Ravelco Anti-Theft Device???

[Buffalo]

How much extra are the additional plug-in buttons?



Thanks.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Matt400]

Some one please show me VERIFIABLE PROOF how a sentry key system can be over ridden for $150. Also proof that skim equipped trucks have been driven away not towed when stolen.

I have searched and just can't find it. Anytime I have read about stolen Rams they were black key trucks. I think all a thief needs to do is look at the dash and if the the red led is on its a gray key no-go and they move on till they find one with the red led off.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

If it can be installed for 50-65 $ it cant take too long to un-install it. Some one please show me VERIFIABLE PROOF how a sentry key system can be over ridden for $150. Also proof that skim equipped trucks have been driven away not towed when stolen.



Thanks Bob

I'm curious as well.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have worked on many theft recovered vehicles... ... ... ... ..... None were driven with the skim system. I did have one that was towed and stripped. This(towing) will be a possibility with any system but least likely with the new Lojack early warning system. Once again the Ravelco can do nothing to prevent this type of attack.

If a pro wants your particular vehicle he will get it one way or another. I don't think the Coyotes are so sophisticated they will be cracking codes Too many easy to steal unprotected vehicles.

Flatbeds can grab a car in a hurry!!! Hard to defend against that.



Bob

 

[CBrahs]

I have searched and just can't find it. Anytime I have read about stolen Rams they were black key trucks. I think all a thief needs to do is look at the dash and if the the red led is on its a gray key no-go and they move on till they find one with the red led off.

Matt,

My 07 does not have any red flashing lights.

 

[CBrahs]

here is some reading info



http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rciautomation/p4.htm

 

[Bob4x4]

Matt,

My 07 does not have any red flashing lights.

They arevery easy to add :-laf :-laf :-laf and they are D/C approved.



Bob

 

[Matt400]

Matt,

My 07 does not have any red flashing lights.

The led is there in the cluster and lights up when a gray key vehicle is locked. On black key vehicles that led just doesn't come on which really works against you because thats the tip off its a black key truck.

 

[CBrahs]

Ok Bob,

From reading several of your past posts and replies, it seems as though you like to stir the pot. As for me, I am not going to install some flashing red light just because it is "DC" approved. I also worked for DC and I have to tell you that I am going to and did install a system in my 60k truck to protect it. Nothing out there other than parking it inside a building will keep it from being towed but I can tell you it IS NOT going to get hot wired! People will do what they want to when it comes to an anti theft system. THere are several big cities that noise maker alarms are ILLEGAL! So what are they supposed to do? Maybe keep your snide comments to yourself and let people do their own research on what they want to have installed to protect their investment.

 

[CBrahs]

The led is there in the cluster and lights up when a gray key vehicle is locked. On black key vehicles that led just doesn't come on which really works against you because thats the tip off its a black key truck.

My 07 has the key with the fob into one. no flashing red light.

 

[seemore]

Lately, we've been having a lot of Dodge/Cummins thefts, around here (Phoenix, AZ. ) I have been using a "Club" & a 'kill-switch', for protection.



Recently, I've been hearing about Ravelco's product & was wondering if any of you folks are using it & what your thoughts are regarding how effective it is.



The local installer wants about $520. 00 for the unit, installed. Is that a reasonable price?



Mostly, I'm interested in whether it works as well as advertised. They think it's the most effective anti-theft device on the market with no vehicle ever being stolen with their product in use.



Thanks.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

Well, I for one think Bob 4X4 has some pretty good ideas. He has almost 3000 posts! I am ALWAYS LEERY of the advice of someone that has a VESTED interest is a product they are commenting on!



The OP asked for thoughts on the Ravelco's system and I thought that's what everyone was doing!

 

[ohnoitsyu]

It's interesting to note that scare tactics are used to sell the products with many claims of how easy other systems are to defeat, but when called to the carpet and asked to show proof that the Dodge system can be defeated, all we hear are crickets.



I don't have anything against the ravelco system. Anything is better than nothing. I just don't care for the scare tactics.



Funny side note about LoJack. One of my previous Dodge trucks (1995 model) came with a LoJack system. As I was driving down the road, I was thinking about it, and I wondered where I would put it if I were a lazy installer. So I yanked out the cupholder assembly, reached back into the dash, and pulled out the LoJack box (still harnessed). Yup, that was an effective installation. BTW, I spent about 10 years in my prior life installing car audio and security systems, so I have seen how hacks typically work and think.

 

[Bob4x4]

Ok Bob,

From reading several of your past posts and replies, it seems as though you like to stir the pot. As for me, I am not going to install some flashing red light just because it is "DC" approved. I also worked for DC and I have to tell you that I am going to and did install a system in my 60k truck to protect it. Nothing out there other than parking it inside a building will keep it from being towed but I can tell you it IS NOT going to get hot wired! People will do what they want to when it comes to an anti theft system. THere are several big cities that noise maker alarms are ILLEGAL! So what are they supposed to do? Maybe keep your snide comments to yourself and let people do their own research on what they want to have installed to protect their investment.

I don't remember making any snide comments???

I don't think My posts are trying to stir the pot There are MANY people who come here to learn and are misled by biased or incorrect info. I see many things touted as gospel when they are far from the truth. I repair tons of vehicles that have been modified with good intentions but with out the needed skills or quality parts called for.

I see trucks with all sorts of security systems that will speed up the theifs success by pointing the way to the starting systems. I also repair damage to controllers and wiring harnesses by shoody workmanship and poorly designed sytems. When some one comes to this site to learn, I beleive they should see more than one side to a product or service. I am only here to serve,and to have some laughs occaisionally.

I guess I should add that I have 2 systems on my truck and that I hate the noise makers too. I have had an attempted theft on my truck,and no they didnt get it started :-laf :-laf



Bob

 

[Bob4x4]

Larry,

As a Ravelco distributor and I feel I say this from every distributor, do the installation correclty. PM me if you have any questions. I will be happy to guide you thru the procedure. I will not post any installation tips or tricks online but please feel free to contact me.

As a vendor I beleive your signature is supposed to show that.

Not stirring the pot just a friendly reminder.



Bob

 

[WhiteSheep]

Pit Bull Alternative

To add fuel to this fire. Take a look at the Pit Bull Tire Boot.



Pit Bull Tire Boot



I chose this over the Ravelco because you can't drag a vehicle away with a boot on it. You do have to take the time to install it, however. This takes some practice, especially in the dark. When parked in my driveway in Phoenix, my 04 Ram wears one of these on a turned front tire. I back the Ram against the RV gate for added measure. 04 Ram Q cabs were the most stolen vehicle in Phoenix in 2006. I may add a Ravelco to boot. (pun intended)

 

[ohnoitsyu]

Those boots really do slow thieves down... by less than a minute, I think.

http://www.awdirect.com/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=6657&secid=71&linkon=subsection&linkid=125



Most every tow truck carries these. I don't know if they'll handle the weight of our trucks, but for a snatch and run job, I suspect they will work.



If pulling trucks were my business, I'd consder a set of these to pull/push the truck into an area where I could work on it a bit longer: http://www.awdirect.com/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=6707&secid=71&linkon=subsection&linkid=125

 

[WhiteSheep]

OH NO:



Good point, but you have to have dollies with you to use them. How many coyote's carry dollys? I am never going to prevent someone who really wants my RAM to take it. I can, however, make him look at yours instead of mine.

 

[CBrahs]

http://www.miheat.org/atpa.aspx#most



Bob,

I am not going to post info on how to bypass the system. If I did, then I would have the entire TDR members on my hind end on showing an unsuspecting thief on how to do it. I am not trying to use scare tactics to sell my product but also not going to throw any punches and beat around the bush on the weaknesses of a ton of "anti theft products" that are out there. I know you have a ton of posts that are very informative and I have learned a few things from you as well, but you do like to stir the pot a bit! LOL!! I am not here to start a war or pi$$ anyone off. Auto theft is a major thing and it is getting worse. I am only here to inform people so they can take the needed precautions to prevent a theft.

 

[Regcabguy]

No worries,Mates!

As a vendor I beleive your signature is supposed to show that.

Not stirring the pot just a friendly reminder.



Bob

I'm going to minimize the interior contents of my truck and trust that the Sentry Key works as designed. F'it. Bring on the flatbed tow rigs. I'll buy an '07. 5 C&C 6-speed Aisen. Chill.

 

[CDonaldson]

Well, this topic is moving right along I see.



I was in visiting my dealership today to pick up some touch up paint. I asked the parts guy about a couple things. Now, keep in mind anything I say here is hear say. Anyway, I asked about the difference in the GRAY key vrs the BLACK key with built in entry/panic - he said "nothing, both are sentry chipped, the 2006's all have sentry chips". I asked him what it would cost to ADD the factory alarm module, to include the blinking red light stuff, horn beeping,etc - he said "$169. 00 installed". It will work off the black key w/built in fob buttons. Then I asked him if there were any other means of security or anti-theft I could install - he said "JimmiJammers and the Ravelco". My dealership used to install the Ravelco units, now a local alarm shop does them for them, well not actually for them as they get no kickback or otherwise, they just send people there to get them installed. So, he kind of gave me an un-biased opinion regarding what the dealership recommends. He actually went into quite the sales pitch about the Ravelco units. He told me that he knows several people who have them, have had break-ins, but their vehicles were not stolen, tore up some, but not stolen. He has one on his truck, took me out and showed me.



Since I have no vested interest, I am not selling them, actually getting one installed tomorrow, I figure what I have learned is worth telling others. So, if you are so inclined to consider a Ravelco unit as I have, and if you are further inclined to have one installed - good for you in attempting to protect your truck/your investment.



As far as the other information I posted regarding the stuff necessary to read codes, etc. I have first-hand seen it used, it does work as I described it, it was not on some old GM system, it was ON MY TRUCK that the demo was done - for my benefit by a friend. Anyone can either take or leave what I have said and seen, it makes NO difference to me one way or another BUT it might make some difference to you somewhere down the line. I have not posted the website regarding this stuff BECAUSE I would not want to contribute to someone of the 'thief' caliber getting their hands on and using this equipment. If I can search the web and find it SO CAN YOU, and you can do it as part of your search for enlightenment regarding what can happen to your vehicle that you might want to find a way to sidestep.



Maybe none of the sentry key trucks were 'driven off' maybe they were jerked onto a flatbed, I have NO IDEA because I was not there to see someone's truck stolen AND IF I would have been there to watch, based on how one's word is taken here, it would have been regarded as hear say anyway. To me that remark is just double-talk and side-stepping the REAL ISSUE which has to do with the BENEFIT of the Ravelco discussion and it's contribution to anti-theft as a whole. So, you can either take my word on what I have seen and tried to communicate, albeit not using the standard lingo which might give more creedence. By the way, I DO understand how the sentry key works and serves it's end purpose in our vehicles, I am just not good at articulating that stuff.



Thanks for your time reading my lengthy post. It will be the last one in this topic.



CD