Security for my '08 truck, OEM Sentry key question and thinking of getting a Lojack.

[Coalsmoke]

I'm trying to gather information about the effectiveness of my OEM black fob Sentry key with the microchip in it. I'm not sure whether to have much faith in the Sentry key because something crossed my mind, if you can buy Sentry key bypass kits so you can use an remote start system on the vehicle, what's preventing someone from using a similar system to disable the Sentry key and steal the truck? I'm contemplating having a lojack system installed, but if I'm not around to notice it stolen they could have the truck stripped in half a day by the time I call it in. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm about to reach the limit of extras that my normal insurance will cover should the truck be stolen and added insurance would be almost the same cost as the Lojack monitoring in terms of annual premiums and we all know how fair insurance companies are

 

[DavidC]

Around here I think they tow/drag the vehicle away to a safe location where they can override other theft safeties. That is where the lo-jack would probably shine.



Dave

 

[sag2]

If you just want to keep someone from starting the truck, the SKIM key is the best thing. If they tow it away it will not get your truck back. So you need to decide what the greatest threat is and protect against that.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Sag, I guess that is what I'm tossing around in my head, whether I need a tracking device (which I bet could also be defeated). I'm thinking the chip key will probably be good enough for my needs.

 

[icman95]

I had a Lojack installed in both my wife's Durango and my Ram at the dealer before we picked them up for delivery. Some thoughts:



It's nice knowing it's there if you need it, but on a daily basis, you don't think about it much.



At the time we had it done, it was Lojack policy to not tell us where in the vehicle it was located. They were afraid of some sort of fraud. So, to this day, I don't know where it is or what it looks like. I would imagine it's the same now.



I'm sure this doesn't happen all the time, but we had some bad luck with both installs. Apparrently, the installer had to crack open the dash gauges and since they are just one big computer chip, he gave them a static shock when he did and it ruined some of them. They had to be replaced under warranty. Good thing, too, since the parts alone were $700 each. This happened to both our trucks, even though they were purchased about 3 years apart.



Not every police department has Lojack trackers. If you live in a rural town (we do) your local police probably can't track it. Your best bet in that case would be for the crooks to take it into the city to chop it up. That way there is a better chance of the cops finding it.



Last year at our local auto show, I saw a vendor advertising a GPS based tracking system that you, the user, can track and operate from your home computer. In fact, the guy demo'd it on his car by showing me on his computer EXACTLY where in he parking lot outside the building it was parked. Pretty neat! There is a small subscription fee with this service, but I don't think it was too much. While I'm happy with my Lojack, if I had to do it over again, I'd get the GPS system.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Thanks Ken, that's something the lojack guy never mentioned to me in his sales pitch. Living up here, I'm very often going to small town areas. I'm going to look into the GPS system, that sounds like it would be a better fit for my needs.

 

[icman95]

I wish I could be more helpful by providing the name of the system, but I can't remember and threw the brochure out a few days after I read it. I'm sure some searching on the web will get you the info.



The salesman for the GPS system also pointed out that it can be used to track a teenage driver's whereabouts and speed to keep their bad driving habits under control. I'd be curious to find out what you come up with.

 

[KIKER]

Dewalt makes a GPS anti-theft device for contractors/construction. It has a motion sensor and will call up to 3 phone numbers if activated and you can track where the device is located, via gps. I think it costs about $20/month for the subscription, which is Sprint. So, I guess the usefulness of this system would depend on the cell coverage in the area it would be used. They sell them to mount on trailers, air compressors, portable tool sheds, welding machines, anything that is portable. Also is advertised to be used in construction, with the motion detector, to deter theft of materials at sites.

 

[Matt400]

I'm trying to gather information about the effectiveness of my OEM black fob Sentry key with the microchip in it.

It must be pretty good, I have yet to read of a sentry equipped truck stolen without being towed.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Matt, I did a bunch of looking and couldn't find a single confirmed case where a new truck was stolen with an illegal copy of the sentry key and driven off.

Kiker, thanks, but cell coverage here is hit and miss in many spots and $20 a month is too steep for my pockets. The lojack monthly fee is about $10, not bad but it would also add up after a few years.

ICman, no worries, when I get a chance I'll check out the local electronics stores and see what they are carrying or know of in terms of GPS trackers. Thanks for the help.

 

[icman95]

I know that this thread died some months ago, but I've come across a GPS product that fits the bill. Called Zoombak. Cheaper than Lojack and you can track it yourself from home, etc. I don't have one, but perhaps in the future I will.



Zoombak Personal GPS Locators ×€ Portable GPS Tracker ×€ Vehicle Tracking ×€ Family Car Monitoring ×€ Dog & Pet Finder

 

[Matt400]

Interesting devise,

911 what is your emergency:

Owner: My truck was stolen and is headed north on 16th, no wait. . just turned east on elm.



I guess they track it by cell towers based on there coverage map Zoombak Coverage Area I wouldn't think it was satellite.

 

[Coalsmoke]

icman, thanks for the link. I will look into it a bit more and see if I can find out if its satellite or cell towers. Its too easy to get out of cell coverage up here.

EDIT, it looks like its based off of cell coverage, here is their coverage map.
Zoombak Coverage Area

 

[pullya]

I guess my question would be do you want to stop someone from taking your truck or do you want to be able to track them once they have taken it. If it were me I'd like to stop them from taking it in the first place and I think for that purpose I would consider a Ravelco Anti Theft Device. They come highly recommended by almost everyone that has purchased them.

Jay

 

[Coalsmoke]

I want to be able to track it. I looked at the Ravelco, almost bought one, but then I have yet to find a confirmed first hand report where a person is able to get around the factory Sentry key system and drive the truck away. Plus, the Ravelco won't do any good if the truck is stolen with a tow truck.

 

[icman95]

A bit of culture shock to me, here. Living in the densely populated southern New England area, I tend to forget that there are quite a few places where cell tower based devices won't work. I do know better than this as my wife and I go to many places where there is no service while on vacation. The Zoombak would work for me, in my area, but I see their coverage area has its limits.



BTW, this is NOT the device I was talking about in my earlier post (#5). That, I believe, was sattelite based, but I still can't remember the name of it.



And while tracking it after it's stolen is a great tool, I'd be happy to rent you one of these to prevent it from being stolen in the first place. Just put them on the front seat with some food and water and rest assured your truck will be there in the morning. :-laf

 

[Coalsmoke]

Ken, I think you may be on to something here, but I don't think I'd have the heart to leave them in the cold cab overnight. I'm too much of a softy when it comes to dogs.

 

[icman95]

Yup, me too. More often then not my two are sleeping with me keeping me warm. The third one in the pic is a friend's who we were babysitting while they were in the hospital having a human child.