Car Security Guide: Viper Alarms, GPS Tracking and Dash Cams That Record While Parked

For an alarm, Viper is the brand we install: the 3108V and 3308V add an impact sensor, six-tone siren and starter interrupt, and the 5308V and 5908V add remote start. To know where the car is, the Viper VSM550 SmartStart Pro adds GPS location on demand, SmartFence, speed and tow alerts and alarm notifications on your phone, with a service plan. To have video of what happens while you are away, pick a dash cam with parking mode, like the Thinkware U1000 or Q1000, hard-wired by the shop.

Three layers, all from our listings

Car security from our shop comes in three parts: a Viper alarm that reacts when the car is touched or started, Viper SmartStart for GPS location and alerts on your phone, and a dash cam that keeps recording while the car is parked. You can start with one and add the others later.

Viper is the only alarm brand we install, and we install alarms and dash cams in our own bay at 22025 S Avalon Blvd Ste A in Carson. For remotes, range and remote start side by side, see our Viper systems comparison.

Side by side

This table is built only from our own product listings and lists the security features each listing names.

Car security gear on our listings, with the security features each product listing names.

ProductWhat it isSecurity features per the listing
Viper 3108VAlarm and keyless entryImpact sensor, six-tone siren, starter interrupt, two 1-way remotes
Viper 3308VAlarm and keyless entryImpact sensor, six-tone siren, starter interrupt; 2-way LCD remote confirms alarm alerts
Viper 5308VAlarm with remote startSiren, shock sensor, starter kill; 2-way LCD remote shows when the car is disturbed
Viper 5908VAlarm with remote startImpact sensor, six-tone siren, starter interrupt; 2-way color LCD remote, up to 1 mile
Viper 2103VKeyless entryRemote locks, panic/car locator, impact sensor
Viper VSM550 SmartStart ProPhone control and GPS for a compatible Viper systemLocation on demand, trip history, SmartFence alerts, speed and tow alerts, alarm notifications; service plan required
Thinkware U1000Dash camParking mode when hard-wired, saves clips on impact or motion
Thinkware Q1000Dash camParking mode; the shop hard-wires it and sets the parking cut-off
Momento M7 Wi-FiDash camParking mode when hard-wired; the shop sets the parking cut-off
Kenwood DRV-A610WDPDash camParking mode with the optional CA-DR1130 hardwire kit

Viper alarms

The Viper 3108V and 3308V are security systems with an impact sensor, six-tone siren, starter interrupt and flashing parking lights. The 3108V comes with two 1-way remotes, and the 3308V adds a 2-way LCD remote that confirms alarm alerts right on the remote.

The Viper 5308V and 5908V combine an alarm with remote start. The 5308V has a siren, a shock sensor and a starter kill, and its 2-way LCD remote shows when the car has been disturbed. The 5908V has a 2-way color LCD remote with up to 1 mile of range. If you only want remote locks, the Viper 2103V is keyless entry with a panic/car locator and an impact sensor.

GPS location and alerts with SmartStart

The Viper VSM550 SmartStart Pro is a 4G LTE GPS module for a compatible Viper system. Per its listing, it gives location on demand, directions to the car, trip history, SmartFence geofence alerts, speed and tow alerts and alarm notifications on your phone, wherever there is cell service. A service plan is required.

Dash cams that record while parked

The Thinkware U1000 keeps watching in parking mode when hard-wired and saves clips when it senses an impact or motion. The Thinkware Q1000 and Momento M7 Wi-Fi also have parking mode, and their listings say the shop hard-wires them and sets the parking cut-off.

For video quality, screens and apps side by side, see our dash cam comparison.

How to get it put in

Text us with your year, make and model, whether the car is push-to-start or key-start, and which layers you want, and we will quote the full install.

Everything is bought and installed at the shop at 22025 S Avalon Blvd Ste A in Carson, and you can ask about our Payment Plan. Stock moves, so call us to confirm the parts are on the shelf before you drive over.

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Viper Remote Start and Alarm Systems Compared: 2103V, 3108V, 3308V, 5308V, 5908V and SmartStart

For remote locks only, the Viper 2103V adds keyless entry with an impact sensor. For theft protection, the 3108V is a 1-way security system and the 3308V adds a 2-way LCD remote that confirms commands. For remote start plus security, pick the 5308V with a 2-way LCD remote and about a quarter mile of range, or the 5908V with a 2-way color LCD remote and up to a mile. To start and track the car from your phone, add the VSM550 SmartStart Pro module, which needs a service plan.

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Dash Cams Compared

Pick the Kenwood DRV-A310W for simple 1080p front recording with Wi-Fi and GPS. Pick a 4K front camera like the Kenwood DRV-A610WDP or the Thinkware U1000 or U1000 Plus for the sharpest footage, and any system with parking mode if you want it watching while the car is parked, which needs a hard-wired install.

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Questions on Car Security Guide: Viper Alarms, GPS Tracking and Dash Cams That Record While Parked

Do you sell car alarms?

Yes. We sell and install Viper alarms, including the 3108V and 3308V security systems and the 5308V and 5908V alarm and remote start systems.

Can I track my car on my phone?

With the Viper VSM550 SmartStart Pro on a compatible Viper system: its listing names location on demand, trip history, SmartFence alerts and tow alerts. A service plan is required.

Will a dash cam record while my car is parked?

With parking mode. The Thinkware U1000 and Q1000 and the Momento M7 Wi-Fi have parking mode when hard-wired, and the Kenwood DRV-A610WDP needs the optional CA-DR1130 kit.

Does parking mode drain the battery?

The Thinkware and Momento listings say the shop sets the parking cut-off when it hard-wires the camera. Ask us about your car.

Do you install it?

Yes. We install Viper alarms and dash cams in our bay at 22025 S Avalon Blvd Ste A in Carson. Call or text first to set up a time.

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