First off, thanks for all the great info here. I've learned a lot already and will be learning more. I always wanted a Maxima and finally got a 2009 SV which I'm loving.

I read some of the info here about remote starts. I called the local Nissan dealer and there's a nice service guy there who gave me the place they send people. I went there yesterday and found their options are all Compustar. Anyone have any experience with that brand? $300 installed.

Thanks in advance.

 

Compustar is base out of Seattle. I've seen alot of these system a couple year back. I've never had a chance to install these systems but I've heard good things. I'm a DEI guy (Viper, Clifford, Python) as that's all I install. The price isn't too bad surprisingly. But I did my own remote start/alarm in my max and I know if I work at a shop i'd be charging more to do these cars.

Price out some other places in your area.

 

Thanks for the input. I've looked at Viper but haven't found a good place that could install it yet. And I sure am not taking it to Best Buy! It's hard to let someone I don't trust touch the new car, and I know I don't trust them.

Can you recommend a basic model for remote start or remote start w/alarm from the brands you sell? Thanks.

 

That's what I am leaning towards just a remote start that's good

 

I run the Viper 5704 Remote start/Alarm in my car. Comes with a 2-way LCD keyfob. the module I used for the car let's the factory fob and button on the doors operate the locks and the Viper alarm. I personally didn't want to carry my factory fob and the two-way remote on one keychaiin.



Since you can't remote start the car using factory fobs I also added the Viper smart start for my phone which allows me to remote start the car,lock,unlock, trunk, or panic and GPS track the car.


But if you don't want a large remote you can go with a lower module such as the 5204 or 5104. But the 5704 has 1 mile range and the 5204/5104 are 2000ft.

If you JUST want remote start. Viper 4704 or 4204 is what you want.

Too bad I'm not on the east coast, would be dope to set up a weekend and just hook everyone up with an alarm or remote start. haha

 

Thanks again for the input. I went to a place today that sold the Vipers and wanted $300 for the basic remote start, $90 for "push to start" and $130 for the special harness. They said Nissan is "especially difficult but can be done". They also attended some training recently where they spent an hour just on Nissan. Needless to say I won't be taking it there.

I'll probably look for at least one or two more places but may have to revert to the Compustar dealer/installer since those guys acted like they knew what they were doing and the dealer has been referring people to them so they do them a bit more often.

 

Nissans aren't difficult, just take more time and probably a little more thinking outside the box. As far as Best Buy goes, i say check'em out. I've known alot of best buy installers and ur right, some don't have a clue what the hell they are doing, but some of the olders guys that have been there for a while actually do know what they are doing and generally get the harder projects instead of the teens just starting out.

 

yea i just had the smart start added to my 5902 and im lovin it like McDonalds

 

How complicated is it to add the security and remote start, Im just concern about them messing my car up

 

Don't take this personal, but if you have to ask that question, don't do it. It's more about the cleanliness or the install. You don't want a bunch of wires going and hanging everywhere.

For me it's easy, it's what I do. But the max def isn't the easiest car to work on.

 

I'll check them out since I do want to explore all my options. Thanks again.

 

So what's the mid grade remote start system that I can purchase for my max. Getting tired of a cold car in the winter time.

 

What I've found is the base line Compustar is around $300 installed. The Viper mentioned above is around $350-$400 installed (Best Buy). I'm leaning towards the Compustar because the installer was recommended by a dealer and I'm not sure I trust the Best Buy guys. I've only talked to their salesperson - not an installer yet.

 

Out of curiosity, can I have my Viper 791XV installed on my 2012 Maxima? I have had this remote start/alarm for a while stored away. Please let me know if it can work, otherwise what options do I have for something similar.

Thanks.

 

[/QUOTE]
If you JUST want remote start. Viper 4704 or 4204 is what you want.

Too bad I'm not on the east cost, would be dope to set up a weekend and just hook everyone up with an alarm or remote start. haha[/QUOTE]

Thanks man yeah to bad you arent on the East Coast otherwise I'd def have you install it on my Max

 

you can have it installed, might cost more if it was previously installed. and your options are endless ready. Just everyone here is going with the viper option discussed because why would you wanted the latest technology in your new car.

 

yeah something to note is with Viper (and Python and the other identical units) is they'll only warranty the alarm if you get it from the shop or authorized dealer, and have it installed by the shop. for me this wasn't about a "can I do it myself?" question and more like a "do I want to deal with this, and then deal with it again when adding modules, then again if I have any issues?" the answer was no i dont want to deal with it. I love my Viper 5902

 

Just my 02 cents.

I'm also an avid support for DEI products, my 1st ever car alarm was a Clifford Concept 400 and this is before DEI purchased Clifford. Their product was solid and great, but I notices that after the merge product quality was not up to par what Clifford made. I ripped that item out and installed a Compustar alarm/remote, and I was pretty happy with the 2way remote. I was very impressed with the range for this remote. I can start my car from the 5th floor condo building, and my car was located in a solid concrete basement.

Anyway to now. I recently purchased another compustar product http://www.compustar.com/remotes/RF-P2W901-SS.php
I paid 350.00 taxes (CAD) in, though you will need additional module to go with the alarm (EVO-ALL), I figure the installation will cost 150.00 - 200.00

 

Do you have to may a monthly/yearly fee to have the GPS tracking service?

 

I believe the first year is free and it's $30 a year after that.

I still don't have mine done yet. I haven't had the time and I'm still hoping to find the best option. I'm still leaning towards the Compustar because of hopefully trusting the installer.

 

Not free the first year. $50 a year and includes roadside assistance.

 

Sorry I might be quoting a different system.

 

So I am bumping this thread. I called a shop around my way about doing a 5704 install on my Maxima. They told me that there are some incompatibilities between our cars' wire harness and the Viper systems.

His words are that the work around is to "shove 2 bare wires into 2 open pins in the instrument cluster" as the work around and he would not let his shop do work like that.

I told him there are people I know with Viper systems and have no issues, so I thought I would ask you guys if you knew of these said issues or heard of any as well...

 

Did my own work. Using the right module you don't have to do anything like that. I think those wire to be inserted are just door lock wires but my module controls everything via data.

 

Yea I think it was regarding the door locks. What module did you use to not need that done?

Also, why do you have to be in freakin' AZ?! Between this and the cluster gauge light swap, it is killin' me! haha

 

LOL I know right. You want the DB-ALL Module. Works mostly vie data and will control the alarm via factory remote and buttons on the doors.

 

I got a question what is the use of having a remote start if you got to turn on the a/c or heater every time you start the car? my 2012 turns off the a/c an heater every time I turn car off. So if you live in a cold or very hot climate your car will be started but it is still going to be hot or cold inside. I guess it might heat up quicker or cool down quicker when you jump in an turn the heat or a/c on.

 

Brisket, if its turning off the climate control every time you shut the car down, that can be fixed. It shouldn't be that way. I read a thread about someone else's car doing that, and it was an easy fix! Forgive me, I'm on my phone so I'm not gonna go dig up that thread, but maybe someone else can find it and link it for you.

I'd love a remote start. I just wish I could also remotely turn on the rear defroster and steering wheel heater too.

 

Apparently there are modules that will do that for you actually. You have to get the bit more expensive version but I've read about people setting that stuff from their phone.

I still don't have mine done yet. I just haven't had the time. I plan on doing the tint and remote start at the same time. And my sunroof rattling is driving me crazy.

 

The 2013 Altimas have a remote start option, and a new 5 button remote was introduced with this feature. Any way to retrofit this system to a Maxima?

 

thanks serpent, I will try to find that thread. That is one of the things my wife does not like about the car. Everything else she loves. She really likes the power!

 

Try this brisket, should fix your problem
http://forums.maxima.org/7th-generat...c-problem.html

 

thank you serpent for the help will try it in the morning

 

Certain modules and remote starts can be programmed to turn on heated seats and rear defrosters and certain temps or you can wire the alarm and you can use the remote to turn them on individually.

 

well it worked an the hardest part was getting the fuse box door open. thanks again.

 

Happy to help

 

Just a follow up - I got the Compustar system installed and for a basic remote start it's pretty slick. It has a small, one button remote that doesn't seem to be easy to accidentally set off. You have to hold it in for 3 seconds and the light on the remote blinks. Then all you have to do is unlock the car like normal and push the brake. If you aren't using the remote start everything works as normal. So far I'd recommend it. Saved me about $150 compared to the other systems I checked out.

 

Umm u don't have to push the push to start button or anything? My concern is if u just have to hit the brake, that tells me that i could just jump in ur car and drive off??

 

Actually I have 45 seconds after I unlock the car to push on the brake or it shuts off. Obviously I have to have the key in proximity.

 

oh ok....that's like the Hyundai Genesis i did for my friend...I really don't like that though.

Mine works just like a remote start in a car with a key. I just press the start button twice ( ACC, ON) and then press the brake.