LoJack?
11-05-2002 | 07:47 PM
#41
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Originally posted by ChinaClipper
Todd, it sounds that if you are that picky about other folks messing with your car, then Lo-Jack is NOT for you. Part of the premise of LJ is that you, the owner, do NOT know where the unit is located. That prevents YOU from being suspect of deactivating the tracking unit and defrauding LJ of the insurance guarantee when your vehicle "is not recovered" while you have sold it for a tidy sum or have moved the vehicle to another state to drive. Part of the LJ scheme is that only they know where the unit is located in your car. You are NOT supposed to know where, which presumes that the unit is likely to be hidden behind an interior closeout panel or otherwise hidden enough that normal car maintenance will not disturb the unit. Thats the way the system is designed to work.
Todd, it sounds that if you are that picky about other folks messing with your car, then Lo-Jack is NOT for you. Part of the premise of LJ is that you, the owner, do NOT know where the unit is located. That prevents YOU from being suspect of deactivating the tracking unit and defrauding LJ of the insurance guarantee when your vehicle "is not recovered" while you have sold it for a tidy sum or have moved the vehicle to another state to drive. Part of the LJ scheme is that only they know where the unit is located in your car. You are NOT supposed to know where, which presumes that the unit is likely to be hidden behind an interior closeout panel or otherwise hidden enough that normal car maintenance will not disturb the unit. Thats the way the system is designed to work.
Thanks for the input,
Todd
11-06-2002 | 03:51 AM
#42
Originally posted by ToddLuc
Good point. Do you know if the parts removal is done by Nissan and the LoJack installer is someone else?
Thanks for the input,
Todd
Good point. Do you know if the parts removal is done by Nissan and the LoJack installer is someone else?
Thanks for the input,
Todd
11-06-2002 | 05:02 AM
#43
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
Re: LoJack facts
Originally posted by Deuuuce
You guys need to do your homework regarding satellite systems.
Not only are they very expensive, easy to find and disable (no backup battery, for instance) and easy to hide from. Strictly line of sight - read the fine print. Plus monthly fees OR only 50 free "tracks" a year.
You guys need to do your homework regarding satellite systems.
Not only are they very expensive, easy to find and disable (no backup battery, for instance) and easy to hide from. Strictly line of sight - read the fine print. Plus monthly fees OR only 50 free "tracks" a year.
11-06-2002 | 07:08 AM
#44
Guest
Posts: n/a
cell phone tracking?
So what happens when the cell phone is tossed or the obvious antennae/sending unit is disabled? I suspect it's a trunk/rear hatch mounted system?
Also, the monitoring station will NEVER turn off the car unless the police can SEE the car and give the okay to shut it down.
How much are your monthly fees and does it include cell phone usage?
The LoJack is never installed in the engine bay - it's always behind the firewall in one of about 35 different locations in the interior.
Also, the monitoring station will NEVER turn off the car unless the police can SEE the car and give the okay to shut it down.
How much are your monthly fees and does it include cell phone usage?
The LoJack is never installed in the engine bay - it's always behind the firewall in one of about 35 different locations in the interior.
11-06-2002 | 07:46 AM
#45
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
There is no phone, its a hidden black box and no visible antenna. The fees are $20 to $25 per month...I don't remember, but it would be based on the local company. I did check with them and they have discontinued the engine cutoff.
I edited this from their website teletrac.net from the consumer products.
It uses advanced wireless technology to direct police to its location in real-time with computer software mapping technology linked to an on-board Vehicle Location Unit (VLU). Land-based towers receive a signal from the VLU. In a matter of seconds, longitude and latitude are calculated and sent to the monitoring station and displayed on a computerized map.
Available features include: call-in stolen vehicle notification, automatic stolen vehicle notification, remote door unlock/lock, automated roadside assistance with the push of a button, locate specific landmarks, two years free monitoring, unlimited automatic vehicle location by phone.
The package includes: A Vehicle Location Unit (VLU), A covert antenna, Back-up, battery, Real-time stolen vehicle tracking.
I edited this from their website teletrac.net from the consumer products.
It uses advanced wireless technology to direct police to its location in real-time with computer software mapping technology linked to an on-board Vehicle Location Unit (VLU). Land-based towers receive a signal from the VLU. In a matter of seconds, longitude and latitude are calculated and sent to the monitoring station and displayed on a computerized map.
Available features include: call-in stolen vehicle notification, automatic stolen vehicle notification, remote door unlock/lock, automated roadside assistance with the push of a button, locate specific landmarks, two years free monitoring, unlimited automatic vehicle location by phone.
The package includes: A Vehicle Location Unit (VLU), A covert antenna, Back-up, battery, Real-time stolen vehicle tracking.
11-06-2002 | 08:11 AM
#46
Guest
Posts: n/a
Teletrac
Teletrac has filed for bankruptcy several times in the past. Their product is best for fleets and directions for mobile units (technicians, delivery, etc.). Personally, I would not depend on them for stolen vehicle RECOVERY, not tracking.
Finally, I go back to possible insurnace discounts and a money back guarantee with no monitoring fees along with the one time purchase price.
However, now on the East Coast, LoJack offers the Early Warning system with the most expensive monthly fee of $9.95 that will inform the consumer when the car is stolen so that they can contact the police immediately.
How much is the initial system with installation? And how much for "monitoring" AFTER the 2 year period.
Finally, I go back to possible insurnace discounts and a money back guarantee with no monitoring fees along with the one time purchase price.
However, now on the East Coast, LoJack offers the Early Warning system with the most expensive monthly fee of $9.95 that will inform the consumer when the car is stolen so that they can contact the police immediately.
How much is the initial system with installation? And how much for "monitoring" AFTER the 2 year period.
11-06-2002 | 09:54 AM
#47
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
I have had the system for 9 years now on my Z and their vehicle locating has always as worked. They have 12,000 accounts in LA alone and different regions of the country operate independently from the home office.
Lojack has been around a long time too and it seems that all dealers offer it or give it away free on promotions. The Lojack early warning system should be worth it, if it activates after an alarm causing event like movement or break-in...Teletrack sends the alert after 60 seconds in alarm mode.
Without the early warning, you might be like the unfortunate Lojack owner who noticed the car missing the next morning and the cop's direction finder was pointing at the ocean, probably some container ship heading for some foreign land.
There was another case when lojack was first activated in South America, and they had of bunch of US cars send out the signal.
Lojack has been around a long time too and it seems that all dealers offer it or give it away free on promotions. The Lojack early warning system should be worth it, if it activates after an alarm causing event like movement or break-in...Teletrack sends the alert after 60 seconds in alarm mode.
Without the early warning, you might be like the unfortunate Lojack owner who noticed the car missing the next morning and the cop's direction finder was pointing at the ocean, probably some container ship heading for some foreign land.
There was another case when lojack was first activated in South America, and they had of bunch of US cars send out the signal.
11-06-2002 | 05:47 PM
#48
Guest
Posts: n/a
more on LoJack....
How much was the initial teletrac install? Since you have had it for 9 years, you've spent a minimum of $2,160 in fees alone. Do you have the benefit of an insurance discount to counter this cost?
How many stolen vehicle recoveries have they had and what is their success rate? Is their a money back guarantee?
If it's tied in with the alarm system, it's useless due to professional thieves. How is it activated?
LoJack installs 10,000 units PER MONTH in SoCal. 1,000 or so police cars and 50 helicopters are equipped with tracking units. Liasons in Mexico. Celebrated recoveries from ships (the crews being arrested and multiple recoveries from shipping containers).
249 recoveries in the month of September. Up from 150 or so per month 2 years ago. Auto theft has dropped 50% in LA the last 5 years. That can directly be attributed to LoJack. Chicago is now #1 and LoJack has a but a fraction of the installed units there vs. LA.
The triangulation ability of with cell phones did not exist 9 years ago. Did they upgrade their network and software between bankruptcies?
Of the few that get away with LoJack, I'll stick with the system the police use. South America's recovery was celebrated by LoJack and used by dealers to show just how well the system works. LoJack has over a 90% success rate and the statistics I quoted early reflect ALL theft reports, not those that watched their car being driven away.
Again, professional thieves and black market exporters do NOT want the police to be led right to them and that is why so many vehicles are recovered undamaged.
The early warning system works by a proprietary motion sensor and accelerometer and is not related to any vehicle alarm.
There is really no comparison.
How many stolen vehicle recoveries have they had and what is their success rate? Is their a money back guarantee?
If it's tied in with the alarm system, it's useless due to professional thieves. How is it activated?
LoJack installs 10,000 units PER MONTH in SoCal. 1,000 or so police cars and 50 helicopters are equipped with tracking units. Liasons in Mexico. Celebrated recoveries from ships (the crews being arrested and multiple recoveries from shipping containers).
249 recoveries in the month of September. Up from 150 or so per month 2 years ago. Auto theft has dropped 50% in LA the last 5 years. That can directly be attributed to LoJack. Chicago is now #1 and LoJack has a but a fraction of the installed units there vs. LA.
The triangulation ability of with cell phones did not exist 9 years ago. Did they upgrade their network and software between bankruptcies?
Of the few that get away with LoJack, I'll stick with the system the police use. South America's recovery was celebrated by LoJack and used by dealers to show just how well the system works. LoJack has over a 90% success rate and the statistics I quoted early reflect ALL theft reports, not those that watched their car being driven away.
Again, professional thieves and black market exporters do NOT want the police to be led right to them and that is why so many vehicles are recovered undamaged.
The early warning system works by a proprietary motion sensor and accelerometer and is not related to any vehicle alarm.
There is really no comparison.
11-07-2002 | 04:49 AM
#49
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
The install also had a supplemental alarm because it couldn't tie in with the Z's alarm. It cost a total of around $600 and monitoring is still worth the peace of mind. Yes I now have 2 alarms systems in the car and some insurance discount.
The triangulation ability is based on some wireless technology, not cel phones. I was wrong to assume it was cel phone based.
Ask them for their sucess/failure rate. The last time I heard about it, they had no lost cars. The system works for me and haven't had any problems with it.
I'm not trying to sell it, just offer another alternative. I had problems with the line of sight GPS sytems and LOjack might be better now if its activated as soon as the car is taken.
The triangulation ability is based on some wireless technology, not cel phones. I was wrong to assume it was cel phone based.
Ask them for their sucess/failure rate. The last time I heard about it, they had no lost cars. The system works for me and haven't had any problems with it.
I'm not trying to sell it, just offer another alternative. I had problems with the line of sight GPS sytems and LOjack might be better now if its activated as soon as the car is taken.
11-07-2002 | 11:08 AM
#50
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
I've heard that several companies are currently developing miniature tracking/homing devices that work in conjunction with GPS. They'll be used to track anything that's lost or stolen - kids, pets, golf bags, girlfriends, whatever. As I recall, these should be available within a couple of years. When these come out, LoJack will most likely become obsolete.
11-07-2002 | 12:33 PM
#51
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
So I have one more question for pro-LoJack people...
Stolen cars are not the norm in my area or surrounding areas. The 350Z has an immobilizer that prevents the car from being started without the key (chip in key, actually).
It sounds like I only have to worry about the professional's and not the amateurs.
I talked to the local police, and they said they wouldn't chase a stolen car, as it wasn't worth putting lives in danger for property. I respect (and am thankful) for their position, personally.
What, again, is the benefit of LoJack, given what I have said.
(My question is an intent to learn, not judge LoJack)
Stolen cars are not the norm in my area or surrounding areas. The 350Z has an immobilizer that prevents the car from being started without the key (chip in key, actually).
It sounds like I only have to worry about the professional's and not the amateurs.
I talked to the local police, and they said they wouldn't chase a stolen car, as it wasn't worth putting lives in danger for property. I respect (and am thankful) for their position, personally.
What, again, is the benefit of LoJack, given what I have said.
(My question is an intent to learn, not judge LoJack)
11-07-2002 | 04:16 PM
#52
Guest
Posts: n/a
To address your points.
Professional thieves, carjackers, kidnappers, home invaders (documented, celebrated and published LoJack recoveries), lost keys, stolen keys and tow trucks are ways to steal any car.
GPS compliments LoJack and vice versa. OnStar, widely available, hasn't affected LoJack sales, at all.
POLICE DO NOT SIMPLY CHASE CARS EQUIPPED WITH LOJACK!!!
It's a HOMING device. They don't have to CHASE IT. They TRACK IT. HUGE DIFFERENCE! I can't even guess the overwhelming majority of recoveries that didn't involve chases. Typically they are covert, surprise felony stops or just finding the car parked, "cooling off".
Now some of the widely covered child abductions involved stolen cars in recent months. Do the other cars of Z owners have LoJack?
Professional thieves, carjackers, kidnappers, home invaders (documented, celebrated and published LoJack recoveries), lost keys, stolen keys and tow trucks are ways to steal any car.
GPS compliments LoJack and vice versa. OnStar, widely available, hasn't affected LoJack sales, at all.
POLICE DO NOT SIMPLY CHASE CARS EQUIPPED WITH LOJACK!!!
It's a HOMING device. They don't have to CHASE IT. They TRACK IT. HUGE DIFFERENCE! I can't even guess the overwhelming majority of recoveries that didn't involve chases. Typically they are covert, surprise felony stops or just finding the car parked, "cooling off".
Now some of the widely covered child abductions involved stolen cars in recent months. Do the other cars of Z owners have LoJack?
11-09-2002 | 08:56 AM
#53
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Originally posted by Deuuuce
To address your points.
Professional thieves, carjackers, kidnappers, home invaders (documented, celebrated and published LoJack recoveries), lost keys, stolen keys and tow trucks are ways to steal any car.
GPS compliments LoJack and vice versa. OnStar, widely available, hasn't affected LoJack sales, at all.
POLICE DO NOT SIMPLY CHASE CARS EQUIPPED WITH LOJACK!!!
It's a HOMING device. They don't have to CHASE IT. They TRACK IT. HUGE DIFFERENCE! I can't even guess the overwhelming majority of recoveries that didn't involve chases. Typically they are covert, surprise felony stops or just finding the car parked, "cooling off".
Now some of the widely covered child abductions involved stolen cars in recent months. Do the other cars of Z owners have LoJack?
To address your points.
Professional thieves, carjackers, kidnappers, home invaders (documented, celebrated and published LoJack recoveries), lost keys, stolen keys and tow trucks are ways to steal any car.
GPS compliments LoJack and vice versa. OnStar, widely available, hasn't affected LoJack sales, at all.
POLICE DO NOT SIMPLY CHASE CARS EQUIPPED WITH LOJACK!!!
It's a HOMING device. They don't have to CHASE IT. They TRACK IT. HUGE DIFFERENCE! I can't even guess the overwhelming majority of recoveries that didn't involve chases. Typically they are covert, surprise felony stops or just finding the car parked, "cooling off".
Now some of the widely covered child abductions involved stolen cars in recent months. Do the other cars of Z owners have LoJack?
Is LoJack hard-wired into a wiring harness? I was just curious if this is a big job to install (for the installer of course), or not.
11-10-2002 | 05:26 AM
#55
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Re: LJ install
Originally posted by Deuuuce
It is hard-wired. Two wires, a hot and a ground. The hot is soldered to the existing hot wire. It's pretty routine - the time is getting to the hiding place and then covering it back up.
It is hard-wired. Two wires, a hot and a ground. The hot is soldered to the existing hot wire. It's pretty routine - the time is getting to the hiding place and then covering it back up.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bcheng4jc
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z
0
08-27-2004 06:35 PM
