So after getting the quotes and talking to the installers I went with the mopar remote start. She will end up getting a new key+fob because its a factory unit so no extra fob for the remote start. All of the other installers i talked to didnt give such a warm and fuzzy feeling about the install and one sounded like a feature or two would work with the old key fob so she would have to carry are 2 of them.

 

TOO BAD... My father-in-law got the Mopar on his 2011 Patriot and this is REAL JUNK... I'm agree with you, most of the time I'll get the factory parts if possible, but in some occasion the aftermarket parts offer more features and more power. A good example is audio system; any aftermarket audio system will surpass factory by 10X!! The MAJOR problem with the Mopar remote start is the lack of range and the lack of feature of the remote start!! I do not call this a "remote start" if you need to stand in front of your Jeep to start it!! LOL :icon_rolleyes:

The Mopar remote start have like 50 feet range (more or less) when aftermarket can go up to 5280 feet (1 mile) range!! Aftermarket module will also carry some very nice extra features like adjustable runtime delay, programmable start based on temperature sensor and more!

My father-in-law was SOOOO angry to pay for that crap than he pay to install an aftermarket remote start OVER the Mopar... because with the Mopar he can't start his Patriot from his office's windows like 100 feet from the Patriot in the parking lot. Even in his driveway he have to stand in front of the windows like 20 feet from the Patriot to start it!

 

The factory remote start system does have a limited range. I had a bull dog unit that I installed myself on a Ford Bronco. I could start that truck from over a mile away. It had inside temperature read out on the key fob, I could roll windows up or down, it was cool. However, remote start interfaces with just about every electrical system on the vehicle and installation of a non-mopar remote start will probably void any warranty as you are splicing into the wiring harness of the vehicle at the steering column, under the hood, at the doors, etc. So if you are still covered by a warranty, then the factory remote start is the wise choice. I have factory remote start on my 2014. I had not even checked to see if it worked until now. I stood in my dining room and pressed the button twice and the Patriot started right up. That was about 35 feet away. Obviously that would be good enough for me.

 

I was going to go with the MOPAR remote start, but unfortunately the fine print says it is not for Jeeps without remote power locks. I bought the base Sport edition, with just about manual everything, and so had to opt for an aftermarket remote start. Works fine so far.

 

Yes because MOPAR re-use the factory keyless entry antenna and receiver and THIS IS exactly the problem! The keyless entry receiver is extremely poor range, so the remote start range is horrible too.

A remote starter with 20 feet range can't be called a "remote" starter!!! :doh:

 

I have the OEM and 50 feets his the max. Plus I add problems whem the temp outside was below -15 C, it took 5 visit the the dealer before they find the probleme.

 

I have viper... Farthest successful was 3/4 a mile!


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

Most of the aftermarket ones with warranty issues depend on the shop doing the installs. I've had a couple installed on my other Chrysler vehicles and the shop I use only uses modules which interface without cutting wires. It costs more but when I had warranty work done there was never any question, they worked like they came from the factory with them.

 

I always had trouble using the Mopar remote start on my 2011 Patriot when I was standing in my apartment's bedroom window with the Patriot about 75 feet away, line of sight.

 

FYI, I don't blame Chrysler for their crappy remote start because a friend own a 2011 Chevy Equinox with a GM remote start and it's the same sh** than Mopar! I really mean exactly the same sh**! Like maximum range of 20 feet...

 

Viper sounds like the way to go for remote start... I absolutely love my Viper alarm system, the range is incredible. Anywhere in my building at work I can lock the car, inside the parking garage on a different floor!!

 

Bonus points if it's two-way! I would love to be able to remote-start from my desk at work, get a confirmation on my fob, and then the vehicle is nice and toasty (it's that time of year again) by the time I get in it!

 

I've got a 2014 Patriot with factory remote start. My garage is 50+ feet from my house and I can start it from inside my house while the Jeep is in the garage with no problem yet.

 

Got it installed in her Compass today. Had a bit of a hassle with the dealer and got $50 knocked of the install. Came to $382 when all said and done. So far I have tried it in my sons daycare parking lot, parked in the back and tried to start it at the building entrance 100ft away. Started no problem. Came home and tried starting it in are bedroom at the back side of the house and it also started no problem. So far day one i'm pretty happy.

 

I have actually been impressed with the range on mine. My old Toyota you had to be like 20 feet away for it to register anything with the remote. When I was in Cleveland I parked on the street way down the block but I could start it from inside my apt before trudging out into snow without any problem. At least 500 ft away, never a problem.

 

Just a final update on the Mopar remote starter I had installed. We have been trying it out every day for the past 2 weeks and it has worked everytime. Farthest it has worked so far was when we were inside restaurant from are table with no windows around and started her Compass in the back parking lot 125ft away. And its been working everyday starting her Compass from are bedroom upstairs in the back of the house, probably around 70ft away. Well worth the money for OEM remote starter and 2 new key fobs that came with it.

 

Glad to hear it is working out for you. Hard to find information about the factory remote start.. does it allow for any options besides starting? Such as turning on heated seats or rear defogger? Is there a separate fob, or is it part of the key? My '09 ignition key has the lock/unlock/panic buttons on the key itself.

-Mike

 

Glad your happy. I also have factory remote start and have no issues with it. It's not as nice as my old two way bull dog, but I didn't have to install it (took me close to 12 hours), and I didn't have to re-wire the entire vehicle.

 

compustar now makes a remote start kit that is 95% plug and play for chrysler vehicles. other connections that need to be made are for parking lights and retained accessory power (drivers door pin.) This kit is a t-harness, meaning it plugs into your ignition plug with minimal splicing. shops have them for sale for $300 (install included) with lifetime warranty. Best part about them is: you dont need a 2nd fob. you can press lock 3 times on your factory remote and it will start your car. you have the 2nd fob if you need longer distance (300'), or for $100 more you can upgrade to a 2-way remote with 1000' range.

 

I didn't see your post until I submitted my other reply.. I just looked into this from Compustar, that's good stuff. I hate extra key fobs. Most of the shops in my area were either clueless or acted like I was bothering them when I shopped around for a remote starter a few months ago, so I'm trying to educate myself. I have a few questions, if you don't mind.. judging by your other posts around here, they should be easy for you. I was going to send you a PM, but I realized this might be helpful for everyone:

If I did have only the FT-CH5-DC unit installed, with no other components, it appears that would allow me to remote start from my existing Jeep key fob, correct? And that base package does not include any remotes?

Does that kit provide the ability to control aux functions, like heated seats or defogger? Would that require an extra remote, or is there a magic sequence that would trigger it from the Jeep key fob?

Can DroneMobile be used with just that CH5 kit installed (and therefore access any aux functions that might otherwise only be available with another remote)?

Thanks!

-Mike

 

I'm glad you're happy with it. I was reading earlier in the thread and it was mixed reviews. I'm with the group here that agrees it's awesome. I could probably start mine from the bottom of a dry well. The range is unreal for what I was expecting.

 

So am I not the only one with crap keyless range? I don't get it because a guy I work with just bought an 07 Cummins with factory keyless and he can unlock it from wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy far away compared to my 08 Pat... He even has the same key as I do. :/

I have brand new battery BTW