LoJack

[Mingoglia]

I'm curious if anyone has actually seen one of these LoJack transmitters... the transmitter that's hidden in the vehicle. I just recently had it installed but unfortunately my wife was home and I wasn't. The installers wouldn't allow my wife outside when they installed it. I'm really curious what it looks like... I may have to tear my vehicle apart looking for it.

 

[tgbol]

When they installed mine the installer wouldn't let me watch either. I didn't make a point to find it. I figured that the way I am always doing something to my truck I would come accross it, I did. I found the antenna and traced it back to where it was hidden. He put exactly where I would have if I was doing it myself.

 

[Mingoglia]

I spent some time on the Internet to try to find a picture of the transmitter but to my surprise I can't seem to find a picture... . is it the size of a "chalk board eraser" like it's described? Was your located on the outside or inside of your vehicle (you don't have to answer this if you want). . .

 

[CATCRACKER]

does this system come with a sticker to display (lojack equipped)on the drivers side window or would this be a bad thing?

 

[Mingoglia]

It doesn't come with one and they highly discourage displaying this fact... They say "Lojack isn't designed to be a detterent". They figure if it isn't advertised chances are the would be theif won't look for it.

 

[ASTAR]

I am thinking of getting it put in my truck just because I know that if my truck ever was stolen, my insurance company would rape me. I was in LA flying around and heard the LAPD going after a "Lojack number" and thought man, that is the way to go. They have some great recovery rate so it sounds like money well spent. The only thing I wonder is, if it is GPS coodinated, is the signal lost if they pull it into a garage to strip it or something like that where GPS isn't reliable?

 

[tgbol]

I have it never needed it (thank god). From what I understand that does not use GPS. When activated by The police (or LO-JACK) it sends out a radio beam that is picked up by locating antennas and tri-angled. I was told that the LAPD and LA Sheriff's office the cars that have 4 antennas in a diamond are the ones that have Lo-JacK trackers in them. They measure a time differance and locate the car. The Lo-Jack will stop if the battery is completely removed. The signal will go through walls but I don't know haw strong it is.

 

[DBentley]

Boughy my dodge used and spent hours under the dash removing all the aftermarket electronic JUNK that was installed. Alarm was first to get cut out. Then i found the lojack under the dash it ties in with the fm radio antenna and has a small backup rechargable gel cell hanging off it always pulling power from the truck. Glad to remove all the aftermarket goodies tied up under the dash what a mess. Its black and about the size of an eraser.

 

[JTryles]

I have it never needed it (thank god). From what I understand that does not use GPS. When activated by The police (or LO-JACK) it sends out a radio beam that is picked up by locating antennas and tri-angled. I was told that the LAPD and LA Sheriff's office the cars that have 4 antennas in a diamond are the ones that have Lo-JacK trackers in them. They measure a time differance and locate the car. The Lo-Jack will stop if the battery is completely removed. The signal will go through walls but I don't know haw strong it is.

I work closely with local law enforcement and yes... you are right. The Lo-Jack system is a RF based system with the tranmitters operating at 173. 075 Mhz. The tell tale sign that a police unit has the receiver is the four approximately 2 foot tall antenna's on the roof (usually). The receiver inside the vehicle is equipped with a display that shows a compass rose to point the to direction of the transmitter and a signal strength meter to give a relative distance to target. Lo-Jack gives one (sometimes more depending on the size of the PD) free receiver to the department for use as they wish. Most of the officers I've asked about the system weren't too impressed with it overall though. The usual comment was that by the time a car is discovered stolen by an owner that then calls Lo-Jack whom then places a call to the local law enforcement who then dispatches the ONE car with the FREE receiver in it that the thief is typically well out of range or has the car inside a chop shop where the signal is weaked considerably. Also, due to the fact that they have so many other pieces of technology in the police crusiers making noise and flashing lights that the cops that I deal with normally have the receiver OFF unless they are told there may be a stolen vehicle in the area. So if your car is stolen and driven around for a few days don't think that the police cruiser is driving around with the Lo-Jack receiver active "just in case" an activated transmitted happens in to range.



Bottom line? Lo-Jack DOES work... . it's just not given all that high of a priority in the day-to-day operations of the PD's that I deal with through my work (Southeastern Michigan). Most say systems like Lo-Jack and even OnStar work but that unless the owner of the vehicle discovers the theft VERY soon after the deed has been done that the chances of recovering the vehicle undamaged are still very, very slim. :{

 

[BNH4221]

Not from what I hear....

Most say systems like Lo-Jack and even OnStar work but that unless the owner of the vehicle discovers the theft VERY soon after the deed has been done that the chances of recovering the vehicle undamaged are still very, very slim

Actually, I believe the opposite is true. The scummy maggots that steal cars generally leave it on a quiet street or somewhere it won't be noticed for a few days right after they take it. They wait to see if the vehicle has a LOJACK and if the police show up and re-claim the vehicle via a LOJACK signal. They don't want to have posession if the vehicle is equipped with a LOJACK.

I think the difference between OnStar and LOJACK is that OnStar is satellite based (GPS) and loses ability to respond to GPS interrogation signal under some bridges, parking garages etc. LOJACK puts out its own signal regardless of where it is.



FWIW



Steve

 

[Diesel Dick]

I have Lo-Jack on my 98. 5. I watched the install. I saw the box that was installed. However I will not discribe the look of the box. I am in law enforcement. To put this information out there for anybody to read is irrespondsible.

The system works and works well. Just my two cents. To activate the box you need to call and give the vehicle vin #. This is sent out and the unit is activated. The unit, not the vehicle is located by a black and white. If the unit is found and left activated the black and white will find the transmitter. The integrity of the system depends on it not being found. Pros know were to look, amatures dont have a clue.

Over the last 8 years my discount on my insurance has paid for the unit, and then some.

 

[DBrickel]

I just talked to my son-in-law (hes a cop) He said lo jac is good for urban areas but if your in rural areas you might want to ask the police if they are set up for it.

I was looking on the internet last nite for info on it and couldn't find a price for it. anyone know cost?

 

[rbattelle]

Is there a subscription fee? How long does installation take? Is the install complex?



-Ryan

 

[DavidC]

Is there a subscription fee? How long does installation take? Is the install complex?



-Ryan

Call LOJACK direct and they will set you up. Some dealers are advertising with a subscription fee that LOJACK does not have. Installation is about 1 to 1. 5 hours and they usually install where ever you wish. No the install is not complex.



Dave

 

[Cactus Roper]

The cost of Lo Jack is around $400 for their basic service. Upgrades as well as the costs are on the Lo Jack WEB site. The unit is small and has an onboard battery that will allow the unit to continue to operate even if the vehicles battery is disconnected. The comment about officers not having their tracking unit on because of the extra noise is probably true. All professions including law enforcement have employees who are more interested if just getting the day over rather than doing the best job they can. The biggest problem I see with Lo Jack is that large areas do not have this service available. Lo Jack claims that they have a 90% recovery rate and that most stolen vehicles are parked in an inconspicuous area and if the unit is not recovered quickly they then the criminals pick up the vehicle and strip them. I question these statements. I have State Farm Insurance and they do not give a discount for having this recovery system. I feel that if it were really effective, State Farm would encourage the use of these units and give a discount. Even with my concerns, I feel that the service is worthwhile.