Alarm system Scher-Khan Mobicar 2 with auto engine start function

With the advent of the modern car alarm system Scher Khan Mobicar 2 in the life of a car owner, his view of the ease of use and reliability of protecting his car will change dramatically.

Even the instructions included with the set of devices will make it possible to understand how negligible the level of car protection was before.

And after you start using it, all the benefits will become even more obvious.

Specifications

Car alarm Sherkhan Mobi Car 2 has good technical characteristics. The plastic case of the processor unit has compact dimensions - 79x73x17 mm. Its weight is 60 g. Operating temperature range: -40…+85°С. The device operates using Bluetooth technology. Frequency range - 2400-2483.5 MHz.

The key fob in a plastic case is protected from dust and moisture (protection level IP-40). This is a reliable device that runs on a standard AAA battery (1.5 V). The maximum range of the key fob is 2000 m (in the absence of various interference and obstacles to the signal, for example, in a big city).

Equipment

In addition to the processor unit itself, the Sherkhan Mobi Car 2 system includes:

• keychain communicator equipped with an LCD display;
• connectors (16- and 22-pin, the latter with a temperature sensor);
• siren;
• blocking relay;
• hood (trunk) sensor;
• an antenna module equipped with a system status indicator, and a cable for connecting it.

The user will also find in the box a manual for setting up and operating the equipment, stickers, an installation diagram, etc.

Functions

The advantage of the system is its wide functionality. In addition to arming itself and starting the alarm mode, other functions are provided. These include:

1. Immobilizer function. In this case, a smartphone or tablet acts as a tag confirming the driver’s identity. Permission to start the engine comes through a mobile application.
2. Protection against key fob theft. This function does not allow you to disable the security if you only have a key fob without a mobile application.
3. Reminder of missed alarms by a short beep every 10 seconds. In this case, the corresponding symbol will be displayed on the key fob screen.

To activate the “Autostart” function, you should arm the car, and then press button “3” and hold it for 2 seconds. After some time, the key fob will begin to emit a characteristic sound signal, which confirms that the engine has started. In order to stop the engine, press button “3” again and hold it. This will complete the autorun.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the Sherkhan Mobikar 2 car alarm include:

• ability to control the system from a smartphone, incl. through a mobile application;
• simple parameter settings using a graphical touch interface;
• long range of the key fob (you can start the engine from a distance of 1200 m, receive alarm information at a distance of 2000 m);
• compact main unit equipped with built-in power microrelays and antenna module;
• the ability to use a smartphone as a wireless immobilizer tag, which is important in case of loss of keys with a key fob.

Convenient control

Convenience in controlling the Mobicar 2 alarm system is realized due to the built-in Bluetooth smart module, which allows you to use your smartphone as a two-way key fob with a wide range of different functions. In order to use a smartphone in this capacity, you need to install a special Scher Khan Mobicar application on it and use it to manage all the capabilities of the security system, settings and find out the necessary data, which include:

• sensitivity level and status of alarm sensors;
• engine speed;
• cabin temperature;
• on-board network voltage;
• fuel level and many others.

How to install

The Sherkhan Mobikar alarm system is installed in the same way as any other similar system. Theoretically, you can do this yourself, although it is better to entrust the installation of the central unit to a specialist, since a professional will know how best to do this without affecting the car's electronic systems. This is what concerns the hardware, but do not forget about the software.

For the system to work correctly, you need to download a mobile application to your smartphone or tablet, with which you can control the alarm, check its status, and change settings.

The company has developed separate applications for Android and iOS. You can download them on the official website.

But installing the app is not enough. In order for a smartphone or tablet to work with the alarm, you need to complete the pairing procedure, which is discussed in detail in the user manual. Bluetooth technology is used for this.

Reliable protection

To ensure the maximum level of vehicle protection, this security system is equipped with an immobilizer.
In this case, the function of the tag is taken over by the car owner’s smartphone, which confirms his identity and gives the go-ahead to start the engine. At the same time, the significance that the usual key fob previously had is practically lost, since without the presence of a smartphone with an application installed on it, it will be impossible to start the car. In addition, Sherkhan Mobicar 2, in its set of basic car protection functions, has the ability to prohibit turning off the security if the key fob is lost or stolen. If such situations arise, it will not be possible to disarm the car with the key fob until a smartphone is attached to it next to the car. In this case, there is no point in talking about starting the car.

The radio communication system operates at a frequency of 868 MHz, which is lightly loaded, which minimizes the possibility of interference or any distortion even in urban environments. Broadcast commands are encoded with a special algorithm, which is based on the AES-128 encryption standard, noted as one of the most secure.

In addition, each individual car alarm set has individual encryption keys, which is reliable protection against intelligent hacking.

User manual

The system is easy to use, however, it is worth reading the operating instructions first, since there are a number of nuances associated with using a smartphone or tablet.

First, the system is configured. The motorist should study the instructions in order to confidently use the menu and not get confused by the icons of various functions.

The main thing you need to know is the arming mode.

First, turn off the ignition and close the trunk, hood and doors. If anything is left open, the system will sound an alarm. To switch to security mode, you need to press the “I” button. Then a closed lock symbol will appear on the screen. This means that the car is armed.

The user manual discusses several methods of arming. For example, if you hold the button until a short beep from the key fob sounds, the car will blink 1 time and the desired mode will start without the car signal.

In addition, the instructions discuss the rules for automatic starting, turning on the backlight and many other nuances that are easier for the motorist to remember during operation. Additionally, the user manual describes cases of enabling the alarm mode and automatically disabling the security.

Operating instructions for car alarm Scher-Khan MOBICAR 2.

How to enable autostart Sherkhan 5 with start stop button

A beep will sound and the lights will blink once.

• Select the desired option (2-20) from the menu by clicking button 4 twenty times. Each press must be accompanied by sound and light signals.
• After a few seconds, the device will confirm that the desired mode has been selected correctly with twenty beeps.
• Starting the engine from the remote control is programmed with button 4. Confirmation of this is four sound signals and blinking emergency lights.

After this, hold key 2 on the key fob for two seconds.

The car will be armed and the engine will start. The headlights will light up once and an alarm will sound. A tone squeak will be heard on the key fob, and information about the operation of the motor will appear on the display.

User guide

Content

1 INTRODUCTION 2 SYSTEM CONTENTS 3 GETTING STARTED WITH THE SYSTEM

• Preparing the key fob for use
• The main purpose of the key fob buttons

4 DISPLAY SYMBOLS

• Indicators of security and alarm modes
• Indicators of autorun operating modes
• Other operating mode indicators

5 ARMING MODE

• Activating security mode without vehicle beeps
• Disabling the shock sensor for the current security period
• “Polite backlight” when the security mode is turned on
• Long-term switching off of vehicle sounds

6 ALARM MODE

• Missed alarm reminder function

7 DISARMING THE ARM MODE

• Alarm indication
• Disabling the security mode without vehicle beeps
• Emergency disarming of the security mode
• Automatic return to security mode

8 “AUTO SERVICE” MODE

• Enabling the “Car Service” mode using the button on the antenna module
• Turning on and off the “Car service” mode using the key fob

9 ENGAGING THE PANIC MODE 10 SEARCHING FOR A VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT 11 CALLING THE VEHICLE OWNER 12 TURNING ON THE DISPLAY BACKLIGHT 13 INTERVIEWING THE VEHICLE STATUS 14 LOCKING THE KEY FOB BUTTONS 15 CONTROLLING ADDITIONAL CHANNELS 1 6 REMOTE TRUNK UNLOCKING 17 PREPARATION FOR STARTING A CAR WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION 18 AUTO START

• Remote engine start
• Setting up automatic engine start
• Getting started in automatic start mode
• Programming the tachometer signal

Ensuring comfortable use

Car alarm Mobikar 2 is simple and easy to use, designed for comfortable use by the car owner, thanks to the presence of such functions as:

• automatic arming and disabling of the car alarm system, which is implemented when the car owner moves away and approaches, respectively, especially convenient to use at a time when it is not possible to get a smartphone or key fob out of your pocket;
• emergency indication during emergency braking, which will reduce the risk of an accident. When a vehicle brakes sharply, the alarm switches to emergency mode, which attracts the attention of the driver behind, and he more quickly takes certain actions aimed at preventing an accident;
• automatic engine start in the required mode, that is, at a certain time, at certain ambient temperatures or inside the cabin.

Among other things, the manufacturers of this alarm system promise to provide information support on technical issues throughout Russia and neighboring countries and provide a warranty for 5 years from the date of purchase.

Customer Reviews

Scher-Khan Logicar 2 (Sherkhan Logicar 2) is a car alarm system in the budget segment from the Russian market. Despite the fact that the model was discontinued from mass production in 2008, it is in demand among car enthusiasts on the market.

Keychain Scher-Khan Logicar 2

In addition, representatives still provide free consultations on installation, maintenance, and alarm prevention.

Scher-Khan Magicar II is also a budget model, but with a shorter range, only 800 meters.

Both modifications are installed on cars, minivans, and SUVs.

Classic connection type: relay, twisted pair, limit switches. Control method: key fob, remotely.

Telematics systems

With the growing popularity of satellite security systems, Sherkhan introduced the Universe family of telematic alarms to the market, which, however, received mixed reviews from installers:

1. The alarm system has flexibly programmable channels (flex channels), which, through the proprietary configurator, can be configured not only according to activation conditions, but also to set arbitrary pulse sequences for various events, which allows you to adapt the alarm system to almost any machine. However, programming these channels takes a fair amount of time, even in cases where the same functionality could be implemented with conventional analog outputs.
2. The first-born of the series – Universe 1 – worked exclusively in Slave mode without additional validation, that is, to disable the expensive alarm system, the hijacker only had to imitate the signal from the standard radio key fob. The following releases (Universe 2.3) introduced classic wearable radio tags to confirm access to a car.
3. To finalize the alarm setup, the installer had to register it on the developer’s website, which directly violates the basic principle of secrecy - no one other than himself should have access to the owner’s personal account.

Considering that the price of Universe at the time of its debut was superior to its competitors, while the alarm system, in fact, turned out to be a GPS beacon oversaturated with “features,” the brand’s reputation did not receive any advantages, taking into account the previous negative experience with the Logicar/Magicar systems. Further improvement of the series still could not oppose serious competition to the proven StarLine and Pandora systems, which maintain a virtual monopoly in the field of telematics services on the Russian market.

Characteristics of Scher-Khan Logicar 2 and Scher-Khan Magicar 2

Advantages and disadvantages of Scher-Khan Logicar 2 and Scher-Khan Magicar 2

Car alarm. Connection diagram

Possible malfunctions and ways to eliminate them

Conclusion

The Scher-Khan Magicar 2 car alarm belongs to the budget category, like the Scher-Khan Universe 2. Despite the fact that the Magicar 2 has been discontinued from mass production, the alarm is in demand in car dealerships.

Whether to purchase or not is an individual decision. You need to take into account the class of the car, actual mileage, and operating conditions. It is not advisable to buy a premium version for a budget one and vice versa.

The presented models have a good price-quality ratio, long service life, official support from the manufacturer. In the case of self-installation without experience, incorrect operation and false positives are observed.

Anti-theft with bluetooth - why is it needed?

Alarms have long ceased to be purely security systems; now they are something more. Just like modern mobile phones are no longer just for calls. The latest know-how is a bluetooth module screwed to the signal. We found out what it gives.

Let's first decide: what do we generally expect from an additional anti-theft system when installing it on a car? That's right - we flatter ourselves with the hope that now it will become almost impossible for hooligans to open the car, which means that the things are intact, and an uninvited guest will not get behind the wheel.

No one keeps statistics on how often cars with additional security are stolen. Such incidents can be indirectly judged by car owner forums and their posts on social networks. The manufacturers themselves, of course, say that in almost 100% of cases they leave the owners of the car without signaling. Or with them, but due to the negligence of the car owners themselves: the attackers gained access to the key, the door was not closed, etc.

What should keep car thieves from being tempted? The main thing that modern security systems have is AES 128 encryption, such as, for example, Scher-Khan Mobicar. Advanced Encryption Standard is a symmetric block encryption algorithm adopted by the US government as a standard. Its 128-bit version is used in the financial sector, in the defense industry, and in the IT industry: even with modern equipment, choosing the correct password from all the options is not an easy task. That is why, most often, thefts in such cases are possible only after the attacker takes possession of the victim’s key or adds an additional key fob to the alarm system.

Meanwhile, alarms have long gone from being purely security systems, becoming something more. Just like modern mobile phones no longer just make calls. For example, auto start will help in frosty and cold weather, the GPS module tracks the location of the car, the tilt sensor will allow you to realize in time when your car is picked up by a tow truck (or maybe it’s not a tow truck at all?), and the emergency braking warning system (still was only on premium cars) will signal the danger of those driving behind, etc. These and other functions (there are up to seventy of them in modern alarms!) are accessible and customizable from a smartphone or key fob. But mobile phones, due to all sorts of interference and the peculiarities of network coverage, do not always “see” the car, and key fobs are too bulky to be carried around with them all the time.

In the first generation of the Scher-Khan Mobicar, the key fob had an external antenna, which, unlike the internal one, provided more

longer range on the less busy frequency of 868 MHz - up to 1000 m. In city conditions it’s not bad. But when automakers propose to get rid of keys altogether through a keyless entry and engine start system (which, as we have seen, is not always safe), the extra pendant on the key ring seems like a rudiment.

An elegant solution was found. What if the car owner’s smartphone serves as a key fob tag? This opportunity appeared in the more advanced Mobicar 2. How does it work? The security system now has a bluetooth module (version 4.1 with low power consumption and the same AES 128 encryption). The range is, of course, lower (up to 100 m due to Bluetooth Smart), but the cost is also lower, unlike GSM solutions. Control and settings here are also from a smartphone (like top models), but since data transfer occurs directly through the “blue tooth” and not through a server, contact is almost lightning fast.

One of the nice bonuses: when you activate the “immobilizer” function in the settings, it will be impossible to start the car if there is no smartphone nearby. Even if there is an ordinary keychain nearby. Another plus is automatic disarming and arming when the owner approaches or moves away. Convenient if your hands are full of bags and packages and it’s difficult to use a key fob or smartphone.

However, it was not without problems that the developer struggles with on a regular basis. For example, at first, to run a proprietary application on Android, you needed an operating system of at least version 6.0 - the signaling system simply refused to interface with older mobile phones (and there are many such devices in circulation). And bluetooth as a communication channel has a short range in urban environments. Let's say, during our test of the Scher-Khan Universe 3 with a GSM module, I left the editorial office by subway, started the engine of a car parked in an interception parking lot from a subway car, and at the exit had a heated interior. This trick won't work here.

On the other hand, abroad, smart functions had to be abandoned when using GSM - roaming is not cheap! And here, even over a short distance, you can send a signal to the car. However, the most important functionality - the same auto start in winter - can be implemented the old fashioned way, using a key fob.

Finally, about the price issue. The very presence of a Bluetooth module (and these are additional functions of an immobilizer, active tag/hands-free and protection against theft of a car key) is additionally priced at 1,500 rubles. Is it worth it? In my opinion, quite. For comparison: if Mobicar 2, including installation, costs 23 thousand rubles, then the “big brother” Universe 3 costs 45 thousand.

PS: Write in the comments whether your car has an additional security system installed and which of its functions (besides purely security ones, of course) you use, and which ones you consider pampering and excess.

Reviews of Scher-Khan Logicar 2