[scott321172]

I was looking through the internet last night for Car Alarms.
I have ordered my cooper for delivery on March 1st. I however want to have good security on the car although i did not order an alarm due to funds at the time.
So this leads me to the point that i came across this new concept in Car Alarm that plugs into the cigarette lighter and goes on the dashboard or a flat surface.
I think it has just been released on to the market and is yet to be tested by the main insurance approved testers. However it is £49.99 at the moment from £100. It sounds like a good investment?
Again could it attract attention as it does look similar to a radar detector of higher value? It could be stored out of sight?
I ask you all for your thoughts and issues on this new exciting product?
It is located at this web address:http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/...arm-system.asp

Thanks,
Stuart

[noahe]

The only defence it has, is it's loud?

What's to stop the thief chucking it out the car? Smashing it? Putting it in a bucket of water (that ought to shut it up...)

The MINI already has a nice, three-way immobilizer. The car will not provide spark to the plugs, power to the starter motor for crank, or power to the fuel pump for gas... That's pretty much got theft taken care of.

The next thing you need is a blinking red light, as a deterrant. A siren might discourage them from hanging around, but will do little against a smash-and-grab. And with the mandatory tilt sensors, does not protect against tow-away theft.

I would recommend saving for a vehicle tracking device, like a LoJack (USA), Boomerang (USA, Canada) or TrackStar (Europe).

Differing technologies... The LoJack is like a tracking collar for animals, they dispatch a tracking van or police car with a directional antenna. Works anywhere.
Boomerang works on Cellular, so first they know which cell tower it is near, then track it exactly, like the LoJack. Works instantly where there is cellular coverage, then anywhere from the tracking van.
TrackStar uses GPS, so it works instantly anywhere in the world, where it can see a sattellite. It does not work in underground garages or shipping containers.

I have the Boomerang 2. Cost about as much as a good alarm, then there's a small monitoring fee. The monitoring fee is less than the insurance knocks off for having it. The system will have paid for it's self in 4 years.

[D.D.]

Noahe said it all! The fact that the ONLY defense is a loud noise is NO defense! Also,......remember.......you often get what you pay for. Forget the idea, get the MINI alarm as it will also have the factory warrenty with it. The alarm can also be retro-fitted by the dealer.

[BillK]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe
[b]The only defence it has, is it's loud?

What's to stop the thief chucking it out the car? Smashing it? Putting it in a bucket of water (that ought to shut it up...)

[snip]

Differing technologies... The LoJack is like a tracking collar for animals, they dispatch a tracking van or police car with a directional antenna. Works anywhere.
Boomerang works on Cellular, so first they know which cell tower it is near, then track it exactly, like the LoJack. Works instantly where there is cellular coverage, then anywhere from the tracking van.
TrackStar uses GPS, so it works instantly anywhere in the world, where it can see a sattellite. It does not work in underground garages or shipping containers.

[snip]

I/B]

A couple of points:

LoJack does NOT work anywhere, it only works in a few states, and in some states only in a few counties. LoJack does NOT provide the tracking service, police departments who CHOOSE to participate are given trackers for a few cars (and choppers if they have 'em). LoJack MAY send a handheld tracker to assist in cases where the PD in-car trackers are not good enough to locate the exact possiiton of the car (in one of several closed garages for example), but don't count on it. The car must be reported stolen and the tracker activated by LoJack before it can be tracked. In my area, a car can be over the boarder before you know it is gone.

The GPS based trackers typically use GPS to locate the car, and cell systems to "phone home". A new one hitting the US market is GeoTracer. I have seen demos, and I plan on getting one, even though I already have LoJack. (Dealer pack, I had to take it.) It lets you track your car anytime from a web page. There is a fee for installation and a charge for each "ping" to locate the car, but no monthly or annual fees. The problem is it is so new they are not readily available yet . . . but soon.

This does not help Stuart in the UK, since they are only marketing in the US, but I would always recommend a GPS/Cell tracker over a LoJack type system

LoJack is good where it is supported, but don't let anyone tell you it works anywhere.

Edited to correct "GeoTracker to GeoTracer" (oops)

[Mugami]

dont know if this helps our friend in uk.. but the On-Star system weve been hearing about in the US. does the same thing. they have the tracking system and can tell where the car is. I've only heard the radio ads here in VA. and dont know the range of the system. It may be an alterntive to LoJack. As for that product that makes the noise its worthless as a true car alarm. you can get like i believe was mention the blinking read light.. or a wide varity of scanner looking like object to defend against an on-looker but a true car thief would reconize it in a sec. and then steal the car.

[paulmon]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe
I have the Boomerang 2. Cost about as much as a good alarm, then there's a small monitoring fee. The monitoring fee is less than the insurance knocks off for having it. The system will have paid for it's self in 4 years.

Noahe, the use of cell jammers doesn't concern you? They are readily available. I'd say that since Canada is one of the biggest car theft countries in the world that it's a forgone conclusion that theifs have already had a boomerang installed and figured out how to bypass it with a jammer.

Paul

[noahe]

Quote:

Originally posted by paulmon
Noahe, the use of cell jammers doesn't concern you? They are readily available. I'd say that since Canada is one of the biggest car theft countries in the world that it's a forgone conclusion that theifs have already had a boomerang installed and figured out how to bypass it with a jammer.

Paul

Well, there are no stickers, lights or otherwise on the car, so unless they use them for every job, you're okay. A cell jammer is VERY detectable, and the cell companies are on the look-out for these. Finally, the Boomerang uses another propriatary frequency for their two-way communication... So when the Boomerang loses signal (jammed), they are alerted.

Basically, it's better than an alarm, and it's ultimately saving me money... Sure, if a thief wants you car enough, it's gone, but I figure there are always Ferarri's, and Lambourghini's out there to spend the big time on...