What are my choices to control a remote car starter?
You're ready to get a remote car starter to make your cold days less cold and your hot days, well, no worse than warm? You check a few places that you find via Google and they have a bunch of options, but you're not really clear about what's best for your personal use case. Let's break down the options and which of them might be your best choice.
The most basic installation of a remote start system will make use of your existing remote/keyfob. The common routine being three presses on the lock button to start the vehicle. Range will be limited to what your OEM remote offers. You can test the range by walking away while clicking the unlock button to see how far you can get before losing control. These systems tend to be the lest expensive and they certainly offer the least range of control.
The more popular solution is to add new remotes that will have much greater control range. Why is this important? Once you get used to getting into a climate controlled car, there's no going back. So, when you're forced to park on the other side of the building at work, sitting in a restaurant enjoying dessert, checking out at the supermarket, etc., the extra range comes in handy! The entry level remotes will be 1-way, meaning that they send commands to the car, but do not get a confirmation, much like the original fob you're already using. Range will usually be 1000+ feet and if you can see your lights flash, you're in good shape. But wait... there's more! In our experience, 2-way remotes have been the most popular. What's the difference? 2-way remotes receive as well as transmit, so you'll get flashes and beeps on your fob to let you know that it actually did what you wanted. You will also get an indication of runtime remaining in many cases. And, oh yeah... range is even better, at 2000+ feet, up to a few miles. This is amazing when you've hiked from the far end of the parking lot, only to realize that you don't remember if you've locked the doors!
For those that want all the bells and whistles or simply want the fewest things to carry with them, adding a phone app control device is the answer. Already carrying a PTS keyfob and a cell phone? Use them to control your remote start and you're all set. Want to keep tabs on a vehicle or driver? The available GPS functions in these devices can be very valuable. If your location and the location of the vehicle have cell service... you have control. There will be some form of monthly or annual subscription plan to keep the device on the network, but it's very modestly priced.
This should help to get you pointed in the right direction. If you have questions or want to configure a system in a personalized way, please reach out to us for a consultation. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the quality of installation is a very important factor in the performance and longevity of your system. For best results, just hit the EASY button and come see us. We’ll make sure that you enjoy your car more than ever.
Ride Revolution LLC
610-788-2226
RideRevolutionUSA.com