Car security

[nullogik]

They all use a SIM card and I've not found a SIM card yet that won't expire if not used for a period.

That is true. But if you get the tracker to send a text message back does that not keep the sim active or does it have to be a phonecall? You could do this once a month or so to keep the credit balance alive.

Also, the Ebay trackers send position reports at varying intervals, which costs you credit. However, I can't find out of you can turn off position reports when you don't need them and turn them back on when you do. If you can't stop the position reports totally, that could be a nice little earner for the service provider!

I found this PDF manual for the product in my link:
http://www.zhyichina.com/en/GPSTracking/GPSTrackerManualTK-104.pdf

The English is pretty poor but section 6.3 seems to indicate that you can turn this feature off.

I've toyed with the idea of purchasing one of these devices but haven't come across anyone who has fitted one and has had first hand experience. Hope this helps. If you do buy one let me know how it goes.

Update: Found this thread which may be useful:

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=61285

 

[Benzowner]

Blackjax works all the time, if someone steals your car during the night then after 30secs it starts asking for the code, no code and the car shuts down with all sirens blazing.

Problem is, in 30 seconds, car is 300m+ down the road and loaded into a container, if its stolen to order, cars are not always driven away

The basic problem as I see, all cars of the value we are talking, are insured, so the owner is not usually financially out of pocket, when a car is stolen, makes me wonder if that is why there is not the feevourish endeavour to catch the theives. We all keep paying our extras on the premiums and life goes on. It has taken insurance companies long enough to discover that some of the whiplash injuries we not necessarilly genuine

 

[Sp!ke]

A simple but effective solution is just to wire up a hidden switch somewhere that triggers a relay that controls the feed to the fuel pump or low power feed to the coils.

In previous cars I owned, I wired the LT lead to the coil via a relay to the aerial feed so with the face removed from the stereo, the car wouldnt start.

This would defeat all but the most experienced auto electrician for long enough for them to give up and fine an easier target.

Cost of mod - less than a fiver.

 

[Benzmanc]

But Blackjax is fitted covertly so unless it's an inside job then it's very unlikely there will be a truck 300m from your house and in a lot of cases high end cars are stolen then parked up for a few days to see if there is a tracker fitted.

I think manufacturers should fit keypads like the old Citroen/Peugeot immobiliser.

 

[GordonTarling]

I've just had a visit from the insurer's engineer. He told me that even proper trackers can be turned off now, so they're no great deterrent. He also said that whatever precautions you take, the car can just be lifted onto a flatbed within a minute or so, making most anti-theft devices worthless. Perhaps chain it down?

 

[219]

I would subcontract the entire prison service to the Russian Roads Authority.
Plenty of Roads in Siberia still to be upgraded - and a few railway lines to be finished.

Never mind the Russians ( no harm to them ) but we need the A9 dualled all the way from Perth to Inverness .

 

[jonm]

Not a serious comment or suggestion, but after having a second car stolen I toyed with the idea of fitting it (got the car back) with a set of air horns inside the car wired up to the ignition. Switch hidden somewhere inside the car and a relay wired such that once on the only way to switch it off is using the 'hidden switch'. With saying that I would have a timer to switch it off automatically after 10 secs or so..unless of course you go for the ignition again.

Never got round to doing it as its 100% certain that I would deafen myself on some sleepy morning.

 

[Mr B.]

ive got tracker and system on it if your not in the car in 20 sec it wont start and if you dont put in the code it wont start ,and if that doesnt stop them ive got to rottties that will

 

[martyz]

Maybe this sounds like a silly idea, but maybe invest in a couple of wheel clamps? Should slow down those that want to steal your pride and joy, even when they try and cut it, it should make some noise.

No,that's a good idea,but make sure you clamp all 4 wheels when you leave your car then you can park where you like as well.....that would fox the clamper's