Looking for remote start suggestions

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Kneedragger

Golden Member
Feb 18, 2013
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I have never had a car with remote start but thinking about getting it for my family car, a 2012 CRV.

Anything I need to know about remote start when looking at options?

Thanks
 

master_shake_

Diamond Member
May 22, 2012
6,425
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i have a friend who installs them and he really likes the compustar units.

http://www.compustar.com/

he has the t11 remote with the 3 mile range it's pretty cool.

expensive as balls but cool.

it's too bad you can't do a plug and play kit with a t-harness.
 

steppinthrax

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2006
3,990
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I've installed two remote starts in two vehicles I've owned.

First thing first, I would check if that particular model year has a FACTORY remote start option. If so, I would see if it's not too much of a hassle just to buy that and install it. If you are lucky, all the wiring is there and all you need is new remote controls. It could be as easy as a a few connectors that are just not hooked up...

If that isn't an option or it's too expensive, the Best remote car starters I've found are made by a company called DesignTech.

http://www.directed.com/

I think the name of their starter is called "AutoCommand". They are based in PA and it's supposed to be a American Made product.
 

Bacstar

Golden Member
Nov 2, 2006
1,273
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Get one that has a 2-way remote and some range. With a 2-way remote, it'll give you some indication that the engine did start. Also, I have co-workers with the cheaper remote starts, and they always had to go to the office closest to the parking lot and try to start their cars.

I had a really nice one installed on my old car but was quite expensive. Sadly, I can't remember the name. Hopefully, your car doesn't have a manual transmission. the system gets a little more complicated.
 

hanoverphist

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2006
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I've installed two remote starts in two vehicles I've owned.

First thing first, I would check if that particular model year has a FACTORY remote start option. If so, I would see if it's not too much of a hassle just to buy that and install it. If you are lucky, all the wiring is there and all you need is new remote controls. It could be as easy as a a few connectors that are just not hooked up...

If that isn't an option or it's too expensive, the Best remote car starters I've found are made by a company called DesignTech.

http://www.directed.com/

I think the name of their starter is called "AutoCommand". They are based in PA and it's supposed to be a American Made product.

directed is good, the shop my buddy owns uses their stuff almost exclusively. i dont have any remote starts in any of my vehicles, but i have helped install many of them at his shop. some are a PITA for sure, especially newer cars with overly complicated canbus systems. ask about extra modules needed to interface with the cars system, if there is a factory option to utilize, how far the range is... stuff like that.

we had a 2015 tundra come in for an aftermarket remote start, even tho it already had the factory unit installed. the customer didnt like the factory version (i didnt either, it shuts off when you get into the truck) so we had to figure out a way around the factory installed security as well as the remote start to make it work, without removing it entirely. the computer was dependent on it being in the vehicle. took a few tries, and a full day of tinkering to get it working correctly.
 
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