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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Car or truck owners looking for a remote start solution with the most features and longest range will want to check out the new PRO T13 remote kit from Compustar. Considered the new benchmark for performance, the T13 combines an amazing 3 miles of range with a color LCD screen and the new Proximity Unlock feature. If that isn’t enough, the T13 includes a built-in rechargeable battery, water-resistant case and reliability that has made Compustar the quality leader in the car starter industry.

Compustar PRO T13 Design and Features

The first thing you’ll notice is a bright color LCD screen that includes graphics that show when your vehicle is locked, unlocked or remote started. You can also see the voltage of the vehicle battery as well as the interior temperature. Of course, because it features 2-way communication, you’ll always know if the commands you’ve sent have been received and executed at the vehicle. Lastly, the screen shows the remote’s battery level and whether audible or vibration alerts are active.

Though the remote only has three buttons, the intuitive design allows you to access a variety of secondary options like trunk release, car finder and auxiliary outputs. In all, more than 50 commands and setting options are available to give you complete, personalized control over your vehicle. You can even change the language from English to Spanish or French.

A built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery powers the T13. A micro-USB connection on the top of the remote makes charging easy. You can recharge the remote using a powered USB port in your vehicle while you drive. The battery lasts about 45 days on a full charge with systems that don’t include security features.

Finally, the T13 remote is waterproof and is built with reinforced high-strength materials to withstand the abuse that comes with being sat on or occasionally dropped in a puddle or snowbank. Compustar backs all PRO-Series remotes with a three-year warranty.

Proximity Unlock Feature

A new and unique capability of the PRO T13 is the Proximity Unlock feature. If you’re leaving a store with your arms full of groceries or supplies, the vehicle will unlock automatically when you are within 3 to 6 feet of the Compustar antenna on the windshield. The antenna’s centralized placement allows the system to work just as efficiently from the vehicle’s passenger side. Fumbling with keys in your hands while you carry the kids or digging at the bottom of your purse will be an afterthought.

You can disable the Proximity Unlock feature with just a few quick button-presses on the remote if you are working nearby and want to keep your vehicle locked.

Industry-Leading Range Performance

If you’ve ever tried to use a remote start system from inside a large building, then you’ll know how important it is to have as much range as possible. The PRO T13 remote uses spread-spectrum technology to provide up 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) of range. This incredible transmitting power means that you’re more likely to be able to start your car from the depths of a warehouse, office tower or apartment than when using a remote that only offers 1 mile of range.

Companion Remote and Drone Telematics Included

Known formally as the RFX-P2WT13-SF (in the United States), the kit includes the amazing color LCD PRO T13 remote, a one-button long-range PRO R5 remote, a Drone X1-LTE interface, an antenna and all the cables your installer will require to complete a new installation or upgrade an existing one.

This PRO R5 remote offers up to 2 miles (3.2 km) of range to make it easy for someone else in your home or for a co-worker to use your vehicle. The remote also features the same easy-to-charge lithium-ion battery as the T13. Even though it has the most intuitive interface available, the Proximity Unlock feature makes it easy to get into your car or truck without having to search for the keys.

If you’re shopping in the United States, then your PRO T13 remote system will include one of the Drone X1-LTE telematics interfaces. When combined with an app on your smartphone, Drone lets you control and monitor your vehicle from anywhere you have cellular data access. You could be on the other side of the city or vacationing in another state – you’ll still be able to monitor the vehicle. Your local authorized Drone retailer can help you choose the right Drone service plan for your needs.

Upgrade Your Vehicle with Compustar Convenience Today

Whether you’re shopping for a new remote car starter or already have a Compustar, Arctic Start, RTX or iDatastart system in your vehicle, your local authorized Compustar PRO retailer can get you set up with the new PRO T13 remote system today! You can find a shop near you by visiting the Find a Dealer page on the Compustar website. Be sure to visit Compustar’s Facebook and Instagram pages and their YouTube Channel to learn more about their amazing products.

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.