On another thread we have read how some thieves are using a mystery object to electronically unlock cars. This got me to thinking about alarm systems and such available for vehicles and what brand others may be using.

People do tend to generally ignore car alarms anymore, so it's a gamble one takes with an alarm sounding type system. I opted to go with a vehicle disabling system for actual car theft protection. I mean if someone does the smash and grab, I can fix a window and replace a stereo, but I will still have my car. So after a fair amount of research I opted to have the Ravelco Anti-theft system installed, with over 4 million installs since 1976 I figured they were here to stay. They make the bold claim to have NEVER had one car stolen which had their system installed. Not everyone installs these, as they only let certified Ravelco installers do this. Had to drive 5 hours to Las Vegas to get mine installed. Yes I hit up a couple of gentlemen clubs while I was there... Another crazy story for another time.

Ravelco let a professional car thief try for over 2 hours to hot wire the car with no results. Its basically a system that cuts your cars wiring harness in half, and splices a 16 pin cannon plug connector into the harness with all unmarked non-numbered black wires. When you leave your vehicle, you remove the cap from the connector attach it to your key chain and take it with you, essentially leaving your wiring harness cut in two, with over 100,000 possibilities to reconnect it. And it does not void new car warranties. So I feel good about this system, even though a dilligent crook can always bring a flat bed truck and haul your car away I would imagine, but it could keep the joy rider and car stripper types at bay. I have had this in my Monte for about 4 years now, and so when I go to like Las Vegas, Phoenix etc. I always remove this plug and sleep a little easier.

Anybody else have a particular system installed?

Here is a link to the company's site.

Ravelco Anti Theft Device


Testimonial below: They have many on their site.

By the look of things, I am sure you don't need any more testimonials, but I have a great one for you. Use it if you like. We live just outside of Austin, Texas. Last Saturday night my wife and I went to the Lauberge Casino in Lake Charles, Louisiana for a fun weekend. It was an early Valentine's Day gift for both of us. We drove there in my brand new 2013 ZL1 Camaro. I say MY because my wife also has a 2012 Camaro SS (2012). We did not valet because we did not want to leave the Ravelco plug in the vehicle. I parked on an angle in the corner of the parking area and no other vehicles were around. On Sunday morning, when we came out to leave we immediately noticed that our car was no longer in the spot where we originally parked it. It was down a few spots and sideways. The thieves must have used a scanner or code grabber to unlock the Camaro door because there was no damage to the door lock. However, they did damaged the steering column and were able get the ignition turned on along with all the dash lights but THANKS TO THE RAVELCO MY ZL1 CAMARO WOULD NOT START. After we gathered ourselves and calmed down I put the Ravelco plug in and started the car without my car key. I am sooooo glad I spent the $1000 to have the Ravelco installed in both cars last October, because If I hadn't, we would have been going home on a bus. Thanks again Ravelco." - February 11, 2013 - James M. - Spicewood, Texas

Season’s Greetings Ravelco, I don’t know if you will use this testimonial the way I wrote it, but I want to THANK YOU all for making our upcoming Christmas a great one. Last Saturday my family and I went to Memorial City Mall for some Christmas shopping with our entire family. The place was so packed we had to park out near the I-10 feeder. We were all in good spirits because of the holidays but mainly because we just took delivery of my husband’s new 2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty Pick Up. He ordered this truck back in August. After 3 hours of shopping when we came back to our truck and much to our surprise the driver’s door was wide open and the steering column was destroyed. All the idiot lights on the dash were on and the place where you insert your key was completely gone. The police officer who took our report told us that if it wasn’t for your RAVELCO our truck would be on its way to some ranch in Mexico. It is a shame that there are “scum bags” out there that try to rip off honest people who work for a living. Our young daughters cried when they saw what these bums did to our new truck. What bothers me the most is the thieves got in our truck without even breaking the glass or the door locks! The body shop manager said they must have used a scanner to open our doors. Once again thank you for saving our truck. - December 3, 2013 - Connie M. - Hedwig Village, Texas.

 

Great Post/Thread/Article Greg!

I have alarm systems on all of my Vehicles... with hidden kill switchs.
I also have 3 different brands of alarms on all of them. (each one has a separate brand) not 3 on each vehicle ....lol

To date I have had no issues, with the exception of one that the shock sensor was waaaay to sensitive... But I was able to reset it to the proper setting. In as much as I would ever hate to lose one of mine.... I carry Full Broad collision on all of then as well. That way they don't turn out to be a total loss should one of them be a victim of theft. And I'm ok with that..

But I would definitely hate to lose my Monte...Its irreplaceable. You can only buy it New Once. Which I did. I have had 1 vehicle stolen from me.
It was a Immaculate 1970 Nova. That my ex wifes parents bought brand new in 1970 from Gene Merrolis Chevrolet on Gratiot in East Detroit MI.
It had 22,000 miles on it when I got it. It went to church, grocery store, Beauty Parlor that was it.

I jerked out the 283 that was in it and put a punched out 350 in it. Punched out and camed into 355 cubic inches @ 435 hp a Mini Spool, with 350 turbo trans out of a trans am.
A friend of mine owned a trans shop and beefed it up for me. Not only did it have a shift kit but it also had a manual shift valve body. She turned mid 10's in the quarter mile. (Detroit Dragway) its long since gone now.
But Detroit Dragway use to be the place to be! (God I miss that place)

Back then, Auto theft wasn't as high as it is nowadays.. I was shocked when it was gone! But that's water under the bridge now... Alarm systems were barely an issue then either... If only I knew then what I know now!

 

Seems like a quality anti theft system. I know mine has the onstar computer in it but eventaully I want to get a raspberry pi based head unit that is hooked up to gps and cell networks as well as tied in with the cars OBD2 systems so as to trac everything the car does. Mostly it just pisses me off that people steal things or will break a $300 window for $20.

 

I use Ungo alarm it has only 1 controller on the model I have it was the whole reason I got it the alarm only accepts commands from that controller and changes codes every time you use it .

 

Hidden fuel pump cut off switch; that is all...lol

 

I have a viper alarm with a starter kill

 

Turbo Monte don't get left in any parking lots etc without me around and at home she is tucked away in the garage so the only alarm system for me is the .357 snub nose

 

Argh, put an extra 2-4inches on that brotha...lol

 

lol trust me if i need accuracy i can always get the .480 that has a 8 3/8 ported barrel with a red dot or go for massive damage and break out the .50ae desert eagle

 

That desert eagle is just over kill. Home defense iv got a nine. Carry I like a glock 40, if I need a big bullet accuracy and range I break out the 30-06