Thinking about installing LoJack - Any thoughts?!

[bigfish]

Hey all,

I'm thinking about installing some type of transponder based theft recovery system and want to know if anyone has used this product/service in the past?! Any feedback would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Todd

[PersonaNonGrata]

I have seen pretty decent results with Lojack and OnStar as well. I would check with your local police departments to see if they are using Lojack tracking. If they don't have the equipment to track then your transponder is useless. I know that CHP does use Lojack, at least here in SoCal. They even have it in some of their aircraft.

Contrary to what some people might believe, police do care about recovering a stolen car. There is a "thrill of the hunt" element to it and they also get awards for recovering stolen cars. (Here in CA it's called a 10851 pin.) It's also just something most cops like to do and many will run plates of suspicious looking vehicles just to see if it's stolen. Many stolen cars are recovered this way.

If having Lojack gives you peace of mind, then it's worth it. Personally, I don't have it. I'm not really worried about my X5 being stolen. My E90 330 has BMW Assist so that can be tracked. It came with it.

[hayaku]

my personal opinion on this if they stole my car, they can keep it... i want a new replacement thats why we have insurance right?

now, if they even breathe my go kart, i'll send out the attack ninja squad...

[bigfish]

Kevin,

Thanks for the 411, I will contact a couple of bud's of mine one sheriff & one CHP and see what they have to say.

Todd
Nor Cal

[motordavid]

Back when I had a gang of sales people, we always had them installed
on our Metro NY/NJ/CT company cars. In all those years, we only had
one lifted and the NYPD found it, via LoJack, in about 30 mins, before
the strippers got to it.

That is only anecdotal...it originated in NY area, but has moved to
other Metro areas. If I was still back in Gotham City, I'd consider it
for my personal cars.

Was not cheap, even 6 yrs ago, and we bought 'em in a "group buy"
for 6 cars via L J's fleet deal.

Worth checking out...

Otoh, yeah you might want a new one, lol!
GL,mD

[SANguru]

I'm with Hayaku on this. They steal it, it's damaged goods. Do you really want it back?

[GearHead]

Originally Posted by bigfish

Hey all,

I'm thinking about installing some type of transponder based theft recovery system and want to know if anyone has used this product/service in the past?! Any feedback would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Todd

Hi Todd

I have had lojack installed in my cars since 1994.

In my 2003 X5, I have the Lojack Early Warning System (EWS) installed whereby if my car was broken into and was driven away, between my wife and myself, we'll receive phone calls on our respective cell phones, email alerts to both of us.

The message generally indicates that the car was moved and for me to verify whether the car was moved with my authorization. If it was an unauthorized move, call the police & the police will activiate the lojack transmitter.

I have found the Lojack to provide me greater mental comfort and in addition, it saves me a few %points for my insurance renewal.

Hope this helps

[genemish]

Originally Posted by bigfish

Hey all,

I'm thinking about installing some type of transponder based theft recovery system and want to know if anyone has used this product/service in the past?! Any feedback would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Todd

What year is your car? my 2006 can be located using BMW Assist. (as long as it's active)

[asawadude]

I agree with Sanguru and Hayaku - if they rip off my car, they can keep it. But I want my golf clubs back, dammit!

I was getting the Lojacks at a discounted price, so I had them installed in 4 of my last 5 cars but I stopped because there are other emerging products that address the Lojack's weak areas.

http://www.ituranusa.com/stolen-vehicle-tracking.htm
http://www.starcomsystems.com/
http://www.roadremote.com/vehicletrackingsystem.html
http://www.mymobileguardian.com/

Lojack unfortunately predates GPS tracking and cellular communications which are 2 technologies emerging as components of newer systems. GPS allows the vehicle to be accurately within several feet of its actual location. Transponders are dependent on the proximity of receivers. The Lojack transponders will not work inside large concrete parking garages. Cell communications is far more effective at penetrating these structures. These are relatively new products; it's going to take them awhile to match the infrastructure that Lojack has developed. But Lojack will have to change its technology to GPS/Cell in order to stay competitive.

I had one vehicle equipped with the Lojack early warning system which I found to be extremely problematic. The system would generate false positives whenever the key fob battery (a generic watch battery) would run low. Unfortunately the battery ran down every 4 months. My cellphone would ring constantly with early warnings even though my car was securely parked in my garage. I ended up requesting termination of the Early Warning service essentially configuring the device as a passive system.

It's also overpriced considering the actual cost to dealers is pennies on the dollar. I've elected to forgo such a device for now to see what new products will surface in the near future.

[bigfish]

Thank you all again for the solid information. My goal is to install some sort of tracking device that allows me (if my car is stolen) to get it back before it gets chopped/parted out or shipped out of the country. Some of you have mentioned that once a car is stolen you wouldn't want it back, in most cases I would agree with that. However the time & effort not to mention the resources that I have put into my X5 (03 4.6 S3) warrant this type of measure. Keep the information coming!

Todd