Best car security? Cameras? Dash Cams? Shock Sensors? any work with iphone?

[The JOe]

so in my short time here i think i need to put a security system in my truck. It just has the "Lock/Unlock" function.

Talked to a tennant here at the apartment and has told me about a lot of car break-ins, busted windows for no reason and stuff along those lines.

I have special key locks on my tailgate straps so that can't be taken off and as well as my wheels (just stock but why risk it?)...

Not sure whats out there in terms of camera car systems or something that may alert you if a window is broken or something worked in with your cell phone?

The "Garage" here at this apartment won't fit my truck and since all the other spots are taken i can't just send it down the line 10" so doors open so im outside and even the covered parking is far too narrow so i chose the free option (would of paid happily for covering or garage if my truck fit).

They are doing something on the apartment where im located right now by putting up new sides of the apartment, otherwise i am in a spot where i could attach it to my porch and look right at my truck but thats at least 3 months out from what one worker said.

So, Any ideas? Thinking of Dash cam's like they use a lot in the UK/Russia but i would need to be on 4 corners. Even thinking about a 360* camera on the dash but then the camera is not IR compatible.

Any info would be great. Probably "Overkill" but there is a reason im also a gun owner as well as 2 fire extinguishers i got for my apartment and one in my truck too.

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[Member 34319]

Usually a cam on the rear view mirror with a fish eye lense captures both driver and passenger sides.

I would look on Amazon. There are hundreds on there name brand and non. Tons of different features and such.

A good car alarm would assist the situation too. I had one on my old Honda I put in a while back that had a key fob to alert me if a door was open, or if the glass were to break. I could even set a motion to set off if someone so much as leaned into it. It worked up to 200 yards it stated, it was right down the block from our apartment when I had the car so it always worked.

I couldn't tell you the manufacturer but I did get it off eBay so it likely wasn't name brand.

 

[The JOe]

Gotcha. Im maybe 60' from my car so I would be well within range. Sucks that a bad back is keeping me from wiring gear like this correctly and cleanly done not to mention save money but im going to look into a higher end audio shop that can do this once and do it right. sell off an AR or two and secure my truck the best i can.

 

[Member 34319]

Gotcha. Im maybe 60' from my car so I would be well within range. Sucks that a bad back is keeping me from wiring gear like this correctly and cleanly done not to mention save money but im going to look into a higher end audio shop that can do this once and do it right. sell off an AR or two and secure my truck the best i can.

That would be the best route. I did up my Honda about 8 to 10 years ago. If I were to do it again I would have it done at a shop. I wouldn't be surprised if they have car alarms that send alerts to your phone nowadays. My wife's car has all that fancy stuff built in. All of it can be linked to her cell if we paid for the cell service on the car.

 

[clearconscience]

I would get a basic alarm, but you can buy extra sirens. Back in the dy when I worked with car stereos and alarms I ran a wire in the center console and put a siren in there. I had a change slotted pocket in the middle. I cut the bottom off and mounted the siren underneath.

You couldn't stay in that car long with that thing going off. Being inside the vehicle it made your ears ring something fierce.

Glass break sensors are good too, but proximity sensors are crap.

And you can get remote start for those hot summer days or cold winter mornings.

But people breaking windows are in for the fast snatch and grab. Leave nothing laying around. Not even change. People will walk by cars and go up a row looking for items they can take quickly.

 

[Ura-Ki]

When I still lived in Orygun, we had parking lot prowlers that would walk through the lots at night and check for un locked car doors. You would be surprised at how many people had there stuff stolen because they didn't simply lock there doors! We also had glass breakers that did snatch jobs, GPS units, Cell phones, Laptops, and stereos didn't stand a chance! Do what you can, and NEVER leave any thing in your rig!

 

[clearconscience]

Also look at forums for weaknesses in your vehicle.

Like newer GMs, Caddys. The plastix handle can be easily bypassed.

With a basic unlock kit you can get into almost any vehicle within about 30-45 secs without making a noise.

But people that do this full time will just watch.
At my gym people get their cars broken into all the time. They watch women either go in without their purse or will put their purse in their trunk and go inside.
With a metal punch you can break a window, pop the trunk, and be off with a purse in a matter of seconds.
Or if it's in the seat it's even faster.
That why glass break sensors are a must.

This is the same for movie theaters, malls, etc. anyplace people know you will be gone for more than 20-30 mins.

You can also get fake LEDs, or just a 12v LED to wire to a constant power source as a deterrent.
Sometimes just a blinky light can scare people away.

But keeping a security mindset is best, park in good lighting, street lamps, keep the car/trunk bare. No change, gps, bags, shoes, tools, etc.

It may be a packpack filled with stinky gym clothes, but for a homeless dirtbag it's today's treasure.

 

[Camelfilter]

I have a "Viper" aftermarket system in my truck.

It has remote start, and will send an alert to my phone if the alarm is tripped. I'm pretty sure you can get them without remote start & other bells & whistles.

Nifty feature for dumbasses like myself who lock there keys in the truck...the smartphone app will unlock it...

Mine also has GPS location, in the event a thief flat beds my hole truck.

 

[The JOe]

Ok, got gear ordered and its going to run just shy of $500 and its got the extra output if i want to add a receiver that works on an app on on my phone for $25/mo but this system has remote start, lock/unlock, small but damn loud siren, window shatter sensors and yeah, i leave nothing in my car... one reason i haven't tinted them, i want them to see there is nothing in there.

Also bought a whole new living room setup, 2 end tables, nice coffee table, tv stand and a smaller couch with both sides that have electronic recliner's with 2 cup holders and then spot for remotes in front but a center console like in my Ram 1500 where i can stash a Glock19.

Now i have to figure out where the hell the drivers license office and car registration is located. Once that gets done next week and or inbetwen i'll be calling doctor's to get on the ball on that part.

 

[Jerry]

Most, if not all auto security is worthless.

Long story short....I was involved, a few years back, with a crime task force in Clark County. The issue was primarily with auto theft. The primary folks involved were eastern european mafia types. It was an extremely well organized group.

They worked with a "shopping list" of targeted vehicles. Some wore stolen ouright, and many were stripped in the driveway, leaving just the chassis and engine. The removed parts were inventoried and stored in a warehouse. When the chassis/frame showed up at an insurance auction, they bought it for pennies on the dollar, got a clear title, put the original parts back on it and made a good profit.

Some vehicles were of course stolen "whole" and wound up in a container going to eastern Europe or Central America.

There were several folks, known as "The Guy" who would show up at someone's house in the middle of the night where a "whole car" theft was scheduled. His job was to disarm any alarm system that was present, factory or otherwise. He could get into anything within 3-4 minutes and the car was gone.

These guys would also sit at a coffee shop, etc, with a laptop, and watch a target car come in to the parking lot. When the driver would exit the vehicle and hit the key fob to lock the doors, they would capture the the electronic code, get the license number, run it through a contact a DMV and show up at the owner's house at night, and take the car.

I tell you...they were, are still are some very scary bad people.

I'm not saying to not try and protect your property......but a locked garage is your best bet.

 

[The JOe]

I hear ya Jerry... My thing is im looking to just hopefully catch a glimpse of some idiot who thinks it would be a good idea or "Fun" to just smash a window and rummage through looking for something which is worthless since i don't keep anything of value in my truck. under my rear seat i have some jumper cables, small tool kit (just to get out of a small bind) and a can of tire sealant.... oh and a small fire extinguisher. Nothing else in there though and you can't even see them since they sit under the seat.

Just being proactive than reactive. Wheel locks, security screws for tailgate cables (plus locked), security system going in to hopefully alert me and where im at im going to be able to setup one of my RING "Stick-em Up" cameras to hopefully catch anything. Any information would be helpful, even if its just basic image of the idiot.

Nothing could ever happen, i don't know but im used to a garage kept truck so my security has always been pretty top shelf.

Thanks everyone.

 

[clearconscience]

Jerry did you get involved in the invesitgating of the people involved or just the trends?

I've heard some stories of these hollywood caliber mafia types that make LEOs disappear and what not.

We always hear the stories of the old days of the grand mafia, but they are still vary much alive and well.

My company does work in Hawaii and it's a $2billion company. When we do work in HI we budget extra money to grease the wheels. If we don't our stuff either disappears or is held for ransom at the docks.
The families run the unions and docks in HI.

 

[CoastRange57]

There are a ton of tracking devices out there to use as well, and they are fairly economical to own. Getting your rig back is important too.

 

[CoastRange57]

My company does work in Hawaii and it's a $2billion company. When we do work in HI we budget extra money to grease the wheels. If we don't our stuff either disappears or is held for ransom at the docks.
The families run the unions and docks in HI.

San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Beach. Did a trade show and the union gets to change the rules all the time, even with our signed contracts with the convention centers. We had to pay them an extra .05 per pound for the equipment, and pay their"spotters" to escort our equipment into the trade center. That particular national trade show has never been back to those cities since.