Directed’s Viper SmartStart to Be Awarded Best of Innovations Honors at 2010 CES

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 -- Directed Electronics has announced that the Viper SmartStart, which allows users to start their car from their iPhone or iPod touch, will be recognized with Best of Innovations honors at CES in January, 2010.
“We would like to thank the Innovations judges for awarding us this great honor,” said Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics. “We are proud that our team’s hard work and innovative thinking resulted not only in this award, but also in a product that has generated a lot of excitement among our dealers and customers. Viper SmartStart is the first of many smartphone integration innovations we plan to introduce.”
Users can download the free Viper SmartStart app from the Apple App Store, have Viper SmartStart professionally installed on their vehicle and then activate their account.
According to Mike Simmons, Executive Vice President of Directed Electronics, “Viper SmartStart has many other capabilities beyond remote start. Depending on the installation, users can also lock and unlock the doors, pop the trunk, find their car in a parking lot, or arm their security system. Users can even control multiple cars from one iPhone. It’s a simple, elegant way for iPhone users to enjoy year-round comfort and control of their vehicle.”
Two Viper SmartStart models are available. Users who don’t have remote start can purchase the Viper SmartStart System (MSRP: $499) while those who already have a compatible Viper system can purchase just the Viper SmartStart Module (MSRP: $299), Directed said.

Directed Electronics and Octo Telematics Partner to Provide Telematics Solutions to Automotive Insurance Companies

VISTA, Calif., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Directed Electronics, the largest supplier of aftermarket vehicle security and remote start systems in North America, announced today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Octo Telematics S.p.A., the leading insurance telematics provider in Europe, to develop telematics services for the U.S. and Canadian vehicle insurance markets.

The European automotive insurance telematics market has expanded rapidly over the last several years with leading insurance companies offering consumers value-added services such as automatic crash response and usage-based insurance. Both Octo Telematics and Directed Electronics believe significant opportunities exist for similar services in the United States, which is evidenced by insurance companies such as Progressive and GMAC Insurance offering telematics-based services as well as increased interest by federal and state agencies. Telematics is poised to increase opportunities for insurance companies and drivers through reduced risk, value-added services such as automatic crash response and accident damage management, safe driver rewards, and a cleaner environment by incentivizing responsible driving behaviors.
According to Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics, "We are excited to join forces with Octo to create a compelling telematics offering for automotive insurance underwriters. With 750,000 active customers and 50 insurance company clients in Europe, Octo Telematics is the clear leader in the insurance telematics space, and our new partnership will leverage Octo's technology platform and experience to deliver these services in both the United States and Canada."
According to Germano Fanelli, Chief Executive Officer of Octo Telematics, "Directed's vast network of customers with installation capability, industry-leading technical support, and sizable logistics infrastructure will provide a powerful platform capable of accelerating our speed to market. We look forward to jointly working with insurance providers to further advance telematics offerings in North America."
For more information please contact Ken Gammage, Director of Communications at Directed Electronics. Email: ken.gammage@directed.com, phone: (760) 599-1325.
About Directed Electronics
Headquartered in Southern California, Directed Electronics is the largest designer and marketer in North America of consumer-branded vehicle security and remote start systems (sold under Viper®, Clifford®, Python®, Autostart® and other brand names through leading national retailers and specialty chains throughout North America and around the world). Directed Electronics is also a supplier of mobile audio products sold principally under the Orion® brand name, and digital OEM Integration products sold under the XPRESSKIT® brand name. Founded in 1982, the company's primary operations are located in Vista, California and Quebec, Canada. For more information, please visit http://www.directed.com/. Directed Electronics is a business unit of DEI Holdings, Inc. For more information go to http://www.deiholdings.com/.
Copyright © 2009 Directed Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved.
About Octo Telematics
Octo Telematics SpA is a MetaSystem Group company specializing in the provision of telematics systems and services for the insurance and automotive market, with a particular focus on sustainable mobility sector. Founded in Rome in 2002, Octo Telematics has 750,000 active customers, subsidiaries and partners in Europe, USA, South America, and Asia. Through the largest telematics fleet in Europe for the number of active clients and a database of the most complete figures and statistics globally, Octo Telematics represents a best practices scenario within the global panorama of vehicle telematics and infomobility. For further information, please visit: http://www.octotelematics.com/
For more press information, please contact Antonella Basile - Head of Communications at MetaSystem Group. Email: antonella.basile@metasystem.it, phone: +39 335 7698072
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to, statements as to the expansion of the automotive insurance telematics market in the United States and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. We use words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," the negative of these terms and similar expressions to identify forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Directed Electronics or DEI Holdings to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those projected in the forward-looking statements for any reason. Shareholders and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements.
SOURCE Directed Electronics

Directed Electronics iPhone App Gives Drivers a Head Start

VISTA, Calif. -- A local company has developed an Apple iPhone application that allows car owners to start their vehicles from far-away locations, 10News, (a San Diego ABC network affiliate) reported.
Vista-based Directed Electronics has developed an iPhone app called the Viper Smart Start, which makes it possible to start a car, lock or unlock doors, open the trunk and activate the panic alarm remotely over a cell phone network.
Directed Electronics President Kevin Duffy provided 10News with examples of uses, including an example of your wife locking her keys in her car.
"Because the product allows you to control multiple cars, you can simply switch it over to her car, push unlock. She can get in and get the keys out," said Duffy.
For air travelers returning home, Duffy provides an example of coming home to a cold destination like Chicago.
"Your car's in the parking lot. Before you get in, you start your car from virtually anywhere. The car defrosts the windows. By the time you get to the car, the cabin will be warm," said Duffy.
The opposite could work with air conditioning in San Diego, Duffy noted.
For those who start their car remotely, no one else can enter the car and drive away, as the key to the car is required.
The application is free from Apple's iTunes store, but users need the hardware to install in their car.
The hardware costs $499, or $299 if the user already owns the previous remote start system from Directed Electronics.

Directed Electronics Introduces Viper SmartStart iPhone Application

If you live some place where it gets really cold in the winter — you might already be familiar with the advantages and convenience of a remote-start car system.

Rather than fumbling to open an icy door or waiting a few minutes for the car to start and the heat to come on, you can start the car using a keyremote and even turn the heat on, so that by the time you get to the car, it’s on and warm.

Today, Directed Electronics, who make the popular Viper remote start systems, are taking remote-start one-step further: start your car with your iPhone. The Viper SmartStart system combines the Viper system with an iPhone app that acts as a remote control for your car.






Here’s how the system works: if you have a compatible Viper remote system installed on your car, you can download a free iPhone app and configure your car to hook up to your phone. Then, you can start your car and turn on the heat before you head out to the driveway. The Viper iPhone app can also lock your car (or unlock it) remotely too.

The advantage of the iPhone app over the traditional key-remotes is that the range is much larger than what you get with IR. I’m assuming the system works via satellite, because Viper calls it “virtually unlimited.” This would definitely be convenient for anyone who has a relative or a spouse with a predilection for locking their keys in the car.

The Viper SmartStart iPhone app is available for either new SmartStart systems (retail price $499) or existing Viper users can get the SmartStart module (retail price $299) from Best Buy stores beginning today. If you like the idea of keyless entry and remote-start, bringing that sort of functionality to the iPhone() makes perfect sense.

Do you have a remote-start system? What do you think of unlocking your car with your mobile phone? Let us know!

Directed Electronics announces Viper HD Color Responder is NOW SHIPPING!

Responder HD features Viper's most advanced color remote, operating a one-mile range, 2-Way security and remote start system with an upgraded user interface, mini-USB charging port and patented menu wheel.
No effort has been spared by the Viper development team to create the ultimate color keychain remote control, operating Viper's top-of-the-line, one-mile range 2-Way vehicle security and remote start system. The result is Viper Responder HD, winner of the coveted CES 2009 Innovations Award. Some of the milestones achieved by our team include:
•Viper's first one-mile range color remote, using 900 MHz Spread Spectrum Technology (SST)
•A brand new user interface, for the first time utilizing the patented Menu Wheel
•New custom Viper animations, to confirm user commands and illustrate system events, on a 128 x 128 pixel Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) high contrast panel, with 262K and 65K full colors, and a wide 160° viewing angle, employing an anti-glare polarizer for enhanced daylight visibility
•The OLED display panel on the Viper Responder HD color remote is 20% larger than previous LCD panels on a keychain remote
Viper has created a sophisticated and complex remote control that is more intuitive than competing security products. It walks the new user through the system operation on-screen while delivering tons of real-time information for the power user. Viper completely re-thought the manual layouts so users can play with the remote, and if something unexpected occurs or attracts their interest, they can easily find a quick and simple explanation with references to as much detail as they want.

Built-in Info Center: the Responder HD status screen has an information center built into it! The Info Center displays the remote start run-time remaining before the engine shuts off, as well as the vehicle interior temperature, so you know if it has warmed up or cooled off enough to make your drive comfortable. It also displays the Countdown and Parking Meter timers when running, and the Parking meter timer emits warnings at 15 minutes, 5 minutes and at expiration so you can make sure to feed the meter. Also, you can stop, start or clear these timers any time in the Status Screen using the Menu Wheel. These 4 bits of information can be displayed in the Info Center by pressing the menu wheel while the Status screen is active to toggle and show each one.

Two Car operation: when users decide to change to a paired 2nd vehicle, Responder HD will automatically check the vehicle's availability, and if the desired car is not available it will let you know. If the vehicle is available, it will automatically update the information displayed on the status screen so you know if it needs to be disarmed, or if the engine is running.

Security system Sensor Status in real-time: when arming with a security zone active, Responder HD will receive a report that will identify by name the active zone and display a special icon in the Status Screen. The report will identify all zones that are active (up to 7) by name during the report output.

NEW FEATURE: For the first time, Responder HD reports any sensors that have been bypassed by the Nuisance Prevention Circuitry (NPC™) feature when arming and have a special Sensor Status icon that is displayed in the Status Screen. Any time there is a change of status in the sensors (NPC or a bypassed zone resets,) Responder HD will receive a message from the system and the All Zones OK icon will be displayed.

Sensor Bypass: users can bypass sensors by selecting the level and sensors they wish to bypass. Responder HD will identify the bypassed sensors on-screen and by name so the user knows exactly the level of security they have chosen. After bypassing sensors, the Sensor Status icon will be updated so the user can easily see those sensors are bypassed each time the Status Screen is displayed.

Remote start Fault and Not Available reporting: if the user attempts to operate a security or remote start feature that is not available, Responder HD will identify the fault so it can be quickly resolved.

The intended use and user value of Viper Responder HD constitute nothing less than a new higher level of connection between drivers and their vehicles. With an MSRP of $799, Responder HD is a new level of luxury in the world of vehicle security and convenience. From up to one mile distance from their vehicle, users can stay in constant contact using an advanced and elegant, full-color interface device: their Responder HD keychain remote.

Orion Cobalt Enclosures Starting to Ship!

Just in time for the summer Directed Electronics is shipping the Orion Cobalt subwoofer enclosures. Available in single 10" & 12" boxes and dual 10" & dual 12" vented enclosures these affordably priced boxes pack the punch that today's music enthusiast demands. With these killer boxes starting at $149.99, it's sure to become an instant summer classic. Follow this link to find an authorized Orion Car audio dealer in your area and ask him to demo the Orion Cobalt enclosures. In no time you'll be listening to your music with the thunderous bass it's been missing and you won't need a congressional bail-out to get it! Check out the website for more information about Orion - High Performance Car Audio

Directed Electronics Introduces Viper Xpress Start - The World's Fastest Remote Start!

• World’s fastest Remote Start Install
• Worlds first all in one interface and remote start module
• Saves hours off a typical remote start install (takes less than
15 minutes to install)

The VIPER RESPONDER LE 2-WAY XPRESS-START REMOTE START solution is the
world's first true all-in-one interface and remote starter. The kit includes everything you
need to interface and remote start many 2008+ Chrysler, Dodge & Jeep vehicles.*
Never before has there been a product that has made installing a remote starter this
easy, there are as few as 4 wires to connect to the car that will control all the
convenience features as well as provide remote start using DEI's award winning
Responder LE remote!

Unlike conventional remote starters this bundle will perform the transponder override
and control all convenience features on the vehicles DATABUS. The complete system
installs in minutes and has been featured as the world's fastest install. Just ask Steve
Riviera of Audiowerks who competed in the world's fastest install challenge and won
with a total install time of 32 seconds!

Directed Electronics Shipping Orion Wired Line of Products

Wednesday, July 01, 2009 -- Directed Electronics has announced the immediate availability of Orion Wired premium high-performance audio accessories at authorized Orion retailers worldwide. 2009 is the 25th anniversary of the Orion brand, and Directed has marked the occasion with a top-to-bottom re-launch, including the return of the Orion Wired line featuring fuses, hardware, amp kits, interconnects and 99-percent oxygen-free copper wire. According to Christopher Fierek, marketing manager and Orion brand manager, “Wired has something for every car audio enthusiast: from the super-premium XPT series for high-end installs, the premium PRO series, and affordable Orion Wired PERFORMANCE interconnects for killer entry-level installs. And of course it’s all performance matched from the ground up to achieve the highest levels of performance from your Orion amps, speakers and subwoofers.”

For more information, please visit www.orioncaraudio.com.

DIRECTED ELECTRONICS SHIPPING ORION XTR SERIES SPEAKERS!!!

February 9, 2009 -- VISTA, Calif. -- Directed Electronics has announced the immediate availability of Orion Car Audio XTR series coaxial speakers to Orion dealers.

Directed, a business unit of DEI Holdings Inc., is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Orion brand and Directed has marked the occasion with a top-to-bottom re-launch of the line, including the return of XTR and XTRPRO –- two renowned series of products from Orion's past.

Featuring universal fit baskets, UV coated fiber blended cones, and positionable silk soft dome tweeters, Orion XTR coaxials offer high power performance at a midrange price, according to the company.

"Orion's XTR series offers a clear retail step between the rock-solid Cobalt series at entry level and the high-current competition HCCA series, Orion's top-of-the-line," said Chris Fierek, Directed's marketing manager. "XTR is designed for car audio enthusiasts demanding maximum performance at a midrange price. Orion's silver anniversary is all about returning to the glory days of the brand, and XTR is a big part of Orion's championship legacy."

The Orion XTR652 6.5-inch two-way coaxial speaker (pictured) offers power handling of 60 watts RMS and 120 watts peak. Frequency response is 85Hz to 22KHz with sensitivity of 86dB and a shallow-mounting depth of just 2.01 inches. Suggested retail price is $149.99 for a pair.

For more information about Orion visit our website orioncaraudio.com

Web 2.0 and Electronics Specialty Retailer

Most of us have heard the term Web 2.0 somewhere, it is one of those buzzwords that pop up from time to time, but what exactly is it and what does it have to do with electronics specialty retailers? Maybe everything.

What is Web 2.0?

The answer could probably fill a book, filled with words that I can barely pronounce much less spell, but I'll give you the basic description from Tim O'Reilly himself (the man who first coined the term): "[In Web 2.0] the cardinal rule is this one: Users add value. Figuring out how to build databases that get better the more people use them, is actually the secret sauce of every (successful) Web 2.0 company". 

Web 2.0 is much more than a page on your computer screen. It's interactive, it's a conversation, it's alive!

There are countless examples of of Web 2.0 which include blogging, social networking sites and more, if you search the internet you'll find tons of them but I'm going to outline the 3 most popular sites; Youtube, MySpace & Facebook.

First, take a look at a chart from Alexa.com where these websites rank nationally among all websites:

The 3 sites have ranked as 3 of the top ten sites in terms of traffic in the US over the last 6 months. In fact, YouTube has ranked 3rd behind Google and Yahoo (both search engines) for much of the time period outlined in the chart above.To put that into perspective on March 31, 2008 it was estimated that there were 1.4 billion internet users globally. If you go back to alexa.com again and put "youtube.com" in the search box and then click on the "overview" link

for youtube and then "traffic details" you will see that
the past 3 month average of GLOBAL INTERNET USERS THAT
VISIT YOUTUBE is 18.647%.

Let me do the math...that's 262,498,465.8 people VISIT YOUTUBE!!!!

YouTube.com

Take a look at the video's I've embedded below.

 

www.vtubetools.com

Here's what I find amazing, the car stereo video was uploaded 5 months ago and has over 5200 views, plus this is only one of a series of 14 videos that he's uploaded. The fella showing off his Viper car alarm in his video was uploaded 11 months ago and has been viewed a whopping 45, 000 times!!!

MySpace

The social networking powerhouse that gives you the opportunity to upload music, pictures, videos, blogs themes...with the endless amount of 3rd party software available and the simple way that it can be updated it can become a showcase for your business. Take a look at RIX Magazines MySpace page:

Here's the really cool thing about MySpace...you can go out and get all the friends you want by asking people to be your friends. With 3rd party software like FriendBlasterPro, you can target your friend finder by sex, age, location and how often they log on to their MySpace page. You can narrow your search to your target market, let's say male, 18 -34 years old, NYC area, logged on ot MySpace within the last 30 days and contact them by the hundreds...do that with the yellow pages!

Rix Mag sends out info for everyone of their events, with over 6,500 friends on MySpace they are able to send out reminders to each of them like this one below:

Do you think that's not strong? Ask Rico from RIX Magazine about the turn out for his events. How would your business benefit from a sales campaign if you were able to contact 10,000 individuals in your target market that live in immediate area?

Facebook

This has the least apparent business use capability but considering vast amount of traffic Facebook receives, it shouldn't be overlooked. With MySpace you would want to collect as many friends as possible, conversely with Facebook it more about connecting with people that you actually know. It's more quality and less quantity. One area electronics specialist uses it to keep in touch with key customers and has started a fan club for his customers to opt into. Facebook's best use for business might to be used in conjunction with other Web 2.0 websites such as blogging, podcasting or "Twittering". Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users' updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length. 

Here's the key to using Web 2.0 with your business, it's being active. It's being part of the community, contributing and interacting within the community, adding value, the more you do this the healthier your online presence will be. Is all of this work? Anything of value usually is, but the internet is here to stay and if business isn't what it used to be, then it's time to make some changes. 

A drunk was crawling about on the sidewalk under a lamppost at night.

A Police Officer came up to him and inquired, “What are you doing?”

The drunk replied, “I’m looking for my car keys.”

The Officer looked around in the lamplight, then asked the drunk, “I don’t see any car keys. Are you sure you lost them here?”

The drunk replied, “No, I lost them over there”, and pointed to an area of the sidewalk deep in shadow.

The policeman then asked, “Well, if you lost them over there, why are you looking over here?”

The drunk looked at him and said, “Because the light is better over here.”

Are you looking in the right place for your customers?

TOP REASONS TO BUY FROM DIRECTED ELECTRONICS

Every now and again I need to get back to basics and I go thru some of my old notes to get properly grounded. After the frenetic pace of the holidays, end of year, CES show trifecta, I felt it was a good time to take a fresh look at the reasons that Directed Electronics is the premier security/remote start/convenience manufacturer, bar none. Being in sales and trying to reach quotas it's easy to get caught up in the "price" game, and to forget that it's not about price, but about value. 

Would you have heart surgery done by less experienced surgeon because it's cheaper?

Do you buy the cheapest locks for the doors to your home that protect your family from intruders?

We are willing to pay a premium price for products and services, just as long as we are receiving real value for our money. 

So here I want to point out the real value that Directed Electronics brings to the table when choosing a security system/remote start product:

• $2,500 Guaranteed Protection Plan - Pays up to $2,500 towards your insurance deductible if your vehicle is stolen while protected by a Directed Security system that was installed by an authorized dealer - whether the car is recovered or not!
• National Dealer Network (800) 274-0200 connects you to our national dealer network of 6000+ retail locations when they are in need of assistance while on the road.
• Clean Distribution - Directed's premium lines are sold only to authorized retailers 
• Nearly 100 Patented Technologies - Including the Stinger DoubleGuard Shock sensor the industry's best and most reliable vehicle security sensor and are included in our leading security and remote start products
• Award Winning Tech Support and Training - 24/7 access to the information needed for proper installation with over 5,500 vehicle wiring diagrams and 5,000 installers field-trained per year.
• Most Well Recognized Brands - The average consumer is five times more likely to know our leadiing brand over our competitors. That's the reward for years of excellence and we earn it every day.
• Superior (legal) RF Technologies - Superior FCC approved RF technologies including Responder (with the quickest response time) and Responder SST with the longest legal range (up to 1 mile)             
• Best Bypass Lineup in the Industry - With Directed's recent acquisition of Trilogix, we are proud to offer our dealers tje most complete bypass and interface products available to integrate aftermarket security and remote start systems with OEM electronics.
• Marketing Support and Programs -  Annual dealer programs, advertising, POP, wearables and merchandising materials. Directed is committed to driving demand and helping our authorized dealers succeed every step of the way!

HOW TO BUY A REMOTE START FOR YOUR CAR

Selecting a System

Steps

1

Step One

Select a system that will give you visual confirmation that the remote start is engaged. This can be achieved by flashing the headlights, parking lights or 2 way pager remote. Pager remotes can also give you important info like temperature in car or remaining run time.

2

Step Two

Make certain that the system includes a pin switch on the hood of the vehicle. The switch will sense when the hood is open and prevent the remote start from starting the car. This protects you or a mechanic who may be working on the car.

3

Step Three

Make certain that the system can incorporate the foot brake so that the remote start system cuts off when the brake is tapped.

4

Step Four

Make certain that the system can monitor the transmission to assure that it is in park when the remote start system is engaged. If the transmission is out of park, this monitoring feature will prevent the system from starting the car.

5

Step Five

Make certain that there is a relay added to the starter of the car so that the starter will not grind if you engage it while the engine is already on. Remember, you will have to turn the ignition switch on with the key when you enter the car after you have remotely started it. The antigrind feature protects the car's starter from damage if you accidentally engage the starter while turning on the ignition switch.

6

Step Six

Make certain that the system includes a temperature sensor or an oil-pressure circuit to sense whether the engine is overheating. It should be able to shut off the engine if it is too hot.

7

Step Seven

Select a system that allows you to program what button or buttons you use to engage the remote start. If you have children and they like to play with your remote transmitter, this feature can prevent them from accidentally starting the car. The installer can simply program the remote so that two buttons need to be pressed simultaneously to engage the remote start.

8

Step Eight

Choose a system that's made by a reputable manufacturer that has been in the business, supports their product and has a network of authorized installation shops across the country.

9

Step Nine

Select a system that will turn the engine on if the ambient temperature drops below a certain level if you live in a very, very cold climate.

10

Step Ten

Select a system that has a range of at least 400 feet, if you live in the city and you can park your car in front of your house or in your driveway look for something with extended range (1500' to one mile)

11

Step Eleven

Select a system that can bypass the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) immobilizer systems if your car is equipped with one. The OEM system requires a key with a microchip imbedded in it to start the car. Some manufacturers have created ways to bypass this when engaging their remote start product.

Select a Shop to Install the System

Steps

1

Step One

Ask the salesperson how long his or her shop has been installing remote start systems in your type of car, and if they are an authorized dealer for that brand.

2

Step Two

Find out whether the installer has been certified by the Mobile Electronics Certification Program.

3

Step Three

Make sure you buy your remote start from the shop doing the installation, sure you might save a few dollars getting the remote start from eBay or some other internet site, but it's the service that will save you headaches and money in the long run.

4

Step Four

Ask to see photos of their installations of remote start products. Ask the salesperson to point out features of the photographed installations that show the quality of work that the shop performs.Ask them what they have installed in their car.

5

Step Five

Get the installer to thoroughly go through the installation with you to make sure that everything was done properly.

6

Step Six

Read the owner's manual to see what features are supposed to be on the system, and then test the system and its safety features to be certain everything has been connected and works properly

Directed Electronics Updates Xpresskit.com Website

What's better than having that second cup of coffee in the morning and remote starting the car from your kitchen so that it nice and toasty when you get in? It's one of those technologies that we benefit from today, years ago it was science fiction, today it's commonplace. Today, especially in the northern part of the country it's become one of those technologies that we can't live without.

One of the challenges that specialty retailers face today is the innovative and increasingly more sophisticated anti-theft technology systems car manufacturers are building into their new cars. These anti-theft systems make it tougher for someone to "hotwire" a car to steal it, but they also make it tough for the automotive specialist to install that remote start while leaving the factory anti-theft system intact. 

In fact the "bypass" as it's known in the industry has become an integral part of the remote start business and Directed Electronics goes to great measures to stay on the cutting edge of bypass technology and OEM integration technology for their authorized dealers. 

Directed has just updated their Xpresskit.com website, a valuable resource for determining the proper bypass and data/CANBUS solution for nearly any car that comes thru the shop door. Unlike the Directech.com tech support website, Xpresskit.com requires no password to access valuable bypass/CANBUS solution information, manuals, vehicle application guides and newly added FAQ page that is interactive. The questions posted will be real world questions, from real world situations. Be sure to check out the newly designed website and bookmark it.

RETURN OF THE STREET FIGHTER: ORION REVIVES XTR LINE

Built on a reputation of quality and reliability, these amplifiers embody the true meaning of

power and performance. Housed in a sleek heatsink, loaded with features and packing an 

extremely powerful punch for their size. XTR Amplifiers stay true to the Orion legacy of

cracked windshields and punishing SPL. 

All of the XTR amplifiers share these features:

• All Ratings in RMS Power
• Differential Inputs
• Small Footprints
• Engraved Logo & Model number
• Birth Certificates

The XTR amplifier line-up consists of :

• XTR15001 1,500 watts RMS @ 1 Ohm Class D Mono (more details below)
• XTR10001 1,000 watts RMS @ 1 Ohm Class D Mono 
• XTR 5001 5oo watts RMS @ 1 Ohm Class D Mono
• XTR5004 500 watts RMS @ 2 Ohms 4-Channel
• XTR5002 500 watts RMS @ 2 Ohms 2-Channel
• XTR2504 250 watts RMS @ 2 Ohms 4-Channel
• XTR2502 250 watts RMS @ 2 Ohms 2-Channel

Model: XTR 15001

Description: ORION XTR15001D AMP 1500 WATT RMS CLASS D MONO AMP

Features:

         1,500 watts RMS @ 1 Ohm      

• 3,000 watts Peak        
  
• All MOSFET Power Supply and Output Stage        
  
• IntelliQ™ bass Optimization Circuit and Remote Gain Control        
  
• Heavy Gauge Direct-wire High Current Power and Speaker Terminals        
  
• 12dB/Octave Low-pass Filter
  

MAP:$799.99               MSRP: $949.99

Directed Electronics Introduces Viper 7901 Responder HD

2009 Innovations Award winning Viper 7901 featuring Directed's most advanced color remote, operating a one mile range, 2 way security and remote start system with an upgraded user interface, mini USB charging port and patented menu wheel. Some of the milestones achieved by our team include:

• Directed's first one mile range color remote, using 900Mhz Spread Spectrum Technology (SST)
• Priority user interface based on Directed's patented menu wheel
• New custom Viper animations to confirm user commands and illustrate system events on a 128 x128 pixel Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) full color high contrast panel with a wide 160 degree viewing angle employing an anti-glare polarizer for enhanced daylight visibility
• 20% larger OLED display panel than any previous Viper LCD on a keychain remote

Having toyed around with the units displayed at CES, I can say that it is the easiest remote to use EVER! The menu wheel scrolls thru all of the features and capabilties of the system in plain English. The Viper 7901 is the new standard by which all other systems will be measured. The Responder HD will also be available in the Clifford and Python lines. Pre-orders are being taken for this unit now, expected ship date to take place in early Q2.

Viper 7901         

Responder HD Security System with Remote Start

-          Confirms commands and notifies of events

-          Hi-resolution color screen, tones, vibration

-          Priority Graphical User Interface and patented Menu Wheel

-          LCD remote uses rechargeable battery

-          Mini-USB charging port

-          SST One Mile Range

-          One-way SST companion remote included

-                                             Remote Start

o    Virtual Tach

o    D2D serial port for Xpresskits

o    Xpressport for CANMAX 400 DEI

o    XCR relays onboard

o    Flex Relay for RS onboard

o    Timer, Smart Start, and Turbo Timer Modes

o    Manual-transmission mode

o    Active Temp Check reporting

o    Defogger output with temp logic

Security

o    Stinger Double-Guard Shock Sensor

o    Failsafe Starter Kill

o    Revenger Siren

o    Warn-Away

o    Zone identification on remote color screen

o    SilentMode2 sirenless arming modes

o    Sensor bypass modes

o    Active zone notification

 Keyless Entry

o    Door Lock and Unlock dual-polarity outputs

o    Two-stage unlocking output

o    4 AUX outputs (plus RS)

o    Dome Light Supervision output

o    Factory Security Disarm and Rearm outputs

o    Keyless Entry through D2D with Xpresskits

MSRP: $799                  MAP: $699