Would you use an OBD Protector to secure your car?

Would you use an OBD Protector to secure your car?

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Discussion

seech

Original Poster:

146 posts

211 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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Having had my F10 M5 stolen a couple of weeks ago (by some low life scum/chavs/lazy s who are too fking thick to earn money in a legal way) (yes, it still smarts), I've been looking into ways of securing my next vehicle.

'er indoors is understandably concerned about having something 'desirable' on the driveway now. I've had a quick look at this OBD Protector device - it looks secure enough to perhaps deter a thieving . The question is, do you think that this is going to deter them or make them come inside the house to get the keys?

Obviously, with kids in the house, I don't want that scenario. I do what most do and leave my keys in a visible place.

And in a similar vein, if they know the car is in the garage (the M5 wasn't), they will have to get in the house to get in it. Would you just leave it outside?

I'm trying to avoid a confrontation/break-in whilst not having to admit defeat/give up my passion/hobby..

Seech

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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Was it actually stolen using the idiotic "hole in the alarm field on RHD cars" to get to the OBD port; or don't you know?

One option would be to buy a car from a manufacturer who fits alarms which are actually fit for purpose. smile

J4CKO

41,284 posts

199 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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I would say yes but removing the fuse can also be effective, certainly on Fords with keyless, it relies on them breaking in and getting access to the OBD port via a deadspot in alarm coverage I believe, if they have to lift the bonnet and replace the ODB fuse then the alarm goes off.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
quotequote all
J4CKO said:
I would say yes but removing the fuse can also be effective, certainly on Fords with keyless, it relies on them breaking in and getting access to the OBD port via a deadspot in alarm coverage I believe, if they have to lift the bonnet and replace the ODB fuse then the alarm goes off.
That certainly sounds like a cheaper solution. hehe

seech

Original Poster:

146 posts

211 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
quotequote all
kambites said:
Was it actually stolen using the idiotic "hole in the alarm field on RHD cars" to get to the OBD port; or don't you know?

One option would be to buy a car from a manufacturer who fits alarms which are actually fit for purpose. smile
I don't know - but there was no glass at the scene. I could only presume they used a repeater to duplicate the keyless fob signal. The key was in the kitchen within about 2m of the window.

tones61

82 posts

127 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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disklok steering wheel lock

wink;)

seech

Original Poster:

146 posts

211 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
quotequote all
tones61 said:
disklok steering wheel lock

wink;)
Is that not kind of the same, i.e. forcing them to come in your house to get keys or you to undo the lock? I appreciate it depends on how determined they are, just got to assume the worst case. Apparently, a neighbour down the road was 'dragged into his RR Sport to start it' as the thieves couldn't work out how.

Aside from the obvious 'don't buy a nice car', I don't know what the best deterrent would be. Maybe a Disklok is the answer.

Monty Python

4,812 posts

196 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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This:

http://www.tracknstop.com/

The idea of the car stopping when it leaves a certain area would allow the thieves to get a safe distance away before the car is immobilized.

eybic

9,212 posts

173 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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Surely the solution is to let them take it? Any OBD protection will encourage them to get into the house for the keys in the same way you say a disklock will.

If they want it bad enough, they will take it be it by smashing a window, accessing the OBD port or breaking into your house and stealing the keys.

If you want to avoid them getting into the house then you need to make it so they can take the car if they want.

seech

Original Poster:

146 posts

211 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
quotequote all
Monty Python said:
This:

http://www.tracknstop.com/

The idea of the car stopping when it leaves a certain area would allow the thieves to get a safe distance away before the car is immobilized.
This is really interesting... the police told me categorically that no tracker could do this as it could endanger other road users if it immobilised the car on the move.

If the GPS signal is blocked, however, I presume this would be as useless as any other tracker

oobster

7,065 posts

210 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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I've been doing a bit of internet searching for an Autowatch Ghost, anyone else got one fitted and can offer their experiences?

hondansx

4,562 posts

224 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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So many of these threads now...

Yes, there are horror stories, but the VAST MAJORITY of thefts are not violent. There is enough opportunity for thieves to go for slim pickings, so safety precautions are worth doing.

On my RS6 i have quite an easy solution. I never use the OBD port, so it is tucked up inside behind a dash panel. Therefore it would confuse a thief as there is simply no sign of an OBD port anywhere! I simply mention it to the dealer when i drop it off for it's service once a year, and get them to put it back where they left it.

Monty Python

4,812 posts

196 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
quotequote all
seech said:
This is really interesting... the police told me categorically that no tracker could do this as it could endanger other road users if it immobilised the car on the move.

If the GPS signal is blocked, however, I presume this would be as useless as any other tracker
It appears to have some form of GPS jamming detection built-in, so it may disable the car as soon as this is detected. As for shutting the car down, it's easy to make it happen only when the car comes to a stop rather than when it's barrelling down the motorway at 70.

seech

Original Poster:

146 posts

211 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
quotequote all
oobster said:
I've been doing a bit of internet searching for an Autowatch Ghost, anyone else got one fitted and can offer their experiences?
Never heard of it but looks interesting. They also mention on their site that it is illegal in the UK to tamper with vehicle electrics whilst in motion.


Monty Python said:
It appears to have some form of GPS jamming detection built-in, so it may disable the car as soon as this is detected. As for shutting the car down, it's easy to make it happen only when the car comes to a stop rather than when it's barrelling down the motorway at 70.
Both the Tracknstop and Autowatch note that they will stop cars on the move. I'd love to know how, if it didn't tamper with electrics...

Caddyshack

10,600 posts

205 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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Is it tampering with? Start stop is just a program that turns off the engine, is it not just a bit like that.

It is also not illegal to break down.

I use a tracker with a key fob that needs to be in the car so if they clone a key or get the key the car will set off the tracker without the fob. The thieves do not know this is fitted so are unaware.

I often use a disk lock if the car is left out in the open.

I also have a decent cctv with 4k quality backed up to cloud, you can only do so much though.


mwstewart

7,554 posts

187 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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A custom solution is going to buy you a lot more time. Thieves generally only know what they have been told/read by others who have developed the approach. As soon as they have to go off-piste it's going to take a lot of time.

It doesn't have to be complex.

andy43

9,548 posts

253 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
quotequote all
seech said:
oobster said:
I've been doing a bit of internet searching for an Autowatch Ghost, anyone else got one fitted and can offer their experiences?
Never heard of it but looks interesting. They also mention on their site that it is illegal in the UK to tamper with vehicle electrics whilst in motion.


Monty Python said:
It appears to have some form of GPS jamming detection built-in, so it may disable the car as soon as this is detected. As for shutting the car down, it's easy to make it happen only when the car comes to a stop rather than when it's barrelling down the motorway at 70.
Both the Tracknstop and Autowatch note that they will stop cars on the move. I'd love to know how, if it didn't tamper with electrics...
They probably just have a relay in the fuel pump feed - this does - https://www.rewiresecurity.co.uk/103rs-car-vehicle...
It may be illegal to stop a moving vehicle, but hang on, who's driving it? Stuff 'em. The above will kill the car stone dead with one text message.

Arnold Cunningham

3,758 posts

252 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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I have an "unlocked/cracked" iPhone 4 hidden in my car connected the battery so it's always on charge. Then I just use the FindFriends app and the "notify" feature.

Even if scrotes disconnect car battery, it still has about 3 days battery life on standby. Just logged in to it now - it's accurate to about 10 feet. Obvs won't stop it being stolen, but hopefully would increase chances of finding it quickly.

This was my inspiration/howto guide I used:
http://www.techonthego.co.uk/2014/02/how-to-create...

Edited by Arnold Cunningham on Thursday 21st September 18:54

seech

Original Poster:

146 posts

211 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
quotequote all
andy43 said:
They probably just have a relay in the fuel pump feed - this does - https://www.rewiresecurity.co.uk/103rs-car-vehicle...
It may be illegal to stop a moving vehicle, but hang on, who's driving it? Stuff 'em. The above will kill the car stone dead with one text message.
Thanks Andy. This looks quite good actually. Would this qualify as a tracker in the eyes of the insurance? Never really looked into whether they need to meet a particular standard like Thatcham.

Arnold Cunningham said:
I have an "unlocked/cracked" iPhone 4 hidden in my car connected the battery so it's always on charge. Then I just use the FindFriends app and the "notify" feature.

Even if scrotes disconnect car battery, it still has about 3 days battery life on standby. Just logged in to it now - it's accurate to about 10 feet. Obvs won't stop it being stolen, but hopefully would increase chances of finding it quickly.

This was my inspiration/howto guide I used:
http://www.techonthego.co.uk/2014/02/how-to-create...

Edited by Arnold Cunningham on Thursday 21st September 18:54
I've seen this approach before. Not a bad solution!

seech

Original Poster:

146 posts

211 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
quotequote all
mwstewart said:
A custom solution is going to buy you a lot more time. Thieves generally only know what they have been told/read by others who have developed the approach. As soon as they have to go off-piste it's going to take a lot of time.

It doesn't have to be complex.
Mark - are you talking about some electronic trickery installed to stop the car? I've thought about this and kind of thought it may encourage them to come in ask me how to start it.


I've tried to contact Tracknstop, nothing. Didn't the idea belong to a PHer?

In an ideal world, I'd have the Tracknstop and also a remotely activated helium tank that replaced the air in the car (a là suicide bag) suffocating the driver. But it would no doubt go off by accident if I put it all together...