Viper - Remote Start System

After looking at the complicated installation and reviews stating manufacturer's lack of instructions and support for DIY installers, I had Best Buy install the Viper 4301 on two vehicles. I've had them about a month now. Even though I'm an experienced mechanic, I needed them installed fast and I'm glad I didn't do it myself after seeing how much work there was to it. The connections to the ignition harness must be soldered, crimp joints can go bad over time. So altogether in parts and labor, it cost me $200 for my 1998 Toyota T100, and $300 for my wife's 2005 Toyota Matrix. My Matrix and many newer cars require a $100 piece of hardware to bypass the OEM ignition security, which the web site doesn't tell you, so be sure to speak with an installer before buying to know the total cost. The remote works fine from about 60 feet away, which is plenty for my needs. Haven't tried it from greater distances. One unexpected bonus on my T100, the remote also locks/unlocks the doors. I had power locks but no remote, so that's a nice plus. The remote will not pop the rear window latch on the Matrix, but we never use that anyway, so no big deal. You get two remotes with each starter. My remote makes the T100 horn beep on door lock/unlock, which is super annoying, but my wife's remote doesn't on the same vehicle, so I assume that's a setting on the remote; haven't had a chance to look into it yet. A couple of times so far when the cars were cold they didn't start immediately and took two attempts, but otherwise it started first time. If you're a shade tree mechanic looking to save some money by installing yourself, I'd recommend against it unless you just want to learn and are willing to spend a day or two on it, and probably be frustrated. With little to no documentation or support, it's worth the $100 or so to let a shop get it done. Best Buy had mine done in an hour each, and did a good job.

The Viper remote start up teamed with the XPRESSKIT that I purchased on Best-Buys Deal of the Day has absolutely 100% done what it was expected to do. IT DOES NOT DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO. It DOES-NOT order me breakfast before I get to McDonalds and dont even punch me in as I arrive to work in the morning! FYI potential BUYERS!! If your not sure before you buy this or any other product at Best-Buy or Radio-Shack or WAL-Mart etc.... Do yourself a favor and pick up the tele and call the potential supplier of the deal in this case it would be Best Buys Geeks. Simply ask to speak to any of the knowledgeable team members before you buy, it is rather simple, GEEK Roger Hi!!!! I am expecting this. I understand that the (XPRESSKIT Data-bus All-In-One Interface Module) that I will be receiving does this….., and I drive a 2006 chevy4x4 will this unit work seamlessly with my vehicle? Just a little leg work to avoid negative feedback for an item in which it does not deserve to receive. Thanks, from all of us that read rated product reviews. It gives us insight to what really matters!! Reviewers that write about the product itself and rate it honestly upon using it with substance that sticks:)

I got tired of freezing in my car while my car wormed up in the Winter time. BestBuy had a sale on this so I decided to have GeekSquad install it. It turns out it was the my best decision this Winter. I love firing it up form inside my house and then going out to my car 10 minutes later and taking off. I don't have to wait for the engine to worm up and freeze. I don't have to go out and fire it up before I'm ready to go and then risk getting my car stolen while it wormed up with a key in the ignition without me in it. The install tech showed me how to use it before I left. It has some nice security features, like it shuts itself off after a programmable time period so not to kill your gas tank if you get an important phone call. It will kill the motor electronically if someone tries to take off without the key. It also gives the convenience of having key fabs for my late model car that I lost the factory ones for long ago. I think every car that lives in a cold Winter season state should have one!

Products works as described. Locks/unlocks and remote starts car. However, for some reason the system can not be hooked up to car lights it had to be hooked up to car horn. Now when I lock/unlock or start my car horn beeps. I would prefer the lights rather than the horn. It might be an issue with my particular vehicle. Otherwise product works great.

I park my car over 50 feet away from the house and with a simple push of a button my car is being warmed up. I no longer dread those mornings below 40 degrees. I don't have to worry about anyone stealing it because you still need the key in the ignition to move the car. If someone tries to move the car without the key in it, the car will shut off.

I love the remote starter but Best Buy knows about all the costs associated with the product but they wont tell you if you don't know to ask until you have to get the extra component for the remote start to work correctly. I wouldn't have bought it if i knew about all of the different things I would have had to buy. Bust buy should be more up front about it.

On Black Friday '12, I ordered the Viper 4103V remote start kit and Xpress kit databus interface module ($199) with geek squad installation at RT22 in Union, NJ. First off, the installation guy was Awesome. Fantastic and great customer service. It took around 4hrs due to a faulty Xpress Kit databus module, but he got to the bottom of it with tech support and replaced with with an upgrade module at no charge. The remote start works perfectly on my 2005 Honda Accord. The start, doors, and trunk lock/unlock work fine. My only negative is that my original key would 'chirp' the horn when the doors lock was activated. The Viper remote locks the doors fine, but no chirp. All in all, I'm very happy with it and use it daily, especially on frigid NJ winter mornings. This was a great deal and value and I only regret not getting it sooner.

This is the second remote start product that I've owned and performance is comparable to the first as far as range and ease of use. Viper does seem to offer more BANG for the buck than my previous purchase of a similar product.