http://www.wired.com/news/technology...,50598,00.html

 

Thats awesome!! I wonder when all manufacturers will start doing this.

 

this is cool, and a great idea. I wonder if you can get it made for any car and spray it on your self, like make a special order can and spray away.
And of course the biggest question? How more weight will it add and what will it do if it is sprayed on all engine parts? All in all this is a pefect idea,specially that they are visible with a black light. What makes me worry is how easy it is to look at the numbers on an engine if it is in a car and if everyone has it will they check to make sure it is the right number or only when the person gets busted for something. If these microdots are only viewed with a microscope either 1) will have to scrapr some of the material off to view it, 2) all police will need to carry a microscope to check? I wonder when will be the time or will officials look at the dots to make sure that what is in someones car is not stolen, they would need to ask for an inspection with the smog checks, this way they have a yearly check of yoru cars components, and it would make it hard for someone like me to sell parts to someone else, because they may think that the parts bought are stolen unless receipts are made and signed by a notary I guess.

Sorry for so long and don't get me wrong, this is the best idea I've seen about theft prevention but it raises alot of question.

 

how ironic that the technology was developed in WA, where several ITRs have been stolen lately.

yshi - who bonks himself in the head for not thinking of this himself

 

Just present a copy of your vehicle's registration to the buyer when you sell your OEM parts. That's the easiest way I would say to show proof of ownership. And you don't buy unless the seller can show proof of ownership if you happen to be the buyer at any point so "you" don't end up with a hot item.

 

That's awesome. I'd like to send a copy of the article to my insurance company.

 

that makes sense but how will the authorities know that you bought it legit, unless the person that sold it to you comes by and shows his reg and vouches for you...

Yoshi- would you like to pay them a visit and ask about individual orders for Honda-tech. Just a thought,I would if I was in the area. Maybe I'll make a trip of it.

 

I'm in cali (on an island), so it's kinda hard for me to get up to WA.

Anybody in WA wana stop by this Dots place?

yshi - who should move back to the mainland s00n

 

My bad, I kept thinking you were in WA. Anyone would like to look into it?
It may be pricey(is this a word??) but if enough of us want to do it they might be willing to do a custom job and it would seem as a worthwhile opportunity to boost their presence in the auto market.
I'll try to give them a call if I find a number or if anyone can get it for me.

 

here's the USA site and you can also request an info CD: http://www.autodot.net/

 

thanks, I'll look into it. I have to get ready for a Dyno Day this weekend and the SSCA round 3 but I'll try to call this week.

 

Ijust called and talked to them and they said.
1. Only car dealers can order it and or if you have realtions with automotive dealer you may act as a distibutor, this is mostly for their insurance which is

2) if your car is stolen and not recovered they will cut you a check for $5000USD, their thinking that this would cover the downpayment for a new car.

3) they can use the order id number or the cars VIN number on the microdots and

4) the MSRP is of $395 USD

I could not come up with any other questions off the top of my head but did mention to the guy that I would be calling back if I did.

Any one has any questions that would like to be asked?


I will ask nex time:
1) What is the time period that they consider the car not recovered?
2)How much of the car must be recovered to consider it a loss and they will pay?

Your customer receives a $3,000 Cash Payment if their stolen vehicle is not recovered, Plus a $2,000 replacement allowance if they purchase another vehicle from the original selling dealer, and up to $1,000 deductible reimbursement if the stolen vehicle is not recovered within 30 days.

3)will they consider it a loss if the insurance totalled the car?
4) What is the lead time for the material?
5) How must the authorities be prepared to identify a vehicle with microdots and view the dots?
6) what has been their relationship with local authorities to inform and how aware are they?
7) How easy or hard is it to remove the microdots of parts?

Anything else?




[Modified by 98401R, 6:18 PM 3/12/2002]

 

g00d work

 

so, then they will be able to POSITIVELY ID your shell...

Unless you go look at every car a 1000 mile radius with a black light, then this will only help you AFTER the car was stripped.

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. If the car is stolen it will be stripped within 4 hours I say, they will find the car and be able to identify it if they strip the VIN #, but at least you will get an extra 5K for a down payment, of course that depends on the coverage of recovery from Autodot.

I think I will go to my dealer today and inform them of the product and ask if they can order it and I can take it to a auto shop to spray it, I have to take the car to the shop anyways maybe they wil do it at the same time.

I'll keep you guys posted on what they say?

This might be good to spray on interior parts too, for when the car is stripped and not stolen.

Adam-- Good find. I get Wired in the mail but don't get much time to read it.


[Modified by 98401R, 5:39 PM 3/12/2002]

 

We were just talking about this, in connection with a discussion of etching the VIN onto the windows, here.

However, this microdot approach will do absolutely nothing for theft PREVENTION. It may help identify your car's parts after it gets stolen - but only if someone is looking for the dots.

I still say you're better off with something that's conspicuous and noticeable to discourage theft in the first place, like etching the VIN onto the windows. It's a hell of a lot cheaper, too.

But the bottom line remains - if they want your car, they're probably going to get it, and you're probably not going to get it back. No matter what you do.



[Modified by nsxtcjr, 11:49 AM 3/12/2002]

 

I agree but for about $500 total, you might be able to get and extra $5000. I have also been told that at some races officials carry out inspections for stolen parts, this will make it easier to find stolen parts and catch people with them which will then discourage thiefs to take them in the first place. IMO it is worth it, at least in my perspective the etching in the glass is too. It's a good idea and I would be interest in doing it as well, but all you need to do is break the glass and the the number is gone. Like I said a car will be in the garage or warehouse within 30 minutes, in most cases, stripped within 4 hours, I know from experience where it happened to a friend, the car was found 4 hours later and that was left was the dashboard and the body on blocks. None of this will make sure you car gets stolen but it will discourage the thiefs. Which discouraging them at least alittle would make it worth while for me.


I found their some of their insurance information on their site and updated it to the list of question above.


[Modified by 98401R, 6:18 PM 3/12/2002]


[Modified by 98401R, 6:28 PM 3/12/2002]

 

I feel that this is not a preventative measure from theft of your vehicle but prevention of theives getting away with robbing us so easily. This would also intimidate people from purchasing parts on the black market and ensure that when you and I purchase an engine we have solid proof if it has been involved in any foul play whatsoever. I am gonna do this if possible. Just aiding in the capturing of theives is money well spent in my book, not to mention a BIG smile on my face when they go down.

 

Well, the ideal would be when a cop flashes a portable black light in the engine bay of a car and all those dots pop up. If the driver doesn't have documentaion, trouble ensues.

It doesn't help the gut that lost the car in the first place, but it really f@@ks the guy who was lame enough to buy stolen parts.

 

Agreed, a process will need to be developed for people who sell their parts to other people, or if you plan on selling don't spray. I like to keep all my stock parts, just in case I need something in an emergency or something. This also means that if new parts are installed, they may need to be sprayed, so hopefully if not all of the dots are used to spray the car them they can be given to teh car owner they can spray the new parts, or the dealer can keep the spray in stock and spray as needed. But that adds charges, if the owner keeps the spray it may be stolen. Maybe for insurance reason the powder cannot be given to the owner, in case they themselves buy stolen parts and spray them to show that the parts originally belong to them.

 

This is pretty awesome. I hope this can get started around here.

 

I guess a lot of engine swap guys will have their new engine very clean. It wouldn't take much time to develop chemically agressive mix to wash dots away.

 

That's true, that's why one of my question will be how difficult it is to remove. I tried calling again but the sales rep was in a meeting. I'll call back later.

 

Here is an update for the autodots.

1)will you consider it a loss if the insurance totalled the car?
Yes.
2) What is the lead time for the material?
10 days, once the authorized dealer places the order.

3) How must the authorities be prepared to identify a vehicle with microdots and view the dots?
Not sure about who is aware, but they are more than willing to provide information and CD to any official upon request.

4) what has been their relationship with local authorities to inform and how aware are they?
Not sure, and it depends on the area. They opened in February so they have not been around for long.

5) How easy or hard is it to remove the microdots of parts? Type of material, removal seems pretty easy of Metal surfaces. This is in case part of the cars are stolen and sold to someone else.
The material is not easy to remove, you can put it in HCL, H2SO4, motor oil and many other chemical solutions and it will not come off. The autodots are polyester based. ( I pressed on about dipping auto parts to remove the dots before selling and the salerep said) Thieves are too lazy to do that.
6)Your guarantee says that you will pay if the car is not recovered within 30 days, does this mean the whole car or if at least the body of the car is recovered you don’t pay?
If insurance considers it a total loss so do we.

Hope this helps.

Next step is to go down to the dealer and ask if they are willing to provide.

 

whats the web site of the company?