Do you think small blinking red LEDs deter's thieves?

[nobb]

I see people with bright blue blinking leds in their car, but I think those just look cheesy and just attract attention. But what if I had a small red blinking led on my dash (maybe blinking at about 5hz). Would this deter you if you were a thief? On my parents' 2007 Freestar, there is a small blinking red led and the car actually wont start without a specific key because the key has a programmed microchip in it.

I park in a large public lot everyday and I dont want my audio equipment getting stolen. I use a club everytime, but that still doesnt stop the headunit being easily pulled out.

 

[bigal40]

My car has a flashing light in it but I don't even know why, b/c it doesn't have an alarm. I guess thieves would have a better idea of what the lights mean though....

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'll never understand why people put $8k worth of audio gear in a car and then park it on the street every night...

 

[nobb]

My audio gear is no where near 8k but in the day I have no choice but to park it in a public area. I'm not worried about theft at night when I'm at home because there is virtually no crime in my community.

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I'll never understand why people put $8k worth of audio gear in a car and then park it on the street every night...

Not to mention put stickers of the audio equipment that they have on the car...

 

[dpert1]

I drive a Miata, and refuse to put the top up in the summer every time i park, so when I put in my 7 inch TFT display for GPS, I'm welding it into the din slots with a note above to any would-be pricks =]

 

[sniperruff]

it does have a small blinking red light but that means the alarm is activated.

Originally posted by: shabby

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I'll never understand why people put $8k worth of audio gear in a car and then park it on the street every night...

Not to mention put stickers of the audio equipment that they have on the car...

maybe one that says "kenwood inside" or something lol

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: dpert1
I drive a Miata, and refuse to put the top up in the summer every time i park, so when I put in my 7 inch TFT display for GPS, I'm welding it into the din slots with a note above to any would-be pricks =]

That's great...they'll do $2k worth of damage to your dash/interior trying to get it out. :laugh:

Good luck with that. :thumbsup:

 

[Colt45]

5Hz is gonna look like it's having a seizure. maybe 1/5Hz.

 

[MovingTarget]

I have a viper system installed, and it has the flashing blue led. If you are worried about it getting broken into, don't just invest in the led. Thats like getting the "protected by ADT" sign in your front yard to deter thieves. It won't actually do anything though.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
I have a viper system installed, and it has the flashing blue led. If you are worried about it getting broken into, don't just invest in the led. Thats like getting the "protected by ADT" sign in your front yard to deter thieves. It won't actually do anything though.

Wouldn't it, though?

Although, I'm sure thieves know which cars come stock with "alarm LEDs", but don't have an alarm...

 

[Tiamat]

No, if anything, it alerts the thief into knowing that there is most likely something worthy to steal within the vehicle. I wish we could arm cars with security devices that attack thieves. Something like a electrocution or at least an active camera system that catches the culprit in the act.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
No, if anything, it alerts the thief into knowing that there is most likely something worthy to steal within the vehicle. I wish we could arm cars with security devices that attack thieves. Something like a electrocution or at least an active camera system that catches the culprit in the act.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQI4MZc1FL8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtL1TBQQy0I

 

[exdeath]

The alert and never blinking 6'3" 220 lb guy with the H&K USP .40 getting out of my car and then sitting in a window seat next to the car seems to deter people pretty well.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: nobb

I park in a large public lot everyday and I dont want my audio equipment getting stolen. I use a club everytime, but that still doesnt stop the headunit being easily pulled out.

a hacksaw is used to cut the steering wheel in one spot. since the wheel is a hollow tube, it is easily bent at the cut, allowing the club to be slipped off and tossed out the window. total time = about 30 seconds at most.

 

[nakedfrog]

It will probably deter casual vandals. But as someone mentioned, 5Hz is way too fast.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I had a red blinking light , right next to my lock in my jetta, and they still brusted my window and stole my audio stuffs! granted, it was maybe 200$ worth.

 

[FDF12389]

Buy or Make a bumper sticker that infers that you are a Law Enforcement. Keep in mind this could have negative affects depending on your location.

 

[Arkaign]

http://www.firstdefense.com/ht...rmoured_BMW_Series.htm

The BMW 760Li High Security is a vehicle designed to meet the highest protection standards. The stretch sedan fulfils the armouring requirements of ballistic level B6/B7 and offers the outstanding comfort of the standard series model. Special materials in the chassis, an armoured underbody and the use of shatterproof glass provide complete protection for all occupants. The windscreen also serves as an exit in the event of an emergency and can simply be pushed outwards. Many additional security features make the Sedan a safe and exclusive premium-class automobile. In short, the BMW 760Li High Security offers maximum protection, and it is available in both left-hand and right-hand drive versions.

http://www.kineda.com/bmw-5-series-security/

 

[InflatableBuddha]

My bro had his Contour broken into a couple years ago even though it had a blinking red light (+alarm). The faceplate was locked in the house, but the thieves tore apart the dash and stole the CD player anyways. It was at most a $100 unit to begin with, but without the faceplate, it's useless.

My Accord has an aftermarket alarm/LED/immobilizer. Absolute necessity as my model year (92) didn't come with any theft deterrent, and these cars are notorious for being easy to break into and hotwire.

At least if someone breaks in, they won't be driving off with my ride, or taking anything except a faceless CD player. I never keep anything in my car. I will be pissed about the broken glass though.

 

[Arkaign]

My brother used to take out something from under his hood if he was away from his car for very long (eating out, seeing a movie, etc). Can't remember what it was though, but the car wouldn't start without it.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
My brother used to take out something from under his hood if he was away from his car for very long (eating out, seeing a movie, etc). Can't remember what it was though, but the car wouldn't start without it.

Starter solenoid?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Arkaign
My brother used to take out something from under his hood if he was away from his car for very long (eating out, seeing a movie, etc). Can't remember what it was though, but the car wouldn't start without it.

Starter solenoid?

Probably the coil wire.

My opinion on this thread:
Immobilzer - best
Alarm - better
Blinking light - good
Club - worthless

 

[Tab]

Does anyone know how to turn them off? I took my Integra in for a transmission fluid change and noticed that my cd player now blinks... I guess they must have fixed it...

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
My bro had his Contour broken into a couple years ago even though it had a blinking red light (+alarm). The faceplate was locked in the house, but the thieves tore apart the dash and stole the CD player anyways. It was at most a $100 unit to begin with, but without the faceplate, it's useless.

I've seen faceless decks for sale on eBay. Gotta wonder how many of them are hot. (Most likely, the faceplates just busted on folks.)