|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 28, 2023 12:46:39 GMT
Hi all. Not long after I got my Evoque a neighbour bought one just like it and it was stolen last night and we have the whole thing on CCTV. Anyway. This got me thinking that I should get a wheel lock or something as a visible deterrent and more hassle for thieves and maybe a tracker too so off I went to Halfords. I asked a member of staff what he could recommend and he said "We don't sell many of those, there are better options on line." Great service there  So I just wondered if anyone here had any recommendations for a physical device of some sort and a tracker too. I haven't looked at steering locks for years. Back when I had a Lotus Elan SE I bought a device which went over the handbrake and gear stick but I took it straight back as even I worked out how to get it off in seconds, and I mean seconds so I've never had much faith in these things but I'm hoping there are some options out there which aren't just about useless. Any pointers will be gratefully received otherwise I'm just going on what someone will recommend in shop assuming they all just don't say "There are better ones on line" |
|
|
|
Post by LandieMark on Mar 28, 2023 14:21:30 GMT
I had a Disklok on my Defender along with a Skytag tracker.
There are other trackers available, obviously, but the Skytag is DIY install.
|
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 28, 2023 14:30:47 GMT
TA.
I've just read about the Disklok but I was put off by negative reviews. I'll take another look.
I was surprised that the neighbours car was stolen as I'd thought that the local car thieves were pretty basic. The neighbour called over to see the footage and he said it's been recovered and he has to pay £100 to get it released. No word yet on what damage has been done.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Mar 28, 2023 14:35:45 GMT
JLR products seem pretty easy to steal. I would look at one of those Diskloc/Krookloc devices just to make yours that bit more unattractive to the car scrumpers.
|
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 28, 2023 15:18:25 GMT
JLR products seem pretty easy to steal. I would look at one of those Diskloc/Krookloc devices just to make yours that bit more unattractive to the car scrumpers. Before buying one I did think that these were some of the hardest to steal. I don't know about model years but I read something saying JLR were amongst the best but that was for resistance to cloning the key fob and could be limited to the latest ones, IDK. I don't know how they stole the neighbours car but it did take them quite a while. They were in the car is seconds though. Just watched a vid in which they drove a car with one of those bar type things through the steering wheel but I suppose they'll come to a corner they can't get round sooner or later. I might get one but watching the vids and reading the reviews is tending me towards thinking that these things probably haven't improved since the days when I got that one of my Lotus in seconds. OK it took me a while to figure out how to do it but once I knew it was zero use and I just get the impression (at the mo and possibly wrongly) that these things are pretty useless against a determined thief who's probably worked out how to get them off and can probably do so in seconds. I don't know if I've told this story here or not before so skip if I have... When I got an alarm / immobiliser fitted to the Elan the company said that the only way the car could be stolen was on a trailer. Hmmm I thought. I later spotted a fault on the car and whilst investigating it I saw what the alarm company had done and worked out how to defeat it and once inside the car I could defeat that undefeatable alarm in just seconds. At the time I thought I was pretty good at electronics but what bothers me is that car thieves who aren't local numb heads will be even better at defeating these systems, probably even today with todays hopefully better systems. Maybe something visible will be a deterrent and maybe beyond something visible a tracker would be a good idea. I'll have a think but at the mo I don't think these mechanical or even electronic devises will be too much of an obstacle for a determined and prepared thief with even half a brain. |
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 28, 2023 15:32:40 GMT
PS. From an online review, this about one of the bar type ones... "Mike removed the lock from our steering wheel using basic tools faster than we could with the key." This ties in with my thinking that some of these would be better off not on the car steering wheel but behind the door at home so that I could pick it up as I run out of the door to attack the thieves with it. I do have to say that I could take that one off my Elise without any tools at all Back in those days I got so p'd off at the quality of the electronic anti theft devices that I designed my own but in the end I never bothered taking it further, other things to do. These days it would be relatively simple to have a very good anti theft system as cars are more electronic than they were back then and I am rather shocked that something so easy (all things are relative) to design seems beyond the industry. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2023 15:59:08 GMT
Perhaps folk need some of these? BTW, It's name is not Monty.
 |
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 28, 2023 16:26:33 GMT
I could just sit in it. I can be quite frightening if I want to be and few can win a swearing contest with me. Mrs WW is now obsessed with researching stuff so I might just leave her to it The only car I've ever had stolen was a company Sierra just before one Xmas years ago and sadly it was found just a couple of miles away. Sadly as I hated it and couldn't wait to see the back of it. When I went to pick it up the clutch was burnt out and sadly there was Xmas wrapping paper and a doll in the back. I tried to hand it into the police as it could have been some comfort to some poor burgled just before Xmas family and child but were they interested? Course not. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2023 16:36:02 GMT
My dad had a purple Austin A40 and folk kept nicking it, he was really PO'd that they kept bringing it back, on one occasion with more fuel than it started with. Even leaving the keys in the ignition got no permanent takers.....
|
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 28, 2023 16:43:53 GMT
Someone once got into my sisters old Mini clubman when it was parked up. There was no damage and there didn't seem to have been any attempt to take it... we thought they maybe just wanted to shelter from the rain and when it stopped they got out.
Someone got into my Mini with keys when it was parked outside my place in Leeds. They took the tool box I made and everything in it including a buzz box I'd made and they took all my hifi except the speakers which were bolted in so they took the grills off and stock their fingers through the speakers. I never got over that and could only replace the tools one or two at a week, in those days a decent tool or at a push two a week was a big part of my take home pay.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisM on Mar 28, 2023 17:08:11 GMT
I had the handbrake to gearstick thing when I traveled a lot for business with my Rover 820, and I dug it out from the garage and used it on the Polo. With the T-Cross being auto, it doesn't fit so I've bought a motorcycle chain lock with big padlock that I'll fit through the steering wheel. It's a deterrent but won't stop a determined thief. You could consider the same. Short length of strong chain and thick padlock. Will be difficult to drive the car away with this fitted and it'll whack you in the legs when you steer, but it's a deterrent
|
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 28, 2023 17:10:39 GMT
Thanks.
I'll have a look and might make my mind up tomorrow.
I was a bit surprised at the help I got in Halfords, so on line buying it is.
|
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 28, 2023 17:18:00 GMT
Hmm... Not seen this before. Are all trackers subscription? I thought this would be something you just monitored on your phone. I'll read up on them |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2023 17:31:57 GMT
It used to be simpler, but harder. I used to remove the distributor cap or rotor arm when I first drove and that was enough. What would the equivalent be?
|
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 28, 2023 17:43:50 GMT
It used to be simpler, but harder. I used to remove the distributor cap or rotor arm when I first drove and that was enough. What would the equivalent be? Maybe just take the battery out Or as above, just sit in it. I'm currently reading up on trackers and losing interest. I have just about no interest in anything techy except cameras and lenses these days. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2023 18:59:55 GMT
I looked into a tracker for Bess, the one rep I got to actually talk about a aystem install was explaining the monthly charges as, "We like to send a signal to the car twice a day to make sure it is in the right place" to which I suggested only if it was taken, was that needed but, not impressed.
I do not need to have an email sent twice a day to know if my car is outside my flat, only when it goes walkabout.
|
|
|
|
Post by LandieMark on Mar 28, 2023 19:32:11 GMT
Skytag send you a monthly email to let you know it has passed their tests and will only phone you if it leaves the "bubble" you set and you can set your own hours for the alerts. Battery disconnects are 24hr monitored.
I had the Defender set on movement alerts half a mile between 10pm and 6am, but those hours are completely optional.
I had a backup tracker which I think was a "Rewire Security" which had an app you could customise to your heart's content.
|
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 28, 2023 19:48:33 GMT
Skytag send you a monthly email to let you know it has passed their tests and will only phone you if it leaves the "bubble" you set and you can set your own hours for the alerts. Battery disconnects are 24hr monitored. I had the Defender set on movement alerts half a mile between 10pm and 6am, but those hours are completely optional. I had a backup tracker which I think was a "Rewire Security" which had an app you could customise to your heart's content. We've pretty much stopped going out at night or early mornings so I suppose something programmed for bed and getting up times would do nicely. I don't think I'm too interested in driver behaviour as the Evoque does that and I've given up looking I like the look of that Rewire Security one as it seems cheap and is just £5 a month. I'll have another read tomorrow. I've got quite a shopping list now... Get the restricted performance issue fixed as it did it again in the rain today. I think this is deffo rain and wet component related. It's booked in. Parking cameras. Dashcam. And now... Wheel lock of some sort and a tracker. Such Fun |
|
|
|
Post by LandieMark on Mar 28, 2023 19:54:28 GMT
The advantage of Skytag is that they liase with police. Police often take no notice of DIY tracking.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisM on Mar 28, 2023 20:02:56 GMT
How much inconvenience are you prepared to go to for security? What about a "roadwheel" wheel clamp? Big, heavy and takes up a lot of boot space when you are driving around? See if there is a fuse that is readily accessible that prevents the car from starting (if you have an interior fusebox rather than having to delve under the bonnet, so much the better)
|
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 29, 2023 10:29:57 GMT
I'm not really too put off by a thing being big and heavy but it might rattle around in the boot so I'd need a box for it. Other than that I'm warming to the idea of one of those wheel covering clamps as I'm sure it'll be a deterrent for some.
I'd like to know how the scumbags got into the neighbours car so quickly. They then took 15 minutes to drive it away but the speed they got into it was worrying.
I suppose they went for the neighbours as it was parked on the road. Mine's up the drive with a Getz behind it so they possibly never saw it plus there's a halogen light on the garage which comes on if anyone approaches the cars and there's three cameras covering the front, drive and back.
|
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Mar 29, 2023 15:36:17 GMT
I always thought the full steering wheel disk lock were pretty secure?
|
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 29, 2023 15:53:07 GMT
I always thought the full steering wheel disk lock were pretty secure? I've read some comments that a car can still be driven by getting your fingers around the back and inside but as I've never seen one of these I don't know if that's true. I think it was an Autocar review I quoted above, whoever it was they gave the expert 5 minutes and the full enclosure one couldn't be removed in that time. It would have been nice if they'd said how long it would take to defeat. I'll probably get one. |
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Mar 30, 2023 3:33:28 GMT
Another alternative if it's on your driveway is to got one of those fold down bollards installed to prevent the car being driven away (or you could use the Getz to block it in if you dont mind shuffling the cars about when you have to go out).
|
|
|
|
Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Mar 30, 2023 7:59:30 GMT
Another alternative if it's on your driveway is to got one of those fold down bollards installed to prevent the car being driven away (or you could use the Getz to block it in if you dont mind shuffling the cars about when you have to go out). TBH, parking the Getz behind it is probably the single biggest deterrent as it adds to the buggeration factor. The steering wheel disc thing is probably the next best. Don't bother with the handbrake to gearstick thing - I had one and, as has been pointed out, it takes seconds to remove them (that's even assuming the Evoque has a handbrake lever, which I doubt.) On one of my cars I had a bracket, bolted to the transmission tunnel and a hefty shackle that locked the gear lever into reverse. Can't remember which car now but it'd be no good for an auto. |
|
|
|
Post by Big Blue on Mar 30, 2023 8:35:08 GMT
Our new neighbours exchanged last September. They haven’t moved in yet because they’ve had the complete interior of the house ripped out and rebuilt. The entire street can’t wait for them to move in because the husband drives a full fat Range Rover so no one will be looking at stealing anyone else’s cars.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blarno on Mar 30, 2023 9:30:04 GMT
Another alternative if it's on your driveway is to got one of those fold down bollards installed to prevent the car being driven away (or you could use the Getz to block it in if you dont mind shuffling the cars about when you have to go out). TBH, parking the Getz behind it is probably the single biggest deterrent as it adds to the buggeration factor. The steering wheel disc thing is probably the next best. Don't bother with the handbrake to gearstick thing - I had one and, as has been pointed out, it takes seconds to remove them (that's even assuming the Evoque has a handbrake lever, which I doubt.) On one of my cars I had a bracket, bolted to the transmission tunnel and a hefty shackle that locked the gear lever into reverse. Can't remember which car now but it'd be no good for an auto. I had the exact same thing in my Legacy. |
|
|
|
Post by PetrolEd on Mar 30, 2023 9:36:00 GMT
The Alfa Giulia/Stelvio range you can steal in about a minute by accessing the radar cruise control. Alfa insist there isn't a problem
|
|
|
|
Post by Roadrunner on Mar 30, 2023 9:42:06 GMT
Another alternative if it's on your driveway is to got one of those fold down bollards installed to prevent the car being driven away (or you could use the Getz to block it in if you dont mind shuffling the cars about when you have to go out). TBH, parking the Getz behind it is probably the single biggest deterrent as it adds to the buggeration factor. The steering wheel disc thing is probably the next best. Don't bother with the handbrake to gearstick thing - I had one and, as has been pointed out, it takes seconds to remove them (that's even assuming the Evoque has a handbrake lever, which I doubt.) On one of my cars I had a bracket, bolted to the transmission tunnel and a hefty shackle that locked the gear lever into reverse. Can't remember which car now but it'd be no good for an auto. I had a similar arrangement on my Rover 3500 P6 auto. It locked the auto selector in Park. When not in use the shackle neatly folded away out of sight into the ash tray. |
|
|
|
Post by woofwoof on Mar 30, 2023 10:22:54 GMT
Another alternative if it's on your driveway is to got one of those fold down bollards installed to prevent the car being driven away (or you could use the Getz to block it in if you dont mind shuffling the cars about when you have to go out). The MX5 is in the garage with the Evoque just outside and the Getz behind the RR. They have to go in in this order as I can only park the RR in two places, either up against the garage or at the end of the drive near the road. It has to go in one of these two places as otherwise it's next to the house and I can't get out I'd worry about it at the road end of the drive as it might attract attention. I've only ever left a car on the road once and that was when I had the Jag S and I couldn't pull it in the drive as we were getting block paving done, in that one night someone prised the badge off the bonnet and left a big gouge... new badge needed and a bonnet fill and respray  So, I'm used to shuffling cars about. |
|
