security system installer

[meanchicken]

Are there any good, trustworthy installers around? I'm about to pop for a new security system and don't trust the hacks at Best Buy etc.
There is an old non functioning, spliced in and jumped around alarm/security system in the car to complicate things a bit.

Tim

 

[BlackBandit]

Does Best Buy do the install for free with purchase? If so it might not be a bad idea to let them do it so they can fight with and figure out the old system. Then, when they're done, go through and solder all the connections and dress everything up nice. Just a thought.

 

[meanchicken]

Does Best Buy do the install for free with purchase? If so it might not be a bad idea to let them do it so they can fight with and figure out the old system. Then, when they're done, go through and solder all the connections and dress everything up nice. Just a thought.

They advertise "installation included" but also have small print that says extra work will be charged.

 

[SPOOLFOOL2]

Kill switch.

Ask Lou.

 

[meanchicken]

Kill switch.

Ask Lou.

Will do.
Lou gave me the kill switch advice when I visited his shop a couple weeks back.

I also want to get a GPS security system since a kill switch alone won't stop a flat bed hauler, so if the car goes mobile when I'm not in it. Will also be going for a Steadfast column collar.

 

[Underboost]

Seriously I would just get Lojack. A local guy just had his stolen and the Cops found the car the guys and the chop shop in the same day. Mine has it.

 

[meanchicken]

Seriously I would just get Lojack. A local guy just had his stolen and the Cops found the car the guys and the chop shop in the same day. Mine has it.

I was thinking LoJack, and know they work well once the process is successfully activated, but have seen critism that the coverage is limited by the following scenario:
You discover your car is lifted (possibly hours after the crime). You call the cops. The cops track down the Police cruiser with the Lojack tracker in it (not all cruisers are equiped). The cops then ping your lojack and are able to find your car. Hopefully this all occurs before the chop shop discovers and disables the lojack.
If my understanding is wrong, please correct me.

Compare that to a GPS security system.
Arm the system. Bad guy smashes window or slim jims lock, breaking into car. I immediately get a page on my blackberry (even if I'm in China) and call cops. If I'm in town and get to the car quick enough, I punch bad guy in the throat and as he crumbles to the ground, I give him an elbow to the temple for good measure. Then wait for cops with my knee across his neck.
If I don't get there fast enough, or I'm in China, I can track the location of the car from my BB and give the police access to my tracking info. They find bad guy with my car or if I'm in town, I beat them to him (repeat from "I punch bad guy in the throat..."). If they beat me to him, they taz and beat him for me until he has an excessive force lawsuit to file (yeh LAPD!)...
...And I can remotely disable the car.
I like it!

How much did the Lojack cost installed?
Only car dealers can install these, right?

Tim

 

[Boost231]

i would also like more info. when my brother got his lojack installed they would let him see what they where doing or where they installed it. im not sure if i like this idea. im sure i could find where they installed it but i would also like to watch what he is doing. i have alot of wiring under my dash that i dont want tuched or splieced into.

 

["Turbo-T"]

i would also like more info. when my brother got his lojack installed they would let him see what they where doing or where they installed it. im not sure if i like this idea. im sure i could find where they installed it but i would also like to watch what he is doing. i have alot of wiring under my dash that i dont want tuched or splieced into.

You mean "they would not let him see"?

I too am interested in Lojack, as I understand they will not tell you where it's been installed.

I've also been wondering if I could tap into the orange wire off of the battery that goes into the ECM, and install a toggle switch inline? If turned off the ECM would not have power and the car would not start right?

 

[Gary Wells]

When I had the Lojack installed in my vette when it was new the guy from Lojack told me the same thing, and I went along with the program. I think that you will find that the average Lojack installer working for Lojack is of a somewhat higher caliber in integrity than the average stereo shop or best buy installer. That was my finding with the Vette 5 years ago.

 

[graza002]

LoJack first alert is what you want. It costs about double the price but is well worth it.

With LoJack, there are two different kinds. The basic package (which is what I have on my Acura, Honda (when I had it) and my Silverado (when I had it)) Which is just the LoJack module. That only activates when the owner of the vehicle calls and has it activated.

The second package is called the First Alert LoJack. This system calls your cell phone or home phone or pager (if you are behind the times and still have one) when the vehicle had an unauthorized move.

If you run the First Alert LoJack plus a kill switch, you should be good to go.

 

["Turbo-T"]

This system calls your pager (if you are behind the times and still have one)..

LOL does anyone even still have a pager anymore?

 

[graza002]

LOL does anyone even still have a pager anymore?

LOL Sorry to say I still have one for work . But its not for personal use. Its linked to the 911 dispatch system. Just another form of calls getting dispatched to us.