-Vehicle security should offer several things. Devices should follow these guidelines.

1. Highly Effective to completely prevent vehicle theft and react the way designed
2. Reliability as in proper function, control of starting or hotwiring, and false alarming
3. Ease of Use as in toggle switches, settings and confusions
4. Warranties or total costs whether it is per month or not

 

COMPETITION REVIEWS

Alarm Systems
These systems have just about run their course. They are totally ineffective in deterring auto theft. Who hasn't heard and ignored an alarm? To make matters worse, a "code grabber - scanner box" that will open up the vehicles doors and disable any alarm system can be purchased for less than $100 on the Internet. Even the more expensive systems that claim to have Anti-Scan or Code Grabbing Technology can still be defeated, as demonstrated on CBS' The Early Show and 48 Hours. Just ask anyone who has or has had an alarm if they would ever get another one . . . THEIR ANSWER WILL BE A DEFINITE NO!

Tracking Systems
Although they sound good on paper, these costly systems are not very effective. They come into play only after the vehicle has been stolen, as reported by the Boston Police Department, the city in which the idea originated. By the time the victim reports their vehicle stolen, (which is usually the next day) it has already been stripped and dumped. If the owner of the stolen vehicle is lucky, the thief will not have found and removed the tracking transponder while stripping the vehicle and the tracking system will lead the police to the abandoned shell of the vehicle. Nowadays though, the thieves are using sophisticated debugging equipment to find, remove and discard the tracking transponder. Sadly, law enforcement officers continue to track the signal thinking it is coming from the stolen vehicle when actually it leads them to a trash dumpster in a back alley somewhere! These systems are not available in all areas, and they are not very practical in big cities. Furthermore, they are expensive ($695 and up) and some even require a monthly monitoring fee. Many people in the security industry call the system "after the fact jack" rather than "LoJack". General Motors offers a system called the "OnStar" these systems are also easily defeated by the thief breaking the antenna off of the roof of the vehicle. To make matters even worse there is now aavailable on the internet that plugs into the cigarette lighter of the vehicle that scrambles the GPS signal and totally makes the vehicle un-trackable resulting in NO SECURITY WHAT SO EVER! 

GM's PASSlock II
This anti theft system is factory installed on almost every new vehicle manufactured today. Most every manufacturer, whether domestic or foreign uses this type system. Embedded in the head of the vehicles ignition key is a miniature RFID Transponder Chip which contains one of a trillion possible electronic codes. When the key is inserted into the vehicles ignition, the transponder sends a signal to a disc shaped antenna surrounding the key cylinder housing behind the shroud on the steering column. The antenna then relays a signal to the control module and if the signal is correctly recognized, the vehicle is allowed to start. If access is attempted without the correct code, critical systems (ignition, starter) remain inoperable. This all sounds good on paper but all this system does is keep honest people honest, because it is very easy to bypass. The thieves are now using laptop computers with recorded RF codes to bypass them in about 20 seconds, which is probably why the factory installs these systems for free. Sadly, many car dealers tell their customers that because of this special transponder chip in their key . . . they do not need any extra security for their vehicle, but this is NOT TRUE!

Remote Starters
These devices may be real convenient by starting your car and warming it up in the winter and cooling it off in the summer, but please do not think these systems are secure.

Immobilizers Type Devices
The Immobilizer name is used by many different anti theft device companies around the world. Many foreign car companies install this system as standard equipment on their vehicles. This system consists of a resistor or tiny radio transmitter imbedded in the ignition key and sends a signal to a receiver in the steering column, much like the GM, FORD and CHRYSLER systems just discussed in paragraph 3. A variation of this system involves the use of a plug, rather than an imbedded chip in the ignition key, but all are connected under the dash and all are very easy to locate and bypass. The wires used for these systems do not have any armor cable or security covering to protect or conceal them, making it easy for a thief to locate the wires, reconnect them, and steal the vehicle in a matter of seconds. Some of these systems claim to interrupt as many as 4 different circuits, but it does not matter how many circuits you interrupt . . . if you can easily reconnect them under the dash. Don’t be fooled by false claims that these companies make. Many vehicles have been stolen that were equipped with this device!

Touch Sensors
These devices hook up to the starter wire under the dash. An existing part of the vehicle, such as the cruise control button, the high beam lever, the wiper switch or even a radio knob, becomes the trigger for this device. The driver has to touch this "secret switch" in order to start the vehicle. These devices all work in conjunction with relays that continuously burn up due to the high amperage from the starter wire to which they are connected. Most of them even have a toggle switch, that allows a person to override the system. Car thieves are not at all deterred by these devices.

Kill Switches
These devices are connected under the dash to the starter wire. This is where the thief works. It connects to one circuit and traced back to the actual toggle switch where it is easy to cut and the wire is tied back together. The Ravelco connects absolutely nothing under your dash and with the plug unattached, not only will your car not start nither will your fuel and many other things.

Flat Plug Devices
These devices are all mounted below the dash. The connections are very simple to make and only go to each end of the starter wire beneath the dash. The more sophisticated models include a red flashing light . . . which has nothing at all to do with the device's ability to deter theft. It is merely a red light that either blinks or burns continuously.

Clubs
Widely advertised, this device is probably the best known anti theft product on the market today. But as demonstrated on CBS' American Journal, a car thief using a hacksaw can cut through the vehicle's steering wheel and remove The Club in just 22 seconds! The program also demonstrated how a thief can spray "freon" into the locking mechanism of The Club, hit the now - frozen lock with a hammer, and shatter it like glass, enabling him to remove The Club. In addition, there is a device called the Club Buster, which will break The Club and AutoLock devices in 60 seconds. The Club Buster is intended for locksmiths, tow truck operators, and auto repossession professionals, but any thief can buy it over the internet right now for $93.

Keypad Systems
These systems connect to the starter wire under the dash. They can be defeated in seconds by locating the "brain box" of the keypad (which usually is wire-tied or taped to the steering column under the dash) and then touching the two contacts with a jumper wire.

Remote Starter Kills
Many Car Dealers promote this type of device because it is very - very easy to install and the dealer can charge up to $499 for it. The customer will never know the difference and will think that they are getting top security for their dollar. This device comes with a remote control and a special re-worked starter relay that replaces the factory starter relay in your vehicle's power distribution box. The power distribution box is very easy to access directly under the hood of the vehicle, all you have to do is to lift the cover of the box pull out the relay, replace it with any factory relay (cost $2) and drive the vehicle off. Again, the remote control on this device can be scanned and bypassed with a scanner box very easily in seconds.

 •$20,000 vehicle can be stripped and sold into $30,000 parts.

 •It takes a thief less than 8 minutes to strip a vehicle of the parts they want.

 •Even if your vehicle is recovered and "repairable," its value is significantly diminished when you sell it. Companies like Carfax and other trace and record history on vehicles. It will be brought to attention that it was stolen at one point.

 •Tracking systems do not prevent the loss of a vehicle, but you can break off antenna. By the time gps gets in touch with cops it might be too late.

 •Most vehicles that are found by police are usually already picked over with valuable parts first to go.

 •Consider the personal time from family and work if a theft occurs.

Now that you are understanding the theft world a bit! You can see why the Ravelco is the only one that stops it at the source! They cannot hotwire it, cannot break it, cannot bypass it, or anything else!!