Tuesday 22nd February 2005

"Your car's been Nicked!"

New system will send you a text message when your car is stolen

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There's a new security device on the scene which will send you a text message if your car is nicked.

Sempal’s new Spal Sat satellite alarm joins GPS technology with the convenience of SMS texting. The interactive system watches over the vehicle, contacts you via your mobile if there is a security alert, lets you trigger key security features and can track the vehicle.

The subscription-free system works with any alarm and can detect if a car is moved or trailered more than 20m. Car owners are sent an immediate text alert warning of any security breach or unauthorised movement. They can activate a series of functions to stop the thief’s progress including immobilising the engine (with vehicle stationary), flashing hazard lights and a powerful internal siren to give the thieves a bit of earache.

The Spal Sat is fitted with a GPS satellite system that precisely tracks a vehicle’s movements. In an emergency owners receive, via text, details of the vehicle’s speed, direction and map co-ordinates. The car’s position can then be immediately identified by the owner, without having to rely on a call centre or website, by simply using a mapping software CD covering Western Europe which is provided free with the system.

A number of optional security features are available including a ‘panic button’ or ‘crash sensor’ which sends an emergency call and SMS automatically to a dedicated emergency number. Also a basic ‘Anti-Car Jack’ function allows drivers to put themselves at a safe distance between themselves and the car-jackers before remotely immobilising and locating the vehicle.

For added peace of mind, the dedicated Spal Anti Car Jack system will alert the Spal Sat even if the car is stolen with the car keys.

Consisting of a remote receiver, SIM card and battery unit with emergency back-up secreted internally within the vehicle, the Spal Sat can be installed via Sempal’s nationwide authorised dealer network. The standard system has a RRP from £511 + VAT with no monthly or annual subscriptions to pay – simply the cost of a SIM card and SMS text messages.

Link: www.sempal.co.uk

[Harry Flashman]

Sounds good - but I wonder if this system will be rated by Thatcham (or whoever does these things) for insurance purposes? Would be good to get feedback on how reliable/difficult to disarm it is...

[Dan]

I'd rather get a text message from my car saying a would-be crim is now a smouldering charcoal brickette due to the 60,000 volts he got whilst trying to break in.

If some scrotes got away with me motor he can bloody well keep it. I dont want it back after the engines been shafted the wheels and tyres knackered due to hitting every kerb from here to scrotesville, and the interior littered with rizzlas fag burns and smelling like a woobine factory.

[AER]

Sounds good initially, but I can see a flaw in the plan...

All the car-jackers have to do is threaten you for your keys AND your mobile phone. Unless you keep a spare one secreted somewhere about your person, you're a bit stuffed after that.

[jvaughan]

picture the scene. Your on Holiday, your pride and joy parked in the airport carpark.
you wander across the golden sands, to the bar beneath the coconut palms, order yourself a refreshing drink, when your mobile goes off... Its an SMS .. your cars just been nicked from the Airport Carpark 3000 Miles away. suppose its better than getting back to the space to find it occupied by a car that isnt yours !

[tycho]

At least you can track it and maybe follow it in a Tranny van with lots of big mates who just happened to be on their way to baseball and cricket practice....

[flooritforever]

Can I have mine fitted with a device that fills the car with chloroform, then contacts the police to come pick up the unconcious scrote?

[robertuk]

Good idea,


hmmm......maybe an SMS alert and an email as well.
oh and the reg plate info as well would be useful
:-)

[ultimasimon]

"alright m8 ur mota das jus bin chored un able 2 activ8 da larm or anytng b4 e ad it away fwiw"

[Baldy67]

AER said:

Sounds good initially, but I can see a flaw in the plan... All the car-jackers have to do is threaten you for your keys AND your mobile phone. Unless you keep a spare one secreted somewhere about your person, you're a bit stuffed after that.

Quote "Also a basic ‘Anti-Car Jack’ function allows drivers to put themselves at a safe distance between themselves and the car-jackers before remotely immobilising and locating the vehicle.

For added peace of mind, the dedicated Spal Anti Car Jack system will alert the Spal Sat even if the car is stolen with the car keys."

[jonnybad]

My mate devised a system using this technology a few years ago, rigged it up on his own car, basically it could be retro fitted to any alarm that had a pager output or similar. He learnt Nokia programming language and used GPS technology on it too.

Look like someone else has beaten hime to the final stages tho...

[AER]

Baldy67 said:

AER said: Sounds good initially, but I can see a flaw in the plan... All the car-jackers have to do is threaten you for your keys AND your mobile phone. Unless you keep a spare one secreted somewhere about your person, you're a bit stuffed after that. Quote "Also a basic ‘Anti-Car Jack’ function allows drivers to put themselves at a safe distance between themselves and the car-jackers before remotely immobilising and locating the vehicle. For added peace of mind, the dedicated Spal Anti Car Jack system will alert the Spal Sat even if the car is stolen with the car keys."

... and how are you going to immobilize your vehicle without your mobile phone? Wave your hands in the air and say 'abra-cadabra' or something...?