Alarms
Over the years MOTORQUIP has supplied and fitted many different brands such as COBRA, CLIFFORD, SERPI STAR, TOAD, SCORPION AND AUTOWATCH.
My preferred choice of alarm is Cobra but I do use an excellent remotely operated Autowatch immobiliser as it flashes the indicators just like and alarm and works with 95% of original equipment central locking.
I am still able to repair many of the older alarms but after about 10 years of constant use I recommend replacing the alarm to ensure it does its job reliably.
Thatcham approval
Category one alarms have car protection, ie doors windows movement microwave etc and immobilisation of at least two circuits required to start the car.
Category two alarms just have the immobilisation
Thatcham approved Tracker systems make it possible to track the car when all else has failed or the thieves broke into your house to steal your keys as seems to be becoming popular these days ( please don’t leave your keys on the table in the hall!). There are passive and active tracking devices, passive rely on you reporting the car as stolen when you realise it has been and then the company activate the tracker and inform the police where it is. An active tracker is linked to your alarm system and will automatically be activated should the alarm be activated or is bypassed. They may also be activated when the vehicle is raised on a ramp but they contact you first before the police the idea is the tracker thinks the car is being towed away!
A new tracker has just been released which uses a pay as you go sim card, this is a cheap option not for security but for small businesses or suspicious partners to be able to log onto an internet linked computer and to see where the vehicle is and has been. I the past this sort of tracker has been quite expensive at around £12 to £15 per month. With the pay as you go I expect a £20 top up would last 6 months or more!
Alarm costs vary depending on the features you want, here is a list of most of them.
The alarm will sound when:
If a door is opened ( Interior light circuit)
A window is smashed (glass break sensor)
Someone sits in a seat ( ultrasonics)
The bonnet or boot is opened ( pin switches)
The vehicle is rocked, moved or jacked up The vehicle is approached too closely (microwave sensor)
Some good advice to prevent theft from your car:
Lock valuables in the boot or take them with you.
Don’t leave the sucker mount for your sat nav etc. on the windscreen.
Choose car parks with cctv if possible.
Don’t leave anything in your car if possible.
Park in well lit areas.
Remove your radio front and take it with you!