Honda Car Forum

I've posted about this before but just wanted to ask more opinions
about some Anti-theft products. I stopped using the club since I've
heard it's easy to cut the steering wheel. I have a passive alarm that
arms 20 seconds after the door closes. Twice someone has tried to
steal the car at 4AM 10 feet from my window in a well lit parking lot.
First time they popped the hood through the wheel well then ran b/c of
the alarm. Second time they pried open the window entered the car and
smashed the plastic around the steering column - then ran b/c of the
alarm.

Clubs and Locks:
1) Standard "the club" (locks on steering wheel)
2) Unbreakable autolock (locks brake or clutch)
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/rodi/law1440.html ($25 at walmart)
doesn't fit well in the integra
3) Unbreakable car bar (locks over airbag and around steering column)
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/rodi/law1910.html ($49 at pepboys)

Question: I read somewhere that all of these locks were easily
defeated by freezing the lock. Assuming the thief can't remove the bar
by cutting the steering wheel, how hard is it to pick or break the
lock itself?

Alarms:
I have an alarm that was installed by the dealer. I'm not sure who
made it but it came with an acura control and stickers for the window
that said acura anti-theft. I can't find any documentation but I think
it has an ignition kill switch, hood, door, and trunk sensors. I don't
think it has more than one horn/siren and no battery backup. They
place where I had my tinting done pushes Python alarms from Directed
Electronics. www.directed.com. They recommended a python system with
microwave proximity sensors, battery backup, and remote paging within
1/4 mile. This as either a replacement or backup to the current alarm.
Does anyone have any comments about Python alarms or Directed
Electronics? What features should I look for?
How useful are features like "Automatic Engine Disable (AED)" and
"Ignition Controlled Door Locks"?

Thanks again.
Mike

mike08054@yahoo.com (mike) wrote in
news:7b8dd6e4.0403061534.309896e9@posting.google.c om:

> I've posted about this before but just wanted to ask more opinions
> about some Anti-theft products. I stopped using the club since I've
> heard it's easy to cut the steering wheel. I have a passive alarm that
> arms 20 seconds after the door closes. Twice someone has tried to
> steal the car at 4AM 10 feet from my window in a well lit parking lot.
> First time they popped the hood through the wheel well then ran b/c of
> the alarm. Second time they pried open the window entered the car and
> smashed the plastic around the steering column - then ran b/c of the
> alarm.

Man,they managed to OPEN the door and the alarm did not go off? You need a
new alarm system.Or did they tear out the window and climb in? Then you
STILL need a new alarm.
>
> Clubs and Locks:
> 1) Standard "the club" (locks on steering wheel)
> 2) Unbreakable autolock (locks brake or clutch)
> http://shop.store.yahoo.com/rodi/law1440.html ($25 at walmart)
> doesn't fit well in the integra
> 3) Unbreakable car bar (locks over airbag and around steering column)
> http://shop.store.yahoo.com/rodi/law1910.html ($49 at pepboys)
>
> Question: I read somewhere that all of these locks were easily
> defeated by freezing the lock. Assuming the thief can't remove the bar
> by cutting the steering wheel, how hard is it to pick or break the
> lock itself?

If the key is a circular one,hard to pick,if a straight ordinary key,easy
to pick.(if no alarm is going off).Personally,I would not bother with clubs
or bars.The alarm should be your first line of defense.The alarm LED should
be in a visible place(to warn off thieves),the hood should have a sensor
switch installed,and you ought to look into adding a microwave proximity
sensor so that if anyone stands NEAR the car,it chirps the siren,before
they even have a chance to begin prying or popping the hood/trunk.
It seems your main problem is Midnight Auto,not the car being stolen in
broad daylight.Maybe you need to install a motion sensor floodlight(a
really bright one) on your building aimed at where you park your car.(if
possible)

>
> Alarms:
> I have an alarm that was installed by the dealer. I'm not sure who
> made it but it came with an acura control and stickers for the window
> that said acura anti-theft. I can't find any documentation but I think
> it has an ignition kill switch, hood, door, and trunk sensors. I don't
> think it has more than one horn/siren and no battery backup. They
> place where I had my tinting done pushes Python alarms from Directed
> Electronics. www.directed.com. They recommended a python system with
> microwave proximity sensors, battery backup, and remote paging within
> 1/4 mile. This as either a replacement or backup to the current alarm.
> Does anyone have any comments about Python alarms or Directed
> Electronics? What features should I look for?
> How useful are features like "Automatic Engine Disable (AED)" and
> "Ignition Controlled Door Locks"?
>
> Thanks again.
> Mike
>

Find out from your dealer if a MW prox sensor can be added to that alarm.
(on second thought,don't bother,just get a new alarm!!)

I'm leery of "ignition controlled door locks".
*I* will control the door locks,thank you.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik-at-kua.net