From digest.v7.n373 Fri Oct 3 12:52:09 1997
From: Dean.Schreier_at_pscmail.ps.net
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 1997 11:25:00 -0500
Subject: Re: Car Alarms

     >I'll be in the market soon for a new car alarm.  From Abtar Bangar's
     >experience, it sounds like I don't want a Clifford.
     
     >The last 2 car alarms I installed were Ungo boxes, made by Techne.  I
     >chose them because their motion sensors were, at least back in the
     >'80's, the best available.  I would buy an Ungo again, but I haven't 
     >seen any advertised in years.  Does anyone know if Techne is still in 
     >the car alarm business?  Any S.F. Bay Area dealers?
     
     Ungo is still around, but they have since been purchased by Clarion. 
     They are still the best (read last years Security Shootout in Car 
     Audio and Electronics...Ungo was first in security and Clifford was 
     second), but Clifford is more available (they don't require exclusive 
     regional dealerships like Ungo does). Don't be swayed by one persons 
     bad experience with Clifford, it could be as simple as the "idiot" who 
     installed it. Also, remember that typically, tangible features on an 
     alarm are the same features that will cause problems and don't 
     necessarily increase the amount of protection the alarm gives you 
     (window rollup, car starting...one notable exception is a proximity 
     sensor which I don't recommend unless you have a convertible). In the 
     Ungo line the cheapest alarm in the line has the same security 
     functions as the most expensive, just less features and possibly fewer 
     sensors (I assume the Clifford line is similar). Buy what you truly 
     believe you need, but I've never met anyone who really needs anything 
     more then a pin switch protection, glass breakage sensor, motion/shock 
     sensor, passive arming and door lock control...anything alse is just 
     TOYS!!! 
     
     BTW, when dealing with alarms, the quality of the installation is half 
     the battle (bad install = bad experience).
     
     Dean