Car/truck alarm experts?

[davocean]

This weekend my truck was stolen.
I recovered my truck, but every tool I had is now gone.
Before I tool up I'm thinking I should do something to protect my investment.
I don't want some BS horn honking thing that just ticks off my neighbors everytime it gets bumped or something.
I recall some alarms have a pager that notifies me, and I want this on doors and camper shell door, maybe a kill switch.
I have no idea what's out there or what is best, wondering if there is anyone here that installs these or can at least point me in the right direction/give advice.

[mineman]

I used to install high end car audio and alarms. Pm me if you would like.

[solefald]

I used to do this about 17 years ago, so I am not sure what is good now days, but back then Clifford was the top choice.
Looks like they are still pretty popular. Look into that.

[unbereefable]

Sorry bro. This is what I roll... http://www.viper.com/P-3303V/Viper-3303-Responder-Lc-Supercode-2-way-Security-System

[specvjeff]

Most of the pager alarms have a delay so that you aren't confronting the potential thief. This is a safety feature in case they armed. I would go for LoJack. They have a system that works with a key fob. Whenever someone moves the car without the key fob, you are alerted by cell phone/pager. I know for sure there is a delay with the LoJack system. It's a few minutes. This is so you don't confront a potentially armed car thief like I said before. Knowing your vehicle was stolen 3 mins after it's gone is better than finding out the next morning.

[moerena]

I have lo jack and my insurance company actually gave me a discount because of it. I've also had viper and it w as a good alarm. Had the pager and everything. Best part is people could tell i had an alarm and would never bother messing with my truck. My viper also had a kill switch so truck wouldn't start while it was armed.

[solefald]

Sorry bro. This is what I roll... http://www.viper.com/P-3303V/Viper-3303-Responder-Lc-Supercode-2-way-Security-System

It's the same damn alarm in different packaging and obnoxious-looking keyfobs. DEI makes both of them and if you pop them open, they are pretty much identical.
Fun fact: DEI is a Vista company that was founded by Rep. Darrell Issa (R).


http://www.directed.com/ - look at their list of brands.

[mineman]

DEI makes most alarms. Even bought out Clifford in the late 90s (I loved Clifford). Fact is almost every time you add something to an alarm, ie. motion sensor, pin switch, shock sensor, etc. if it didn't come in the manufacturers box, you're probably adding a DEI product (viper, python, rattler, boa constrictor, garter, snowflake ell).

[OneBigTurbo]

I got a viper pager alarm with 2 other kill switches on my MKV Supra.
But If u really want to wake up someone put some trucker horns for the alarm!

[davocean]

Well that's the thing, I really need to be respectful to the neighbors, it's pretty quiet around here, and people go ballistic on alarms.
My luck that alone will make someone vandalize or something.
I remember the last time I had a car worthy of an alarm, the guy told me they were thinking of stopping the pager alerts for exactly what Jeff said, the confrontation, which I'd like to say I wouldn't mind, but I'm not foolish either, and I know no matter how big you are there is always someone bigger or badder.
The bummer is my truck isn't worth much, I'm gonna feel silly getting an alarm for it, and paying much money for one, but my tools I lost were easily 3-4x what my truck was worth, and more importantly they became an extension of my right arm after these years and I had em dialed.
I know often thieves hit two or three times after, cause they know you gotta get new stuff, or insurance cashed out.
That's my concern, just keeping my tools safe w/out ticking off the neighborhood.
Sigh, decisions, I'll have to read up and price it.
Thanks for info people, I've been out of the loop on alarms for a while.

[JohnnyAirtime]

If you want to know WHEN your alarm goes off (because as loud as one can be... it can be silenced in a matter of seconds)... get the model that'll call you when the alarm has been triggered. This way, you know WHEN the alarm has been triggered and can act accordingly... What's accordingly? Guns-a-blazin' out the front door? No... I mean, calling the cops to let them know your truck is driving down the road without you in it.

...I also have the GPS with my alarm. I can log in (via my phone or any computer) and not only activate the kill switch (so the vehicle won't re-start), but track the vehicle and know it's whereabouts at any given time. Unbeknownst to the thieves, a LEO can be informed of where the truck is... or which road it's driving along. Simple, yet very effective.

AND, installed with solder/heat shrink... the only way to do it, by my buddy Kenny who owns Soundelux Car Audio; https://vimeo.com/38154934

The is a clean unit (newer then mine), that does what it should;
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=viper+gps+tracking&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11322860883756810890&sa=X&ei=HPKMT7CQNKeniAKU_rzOCA&ved=0CJkBEPMCMAM

[OneBigTurbo]

I got a truck also, have someone install alarms switches to ur bed/ camper or get re- in force pad locks.
http://lockitt.com/TrailerDoorLocks.htm

[unbereefable]

And fwiw. My remote checks if the alarm is triggered. Think it checks once every 10 seconds. But you also have to ask yourself, are your trying to protect your stuff, or your vehicle? Alarms are pretty good at detering a theif from taking your car, but they do little to protect the stuff IN the car. Any two man team can pop a door, pop hood/trunk, and then pull battery cable. This means alarms stays quiet. I personally have a 2nd battery in my car that's just for the alarm.

[mineman]

If you want to know WHEN your alarm goes off (because as loud as one can be... it can be silenced in a matter of seconds)... get the model that'll call you when the alarm has been triggered. This way, you know WHEN the alarm has been triggered and can act accordingly... What's accordingly? Guns-a-blazin' out the front door? No... I mean, calling the cops to let them know your truck is driving down the road without you in it.

...I also have the GPS with my alarm. I can log in (via my phone or any computer) and not only activate the kill switch (so the vehicle won't re-start), but track the vehicle and know it's whereabouts at any given time. Unbeknownst to the thieves, a LEO can be informed of where the truck is... or which road it's driving along. Simple, yet very effective.

AND, installed with solder/heat shrink... the only way to do it, by my buddy Kenny who owns Soundelux Car Audio; https://vimeo.com/38154934

The is a clean unit (newer then mine), that does what it should;
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=viper+gps+tracking&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11322860883756810890&sa=X&ei=HPKMT7CQNKeniAKU_rzOCA&ved=0CJkBEPMCMAM

Perfect! But you WONT get this without knowing someone or paying extra (soldering, heat shrink, loom to make it look factory, relocating the ignition relay other than 4" away from where it is spliced because the alarm manufacturer only gives you 4" leads, etc.). A good installer makes it all work right. A great installer makes it thief RESISTANT!

[davocean]

Thanks guys, this is what I need for feedback.
My place is pretty safe, and my neighbors and I all watch for each other, if it wasn't for that heavy storm for cover I don't think this would have happened, and they hit several people that night apparently.
They only drove my truck 3 blocks away, and there they felt safe enough to rape my truck.
I will make it tougher to get in the bed, going to weld some clasps/locks, so my main thought is some kind of kill switch and an alert, though some kind of tracking/gps would be cool too.
I'm going to go through the links posted and read up more, thanks for those, and feel free to add more comments.
My main concern is those guys now know I keep real quality tools, and they know I will be replacing them, sure don't want a round two of what I'm going through right now.

[JohnnyAirtime]

........... I personally have a 2nd battery in my car that's just for the alarm. Word to that. I have the small backup battery buried deep in the dash. Works great. So does my little piezo interior screamer. Ear piercing.


.......... A good installer makes it all work right. A great installer makes it thief RESISTANT! Word to that too! Anyone can splice in an alarm. It's not good if it can be detuned in a matter of seconds (even if it's soldered in place). My buddy does this to all alarm installs that request it. Otherwise it's crimp connectors. Not too many people want to pay the few extra bucks for solder/heat shrink... but, when they understand the advantage and longevity of the connection... they pay it.

(more links below - more material to read up on)

My alarm is a Clifford (DEI) RSX 3.5 MATRIX (http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3468_Clifford-RSX-3.5.html), 2way. Pretty old, but still a great 2 way system. I also have the remote start (diesel truck) and I love the start/shutoff confirmation via the remote.Two way remotes (http://www.directedstore.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=479X) are a bit big and bulky, but nice to have. The GPS system I believe is a VIPER (DEI) 210V (http://www.drdetailshop.com/v200.htm)... and it's the least used feature, but when my alarm is triggered and it calls my cell... it tells me where my truck is (for example, street block number and street name, city and state). Pretty cool if needed. It'll also call/email with updates or what they call a "heartbeat". Letting you know it's all good. When I go away on vacay, it'll call and tell me when the battery is getting low too... nice feature. A $1200 system... expensive, but there when you need it!

[JohnnyAirtime]

.............
My place is pretty safe, and my neighbors and I all watch for each other, if it wasn't for that heavy storm for cover I don't think this would have happened, and they hit several people that night apparently. They only drove my truck 3 blocks away, and there they felt safe enough to rape my truck.
.............
My main concern is those guys now know I keep real quality tools, and they know I will be replacing them, sure don't want a round two of what I'm going through right now.

Thieves don't care too much for alarms... as, they are just deterrents. They walk the neighborhood and pass on the vehicles with blinky/blinky lights if there's more opportunity at the next car with no blinky lights. BUT, an alarm isn't a show stopper. It's JUST a DETERRENT! So... I use my alarm for great features (window roll up, passive arming, remote start...etc), and the deterrent is just an added bonus.

Plus, I made sure to be able to turn off the alarm's link to my truck horn if needed. So, when it's going off at 2PM... it's blasting my alarm and horn. At 2AM, I can shut down the truck's horn so it's much quieter. An on dash LED lets me know if the Truck's horn is active or not. A nice touch any installer can add.

IF... they get your truck started and drive away, the GPS feature is the best of all. It can be powered separately so to never be shut off. You always know where your vehicle is going once stolen (unless parked in a concrete garage space, or where GPS satellites can't be reached for some reason). These GPS features can be added separately too... but a "noise maker" is a must, even if they just bypass it in a minute or two.

LASTLY, secure your tools better. Make it harder for them to get to them ONCE they've got your vehicle. I know a couple old thieves that would make note of the guy who pulls into homeD, opens his tailgate to reveal a gold mine of tools. Follow him home, or to his job site and wait. Whenever you "show off" your loot, there's bound to be prying eyes waiting in the shadows to remove that loot from your possession. Site unseen goes a LONG WAY to remove the temptation of a thief.

Did I mention, I HATE THIEVES!

[davocean]

Yeah, I'm pretty good at keeping things undercover, out of site, out of mind.
I also tinted my truck shell windows solid black so no one can see in.
Besides, if you saw my old beater Nissan you wouldn't expect anything more than gardening tools.
Someone had to see me loading/unloading and driving by.(and I usually load/unload when it's dark for this reason)
I've had a good run, 12 years here w/out issues, but the party's over now.
I'm probably one of the last here w/out a smart phone, between my hobbies (mostly water related)and work (I'll break it)I just can't keep one on my person most of the time, so a phone alert/gps isn't for me.
I'm thinking lojack at this time, and the advice of securing my truck better lock wise.
Trippy to me is I see absolutely no signs of forced entry, no broken windows, door locks are fine.
My ignition is slightly loose and feels like a burr in there, key doesn't turn smooth, but will turn after a few tries.
I really wonder what they used to get in so easy.
That one is going to mess w/ me thinking they can just hop in my cab any time quick quiet and easy.
I too HATE thieves, and I actually check CL now and then watching for stolen tools reports so I can keep an eye out for other people's tools.

[solefald]

I really wonder what they used to get in so easy.

As someone who used to drive a tow truck, i can tell you that opening an old Nissan with a slim jim is done under 30 seconds.

[JohnnyAirtime]

................
I really wonder what they used to get in so easy. That one is going to mess w/ me thinking they can just hop in my cab any time quick quiet and easy...........

Slim Jim, Master Key, Duplicate Key etc. are all possibilities. Even a pencil can open an older Toyota truck (ask me how I know - lol).
... you have to imagine your vehicle as "unlocked at all times". That's how a Thief thinks... because, they can pop a door in a matter of seconds. A locked door is like a hiccup, not really even an annoyance to them. SMASH and grabs are rookies... hence no broken window, etc.

Best to think the thief has a key. If you don't think in that manner, your in the dark ages. And If you don't want (or can't) to step into this age (with smart phone, or other devices), you'll have to build more of an armory within your vehicle. Simple as that.

MY PERSONAL OPINION: LoJack is lame... and will only help to locate your vehicle once ALL your stuff is gone. If they are dismantling the vehicle, they'll find it... and your back to square one. If they are just stealing tools/equipment, then they'll be gone before your call to the police.

Get a noise maker... even a cheapy. It'll deter before anything else.

BTW, don't think HOW they got in... think WHEN they'll get in (and what your going to do to stop them). It's a much more realistic approach. I even went as far as installing security-cameras outside my home (we had a neighborhood tire slasher, which was the last draw for me). Best thing I could have done for peace-of-mind. Even when I'm out at dinner, or wherever... I can view my cameras on my phone and know who's in, or around my home. GOTTA' LOVE TECHNOLOGY!

[davocean]

Yeah, I know, everyone rides me on the smart phone/technology thing, I'm an old school dinosaur on that one I guess.
On top of it where I live so close to the water here we all have issues w/ intermittent service, all my neighbors even say we often don't get messages until days later all the time, so I just don't trust them.
Good point on the lojack, I'm much more concerened about my tools than I am about my truck, and my main focus is keeping those from being stolen.

[JohnnyAirtime]

If you think as any lock, is just a deterrent... you'll be much more inclined to protect your valuables with OTHER :demon: means.

Same with your home... assume, all locks are UNLOCKED;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPRVTU-rCnc

Even scarier if you jump to minute 1:10;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_j3tCYfnoM

OR... have you heard of a BUMP key? (slower, but still works)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrRxvZtmbX4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxhqMikmj-c

[solefald]

Yeah, I know, everyone rides me on the smart phone/technology thing, I'm an old school dinosaur on that one I guess.

man, no need for any of that. you can go with old school analog system - Trunk Monkey! (http://www.trunkmonkeyad.com/images/TrunkMonkey_Bridge.mov)

[davocean]

Trunk monkey!LOL
Laughs are good right now.

[solefald]

Dave, found a perfect solution for you.

http://i.imgur.com/58Zir.jpg

[davocean]

^^LOL, pretty funny, but not as good as trunk monkey!
OK, so just to close this thread out and also give thanks to all who responded(so much appreciate all input) as well as give two thumbs up to Car Audio Heaven where I had my alrm installed(great service!)
I decided the best solution for my needs was the Viper responder 3303, and I have to say I'm pretty stoked on it.
Has everything I think I need, and has a silent set mode so I don't tick off the neighbors setting it on/off early am or late night(it was equally important for me to stay on good terms w/ the neighbors as well as protect my truck and tools)
Oh, and since I had hesitation on spending money on my dumpy ol' work truck, and repairs to my truck exceeded what I thought it was worth, I decided to get a new truck too!LOL
I love it, and here it is hauling the cabinet I built for JT and his wife.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Decorated%20images/JT098.jpg