Toad Ai606 Thatcham Category I Alarm system

I purchased a Nissan Figaro last April that was fitted with a Toad Immobiliser System. Unfortunately several months later, the key-chain remote component had somehow stopped working which left me in a complicated scenario as the garage who had installed the product was defunct, and I only had the one.

Upon learning that the garage was defunct, I rung Toad Security who then advised that I should contact the party who were responsible for the installation, however after advising them of the 'defunct situation', they weren't able to assist with anything.

Presumably any company that offers a product has a responsibility for providing advice on their products at the very least. But after emailing them three times in the span of six weeks, just requesting advice on what was the best way to solve the issue, as opposed to removing the entire immobiliser system which was an obvious solution, but quite expensive, I never heard back from them.

I'm really just disapointed that they weren't interested in helping. I was hoping that they could just replace the remote for me. Which I would be happy to pay for. But that isn't the case. They're either selective in who they want to help, or they're unstaffed, or if it's not within their warranty of care, they're just not interested. At the end of the day, I have their product that doesn't function, and they essentially don't have a service that accommodates for fixing that product.

A terrible service, i'm afraid to say.

The original alarm/immobiliser system on my 1994 Toyota Celica malfunctioned, leaving me with a dead car. The original system was built by Scorpion who make the Toad system too. They couldn't repair the old one but were very helpful in providing me with all the information required to bypass the defective system and later install a Toad Ai606. This re-enabled all of the original alarm capability; remote control central locking, ultrasonic detectors and all.

I installed the system myself having bought it for just £105. That gave me complete control over the installation. My only complaint would be that the installation instructions, dated 2003, have a number of errors which could confuse the installer in some circumstances. Being an electronic engineer, with some email exchanges from the retailer, and with the original wiring diagrams from the old system, I was able to achieve a perfect installation in about 3-4 hours.

As for a few small complaints: The multi-coloured LED providing arming information is not bright enough, so I added a blue flashing LED from an extra armed output signal. I disabled some of the automatic re-locking features which I found annoying, and enabled the chirp-on-unlock feature which was off by default. There are only two immobilser circuits whereas the original had three. The wires are a bit thin, I would like to have seen higher quality wiring. Some versions seem to have a detachable wiring harness so you could replace the alarm easily if required, but mine has a fixed wiring loom. The siren itself could be a bit louder.

All said, a good unit at a sensible price, especially if you are able to install it yourself.

Having recently purchased a second hand motorhome I found that the Toad ai606 alarm didnt work, I contacted a guy in Huddersfield, he has repaired the alarm system for £95. All completed in 3 hours with some new parts fitted inclusive. If you have a similar problem I wouldnt hesitate in recommending him. 

I feel that a Thatcham class 1 alarm is only valid if required as an insurance requirment is only valid if installed by a company / installer on the Thatcham approved installer list.

I do have an issue that as you can purchase the alarms on the WWW one must question the benefit of such a system.

Companies are advertising in the UK to install such systems so one must ask the question if you claimed on your insurance policy for a theft related crime would the claim be rejected ?

Had an Ai606 fitted five years ago and it has performed without fault ever since. Full closure remote central locking, alarm, immobiliser, what more do you want. 10/10.

The AI606 is great value for money, i bought one for £205 fully fitted. Its simply to use 1 button to turn it on and lock my doors and another button to unlock my car. I have had 3 of these over the last 7years and as long as they keep making them i will buy them.

Excellent Alarm - I had it fitted by a recommended company and I've had no problems with it at all. It's fitted in a MR2 mk1 with t-bar so the facility to arm without ultra-sonic sensors active is great and so simple to do. Auto-door locking is great and it doesn't lock the doors if you start with the door open so no chance of being locked out. Read the manual properly and the numerous options will do pretty much eveything that I need. Remote central locking works great. Would recommend to anyone.

If u what to purchace a car alarm that is only covered by the installer, you later want clame if its broken and find he is no longer traiding get a Toad alarm.

The toad website (Toadalarm.com) isnt toads its a company selling them, there is no support and please dont call them as they are rude and insulting. this is a pointless alarm if purchacing it from a distance becouse getting them back to fix it is going to be imposible. and if the installer goes under, say goodby to your warrenty.

Test this out befor you think of buying on give them a call or use the web chat and find out how plesent they all are if you tell them you alredy own a toad.

Updated: 23th June 2010

I need to review my last imput, the ai606 alarm are life warented on the main controll unit by SCORPION AUTOMOTIVE the owners of toad, not toadalarm.com the rude and insulting fitters of toad alarms. not to be confused

think very carefully before dealing with them (toadalarm), becouse if they can be so rude to someone without provocation what would they be like with a customer with a complaint (all warenty work has to go through the installers)

Anyone considering getting a Toad alarm fitted should try contacting the Toad 'help'line first to see how shocking their customer service is. My Toad Ai606 alarm goes off for no reason, usually at around 3am this despite being disarmed. When I called recently to make a claim under the lifetime warranty (which states that the unit is covered for the lifetime of the car), I was firstly told to take the car back to the original fitters (not likely as they are around 500 miles away!). When I confirmed that the alarm was fitted by a previous owner, I was informed that I wouldn't be covered. Some lifetime warranty. When I queried this, the person at Toad said he couldn't be bothered dealing with the matter, and hung up! Charming.

I Fit Toad alarms and have done for 10 years, If it is fitted properly then it will perform faultlessly, I have fitted hundreds and error is usually with the user or the vehicle itself having a fault, ie flat battery ! a very common problem especially in winter.

As a mobile fitter the last thing I want to do is return to a job because of a fault, Hence using Toad for reliability.