Casimir Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I am planning to have an alarm system installed in my recently acquired 2007 Fiat Ducato based motorhome. It already has an engine immobiliser and central locking. I have contacted a few installers but some of the information I have been given has been incomplete and/or contradictory.At present I have just one Fiat remote key and one non-remote key. My MH has a Cat 2 system (an immobiliser) so what I need is a Cat 2-1 upgrade to Cat 1. Evidently some alarm systems interface with the existing "CAN-BUS" electronics (and use the vehicles existing remote control). Others do not. I have been considering the Sigma S30, the Autowatch 695 and the Toad AI606. These come with two of their own remote controls, do not need to interface with the "CAN-BUS", and do not need the Fiat remote control.I was leaning towards the Sigma S30 until one installer told me that it was incompatible with the "CAN-BUS" system, as is the Toad AI606. Is that correct or not? I have also been considering the Autowatch 375 Clam which is a 2-1 "CAN-BUS" upgrade and works with the Fiat remote control.I expect it is better to have an alarm system that interfaces with the existing "CAN-BUS" system. However I am concerned about being dependent on just one Fiat remote especially as the cost of a second or spare Fiat remote could be around £200.Based on quotes so far I expect to be able to get a good system for about £300/400 - but which one?As a new MH owner any advice or suggestions on choosing an alarm system would be most welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Sorry I can't give specific advice or opinions but these people are generally very helpful and have a good reputation amongst the motor homing fraternity and so are probably well worth asking? http://www.leisurepower.co.uk/shop/alarms.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Tracker - 2014-08-24 7:49 PM Sorry I can't give specific advice or opinions but these people are generally very helpful and have a good reputation amongst the motor homing fraternity and so are probably well worth asking? http://www.leisurepower.co.uk/shop/alarms.html Well they were useful, but from info gathered elsewhere, AIUI, they are no longer trading (as you will see if you access the top level of their site domain). http://www.leisurepower.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artheytrate Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 On my last three vans I've had the Cobra alarm fitted this also uses the vehicle manufactures remote fob, you can also set it so that the alarm is set and you can be inside the motorhome or if you leave your dog in the van you can set it. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 My take on it...don't bother unless an Insurance company stipulation. No one takes any notice of alarms they are just an annoyance. Thieves certainly don't, will ransack the van in 5 mins with alarm blaring and escape with your pillow cases stuffed with your goodies. You have a thatcham rated immobiliser to protect vehicle from theft. Just fit a safe you need one anyway if you dont want holiday ruined. Get one big enough to take all valuables (still split valuables up though). You can buy alarm stickers on ebay for a few quid, I have Cobra ones. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alarm-Dummy-Cobra-Window-Stickers/dp/B0036EVUQ0 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Cobra-Car-Alarm-Window-Stickers-New-Style-Bargain-/290475120514?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Safety_Security&hash=item43a1aa9782 If you want an alarm look for local registered commercial fitters on the Thatcham site. motor home specific companies tend to be a rip off https://www.thatcham.org/security Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Sorry about the dead link - I don't know what went wrong as I thought I clicked on the Van Bitz link? http://www.vanbitz.com/motor-home-security/ For what it's worth I share Eddies view that alarms are of very limited value and it's probably better to spend some money on preventing the evil bar stewards from gaining access in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 We have a Sigma alarm fitted, but as has been said, would not bother, as it can drain your battery. We have fitted Internal dead locks on the cab doors and now fitted dead lock on caravan door, which can be turned to lock from inside the van,as well as outside, for night time use mainly. We have done this as we had an attempted break in in Spain this year, on a camp site, but thankfully I woke and shouted ,I thought it was the security guard, (it may well have been!!) so they new some was awake. OH slept through it. PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 We're having an Outsmart the Thief alarm fitted to our new van it's a CAT1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 I had an Autowatch 375 on my last van very good never missed a beat. Latest van also has an Autowatch I think it's a 475 (no central locking on van), latest Autowatches even if you have central locking also come with a separate fob so not a problem if you only have one Fiat fob. You don't say where you are I can recommend a good installer in for Hamshire & Sussex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casimir Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 lennyhb - 2014-08-26 12:02 PMI had an Autowatch 375 on my last van very good never missed a beat. Latest van also has an Autowatch I think it's a 475 (no central locking on van), latest Autowatches even if you have central locking also come with a separate fob so not a problem if you only have one Fiat fob.You don't say where you are I can recommend a good installer in for Hamshire & Sussex.The Autowatch 375, which I think is a 2-1 Can-Bus upgrade is of interest and I would welcome your recommendation.I am currently in Spain but will be back in the UK very soon. I will be staying at a campsite in Surrey so Hampshire & Sussex are within easy reach.Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 I don't think the 375 is still available in the UK, for Motorhomes you will probably need either a 458 or a 675. Have a chat with Matt at Southern Motorhome Security . I have had two alarms fitted by him & recommended him to my mate who was also pleased with his work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 cheap Milenco window alarms a good idea. just reminded of this on another thread as completely forgot to fit to new van..There you are sleeping with your expensive Cat 1 alarm oflashing away, internal sensors turned off. the the toe rags open your window,fish every valuable in sight.....what use an alarm then. this kind of opertunistic theft far more common Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve101 Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Sigma Cat 1 systems are the best out there I think. They work really well and are reliable. Never had any problems with them and the backup support is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Our new van is fitted with a Gemini M'H alarm £495.00 fitted by Outsmart the Thief. According to opinion on the web, Cobra alarms are crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Joe90 Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Any scum bag intent on getting in will laugh at an alarm, and having had a friend put to great inconvenience and cost when his malfunctioned leaving him completely stranded in the back end of nowhere in France was a real hassle to say the least, trying to have a conversation with a French breakdown recovery driver, and later a rural French garage wouldn't be my idea of a fun time. Perhaps as others have said add cons like cab deadlock bolts would be money better spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duetto owner Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 I have cobra alarm as i have said before in theory its good but it practice useless it keeps reversing the settings. so when its on its off. cobra have no idea on the problem other that giving instruction to reset it each time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitches Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Have use a cobra alarm for a year, particularly useful is the perimeter alarm that allows you to sleep with alarm on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Joe90 - 2014-09-30 7:25 AM Any scum bag intent on getting in will laugh at an alarm, and having had a friend put to great inconvenience and cost when his malfunctioned leaving him completely stranded in the back end of nowhere in France was a real hassle to say the least, trying to have a conversation with a French breakdown recovery driver, and later a rural French garage wouldn't be my idea of a fun time. Perhaps as others have said add cons like cab deadlock bolts would be money better spent. But unfortunately, if your van costs more than 40 or 50k very difficult to get insurance without one, most companies insist on an alarm, some even want a tracker as well now that's one thing I don't want. If it gets nicked I want an excuse to buy a new van not a damaged one returned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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