OK, Maybe since I worked for LoJAck for many years I can help here.

Is it worth it? Yes and No. Yes, especially if you have purchased a used car and do not have full coverage. At least you have a chance of getting it back or some of it. No, if you don't want to get your car back after it has been violated.

Also, for the insurance discount alone, it is worth it.

Lemme answer some more questions....

First of all, there is no such thing as a LoJack operator. The POLICE track your car. You call in your VIN #, the police enter it into a computer and wake up the LoJack. The LoJack then gives of a radio frequency signal.

In the police cars, they have little displays that look like a cirlce of LED's. This acts like a compass sort of. It points an arrow in the direction of the car and beeps. As the signal gets stronger(closer) it beeps more.

From the VIN, the police know what kind of car, year and color it is. So, they just follow the arrow till the find it.

If it is in an underground garage, your chances of recovery are slim. LoJack works best in flat open areas. It isn't as effective in the city. There recovery rate at one time was OVER 90%. Since then it has changed as thieves got smarter. They still claim a 90% recovery rate but, I believe it more to be aroun 70-75%.

All in all, it does work and it is worth it.

LoJack makes the installers put them in diferent locations all the time so, that it is harder for thieves to find. If a thief rips it out then your SOL. If they just cut the power or disconnect the car battery, it has a backup that lasts quite some time.

They have 5 different systems.

Sysem I - Just LoJack
System II - LoJack and a Prevent(Cutoff)
System III - LoJack and passive remote alarm w/cutoff and NO power doorlocks.
System IV - Lojack and passive remote alarm w/cutoff and power doorlocks
System V - LoJack and passive alarm w/cutoff that works from factory keyless entry


My business I have now involves, GPS Tracking. It is much more accurate(within yards) but, is very expensive. $400-600 for the unit and $40-$60 a month. The bad part is, you have to go find your own car. Some might like that though, I wouldn't recommend it. My GPS systems are more for Fleet tracking.

Hope that helps you guys out a bit. If you have any questions, let me know.

Miguel

 

To answer some more questions....

There is only a ONE time fee for LoJack. No monthly and no yearly.

It is in MANY Police cars. Look on the rooves of the Police cars in your area. If they have the 4 antennas in a "square" configuration, the have the device.

I'm not trying to promote LJ cuz, I don't even work for them anymore. Just trying to help out

Miguel

 

I also worked for lojack in the past.

System II to V are a waste of $$$. Overpriced garbage.

Does LoJack work. Sure, but it works the best when the installer does his/her job of hiding the unit in a excellent location. Miguel knows what I'm talking about, 5mins in and out, slam dunk.

The problem is that those installers who bang them out, don't always hide them in good spots, and thiefs know it.

SO, if you're going to get one installed. Ask for the area supervisor, or field specialist to install it. When they get to your home/business, tell the installer that you want them to make SURE it's VERY WELL HIDDEN. Offer them the garage, or other secure area in which to work in, and leave them to their work.

That is all.

 

The "Alarms" They include are complete cheap pieces of ****, Thats why they give you such a great deal and "include" them for close to free. These "alarms" would be considered a good alarm back in 1989, Now they are considered a Joke, there is more technology in a furby.

As far as the police picking it up, BS, Read my other post, Only some police have the units and some cities Don't even have them anymore because LoJack wanted to charge too much and It was deemed something that could be removed from most cities budgets.

ALSO First thing the crooks go for is the Alarm, whats next? The LoJack, they go searching for it and it only takes them 2-3 minutes as the jackknobs who install these things do a half *** job and they are all put in the same few general locations. Thieves check those locations and bam smash the unit and toss it (Yeah that was worth the money)


Why do I dislike LoJack? Because I was fed all this BS both by my car dealer and by some other LoJack dealers. AND ITS ALL BS

 

You might want to double check that one, Because after about 2 years I recieved a bill from them, To Keep service.

 

Hey man, relax. I am just stating the facts.

First of all, the Police do NOT pay for LoJack. It is just that not every enforcement agency wants to drive around and look for the cars. LoJack pays the police to do this.

Why would the Police pay to track something for someone else?

Second, there is no monthly fee. Just a maintenance fee to test the unit and replace the backup battery.

Again man, not trying to promte them, just trying to lay the facts out there. I was a supervisor there for MANY years so, I know what I am talking about.

The alarms are kinda cheesy. Then again, so are most alarms out there today with the exception of a few... Clifford, Alpine... Most other alarms are made by DEI or Audiovox and just have different names on them

Sorry if the didn't find your car man. I never, not once, did a half-assed job on a vehicle when I was an installer. Most of us took pride in our work. Not everyone is like that though. But, that is true in just about every field.

Just trying to help.

Miguel

 

It's just one more thing to try and slow em down.
The truth is, if they really want your car, they will get it NO MATTER WHAT you do to it. Sad but true.

Miguel

 

There is only a 1 time fee to purchase a LoJack. The bill you received was most likely for a checkup. $39 to come to your home/business and verify that the lojack is in working condition and the battery is still operating properly.

 

Not trying to attack you in any way. Just sharing what i found out after talking to some of my fathers friends in the Auto Theft Task Force here in MA. I was told that there is a Fee to rent the equipment from LOJACK for police use.
As far as the alarms and installs of lojack, I know alot of the stuff is **** because I checked it out, Found mine TOO easily, and the wiring was hideous (But I'm also a perfectionist) The alarms are up to par with stuff from the late 80's, crappy sensors, no rolling codes etc.

Again You might do a good job, i just hope that anyone considering one gets someone like you Not the guy who halfasses it

 

You guys are definately right about it coming down to the installer.
If the guy did a good job, better your chances. Even if you know minimal electronics knowlegde, you could hunt down your own LoJack and put it in a better spot. Although, LoJack doesn't allow this but, they won't know Hehe

Their main office is in Dedham, MA.

I too an a perfectionist. I know how you feel.

My younger brother had every lock and whistle on his 87 Buick Grand National and they STILL go it. If they want it, they'll get it those BASTARDS!!!!

ALSO, I would reccomend if you do get LJ, to only get the LJ only. Then a good alarm with a starter cutoff and a good hoodlock, Maxi-Lock is the best one I know of, with another cutoff under the hood.(fuel)

Miguel


[Modified by SIINSI, 11:48 AM 2/23/2002]

 

Thanks for all the information, Miguel. Very complete and useful.

System VI - LoJack and furby

 

GPS based systems will still have problems with loacating a vehicle if it is inside a building or really solid structure, as it cannot penetrate the concrete and metal(ever try to use a GPS indoors?). Do you guys have the Boomerang system down there? It uses the cell phone network to locate the vehicle. This system can penetrate into bulidings(if you can get cell coverage it will work). This system is pretty good and very fast. They recovered my buddies R I think it was within 20-30 minutes. Only charge like $10 a month too and I'm sure there is an insurance discount.


[Modified by JohnnyBoy, 8:19 AM 2/24/2002]

 

No, Boomerang is not yet available in the States.

 

i think its useless~ coz these professionals out there can part down

out car in an hour time~ so by the time cops will only find the bones

of ur car... therefore i will say, save the $500 or $400 or what ever for

something else~ racing school will be a goood choise

 

hopefully not all of them are pros

-Aoib0t, who missed JDM caligraphy class.

 

hopefully not all of them are pros


maybe just a little light on the subject. remember pros are people that break into your car without breaking anything. they know the alarms and how to get past them. they know how to bypass starter kills and fuel cut offs. they know the best locations for lojacks and other transmitters. they know you car inside and out. and believe me. ( i not a theif ) stealing your car is not hard. what is hard is stealing your car without setting off the alarm. thats the point. most thieves have no problem breaking into your car but when that alarm goes off and your running outside with a bat or a gun. thats when they start to have problems.

i wish i lived in TX so i could just shhot the f*ckers

 

hmmm..need to do my research!