Pandora is a car alarm brand that claims a 25 percent market share in Russia. It is now available in Europe and is starting to enter the US.
Developed and produced in Russia since 2004, its security systems are being test marketed at a few US dealers. The company hopes to open a US office and eventually work with a few leading dealers in each state, it said.
Pandora says it provides a number of advances in security with more anti-theft and wireless features and smartphone-as-key capability.
The line includes wireless immobilizers and immobilizers for many functions including starter cuts, ignition cuts, fuel cuts, push/start buttons (ideal for hybrid/electric vehicles with no ignition or starter cuts). It can also immobilize the ODB2 port itself. Wireless immobilizers eliminate the need for installers to run wires and they make it harder for thieves to trace and locate the immobilizer.
Pandora’s D104 immobilizer bypass unit lets you use your phone as your car key. You remove the PCB board from your car key and slide it into the wireless bypass module that is then installed in the car. A video demo may be seen here. Your phone, paired over Bluetooth LoRa, then becomes your car key.
The DI04 is typically used for push button vehicles, and there is a DI02 module for turn keys and DI03 for either.
All systems work with optional remote start and car tracking is also available.
Pandora systems use long range remotes with LoRa techology. The customer can also use their factory remote to arm/disarm the system by locking/unlocking, through the use of transponder tags.
These tags also offer anti hijack features. If you were to be pulled out of the vehicle with the tag, it will shut the vehicle down safely when the thief is at distance, said Matt Hobbis, Sales Manager.
Pandora offers specially designed systems for motorcycles, motor homes as well as vehicles and it supplies advanced apps for a number of controls.
Its systems come with from 7 to 20 auxiliary channels to program and control any number of add-on functions.
The entry Mini BT has 7 auxiliary channels, the Light Pro V2 has 10 and the newer Elite has 20.
It’s newer systems have 3 CAN, offering more control over vehicle systems.
Other features include 128 bit encryption through all tags, remotes and phone applications.
Pandora does not use rolling code technology. The code expires after a minute amount of time, preventing code capture and usage.
Systems include 3 axel accelerometer sensors, allowing dual impact shock, tilt and motion sensors.
For more info visit www.pandoracaralarms.com/ or contact [email protected]
Been on the UK market for about 2 years, very limited (by it’s price range) share, Clifford/Viper has the lion’s share here though I’ve imported some Compustar product and love it except for fussy remotes and v. weak siren.
Having said that the alarm/RS market is a dead number here.
Hey Howard, I believe we spoke just yesterday about Pandora.
We’ve actually been here for 4 years, and growing well! The Pandora plan wasn’t to flood the market with dealers, rather have select locations to keep install quality high and price cutting competiton low. It’s definitely worked in the long run.
It’s true Clifford has the larger share, which is to be expected considering they’ve been in the UK since the beginning. It’s a common opinion that they’re unfortunately not keeping up to date, so itll be interesting to see where the market goes!
I haven’t heard much about Compustar over here personally, although in the US it’s obviously much different.
I believe the UK is immobiliser focused at the moment, but RS is certainly more popular in the US, it seems.
I agree Chuck, I did think that at first too. Secondly, Brand name pile-up? We have Pandora music streaming, and Pandora jewelry/bracelets here in the U.S. too. And, seriously, why do we need ANOTHER alarm brand/company at this stage in the game? Stick to your European market, we already have VOXX/Code brands, who now own DEI/Viper/Clifford, et all, Compustar, ADS, Fortin,etc. I think we have our markets and vehicles covered on this side of the pond, last thing we need is some wacky price point cutting brand, and tech support with badly translated manuals. We’ve all done the China brands route in the past 30 years, and I think we all know what works at this point.
Hey CavemanTech. It’s worth noting Pandoras are premium and high end systems that won’t be cutting prices to compete like the Clifford and Viper systems here in the UK. The systems are simply sold and valued as they’re feature and technology rich. The support will be dealt with by the UK team, so there’s no language barriers, too.
Unfortunately the name clash with existing US brands doesn’t change the fact the Pandoras are a more advanced product, which is exactly why they’re coming over!
Why settle for what’s already on the market if there’s something better available? Just because the market is covered, doesn’t mean it can’t be forced to evolve and grow further. Competition is exactly what the industry needs! It can only be a positive for the customer.
I’ve seen stagnation with competitors selling the same systems for half a decade, or loosely changing technology.
Without seeing them it’s hard to realise how different they are for both customers and dealers.
The Pandoras are designed and manufactured in Russia, which is almost unheard of with other brands. There’s a quick turnaround for further improvements and new systems, so it’ll be very exciting to see.
This definitely isn’t anywhere near a cheap Chinese system, but I appreciate it’s normal to be skeptical if you haven’t heard much of a foreign system!
Here in the UK Pandora is synonymous with jewellery and premium security, so has more positive connotations… as opposed to the end of the world! 👻
Ironically sinister brand name. OK, CE Outlook readers. fess up. Was your 1st thought after reading this was that the Russians could now spy on us in our cars. C”mon…tell the truth.