remote starter

does anyone have advice on which brand of remote starter to install on my
Accord

I have an '04 V6 EX

the dealer wants $360 plus tax - seems kinda steep - unless there are
special problems with the installation.
is it possible to do-it-yourself?

I was hoping to get this as a Christmas gift for my wife.(installed)

Thanks.
Dave.

 

If the $360 is installed, it is a lot cheaper than I expected from a
dealership. If you froogle for "remote start" you can find low-end units
as cheap as $60. Installation is about as difficult as installing an
alarm, and it can be a DIY project. One snag you might run into is if
the car comes with starter-kill or other type of theft prevention. You
might need an additional piece of electronics to defeat the theft
prevention.

 

All Hondas come with that now. One way is to buy a key, cut off the
transponder head, and stick it near the ignition lock. I don't know
what the dealer does to get around that.

 

They use a Transponder Bypass module. I have installed several remote
starters for my family and friends. It definitely is not for someone with no
installation experience. You must have a digital multimeter, wiring diagram,
and all connections should be soldered and have heat shrink tubing over
them. Always check the wires with your meter, don't just trust the wiring
diagram. A lot of installers use the 3M connectors and black tape as needed
to save time. I feel like you get more reliable connections with soldering
them. The new two way remotes are great. Your remote will let you know if
the car has started or not.