Hi,

How good is the factory Verada alarm system?
And if it is functioning properly, is it worth upgrading to an aftermarket system, taking into account the car does not have expensive wheels, but would have some kind of an audio setup (roughly $1.5k in price)

Yes. As long as the alarm provides a functional upgrade of some kind, like better remote features etc.

Mike

So your opinion is the OEM alarm is somewhat lacking?

So your opinion is the OEM alarm is somewhat lacking?

No, in his opinion, it's worth upgrading if the upgrade is literally an upgrade. EG better remote range, more features etc.

The factory alarm is quite good. If a window is smashed or key barrel ripped out, the alarm will trigger and it is pretty loud and obnoxious when it does.

The problem with it is that the remote we get is a bit crap. It is a very basic 90's kind of unit. An aftermarket alarm will control your central locking and alarm and have a more flashy and useful key fob.

My only issue with aftermarket alarms is that they are sometimes more sensitive, ie if someone brushes past your car in a car park.

I plan on doing an aftermarket alarm, but haven't really been bothered yet.

If you get an aftermarket alarm, get a good one (read: expensive), and keep its documentation in the glovebox for the next owner of the car for troubleshooting or removal when it causes problems.

I've removed several aftermarket systems off Mitsubishis because they are unreliable - poor wiring, bad switches, random triggering, remotes with bad switches leaving you unable to start the car, etc.

The standard system gives you intrusion alarm and chip-in-key immobiliser. What more do you expect from an alarm system?
In it's favour, the standard factory system is unobtrusive and usually reliable.

Does it have shock sensors?
Or is it just a door ajar alarm?

Does it have shock sensors?
Or is it just a door ajar alarm?

I doubt it. You could pick up a locked Magna with a forklift, and trundle down the road with it, and the alarm wouldn't go off.
Just your basic forced entry into the boot/ bonnet/doors type of protection.

If you live in a suburb where cars regularly get stolen with forklifts, I guess its worth getting an aftermarket system. lol

Shock sensors, tilt sensor and glass break intrusion microphone sensors can be added relatively easily to the factory alarm.

Mike

Most factory fitted alarms, as some people found out at work, including a 2005 HSV Grange does not include tilt/shock/glass break sensors.
I bought a generic glass break sensor from ebay and hooked up to the alarm system. It detects glass break noise and any other loud impact noise (including high pressure water from carwash hitting the windscreen). I have its trigger wire wired up the the driver's door trigger to simulate someone trying to force the door open. It is basically the DEI-506T unit. It is wired in to activate when there is no ACC power (via nc relay). The added bonus of the unit is that it unlocks to doors when I switch the car off.

And as Mike said, all those add-ons can be added and made to trigger the driver's door. Aftermarket alarms have actually additional inputs for those add-ons and don't require the triggering of the driver's door.

Good ideas there. ADD to the factory system, don't REPLACE it!

Good ideas there. ADD to the factory system, don't REPLACE it!

Yes. The glass break sensor works wonders. I demoed it to several people at work and as mentioned before, got it fitted after three cars got broken into at work and the alarms weren't set off as they climbed through the window, this included the HSV Grange. The sensitivity can be adjusted where if someone else's car alarm goes it, mine will go off as well. Interestingly, the creaking noise made by the garage door going up and down does not trigger it (even with the windows down) but chucking two glass bottles into a rubbish bin next to it did.

I actually have a spare one if anyone is interested. Bought two to fit, one for my car and one for the Mrs Outlander but cannot figure out how to wire up to the more complex Outlander.

Yes it seems that without glass breakage sensors and/or shock sensors the thieves can do as they please except they have to climb in and out of the window.
What are some of the good alarm brands? Not so much for features, but reliability.
I've had years ago remote start/paging alarm systems but eventually they started "misbehaving"

Yes it seems that without glass breakage sensors and/or shock sensors the thieves can do as they please except they have to climb in and out of the window.
What are some of the good alarm brands? Not so much for features, but reliability.
I've had years ago remote start/paging alarm systems but eventually they started "misbehaving"