Two-Way Security Systems
Most vehicle security systems offer one way communication, but there is a two way security system that provides not only communication between the remote to the car, but also the car to the remote.
In the early days of vehicle security, two way communication was done by pager systems. The systems would include a pager/remote that would allow you to arm and disarm the alarm. There was no visual indication as to the status of the vehicle and the alarm system. Instead, if the car was broken into, the remote/pager would make some kind of tone sound and perhaps a light would flash. And since they were pagers, there was a feature that allowed you to page anyone who also had a pager/remote from the car. This feature was ideal to alert someone that you needed to pick up that you had arrived. Today, these systems are a lot more sophisticated and use FM radio frequencies for the two way communication.
Perhaps the most important component of a two way security system is the remote control. Unlike remotes for conventional alarm systems, these remotes feature an LCD display screen. Information that is sent from the remote to the car and from the car to the remote appear as icons on the display. So you receive confirmation that your alarm system is armed and disarmed. Moreover, if there is an attack on the car, the remote indicates what zone was breached -- the doors, the windows, the sensor or the trunk.
Moreover, many of these systems include remote start or the ability to start the car with a push of a button on the remote. Since it is a two way system, the alarm alerts you that the car has started through an icon of some type on the display.
The range of the FM signal from remote to car and car to remote is commonly 1500 feet. Commonly these systems include:
- 2-way AM/FM Pager Remote
- Backlighting for the display
- LCD Graphics to indicate the status of the vehicle and alarm
- Built-In Clock on the Display
- A Shock Sensor
- Onboard Relay for Flashing Lights
- (Perhaps) A Programmable Carjack Feature
- Remote Panic
- A 125 dB Siren
- Door Locks
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Silent Arm/Disarm Through The Remote
- Remote Trunk Release or Window Roll Up and Down
Some systems come with remote start or you can add remote start to it. Most of the major vehicle security manufacturers offer some type of two-way alarm system. In some cases, a company may offer more than one model in a good, better, best form of marketing. Other companies offer a module that upgrades their regular security systems into two way systems. But these modules can only be used with the same manufacturer’s security systems.
Perhaps for most, a typical security system with one way communication -- from the remote to the car -- would suffice. Still, if you have to leave your car in an area that is prone for theft, then you will want to know that your car is safe in real time. In addition, since the system has a range of 1500 feet, you may be far enough away or in a location where you cannot hear the siren if it goes off. With a two-way security system, you know immediately and silently that your car is under attack.
