DEI Ready Remote 24921 Car Auto Remote Start System

Pros:- Cheap and effective- Great features- Flexible universal fitment and installationCons:- Range can be limited, but heavily dependent on the installation- May not play nice with all factory alarmsDetailed Review:I am pretty handy and consider myself a car enthusiast. I've installed this kit on a 1998 Dodge Neon for 2 years and on a 1997 Acura CL for 1 year. I have a third unit waiting to be installed on our next daily commuter car. I live in NY and have a 1 mile commute to the train station each morning. The short distance combined with driving in a rush is very very hard on a car that has not been warmed up. The primary purpose for using the remote start is to give our daily commuter a fighting chance, especially given their age and mileage. Getting into a pre-warmed car with the heat blowing in the winter is definitely an added benefit.In the process of shopping around for a remote starter, I came to realize that there are many companies that make very similar products and provide very little information on the features and functions. Information on this remote starter kit was sparse as well, but don't let that stop you from ordering. The instructions, manuals and reference materials for installation was actually very complete in the actual package itself. While I'm sure they are working on it, based on this and my other experiences with their products, their disorganization with their product offerings impact their ability to provide manuals/support/parts to their customers. For example, they may mix current products with legacy products along with their rebranded products. Trying to find install instructions for an old product or parts was always very hard. Once again, this did not impact the installation, but it is just something to consider if you're planning on keeping this for a while.So some highlights of the remote starter that may not be obvious in the limited marketing information they provide:1) Solder and shrink wrap!Definitely solder and shrink wrap each connection. It is worth it. My first installation was done with quick connectors, wire twists and electric tape. While it worked initially, the remote starter became unreliable after 6 months. Reliability returned after I rewired the car by soldering and shrink wrapping each connection. Don't short change yourself !2) The older your car, the easier the install.Typical installations really only require 5 wires to be connected. Constant 12v, ground, ignition wire, crank wire, brake light wire. Cars from the 90's usually have easily accessible wire harnesses. Access only requires removal of a few trim pieces around the steering column. Because I've installed several sets of these, sometimes the wiring diagrams are incldued with the instructions, other times DEI provides a link to reference diagrams. Either way, they do not leave you hanging, and the wire references have always been accurate. 5 wires. You can definitely do it! Newer cars (Assume anything in the 2000 range) may be tougher, as most cars have anti-theft features that may require additional wires or additional DEI modules to defeat.3) Smart module!The remote starter senses if the start was successful through monitoring the voltage. The module will turn the engine over for 3-5 seconds. If it senses that the car did not start (through voltage), it will stop cranking, wait approximately 10 seconds, then try cranking again. With my older commuter car, it usually takes two cycles to start in the winter. I don't know if the module tries a third time.4) The range depends on your install!The antenna is a simple wire that protrudes from the control module. If you take care in routing and exposing the wire as much as possible, the range can actually be very good! The remote starter is used every morning from my kitchen, approximately 20 feet away. I was actually able to start the car a few times while I was in a moving train that was pulling into the station. I was probably 80 feet from the car. From a practical perspective, you probably don't need the remote to work from very far away. You wouldn't want to accidentally start the car when the keys are in your pocket.5) "Keep warm" featureAlthough I havent needed it, the module has a "keep warm" feature. By pressing a combination of the buttons on the keyfob, the module will cycle the car on and off every 10 (?) minutes and let it run for 3 (?) minutes. I am not 100% sure on the intervals, but the concept is to keep the engine warm over an extended period without wasting a ton of gas. Seems like a nice feature to have if you live in very cold climates and may need to jump into a warmed up car with short notice. I think on-duty police must keep their cruisers ready and running at all times. This feature is similar without wasting as much gas.I have recommended this remote starter to many of my friends. Installs usually take around 2 hours. I usually take my time and would highly recommend soldering and shrink wrapping each connection. If this hits the twntybuck price point again, I would definitely stock up on a few more of these. Highly recommended!

The remote start arrived as promised even with the free delivery it was very quick. Came with everything you need to install. The website was great and identified every wire properly with very little hassle. That said, I wouldn't attempt to install unless you have experience installing electronics in cars, this is not for a first timer or faint of heart. You have to splice into the main wiring harness and do lots of soldering in very tight spaces! I had forgotten what a pain it is to solder under the dashboard of a car! After install, it worked great as promised. I did have very short range at first, but then connected a long wire to the antenna wire (the antenna is just a short piece of wire sticking out of the control box) and ran it up the door trim and then above the headliner. Works great now, even from the back of the house thru all kinds of walls! The only real complaint I have is the toggle switch they supply for a kill switch is tiny and easy to break. Mine broke as I installed it in the dash. A $4 switch from Oriellys solved the issue though! Overall, I am impressed with the product, especially for the price!

This starter is probably one of the easiest to use and install on the market. The on the phone help is pretty great and the wire diagrams you get on design tech's site with the crash code make it easier to install and save time and DVD explains alot. All parts come complete and these new starters are much smaller & compact that previous ones that I got in 03'. Many people complain that the install is difficult but that's because they don't have extra tools like relays and socket wrenches which some cars need and install experience ( you need a good background in electronics). They only thing is that you need the time (like a day off) to install it. Also Beware many cars have immobilizers that contain a starter kill. Look up you car on their web site and see if it has one. If it doesn't, installation should be a breeze, but if not it will take you about 30 mins more. My only complaint, it has a 6 inch antenna, which is powerful, but range gets to be 150 ft, so mount it 8 inches away from the firewall. ( if you get one that can open doors model 24923, take more time.)

The products work as it description. The install was easy; took me 40 mins to plan out the wiring of the module and my car diagram in my house and 50 mins to connect the wires. I never install alarm and remote start but I have install radio with harness so it was nothing compare to this.Best advice; as the saying goes, "measure twice, cut once" I simply print out my car wiring diagram, write color wire of module next to color of my car on print-out diagram. Tie up all the in-necessary (wires you not using on module).And yes I've install this on manual car; 1999 Mazda Miata by jumping the clutch connectors.****update****02/27/13I've read on another site about extending the 12 inch antenna. So I gave it a try and see for myself.I used a soderless splice connector and connected a 16 gauge wire to the end of the antenna on module, then continue the 16 gauge up the driver side windshield, above, and down the passenger driver windshield then cut wire when it reach side end of windshield, and taped the end with electric tape. I can NOW start my car from 1 block away, from backyard to front (work through my duplex wall apartment), and through 8 cars and tree(s). Yes I've test it with a friend.I came back to give this product a 5 star for the price and the simple antenna mod.