I have been doing a lot of reading of anti-theft devices and the Ravelco (http://www.ravelco.com/) keeps coming up as the best, on the net anyway. I am curious if any of you have had it and if so how it works. I have to wonder if the key chain ever wiggles loose. When I take delivery of my car I will be living in Vegas and have heard several car theft stories from guys that have been stationed there. There is no way I can afford a house with a garage while I'm stationed there but I've worked way too hard to get my Stang to just have it stolen by some punk!!! I know this won't prevent vandalism but at least I would still have a car. Any input on other anti-theft devices would be appreciated.

 

I've seen these before and I am sure that work very well, my concern would be how much damage the a$$ wh()le does to my car before they realize they cant start it.

 

(big) gun. with matching NRA stickers for vehicle. LOL. what about an anti-theft system w/GPS and pager to alert you if something's going on with the vehicle while you are away from it?

 

Initially, I was looking at the Ravelco too. However, it's only an 'anti-ignition' device (albeit, a very good one). You'll also need a good vehicle security system that includes an alarm w/ motion,glass & door sensors; 2-way communications (to alert you remotely of any intrusion/towing attempts); and/or GPS tracking & control (if car is jacked, you can track vehicle by internet and deactivate starter). Here's my 3 choices:

1) CompuStar (2-way alarm/ remote start/ GPS tracking & control)
2) DEI (Viper/Python/Clifford) w/ 2-way alarm/ remote start/ GPS tracking & control)
3) MobileGuardian (GPS tracking & control only)

 

How can anything other then a gps tracking system be worth the trouble. None of this stuff holds up to a roll-back. You already can not start the car with an non-programed key. An amateur is going to tear up the car no matter what before quitting, a pro is going to take it no matter what you have. I go out with my buddy from time to time when he tows cars from neighborhoods he has accounts with-unbelieveable how fast he's in and out. And nobody but the vehicle's owner ever notices or makes an effort to question it.

 

After I got my GT I bought a 2-way alarm (Viper) from Best Buy....but I also bought motion sensor lights for the front of the house ($45 for 2) and a video camera for the driveway. The camera I got from Walmart for $99 and it hooks to a VCR and only records when it senses movement.

I know this isn't exactly the info you wanted....but these are extra steps you can take to help prevent a few theives. It's better than nothing and not too expensive.

 

+1 minus putting stickers on my car. alarms scar most theives away, one of the gps things will let you know to call the police but, bware you might be confronted with something, or someone unexpected.

 

This is one of only two immobilizers our provinces insurance company will use. http://www.mastergard.com/ I don't know if this is what you had in mind.

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/english/fraud/T...ofingFAQs.html

 

Interesting... I went to your last link above... entered 2006 Mustang GT... and it came back and said our vehicles are already equipped with immobilizers and are already theft-proof! Here's an excerpt and the URL:

Good News!
Your vehicle is already theft-proofed. This model came from the factory with an approved immobilizer as standard equipment.

That means it has almost no risk of being stolen. The savings are automatically built into your annual Autopac premium.

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/MAR/immobilizer123.aspx?L=E

 

Perhaps they are referring to the chip in the key. Without one of the original keys being inside the car, the engine will not start.

 

Thanks for all the info. I will definitely be going with a GPS system now. I am really liking the Mobile Gaurdian that was mentioned. I would think that combined with the factory alarm would be pretty good. I didn't realize the new Stangs had the "chipped" keys in them. That makes things like the Ravelco kind of pointless.

 

Yup its been in them for about a decade, unlike most hondas you can steal with a screwdriver. But consumer reports doesn't mention anti-theft, so therefore the american market isn't worth the trouble.

The Ford keys take about half an hour to program with the dealer's computer system designed to do it.

 

+1. I love the Mobile Guardian system. Believe me, the notification system works well. If my alarm goes off, I am notified via cell phone text, work e mail, home e mail, all within seconds......The on line locator is very accurate. I can tell the difference between parking at the front of my plant, vs. the rear area of my plant. You can speed limit on line, which is great if you happen to have younger drivers that are actually allowed to drive the Mustang....

Anyway, one of the best mods I hope I never have to use.....

Mike

 

Personally, I would avoid Revelco simply because they use a heavy dose of FUD followed up by a bit of "little white lies". They show this page of "bypass modules" from an auto electronics company as "proof" that the chipped keys are simple to bypass and anyone can get the electronics to do it.

What they convenently left out is the fact that those modules (which are designed to be used with remote starter systems) have to have one of you chipped keys installed inside them or they DON'T work! If the thief has a properly programmed key to put into the module, he could just use the key to unlock and start the car!

They also went out of there way to imply that a high tech bad guy sitting in a local MacDonals could get the codes from all the chipped keys in there in a matter of minutes and then clean out the parking lot. The only systems that near that much range are the very new "keyless" systems that detects the keyfob in your pocket outside the car. The type with a chip in the key have a MUCH smaller range.

I personally won't do business with a company that plays this fast and loose with their advertising.