View Full Version : what alarm should i get datatool or meta
just thought i'd ask if anybody has any recomendations or owns either of these i'll be alphadoting it aswell how easy are they to use are they reliable will they kill my battery if not on a trickle charger( i have one i'm just lazy) cheers.:confused::D
fizzwheel
22-09-08, 09:19 PM
I've had both and I prefer the Meta. Purely because it doesnt arm itself after 30 seconds. Which is a PIA when filling up with fuel. The meta immobilises but doesnt arm which I find is better.
I had no end of bother and niggles with my data tool. Keyfobs going out of synch and the alarm not responding to the keyfob, but the Meta has been fine and trouble free.
the meta goes into sleep mode, but it still drains the battery if you leave it over the winter and dont ride the bike. The datatool did the same. If you have a trickle charge use it.
never had anything other than datatool, not had any problems like others saying the battery went dead after a couple of weeks etc, all works, datatools also go into sleep mode like all other good alarms.
I personaly dont like the idea that the alarm does not auto arm, if by any chance you forget to arm the bike and it gets stollen the insurance will have a big problem with you.
i think the meta can be programmed to do the same as the datatool though, the new datatool 4 has many options that the 3 did not have.
what's it like when you want to do a service on the bike has it got a service mode or will it constantly go off and me need to blip it every 5 mins.
appollo1
22-09-08, 09:30 PM
I have a datatool syatem that was fitted to my bike when i bought it and it is really annoying as it goes off so easily when the alarm is on and anything goes near the bike. Even a gsut of wind can sett the alarm off.
I'd rather have one on the bike though than not have one.
Definately get a trickle charger.
what's it like when you want to do a service on the bike has it got a service mode or will it constantly go off and me need to blip it every 5 mins.
yep thats annoying, i agree, but you could quite easly just leave the alarm on and turn the movement sensor off if it gets that annoying
I have a datatool syatem that was fitted to my bike when i bought it and it is really annoying as it arms itself so easily. Also when the alarm is on and anything goes near the bike it sets tha alarm off.
Definately get a trickle charger.
check to see if the sentitivity wire has been gounded or not, also depends on how its mounted.
I've had both and I prefer the Meta. Purely because it doesnt arm itself after 30 seconds. Which is a PIA when filling up with fuel. The meta immobilises but doesnt arm which I find is better.
.
+1
plus the datatool on my other blade was far too sensertive, you only had to look at the bike and it would go off (i think you can adjust this, but everyone i know of seems the same)
Ask an AA or RAC patrol man what alarm he'd fit to a bike and the answer will probably be "Don't fit one, they are all rubbish"
They are the biggest single cause of breakdowns on any make or model of bike.
Ask an AA or RAC patrol man what alarm he'd fit to a bike and the answer will probably be "Don't fit one, they are all rubbish"
They are the biggest single cause of breakdowns on any make or model of bike.
yup but not everyone is lucky to live in the middle of nowhere for insurance to be cheap, some insurance companies dont even insure new bikes without an alarm, i live in south london and anything without an alarm increases the premium by min £100
dizzyblonde
22-09-08, 09:43 PM
never had a prob with the meta that came with the black SV. Its never drained the battery...but then theres been no battery in it for a fortnight.
Someone said that they misbehave if you throw your bike down the road, but it were ok after that too.
got an "acumen" on mine ,and without it my bike would have gone the other weekend.Sleep mode for servicing ,and an indicator mode that beeps when they are left on.
Laserline. I have had mine on my bike for 8 years and NEVER had a problem with it.
454697819
23-09-08, 07:51 AM
the datatool S4 is good, it auto Imobilise's (sp) but does not auto arm... although it can be programmed to.
If your insurance doesnt need it, dont buy one, spend £150 on a big chain.. and a vicious dog...
hth
So take the 100 quid on the chin, and save 300 quid on the cost of an alarm plus the hassle of it going wrong...or find a decent insurance company.
Dappa D
23-09-08, 08:24 AM
just thought i'd ask if anybody has any recomendations or owns either of these i'll be alphadoting it aswell how easy are they to use are they reliable will they kill my battery if not on a trickle charger( i have one i'm just lazy) cheers.:confused::D
hi,
as far as i know all suzuki bikes come with alphadot as standard,...If you dont have any paperwork for it call 0870 1280 999, tell them you have bought a bike and want to know if its registered with them, they will take your reg and let you know, if it has been alphadoted which it should be, you can pay them £15 and they send you a certificate and some new stickers and re-register it in your name. (as the micro dots will already be on your bike). thats what i done when i bought my sv second hand anyway.....
get an almax chain.......
Ask an AA or RAC patrol man what alarm he'd fit to a bike and the answer will probably be "Don't fit one, they are all rubbish"
They are the biggest single cause of breakdowns on any make or model of bike.
+1. The amount of reduction you get on your insurance premium means you have to keep your bike for three or four years (or even more) before the alarm pays for itself. Just get a big chain.
hi,
as far as i know all suzuki bikes come with alphadot as standard,...
They used to but they don't any more.
+1. The amount of reduction you get on your insurance premium means you have to keep your bike for three or four years (or even more) before the alarm pays for itself. Just get a big chain.
That depends on many factors... my £200 alarm knocked £400, yes four hundred pounds, off my quote.
454697819
23-09-08, 09:48 AM
mine was uninsurable without one...
Made it an expensive premium this year.. !!!
Dappa D
23-09-08, 10:03 AM
They used to but they don't any more.
ahhhhhh.........scrap that then!!!!!
Dangerous Dave
23-09-08, 11:26 AM
None, a chain and lock are more effective. When was the last time someone took any notice of an alarm going off in a town centre?
An alarm doesn't stop the bike being picked up an thrown into the back of a van.
right then i think what im gonna do is go over board and buy an almax chain and just slap a alarmed disc lock on therefore i've sort of got it alarmed and hopefully it'll stop some chav robbing my pride and joy.
kwak zzr
23-09-08, 06:58 PM
yep dont bother with an alarm, more trouble than they are worth.
mine was uninsurable without one...
Made it an expensive premium this year.. !!!
Find another insurance company. I've generally found the ones who insist on alarms aren't cheap to start with...and don't get me started on that bunch of lying, thieving sharks called Bennetts.
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