Thanks for the recommendation for a dedicated shop. I'll see if there are any in the area here (in a small town, but plenty of bigger places within an hour and a half). I'd be willing to pay up to an extra $50 for the smartphone option, so I'll keep it in mind.
I'm a little confused about the 1,2,3 list you've got here. Every "system" I've seen is a complete, works-out-of-the box deal, and you choose between one-way, two-way, LCD screen fob, etc. Seems like you are saying you can part it together any which way you want? I've only looked at third-party sellers; if you go to a dedicated shop there will be more options?
Last: what's the difference between remote start and push-button start?
Thanks Kaido.
So, it depends on what you want to do & what your car already has. You can buy a Viper system as a kit or piecemeal, depending on how you want to approach it. So let's start with the SmartStart system because that's the techiest gadget they have. They basically offer 3 modules:
- SmartKey
- SmartStart
- SmartStart GPS
Here's a detailed overview of what each can do:
https://www.viper.com/smartstart/modules.aspx
The various features: (different modules have different feature support)
- Lock/Arm
- Unlock/Disarm
- Remote Car Starter
- Trunk Release
- Panic
- Aux Channels Compatible
- Viper Motor Club
- SmartPark
- Car Location
- Car Speed
- Speed Alerts
- Lockdown Alerts
- Social Media Check-in
- SmartFence
- HotSpot
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Car Status
- SmartSchedule
Each module has some features, but not others. So the basic idea of the SmartKey is that it pairs to your phone's Bluetooth radio so you can unlock & lock your car automatically when you are within range. Same idea as an RFID keyfob on the newer cars...your fob/phone never leaves your pocket. For that system, you'll also need either a Viper security module or a Viper remote start system to tie it into. The next level up, SmartStart, adds a Verizon 3G SIM card so that your car can receive commands from anywhere in the world through the cellular network. The primary purpose of this is to remote-start your car with your smartphone (that way you don't have to be in line-of-sight range to remote-start it). It also does keyless entry like the SmartKey, except it lets you do it from the app over 3G/Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth (note that it can take a minute or two to unlock via 3G because it has to send the signal through the cellular network). The SmartStart GPS adds GPS tracking to the 3G system, so you can do things like find your car Lojack-style, check the speed, and setup a GeoFence, which are useful features if you have a teen driver that you want to keep an eye on, or just want some extra security for your car in case in gets stolen - it's basically like Find my iPhone for your car, pretty sweet. Also, you can use your Apple Watch or Android Wear watch to start your car, which is pretty cool too. The regular app works on iPhones, Androids, Blackberries, and Windows phones.
Now, aside from SmartStart, Viper sells 3 other types of systems:
- Keyless entry
- Remote start
- Security
If your car has power locks but not a remote-control keyfob, you can buy a keyless entry system to add that feature. You can add remote start via keyfob as well, if your car doesn't have it. And you can add a security system to your car as well. These systems can also talk to the SmartStart system, depending on how you want to hook them all up. For example, SmartStart is cool because you can remote-start your car from your phone, but it's annoying to use simply to lock & unlock your car because of the 3G delay - whereas the SmartKey system uses Bluetooth, so when you walk up & or leave, the car will lock, which is way more convenient. So if you get a SmartStart system, it's also a good idea to get a keyfob for keyless entry, because then you can just use your keyfob in your pocket to instantly lock/unlock the car like a remote control for a TV. You can also look into integrating other third-party control systems. One is a pushbutton start, which replaces the key with a pushbutton, so when your RFID key is inside the car, it will let you simply push the button in the car to start it up, which is cool. You can also install a PKE system (passive keyless entry), which is kind of like the Bluetooth system in the SmartKey, but uses RFID chips to unlock the car when you walk up:
http://www.digitalguarddawg.com/automotive/passive-keyless-entry
Right now, I don't have anything in my car because it came with everything built-in. I have a 2015 Jeep Renegade, which has:
- RFID keyfobs: These have a hidden built-in key for emergencies, built-in remote control buttons for backup, and an RFID chip inside. When I walk up to the car, it automatically unlocks because it detects the chip from a couple feet away. When I leave, there is a tiny pushbutton on the exterior doorhandles to lock the door. It also has remote-start from the keyfob.
- Pushbutton start: When the RFID key is inside of the car (crosses the sensors in the door threshold), I can push the Start button to start up the car. Super convenient. My key never leaves my pocket.
- UConnect: This is the entertainment (radio) system, which uses Sprint's (crummy) 3G network. It lets me remote-start the car from my phone, as well as lock/unlock it. That's handy if I lose my keys or whatever, or if I'm inside a building & don't want to run up to the window to remote-start the car.
The Viper system is a bit more powerful in two ways: one, the SmartKey system will auto-lock the car when you walk away from it (I have to push a button to lock), and two, it has GPS tracking on the SmartStart GPS. Now, my UConnect system can add GPS tracking, but it's $150 a year for that service. Viper also charges annually, depending on what service package you want to go with - it's the same idea as paying for a cell phone for data:
https://www.viper.com/smartstart/serviceplans.aspx
There are basically two packages:
- Secure: ($70/yr or $170/3-yrs) Includes remote lock/unlock, remote start, Viper Motor Club, and SmartSchedule.
- GPS Premium: ($100/yr or $240/3-yrs, requires the GPS module) Includes the Secure plan, plus car location/speed, speed/lockdown alerts, and SmartFence.
So in your situation, you have to do 2 things:
- Decide what set of features you want to add to your car
- Decide if you want a 3G service plan (monthly or annual fee)
Like if you car already has an alarm system, then you don't need to add that. But if your car only has power locks but no keyfob, you can add that. If you want to remote-start your car & have Lojack-style tracking, you can add that via the GPS module, but you'll need the parts, installation fee, plus a monthly or annual fee for the cell phone chip inside the unit. It's a little confusing at first, but once you compare what your car has to what features you want out of the features that are available, you can price it out & get a quote on everything. Like, you can go nuts & buy everything: add a pushbutton start, add SmartKey for Bluetooth lock/unlock, add SmartStart GPS for cellular tracking & remote start/lock/unlock, add a couple of 2-way keyfobs, etc. All depends on how much you want to spend & what features you want, keeping in mind that the 3G stuff requires a recurring fee for the service charge.