Key Fob Range

paplu · 06-07-2007, 03:19 PM

i have alarm installed and programmed

panic feature is used to locate the car in an parking lot -- right

well key fobs have so small range that you have to be close to your car to activate the panic feature......

then WTF is the use of panic feature... (clarification needed)

P.S. need an alarm for panic feature .

paplu

canucklion · 06-07-2007, 03:22 PM

the panic function is not meant for use as a car locator

it's used for when say someone snuck up on you and trying to jack you, you press the panic button to draw attention to you and your car

think about it logically, why would they call it 'panic' button if it's meant to be used as a locating tool, they would've called it "too lazy to remember where my car's parked" button

dmboone25 · 06-07-2007, 03:25 PM

Couldn't you just press the lock button and get the auditory beep? Would work just as well IMO.

LEDZEP · 06-07-2007, 03:26 PM

No, panic function is for PANIC situations. It's not intended to help you find your car. It is there as a distress alert.

To find your car in a parking lot, I've ofen found that making a mental note of where I park is a useful tool.

LEDZEP · 06-07-2007, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Couldn't you just press the lock button and get the auditory beep? Would work just as well IMO.

Yes. If I stumbled upon an entire row of white E90s that is what I would do.

Revlis · 06-07-2007, 03:36 PM

Panic? Mine came with an "AssKicking" button... Didn't see a "Panic" button at all...
Pretty sure Paplu you got a Canadian Fob... the US fobs play the Rocky Theme While you lay the "Smack Down" but only at the last possible minute, or without a real good reason, Your Choice.

Only the Canadian and EU fobs come with a "Panic" feature...

KIDDING

dmboone25 · 06-07-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Yes. If I stumbled upon an entire row of white E90s that is what I would do.

Well, it could happen.

mkoesel · 06-07-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paplu

panic feature is used to locate the car in an parking lot -- right

I always thought it was to scare the shit out of people or dogs waiting in nearby cars.

ctgazer · 06-07-2007, 03:51 PM

here's some food for thought....what would be the use of your car alarm working from like 1 mile away....if you were in a panic and required help, your car would sound a mile away...with you being a mile away...SOL my friend....SOL

canucklion · 06-07-2007, 03:51 PM

thread failure

Revlis · 06-07-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklion

thread failure

Oh Come on... I'm stirring as best I can on this one...

ctgazer · 06-07-2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revlis

Oh Come on... I'm stirring as best I can on this one...

haha, i only realized what you wrote after reading the above post....hahahaha, very niaaace! :borat

bpbenda · 06-07-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

To find your car in a parking lot, I've often found that making a mental note of where I park is a useful tool.

This touches on a larger issue with the key fob range, though. In fact, the key fob range is so horribly limited that one of the best features available through such cannot really be utilized. That is, the ability to roll down the windows to allow the car to cool prior to entry. As far as my fob works from my car, by the time I am able to utilize this feature, I am about to pull the handle and get in. Because of poor fob range, this feature is completely useless. Every other vehicle I have recently owned or currently own (Acura, Lexus, and Mercedes) all have far superior fob ranges and have all allowed me to use these features from far distances such as the office or from inside of my house. I have to literally be standing on top of the E90 to get the fob to work.

dmboone25 · 06-07-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpbenda

This touches on a larger issue with the key fob range, though. In fact, the key fob range is so horribly limited that one of the best features available through such cannot really be utilized. That is, the ability to roll down the windows to allow the car to cool prior to entry. As far as my fob works from my car, by the time I am able to utilize this feature, I am about to pull the handle and get in. Because of poor fob range, this feature is completely useless. Every other vehicle I have recently owned or currently own (Acura, Lexus, and Mercedes) all have far superior fob ranges and have all allowed me to use these features from far distances such as the office or from inside of my house. I have to literally be standing on top of the E90 to get the fob to work.

I haven't had issues with the range--it just doesn't seem to work if I am moving. Like if I am walking up to the car and want the windows down so it can air out a little (tried this today coming out of the grocery, as it was 90 and very humid) it doesn't want to work unless I stand still.

That's the only complaint I have. If the range is too good, you run the risk of having accidental unlockings and windows going down. At least you have to be pretty close for any of those things to work. If it worked from inside my office, I would be worried that I might sit on it and lower my windows without knowing it.

ryan@modbmw · 06-07-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Couldn't you just press the lock button and get the auditory beep? Would work just as well IMO.

Well on my 335i at least, once its locked, the lock button does nothing. It's a nice feature i think, a way for me to check and make sure its locked.

dmboone25 · 06-07-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan@modbmw

Well on my 335i at least, once its locked, the lock button does nothing. It's a nice feature i think, a way for me to check and make sure its locked.

I wasn't sure how it worked--I don't have the OEM alarm, but on past vehicles, you could just press it again.

LEDZEP · 06-07-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revlis

Panic? Mine came with an "AssKicking" button... Didn't see a "Panic" button at all...
Pretty sure Paplu you got a Canadian Fob... the US fobs play the Rocky Theme While you lay the "Smack Down" but only at the last possible minute, or without a real good reason, Your Choice.

Only the Canadian and EU fobs come with a "Panic" feature...

KIDDING

The French FOBs have a "surrender" button.

Yeah, me too.

canucklion · 06-07-2007, 06:52 PM

that's because you don't have the alarm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan@modbmw

Well on my 335i at least, once its locked, the lock button does nothing. It's a nice feature i think, a way for me to check and make sure its locked.

LEDZEP · 06-07-2007, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Well, it could happen.

It would pretty cool, actually.

dmboone25 · 06-07-2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

The French FOBs have a "surrender" button.

Yeah, me too.

(only slightly kidding)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

It would pretty cool, actually.

You would freeze and forget to hit the button.

LEDZEP · 06-07-2007, 06:56 PM

Also known as the "change underwear" button.

Okay, enough bashing.... we kid because we can... oops, I mean love.

View Poll Results: How much of Panic Feature do you use?
Frequently	0	0%
Seldome	1	3.70%
Never	26	96.30%
Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll

06-07-2007, 03:19 PM	#1
paplu Private 5 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 328i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Key Fob Range - Panic Function Really Useless i have alarm installed and programmed panic feature is used to locate the car in an parking lot -- right well key fobs have so small range that you have to be close to your car to activate the panic feature...... then WTF is the use of panic feature... (clarification needed) P.S. need an alarm for panic feature . paplu
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06-07-2007, 03:22 PM	#2
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	the panic function is not meant for use as a car locator it's used for when say someone snuck up on you and trying to jack you, you press the panic button to draw attention to you and your car think about it logically, why would they call it 'panic' button if it's meant to be used as a locating tool, they would've called it "too lazy to remember where my car's parked" button __________________
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06-07-2007, 03:25 PM	#3
dmboone25 Lieutenant General 4972 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2024 Golf R / 2022 718 Spyder Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 328i [10.00] 2007 328i [10.00]	Couldn't you just press the lock button and get the auditory beep? Would work just as well IMO. __________________ Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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06-07-2007, 03:26 PM	#4
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 419 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	No, panic function is for PANIC situations. It's not intended to help you find your car. It is there as a distress alert. To find your car in a parking lot, I've ofen found that making a mental note of where I park is a useful tool. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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06-07-2007, 03:36 PM	#6
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 157 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	Panic? Mine came with an "AssKicking" button... Didn't see a "Panic" button at all... Pretty sure Paplu you got a Canadian Fob... the US fobs play the Rocky Theme While you lay the "Smack Down" but only at the last possible minute, or without a real good reason, Your Choice. Only the Canadian and EU fobs come with a "Panic" feature... KIDDING __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
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06-07-2007, 03:51 PM	#9
ctgazer Major General 385 Rep 7,952 Posts Drives: a dilapidated ride Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: canada eh! iTrader: (10) Garage List 2006 e90 [0.00]	here's some food for thought....what would be the use of your car alarm working from like 1 mile away....if you were in a panic and required help, your car would sound a mile away...with you being a mile away...SOL my friend....SOL __________________
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06-07-2007, 03:51 PM	#10
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	thread failure __________________
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06-07-2007, 06:56 PM	#21
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 419 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Also known as the "change underwear" button. Okay, enough bashing.... we kid because we can... oops, I mean love. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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