Car theft prevention and locator

G-Pete · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 07:55 AM

I just read and replied to the Cobra theft. A Cobra stolen and they have no clue where the car is.

Well, these cars are light and small easy to jack. I have this device from Dewalt for my Van and trailer.

DEWALT MOBILELOCK, Wireless Alarm System and GPS Locator

Sometimes I have close to $20K in hobby stuff in there and travel to different events, Van or the trailer behind the Suburban. This little bugger keeps me sleeping very soundly in the hotel room.
The service is $20 a month and the Mobil Lock $420 (when I got it). Not to mention a second one goes hidden into the Cobra ones finished.

Kramer · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 08:59 AM

I saw your note there. Are you saying it cost $420 for the device and then $20 per month? Can you pay per locate? (I am guessing that is what the monthly fee is for??)

patrickt · #3 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 09:29 AM

Guys, if I'm going to heist a $70k car, in front of people, I'm going to take a moment and scan it for an anti-theft GPS locator as soon as I turn the corner. KJB Security Products - Item #DD3000 - Cell Phone and GPS Detector If you think your car might be at risk, run a heavy duty cable through the wheels and around a power pole.

G-Pete · #4 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kramer

I saw your note there. Are you saying it cost $420 for the device and then $20 per month? Can you pay per locate? (I am guessing that is what the monthly fee is for??)

The monthly fee is for your connection to the mobil lock. You have 5 look ups for free per month - sure you can buy more.

You can arm and disarm with your phone - the battery last 4 weeks. You can also hard wire the lock, in case the power is interrupted the battery backup is 4 weeks.

I just checked with Dewalt and they sell that now for $250.

Patrickt, I'm not concerned about the detector read here

Spyville.com Spy Cameras Security Equipment Spy Gear: How To Locate GPS Trackers On My Car

it is not that easy to find that device and you can find it only when it is transmitting...
After you may find the location (maybe) you have to disable it. Good luck to remove access panels and other stuff. By that time the cops are on your location

patrickt · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 10:43 AM

Perhaps -- but even electronics that are in pure listening mode are detectable with the proper electronics -- but if the crooks were that smart they'd be earning an honest living

. On the few times I leave my Cobra unattended somewhere, this is what I do (in addition to an ignition kill switch, battery disconnect, quick release steering wheel and car cover):

IndyCobra · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 10:58 AM

Aren't cable cutters standard issue when you graduate from car thief school? I can't imagine that cable slowing down a thief for more than 10 seconds.

I'm not sure there's anyway to completely protect your vehicle but a portable GPS transmitter is pretty slick if they don't know it's there.

HI Cobra · #7 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 12:12 PM

My friend just lost a bicycle in the back of his pickup truck with a cable set up like that while parked at his townhouse. If someone wants it, they'll get it.

tcrist · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 02:00 PM

Depends on the quality of the cable. You can get some that are very hard to cut with normal bolt type cutters.

But that doesent mean they cant pick it up with a tow truck/flatbed.

patrickt · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

Depends on the quality of the cable. You can get some that are very hard to cut with normal bolt type cutters.

But that doesent mean they cant pick it up with a tow truck/flatbed.

Yes but, sadly, I think almost all of the cables would get cut by the tool I was using in this thread to cut my hardened clutch fork So, Should I Replace This Part or Not? Granted, a lot of sparks and noise, but in a couple of minutes it would be cut. It's still a nice visual deterrent though. Plus, when I think about it, most of the Cobras that I can remember that were stolen over the years by someone actually driving them away were wrecked very quickly after the theft. That's what I'm generally guarding against -- if big time pros are targeting it, it's going to be gone.

xlr8or · #10 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 02:05 PM

Isn't this part of the reason we pay for insurance? It's just a car. Sure take some reasonable measures, make it more of a pain than the next guys car but if they want it they are going to get it. Not a damn thing you can do about it.

rodneym · #11 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 02:55 PM

Come on, Patrick!!!
Those dual rollbars are deterrent enough!
Hehe. HAHA.

Sorry, pal. Would you rather hear it from me or Chas?

patrickt · #12 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodneym

Sorry, pal. Would you rather hear it from me or Chas?

Actually I'd rather it come from RodKnock -- I miss him.

I wrote him the other day just to make sure he's ok. He is; he's just taking a break from us.

rodneym · #13 (**permalink**) 08-24-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Actually I'd rather it come from RodKnock -- I miss him.

We need to rattle his cage a bit. Maybe we can roast some of our favorite Public Enemys?

On the subject: there's a local installer who has a CSX4xxx in his shop that was recovered after many years. It was found in another state with a new paint job, and eventually the owner was able to buy it back.

I always figured a stolen Cobra would wind up in Malaysia or something.

Tom Wells · #14 (**permalink**) 08-24-2011, 01:52 PM

My Cobra has a Lojack. I've never had to use it, so I have no idea whether it works!

Their site is here: LoJack Security Systems for Stolen Vehicle Recovery, GPS Anti-Theft and Persons at Risk

It's kinda steep, but if it works...

Tom

patrickt · #15 (**permalink**) 08-24-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wells

My Cobra has a Lojack. ...
It's kinda steep, but if it works...

Tom

One of my buddies that steals cars for a living swears by this: XLG15 LoJack jammer, 4G jammer, XM radio blocker - LoJack, 4G Jammers - Jammer-Store

G-Pete · #16 (**permalink**) 08-25-2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wells

My Cobra has a Lojack. I've never had to use it, so I have no idea whether it works!

Their site is here: LoJack Security Systems for Stolen Vehicle Recovery, GPS Anti-Theft and Persons at Risk
It's kinda steep, but if it works...
Tom

The issue with Lojack is, you activate it after you discovered the car is missing. While the Dewalt reports imminently of tampering. Time is critical factor - big difference when you call the cops and report

Lojack: My car is missing, I don't know when and Lojack informs the cops for the location.
or
Dewalt: A theft is in progress at "address" right now - please sent a unit.

sspano01 · #17 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 07:40 PM

i thought cobra's were self protected anyway. i figured if someone tried to make a rapid get away, they would floor the gas and make a rapid turn....then kill themself when they lost control :P

dcdoug · #18 (**permalink**) 08-23-2011, 08:32 PM

I have Ravelco installed hidden under the dash. It's the best immobilizer I've ever found and you'd have a hell of a time getting the car started even if you knew it was there. It would drive you crazy if you didn't know about it and it's pretty hard to find even if you are looking for it. And they are all installed differently, so no single procedure to follow to remove it.

Ravelco Anti Theft Device

Easiest way to steal the car would be to roll or tow it away, but you probably aren't driving it away. If they want it that bad, insurance can buy me a new one.....

scaffold · #19 (**permalink**) 08-31-2011, 09:09 AM

park where you can see it and carry a gun. works for me

scaffold · #20 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011, 06:50 AM

I always park mine where I can see it and carry a gun in my right front pockets. Works for me