I wanted a loud alarm system with a key-chain remote for my 3-wheel recumbent bicycle. Now I have one. Most bicycle alarms are cheap and don't work very good. Even expensive ones with a key-chain remote aren't very good. I already had a 12 volt battery for the horn on my bike, so I figured why not try a car alarm?
This Pyle PWD701 system works great! I mounted everything under the seat and tie-wrapped the wires to the bike frame so that you can't really see or access it. Someone with wire-cutters that knows where to look could disable it, but it's mainly just a deterrent, anyway. What casual bicycle thief is going to be expecting an alarm like this, right?
Not being installed under a hood, the siren is super loud! Even the chirps when arming / disarming the system is very loud.
I didn't bother with the door locks, trunk release, valet switch, etc. Because, obviously, a bike doesn't have doors or a trunk! Or a need for valet parking. I only hooked up the shock sensor, siren, and indicator LED. Tucked up and tied off all the other wires. I didn't know if it would work as desired like that or if I would have to program some of the features to disable or bypass the door and trunk sensors, etc. So I just hooked it up without them and tried it out.
It works exactly the way I wanted it to. I can arm and disarm the alarm with either of the remotes. With the shock sensor sensitivity turned all the way up the alarm trips if you barely touch the bike. Even a bird landing on the seat would probably set it off. There's no way anyone could sit down on it and try to ride away without making the siren go off!
My only question is how quickly it will drain my 4.5 amp battery. I'll update this review when I know. Being solid state - except for some relays I can hear clicking when I arm / disarm - it should be a pretty low current draw. But even if I have to charge the battery every few days, it's worth it to me to have the peace of mind that comes with having a good alarm system on my expensive bike.
To describe the system in general, the main unit is very small and lightweight. About the size of a pack of cigarettes. The shock sensor is maybe half that size. The siren is also pretty small, with a horn about 3 inches in diameter. But it's super loud, in spite of it's small size. The construction and materials of everything are of good quality. Most of the wires from the main plug are a couple of feet in length. The horn wire and the wires for the switches, LED, and sensors are longer. Everything has it's own color coded plug.I like the look and feel of the keychain remotes. And the instruction manual / wiring guide was very simple and easy to understand and follow to hook it up for my admittedly basic application.
For the price and all the features, this alarm system is a bargain! Mine worked well right out of the box, and I'd recommend it to anyone who can use basic tools, read a wiring diagram, and wants to install an alarm system in their vehicle.
| Item Weight | 1.34 pounds |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 4 x 5.75 x 6 inches |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | PWD701 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Wireless Remote | No |
| Warranty | One year limited |
| Weight | 0.73 Kilograms |
