I wanted to tell my story to verify the effectivness (if done right) of alarm systems and to educate others on how to better protect their custom rides from either the whole car or the contents being stolen. Here is my story:
Feb.25th,1994 2:30am. Rainy (watch out when rainy, they LOVE it)! Muffles noise, but NOT sirens!
They just got done jacking my brothers gear with MUCH damage done. Guess what? He DID NOT have a alarm! He sure does now! They then turned to my car. BAD, BAD choice, as they did find out the hard way! As a alarm installer, I had it rigged up!
2 30 watt home security sirens outside and 1 130dB multi-tone car alarm siren inside (pain generator). I have a interior piezo siren also added now.
To say the least, the bastards most likely ran like fire was up their a** //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif
My pager went off also, but they were longgg gone!!! I have Viper perimeter voice, but did not have it on at that time. If I did there might have been no damage to my ride. They broke my drivers side window, but the tint held it all together. They did not stay around to fold the window down into the car with the tint. It came off the track perfectly half way, just like I had rolled it down. Just one little tiny piece of glass fell inside. No water damage, because it had just finished raining. I will tell you all from personal experience that there are FEW things in life better (for a car audio enthusiast) than finding YOUR gear still intact and YOURS after a attempted burglary all for about $200 spent VERY wisely (compared to the $ spent for your audio gear)! I just wish the scum had tried to hit my ride first, then ALL would have been saved, except for my broken window.
I have been enjoying my same audio system for over 10 years now, all thanks to a 'custom' alarm system!
The bottom line is this: Do yourself, your ride and your audio system a BIG favor and invest in a good alarm system and make it as LOUD as you can (both outside and interior sirens, flashing HEADLIGHTS, and interior strobes to blind them)! A pager is a excellent idea also. But be careful! You never know exactly what you are up against. If it was me I would yell at them and maybe shoot my shotgun up in the air to scare them off. That would most likely be enough!! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif
I did hear a story of one car owner who was notified silently by his pager and snuck up behind the punk in the car and broke his legs with a baseball bat! I say, serves him right!! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/mad.gif.c18f003ab0ef8a0d9c27ca78d77a6392.gif
I will give the benefit of the doubt to the 'not in their right mind' scum, as we all know, but for the majority of the sane population a GOOD VERY LOUD alarm with A LOT of flashing lights will do the job!!
Some other theft prevention tips:
*Get a back up battery and siren for your alarm.
(The back up batteries are little and DEI makes them) or you could use your second audio system battery, if you have one.
*Get a hood lock or hid your hood release lever, so they cannot get to it.
Also, disable your trunk/hatch cable release lever inside and just use key.
*Shave off your interior door opening latches, so they cannot reach in and unlock.
*Make your audio system as stealth as you can.
(Bolts, security screws, false faceplate (always take it with you), take down radar detector, etc.....)
*Get a starter kill or DIY ignition kill. I have seen ignition kill kits at Pep Boys Auto Parts. For extra security, use 2 kill switches hidden at different locations, so IF they find one, it still will not start until the other is switched on.
*When you park your ride, turn your wheels toward the curb. (Makes it harder to tow away). Always put on your emergency brake and lock it in gear for manual.
*Use wheel locks with special keys that are notched to fit in a tire lug wrench. Also, use a locking gas cap lock.
*Use common sense. (Park in well lit areas, do not leave valuables in plain sight, etc....)
**The most important of all tips: Turn down your audio system when you are going to park it for a extended period of time. Do it plenty of time in advance, especially if you are a big bass head like me! You never know if you will be turning the wrong heads to look at your ride.
I hope this true story and these theft prevention tips will help other custom riders and sound enthusiasts stay safer and keep their gear longer.
You might be riding in a mobile Fort Knox, but you will feel better when you park it knowing your ride can defend itself! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif
Take care, keep safe and keep crankin' the noise (within reason, of course)!
BTW, if anyone has a story, more tips to add or questions, feel free to jump in!!
Feb.25th,1994 2:30am. Rainy (watch out when rainy, they LOVE it)! Muffles noise, but NOT sirens!
They just got done jacking my brothers gear with MUCH damage done. Guess what? He DID NOT have a alarm! He sure does now! They then turned to my car. BAD, BAD choice, as they did find out the hard way! As a alarm installer, I had it rigged up!
2 30 watt home security sirens outside and 1 130dB multi-tone car alarm siren inside (pain generator). I have a interior piezo siren also added now.
To say the least, the bastards most likely ran like fire was up their a** //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif
My pager went off also, but they were longgg gone!!! I have Viper perimeter voice, but did not have it on at that time. If I did there might have been no damage to my ride. They broke my drivers side window, but the tint held it all together. They did not stay around to fold the window down into the car with the tint. It came off the track perfectly half way, just like I had rolled it down. Just one little tiny piece of glass fell inside. No water damage, because it had just finished raining. I will tell you all from personal experience that there are FEW things in life better (for a car audio enthusiast) than finding YOUR gear still intact and YOURS after a attempted burglary all for about $200 spent VERY wisely (compared to the $ spent for your audio gear)! I just wish the scum had tried to hit my ride first, then ALL would have been saved, except for my broken window.
I have been enjoying my same audio system for over 10 years now, all thanks to a 'custom' alarm system!
The bottom line is this: Do yourself, your ride and your audio system a BIG favor and invest in a good alarm system and make it as LOUD as you can (both outside and interior sirens, flashing HEADLIGHTS, and interior strobes to blind them)! A pager is a excellent idea also. But be careful! You never know exactly what you are up against. If it was me I would yell at them and maybe shoot my shotgun up in the air to scare them off. That would most likely be enough!! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif
I did hear a story of one car owner who was notified silently by his pager and snuck up behind the punk in the car and broke his legs with a baseball bat! I say, serves him right!! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/mad.gif.c18f003ab0ef8a0d9c27ca78d77a6392.gif
I will give the benefit of the doubt to the 'not in their right mind' scum, as we all know, but for the majority of the sane population a GOOD VERY LOUD alarm with A LOT of flashing lights will do the job!!
Some other theft prevention tips:
*Get a back up battery and siren for your alarm.
(The back up batteries are little and DEI makes them) or you could use your second audio system battery, if you have one.
*Get a hood lock or hid your hood release lever, so they cannot get to it.
Also, disable your trunk/hatch cable release lever inside and just use key.
*Shave off your interior door opening latches, so they cannot reach in and unlock.
*Make your audio system as stealth as you can.
(Bolts, security screws, false faceplate (always take it with you), take down radar detector, etc.....)
*Get a starter kill or DIY ignition kill. I have seen ignition kill kits at Pep Boys Auto Parts. For extra security, use 2 kill switches hidden at different locations, so IF they find one, it still will not start until the other is switched on.
*When you park your ride, turn your wheels toward the curb. (Makes it harder to tow away). Always put on your emergency brake and lock it in gear for manual.
*Use wheel locks with special keys that are notched to fit in a tire lug wrench. Also, use a locking gas cap lock.
*Use common sense. (Park in well lit areas, do not leave valuables in plain sight, etc....)
**The most important of all tips: Turn down your audio system when you are going to park it for a extended period of time. Do it plenty of time in advance, especially if you are a big bass head like me! You never know if you will be turning the wrong heads to look at your ride.
I hope this true story and these theft prevention tips will help other custom riders and sound enthusiasts stay safer and keep their gear longer.
You might be riding in a mobile Fort Knox, but you will feel better when you park it knowing your ride can defend itself! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif
Take care, keep safe and keep crankin' the noise (within reason, of course)!
BTW, if anyone has a story, more tips to add or questions, feel free to jump in!!
