I am looking into an alarm/starter for my Duramax . Anybody out there have any thoughts about which one might be better .Looking at the Astrostart and the Compustar. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Both are considered top end remote starters. I prefer Astrostart. They are very well made with a very low failure rate. They have nice features and excellent range.

Which ever way you go make sure you find a good installer. The installtion is the most important part of any remote starter.

Where are you located?

King, take Max's advice, he does that stuff for a living and knows what he is talking about... The man knows his stuff...I would take my truck to him for this kind of stuff if he lived closer....lol

Maxpower, I live near Seatlle,Wa. There is an Astrostart dealer in Vancouver that I know about. It is about 2 hours away. Compustar I don't know

I can say from experience (now) that a good installer matters almost more... well, it does matter more than what starter you get. My viper is nice but I'll be upgrading to the 2 way remote etc in the future.

My Astrostart works great!

I've got the astrostart and just helped another member install his astrostart. If you're semi handy with a soldering gun and have a few hours to kill you can do this yourself. You can get a good deal on the astro's from Max Power and on top he'll do everything he can to help out on the install from his location(read a lot of phone calls) and even sends along a list of what wire color goes to what wire color and where.

Top notch service, top notch guy.

Yep...I just joined the group of very satisfied Astrostart customers. Max Power hooked me up with the unit and I installed it. Works perfectly and actually better than what I expected. I love it. Thanks again Max Power, I appreciate it...:ro)

Compustar has great range, I could be inside the mall and page my truck to make sure everything is ok.
What I don't like ... the remote is a too big and the battery don't last long.

Victory Red helped me install my Astrostart 2205. Max's direction's sure made it easy.

I have the compustar and like it a lot. The only draw back I know of with the compustar is that you only have one remote. So if you lost it, you will have to get another one to start your truck. They do this by design to have only one remote for increased security. You could buy a back up remote but only one remote at a time will be active. Hope this helps.
There has been shops that would program a third remote abd then later steal all your epuipment or even your truck. Food for thought.

Which Compustar do you have? I'm guessing the old SS. That's only one I know of that could only have on remote. The fact that they had only one remote was a technology issue, not a security issue...someone blew smoke up your butt on that one. All of the Compustar FM and AM units can have up to three remotes programed at once. The new SS models have two remotes, one two way and one one way.


Ox

I have the 2W-AS. It was just a quess as to why only one remote, so lay off the blowing smoke up asses thingy. I never take salesman for telling the exact truth. I always catch my stereo installer trying to pass BS on me.

I'm suprised you can still read through the tears...

I'm suprised you can still read through the tears...
BlueOx03,

Censored Censored Censored Censored Censored Censored !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

King, take Max's advice. He installed my Astrostart 2 way remote and I'm very satisfied with the installation. He informed me that for a few bucks more, he could install the alarm but at this time, I'm happy with just the remote start. It's like -39 degrees celcius out here.

Hey, I was just trying to help and let you and others know that you can get more than one remote with a Compustar. I only mentioned the smoke because you said that they only have one remote for extra security. You were wrong and someone put out the right info, I've been wrong before and had someone correct me, no big deal. Really by saying someone blew smoke up your butt, I meant your installer was wrong and telling you the wrong info, not that you were wrong. I could have said you're a total naive dumb a$$ for believing that, but I didn't, so I don't see you're need to cry a river over it...maybe you're just insecure or something, who knows...I know I don't know everything and I'm fine with that. Maybe no one has told you this before, but you don't know everything either. As hard as it may be to except, I'm sorry man, but that's the truth. I'm sure time will heal your pain...maybe some tissues a movie and some ice cream will help you too. I'm sure you'll make it though, I have faith in you...

Ox

Chalk up another satisfied Astrostart customer...
Can someone tell me if I can use it to turn on my seat heaters? I've got the 2106 model.

I've only had it in for about a week, but so far it's keeping me happy! :)

Yes you can install the astro start IM-HDT-1 module to turn on the heated seats with your trunk button.

Looking for a good Astrostart installer in the NYC Metro area. Any hints?

-P.

Here is the distributors phone # for the US. Call them and ask them who sells astro start in your area. 603-623-5425

Remote starters are nice to have, the biggest mistake I made was not getting the 2 way feature(just for grins more than necessity) and not having a high idle installed that you can also engage via remote.

VR, Why don't you put the 2106 in the Trailblazer and move get a new 2205 for your truck ;)

Here is the distributors phone # for the US. Call them and ask them who sells astro start in your area. 603-623-5425
Thanks.

-P.

Max because I'm waiting for you come to visit and do it for me. A few more personal installs of those remote starters you sell and you won't be the 'only expert' here. I'd hate to take away from you ):h

Lol

OX, I looked into the new compustar's SS model and they say ONLY ONE remote period. Was this guy blowing smoke up my ass too. Their contact info is as follows:

Sales Department
Phone: (206) 957-3780
E-mail: sales@compustar.org (sales@compustar.org)

Technical Support
Phone: (206) 957-3780
E-mail: support@compustar.org (support@compustar.org)


Which Compustar do you have? I'm guessing the old SS. That's only one I know of that could only have on remote. The fact that they had only one remote was a technology issue, not a security issue...someone blew smoke up your butt on that one. All of the Compustar FM and AM units can have up to three remotes programed at once. The new SS models have two remotes, one two way and one one way.


Ox

Yours can only run one remote, but with the new brain box you get two one LCD and one 1 way. What's the name of the person you talked to?
I'd like to know who's works there and is that dumb.
I've installed them I know they exist...

Ox

Nice try...

bASSinRVer check this out

Compustar (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48611&item=5742617466&rd=1)

I guess this guy is crazy too...

Ox

I had a Compustar installed two weeks ago and couldn't be happier. I was planning on a 2-way but got a 1-way as a gift. I was real close to upgrading it but decided that it was only for the "neatness" factor so I didn't.

I got one installed around 1year ago its Ultra Start 4560XR http://www.ultrastarters.com/starters/3560_4560.htm
it is better from compusart from my opinion since it comes with 3 years warranty vs 1 I think plus it has more outputs to do more task if you want to get other options working.....like heated seats, etc...and 9000ft that wicked...the batts last long time and thats my 5cents...

Astro start is lifetime warranty for anyone who is interseted.

from what I heard in my area the units have/had too many problem with the units and distance...so lots of my frinds stop cary that units due to the problem they installing them for living....but that only what I heard from few peeps...

Compustar has a lifetime warranty too....

Ox

from what I heard in my area the units have/had too many problem with the units and distance...so lots of my frinds stop cary that units due to the problem they installing them for living....but that only what I heard from few peeps...
Astro Start????? That is complete BS. They have never had a problem with distance. I have been installing this brand for 9 years and they have never once had a problem with distance. They are the most consistant brand I have ever used. I install a couple thousand units ever year and we get maybe 1 or 2 defective units per year. That is 10 times better then any other brand we have ever sold.

By the way my supplier assures me that the compustar is top notch. The reason I do not sell or install them is because of a couple bad expereinces with them in the past. Those who dealt with them around 99 or so will know what I am talking about. This really turned me off of their product. I also think that the remotes are a little big.

Don't be afraid to buy computstar basted on my experiences. I quite certain that they got all of these problems sorted out or they wouldn't be around anymore. Us installers are a stuborn bunch. :)

My girlfriend just got me the UltraStart car starter. Its not bad, But wish I had more info on them before it was installed. As guy didnt install a relay for my horn to work when I lock my doors or when my alarm goes off. Havent tried the turbo timer(2 minute cool down automatic shutoff) Anything is better than getting dressed just to go outside and start your truck.
My Ultrastart came with a lifetime warranty.
One of the better Christmas gifts I got in a while

You don't even need a relay to make the horn honk. The wire that goes from your horn pad to the OEM relay provides ground to the relay to honk the horn. All you have to do is hook up the horn output from the remote starter to the black (01-02) or black/yellow (03+) under the dash.

Yours can only run one remote, but with the new brain box you get two one LCD and one 1 way. What's the name of the person you talked to?
I'd like to know who's works there and is that dumb.
I've installed them I know they exist...

Ox

Nice try...Talked to my installer today and still they know nothing about multible remotes and I even talked to the owner:

Alta Mere, Dallas TX - (214) 521-7477

HOWEVER - I did talk to Amada at Compustar and she did say you could have one two-way and one one-way, not sure if I asked specify if you could have two two-ways.

But still my alarm shop is totally clueless.