Why Remote Starter Range is So Important

Driven Sound and Security clients from Marquette, Negaunee and Ishpeming often ask us why remote starter range is so important. Ensuring we provide you with adequate remote control range is one of our top priorities. Dozens of variables affect the range performance of a remote starter. Let’s look at some of the factors that affect remote range and how we can overcome them.

Be Comfortable this Winter

Let’s face it – we are only a few months away from winter and the first snowfall. Even if you love winter activities like skiing and hiking, nobody likes getting into a cold vehicle. A remote car starter will give your vehicle time to warm up before it’s time to set off.

To ensure that your vehicle has time to warm up, it has to idle for a while. If you don’t have enough range, you may need to go to the door, or even outside, to start the vehicle, counteracting the intended purpose of a remote car starter.

What Affects Remote Range?

The number-one detriment to remote starter performance is distance. Without getting overly technical, the signal from your remote gets weaker by the square of the distance between you and your vehicle. What in the world does that mean? That even a small increase in distance could potentially cause communication problems.

How Do We Increase Remote Starter Range?

As Tim Taylor would proudly tell you, the answer is “More Power!” Our most basic of remotes offers about 500 feet of usable range under most conditions. If you want more range, simply ask for more power. We have remotes rated for 3,000 feet and 1 mile, as well as the amazing Compustar T11 remote that provides up to 3 miles of performance.

What Else Interferes with Remote Range?

Building construction has a significant effect on remote starter range. Thick concrete with lots of metal reinforcement makes it harder for signals to penetrate or go around. Heat-reducing metallic window films on offices and schools can reduce signal strength. Even trees and small changes in elevation can affect performance.

Range Requirement Examples

If you are shopping at Super One Foods and are parked over by Baldwin Avenue, even though the farthest parking spot is only 400 feet from the door, you need enough signal strength so you can start your car when you step up to the cash register. A 3,000-foot-rated remote would work well in this application.

Likewise, although the farthest parking spot from the front door of the Eastwood Nursing Center is 370 away as the crow flies or 500 feet by on foot, the signal from your remote has to try to go through or around the building. In this case, a remote rated for 1 mile of range can overcome the physical building challenges and interference from electrical and electronic devices inside to ensure reliable operation.

Driven Sound and Security Makes Remote Start Shopping Easy

We don’t want you to worry about the details – our goal is to provide our clients with remote car starters that will improve their comfort and save them time when the weather turns cold. Drop by the store and speak with a member of our team. They will design a system with the features and performance you need. Feel free to E-MAIL us if you have any questions.