Is it safe to keep Garmin in the car

Almahadeus · Frequent Visitor Joined: Aug 06, 2005 Posts: 346

I was just wondering whether or not anyone had a bad experience leaving their Garmin inside an empty car. I read on these forums that people are hardwiring it & attaching external antenae and assume that they are possibly keeping their units inside the car all the time. I am always removing it fearing that it might get the attention of the wrong eyes but what about everyone else? Am I being over-cautious?

MELennium · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:46 pm Post subject:

I have hard wired & have an external ariel, but i always take my i3 out of my car,it only takes a few seconds to unplug & pull it of the glass mount leaving just the mount stuck to the windscreen, i don't trust anyone.
I bought a small camera case from asda & it fits snugly so that its protected when carrying it.

Almahadeus · Frequent Visitor Joined: Aug 06, 2005 Posts: 346

But leaving the mount in the car can also be insecure I would have thought as thugs would probably still take their chances thinking that the GPS could well be inside the car (like in the glove box) and smash the window as a result.

MELennium · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:55 pm Post subject:

There's no answer to that but maybe i should get a sign saying NO VALUBLES LEFT IN VEHICLE.

Skippy · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 2:19 am Post subject:

Don't leave it in the car. Lots of people have had their GPS units stolen....
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Gone fishing!

kevpol · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 26, 2005 Posts: 15

Removing the GPS from the mount is obvious but leaving the mount on view indicates the GPS 'may' be hidden inside the car.

The offender will smash a window and rummage just on the off chance.

Lester_Burnham · Frequent Visitor Joined: Oct 17, 2005 Posts: 618

zogman · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:14 pm Post subject:

if you see a mobile phone holder in a car ,you dont assume that the phone is in the car ..i think this also works for a gps holder, as far as the 'thief' knows you have removed the gps from the car to use outside....
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Lester_Burnham · Frequent Visitor Joined: Oct 17, 2005 Posts: 618

KINH · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:53 pm Post subject:

Having the misfortune to work for one of the largest vehicle insurers i may be able to shed a little light here. Most modern vehicles can no longer be stolen using the traditional 'hot-wiring' methods due to transponders in keys and the need of the vehicles ecu to read said transponder to start the vehicle.
Former vehicle thieves have therefore started apporaching vehicle crime in different ways to avoid having to work for a living. The most popular methods of vehicle crime are either the theft of keys themselves (from homes etc) to enable the car to be stolen or the theft from vehicles of expensive bits of kit.
Do not make the mistake of thinking that all vehicle crime is commited by those of a low iq, even if the main is there are many organised gangs lead by cunning people who have now sussed PDA & TOM TOM mounts.
My advise to all would be to remove not only the unit but also the mount.
Otherwise you may only be claiming the max personal effects on you car policy normally £100 £150 leaving you upset & out of pocket.
You have been warned Exclamation

Lester_Burnham · Frequent Visitor Joined: Oct 17, 2005 Posts: 618

Almahadeus · Frequent Visitor Joined: Aug 06, 2005 Posts: 346

As GPS relies on the principle of satellite tracking, could Garmin not be asked (part of the enhancement features) to add the possibility of identifying a stolen unit and then rendering it useless (like what happens to some stolen mobile phones). I think this would be the only way to stop thieves getting any benefit from ruining other people's lives. If Garmin is monitoring these forums then in my opinion this would be the most important enhancement they can provide to their customers.

charlies · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 12, 2005 Posts: 41

Almahadeus

That is an excellent idea, or even informing Police when it is turned on!

Almahadeus · Frequent Visitor Joined: Aug 06, 2005 Posts: 346

London_i3_Newbie · Regular Visitor Joined: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 65

id rather have the thing in my possession rather than 50 miles away with a criminal and locked down so it can no longer be used :D

I beleive Prevention is the key to something rather than locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.

I find it easier taking off the whole thing to be honest rather than pulling it out the mount everytime

I know im gonna find it annoying carrying the thing round in my pocket 24/7 ill have to carry it in a little rucksack and look like im still at school :o

i would find Taking the GPS aerial off the back shelf folding it up and the cigar lead and putting them neatly in the glovebox every time i leave the car a major annoyance though... do u think a criminal would try his luck at the sight of a few cables?

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