Compact Car Alarm
The first thing that strikes you about the Autowatch 279RL is just how small it is. It really is tiny and is less than half the size of the AVS 3010 or the Mongoose M20. In fact, it’s even smaller than the Steal-Shield SS450, which I managed to hide in a Lego car about 3 years ago.
Despite its lack of size, it still has built-in central locking relays and is stacked with programmable features.
Tidy Remote Controls
The remote controls are a two-button version of the 446RLi Premium. With separate arm and disarm buttons, it really does not get any more simple, plus the buttons are recessed so don’t tend to get knocked in your pocket. It even supports selective locking where the first press of the unlock button unlocks the driver’s door and the second press unlocks all other doors. It does, however, lack a boot pop output!
The remote controls also require the alarm’s serial number for programming, so are not vulnerable to remote cloning.
Moving on to the siren, it comes with the same speaker siren as that found on the 446RiS, so it has soft arm/disarm chirps that can be programmed off.
Autowatch 279RL – Great for technically minded installers
The 279RL is certainly designed for modern vehicles. For example, the hazard light output supports hazard level and hazard pulse, which most modern vehicles use to flash the indicators. I dare say that these will be an unfamiliar terms to many of you (including some of the installers I know who read this), but in short, it means that the installation is easier as there is only one wire that needs connecting to flash the hazard lights.
There are some cars out there that would otherwise require up to 6 indicator wires being tapped into. This is not really a new thing as there are mid-90’s vehicles such as the BMW 3 Series (E36) that use this method.
The only other alarms that support this are the 446RLi Premium, 695CAN, and the Cobra AK4615.
The Autowatch 279RL has a built-in dual-zone impact sensor which can be adjusted via the remote controls and has the option of having the early warning zone disabled.
It also has an instant door ajar upon arming warning option that I’m a big fan of. No leaving your door slightly open by mistake and waking up to a flat battery.
Autowatch 279RL review
Obsessive Rating: A modern alarm system made for modern vehicles! Ideal if you have a car with an existing immobiliser and require a basic remote-*operated alarm system
OVERVIEW
Features:
- Speaker Siren
- Built**-**in Adjustable Impact Sensor
- 2 Two**-**Button Remotes
- Pin Code**-**protected Remote Coding
- Door Open Warning Tones
- Blue LED
Options:
- External Immobiliser
- Selective Locking
- Double Lock (Deadlock Output)
- Auto Rearm/Relocking
