Even with all these sensors, there is still another problem. Car alarms are so common that hearing one go off in certain circumstances will gather very little attention.
Bystander apathy theory suggests that the more people who hear a person (or in our case, a car) call for help, the less likely any single one of them is to do anything.
This is why you can get an alarm with a 2-way pager, which lets you know something is wrong even if you're out of earshot. It communicates back to the remote and is ideal while you're shopping or at the gym, for example.
Rick Anderson is a mobile electronics installer, and knows more than a bit about car alarms. "The Viper 1002 is about as top-of-the-line as you can get. It has a 2 way pager and can even roll up your windows and close your sunroof."
He stresses the importance of professional installation.
"There are many 'do-it-yourself' models available, but a security alarm is only as good as its install job."
Even a high tech alarm and great install job can be totally useless unless used properly. Security systems are no different than many other safety devices fitted to your ride. To work properly, they need to be used with a certain degree of common sense.
To make sure yours works its best, make sure you have the right one for the job. Assess your level of risk. Do you park on a street at night, or in a garage? Is your area known for high theft rates? Don't assume your vehicle is too old or undesirable to be stolen either.
My friend hates his $500 beater because it's about a dozen shades of primer, filler and rust. Apparently some car thieves liked it though. He wasn't crushed about losing the car, but the hassle and paperwork alone would have been worth the money for a basic alarm.
Some of the most HIGHLY STOLEN CARS:
-Acura Integra
-Hyundai Tiburon
-BMW 3 series
The Integra is one of the most stolen cars in Canada, and one reason why might be what is under the hood. Some Integra models have high-performance engines which are in high demand for the import tuning folks, and can be easily removed and sold on Ebay for thousands of dollars by thieves. If you have an Integra, you should be alarmed.
photo:BMW, Brad Deshevy, Acura
 |
Bystander apathy theory suggests that the more people who hear a person (or in our case, a car) call for help, the less likely any single one of them is to do anything.
This is why you can get an alarm with a 2-way pager, which lets you know something is wrong even if you're out of earshot. It communicates back to the remote and is ideal while you're shopping or at the gym, for example.
Rick Anderson is a mobile electronics installer, and knows more than a bit about car alarms. "The Viper 1002 is about as top-of-the-line as you can get. It has a 2 way pager and can even roll up your windows and close your sunroof."
He stresses the importance of professional installation.
"There are many 'do-it-yourself' models available, but a security alarm is only as good as its install job."
Even a high tech alarm and great install job can be totally useless unless used properly. Security systems are no different than many other safety devices fitted to your ride. To work properly, they need to be used with a certain degree of common sense.
To make sure yours works its best, make sure you have the right one for the job. Assess your level of risk. Do you park on a street at night, or in a garage? Is your area known for high theft rates? Don't assume your vehicle is too old or undesirable to be stolen either.
 |
My friend hates his $500 beater because it's about a dozen shades of primer, filler and rust. Apparently some car thieves liked it though. He wasn't crushed about losing the car, but the hassle and paperwork alone would have been worth the money for a basic alarm.
Some of the most HIGHLY STOLEN CARS:
-Acura Integra
-Hyundai Tiburon
-BMW 3 series
The Integra is one of the most stolen cars in Canada, and one reason why might be what is under the hood. Some Integra models have high-performance engines which are in high demand for the import tuning folks, and can be easily removed and sold on Ebay for thousands of dollars by thieves. If you have an Integra, you should be alarmed.
photo:BMW, Brad Deshevy, Acura