Hey guys, I have been looking around for a GPS system for my car and cannot decide between the many different brands and models available.
I think that LoJack may be out of the picture because I want something that sets a fence around the car and lets me know if its moved THAT I can check on the internet if need be. I don't think I mind paying a monthly fee or a yearly fee. I do not want the "unlock doors" feature or anything fancy. I ONLY want to be able to know where the car is, where its headed, and speed dialog of some sort. If anybody still thinks I should consider LoJack, persuade me. I am just looking for an economic source. I could probably do the install depending on what needs to be done.
ALL INPUT APPRECIATED .
Thanks,
Aaron

 

here you go......http://www.directed.com/security/viper/gps.asp

The viper and the clifford is the same unit. As long as the install is up to par. You will have no worries. Look around the faq

 

I have a question,how would having a standalone GPS system let the cops know if my car is stolen and where it is? Would I call the police and tell them to go?
I am clueless here

 

Check the documentation. I don't believe the Directed unit notifies the police directly, unless you instruct them to. It will alert you via phone, email, text message and however else you want to be notified. You can check your car's location on the internet as well, and setup a "geofence" so you would be notified if the car moved. The only downside is the cost, which is around 600$ without installation.

 

Damn, that is alot. I have seen some go for as low as $300 uninstalled. What would be the difference? How hard is it to install once you have a hiding place?
Aaron

 

Sorry I have no price and have not installed/used it but Compustar makes a very good product, [and only make alarms, remote starts and combo units and now Computrack... http://www.compustar.com/computrack.htm 94

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fcm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sorry I have no price and have not installed/used it but Compustar makes a very good product, [and only make alarms, remote starts and combo units and now Computrack... http://www.compustar.com/computrack.htm 94</TD></TR></TABLE>

fcm, With your knowledge and skills you could knock out a gps no problem, It just takes time and the know how on using a palm pilot. It is alot of works thou.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wrx-killer-Sti eater &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

fcm, With your knowledge and skills you could knock out a gps no problem, It just takes time and the know how on using a palm pilot. It is alot of works thou.</TD></TR></TABLE>Your probably right, but then I have no clue on how to use a Palm Pilot, or maybe I should say I have very limited knowledge of how to use one.

There is not a systems I can't beat, [auto security] given enough time, I have spent many hours over the years trying to beat security systems, a one layered system. [no mater what kind] is a cakewalk, I have also spent many more hours looking for the "unbeatable" system, and of coarse there is none, if it can be made it can be beat.
Alarms, pulled ECU's and steering wheels, wheel "boots" any number of "kill" switches, and even GPS, will not prevent someone from dragging the car into a trailer, where blocking radio, cell phone and GPS or any kind of signal is not rocket science, the phrase "if they want it they will get it" is true, that does not mean you shouldn't try.

The most effective way to prevent somebody stealing your car is to make it as difficult as possible, time is on our side, an alarm, even a basic one, and redundant layers, from something as simple as a kill switch, to everything you can think of to add including GPS can only help slow them down, in the case of GPS, recover the car.

I agree that letting a crook know the car is protected is a must, but I also agree the the last thing they need to know is the car is equipped with GPS, that would IMO be the same as the cops putting "This is a bait car" stickers on the windows of their bait cars.

It is apparent to me that the debate over car security will never end, as whenever someone brings it up, the posts never end 94

 

if you have a cell phone with built-in gps system that is in service. just leave the phone in your car everytime you leave your vehical. it can act as a gps security, priceless other than paying for your monthly cell phone bill.

 

I heard if you subscribe to the viper GPS, and your car is stolen, their company will work with the authorities to start tracking your car as well. Not sure if that's true. At least you and DEI (Viper) can track.

One thing to also be aware is if Lo-Jack even covers your area/city/state.

I know Georgia is covered but it covers the "Major metropolitan areas, cities, and high crime areas".

I wouldn't get Lo-Jack alone. I'd get it with the Early Warning system. I hear it works like Boomerang where if you don't have the key fob, then it will alert you by cell phone, pager, home phone e-mail etc. Of course, you won't be able to track it yourself. However, you can consider it as a redundant layer. If you want to save cost, you probably could get the Lo-Jack system first then add the Lo-Jack Early warning system portion later.

http://www.sharperimage.com/us...MT200 is another option but I don't know if you want to do that. Mount it somwehere on your car but you'll have to charge it often. It will tell you when it's low on battery.

http://www.microtrakgps.com/ is the company that tracks that Sharper Image device. might be good as a redunant GPS

 

I have thought about that but....who do I call? What do I say? Do I stay on the phone with them and the cops? I mean, it is smart, but vague.
Aaron

 

As with Lo-Jack, if you have a Viper GPS, there is a toll free number you can call to state if you have your car stolen. You can even locate your car with that number should you not have access to the internet. Viper (or any Directed related GPS system) will take you through the steps in if they can assist in locating your car and also with the authories as well.

 

Damn.....technology these days.... I still don't know what other brands to look into.

 

not to many others, lo-jack and viper gps is the way to go. Compustar is coming out with one. I have not used it yet but will try one out as soon as I can get one in.

 

I went to the Viper website and was not ablt to find much information other than "dealers" and stuff like that.

 

What kind of information are you looking for?

 

http://www.clifford.com/matrix...s.asp
http://www.clifford.com/matrix/gps/gps_faq.asp
http://www.clifford.com/matrix/gps/gps_service.asp

 

Awesome links. Thanks.

 

no problem, Everybody should check out the links above. Start saving and protect your cars. I don't feel sorry for people anymore that dump 4-9 k into a motor and then park it outside or go somewere and leave it and it gone when they come back. Then to hear that they had no security or a cheap $100 install thats not up to par with no layers. I say for every 2k in modds 500 on security or more