is changing that. In a two-way remote start and security system, the remote acts as a transmitter and receiver, displaying the vehicle status via a compact LCD display. These systems are usually coupled with extended range windshield-mounted antennas that allow the remote to maintain contact with the vehicle at distances, conditions permitting, of over a half mile.
With that said, it's time to see the latest two-way remote start security systems that Audiovox, AutoPage and CompuStar have to offer.
CompuStar P2W900FM-ASWhile CompuStar may be the least familiar name of the group, from their very beginning they've been manufacturing two-way remote start systems. Founded in 1998, CompuStar was one of the first to offer FCC-compliant two-way systems and were also the first to use 900MHz for their two-way communications. Not willing to rest on their laurels, CompuStar has added some noteworthy features to their latest product from their Pro Series line - the P2W900FM-AS.
The two-way remote, with its sleek, almost sexy, black and chrome housing, indicates some serious style was in mind with the design. The LCD display dominates the face, while the four buttons occupy the side, allowing CompuStar to have the largest LCD display of the group. Its rubber buttons were the only ones in the group that didn't rely on icons - instead they are embossed with easy-to-identify Roman numerals. With most alarm systems on the market, advanced functions often require a combination of button presses on the remote to execute a desired command. CompuStar is no exception, but they've simplified this procedure by including a "cheat-sheet" on the back of the remote that explains how to activate the desired function. Press any button on the remote and a signal strength indicator will appear letting the user know just how much range (up to 3,000') they have left.
The CompuStar P2W900FM-AS was the only remote-start in the group that would work in a vehicle equipped with either a manual or automatic transmission. For safety reasons, most remote start products are designed only to work on vehicles with automatic transmissions. Vehicles with manual transmissions could be unintentionally left in gear, which could cause personal or property damage if the vehicle was remote started. CompuStar overcomes this hurdle by requiring a couple of steps to be completed before the user remote starts their vehicle. These simple steps ensure that the vehicle was idling in neutral before the vehicle was shut off, and if no doors are opened between the time the vehicle shut down and the remote start was activated, the P2W900FM-AS will allow the car to remote start. The remote will even tell the user if their manual-transmission equipped vehicle is safe to start via a small key icon on the display.
In addition to manual-transmission capability, the CompuStar comes with other features that should make this alarm an installer's favorite. As with the AutoPage, the CompuStar features an RS232 serial port that allows the alarm brain to be directly connected to an iData Link transponder bypass module for easier remote-start integration. The RS232 is also compatible with CompuStar's new GPS and cellular tracking unit that allows the vehicle to be controlled anywhere within the Cingular cellular network via e-mail, phone text messaging or online software. The P2W900FM's hideaway brain also features a dedicated back-up battery input - ensuring that the vehicle will be protected even if the main battery is tampered with, while at the same time simplifying the install. For those who dislike counting chirps and LED flashes, the P2W900FM-AS was the only alarm in this comparison that could be programmed with an optional handheld programmer. The hideaway brain of the P2W900FM-AS is even flash-programmable for the ultimate level of control.
Remote-start systems are all about convenience - especially for those who live in areas with extreme temperatures. The P2W900FM-AS comes with a temperature sensor that allows the car to automatically start when the user-selectable hot or cold temperature setting is reached. Now during harsh summers or winters, the user can relax, knowing that the CompuStar P2W900FM-AS is keeping the vehicle interior at the ideal temperature.
Although the CompuStar P2W900FM-AS was the most expensive of the group, the price was easily justified by the amount of features the alarm offered. It also had the best range of the three products reviewed here, albeit the stated range worked only under optimal conditions. For those wishing for a high degree of security, control and convenience in a well-designed package, CompuStar is definitely one worth checking out.