Comments on stolen 914s and GPS devices, Put a GPS in your cars Options

[Pezz]

Like @Cairo94507 said, it's dreadful and discouraging to read about more stolen 914s on this website, some of the creme of the crop ( @Marv's3.6six )(IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) And to find that these cars simply "disappear," ( @dr914 @autoatlanta.com, http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...tolen&st=0), during repairs(??),.. and then the sketchy insurance "issues(?), (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hissyfit.gif) ... There seems to be a common theme in these crimes. Be damned, it is all too easy to steal and hide this car.

To live more relaxed when you are away from your beloved car, check out the Track-it GPS device. They are small and inexpensive.
https://tracki.com/blogs/post/everything-yo...ut-gps-tracking
I have 2 trackers. I have no affiliation.

One device is hidden under the spare tire in my 914 whenever it is off my property, mostly it is just shopping in town. I use one in luggage when I travel so I can actually watch where my check-ons are as we are loading and departing the airplane. I use one when I get a rental car and put the other in my luggage.
I'm a geologist, travel often, and it tracks my lat-long location throughout the day when hiking, with positions and times, and has an SOS for emergencies in remote outback. It works everywhere and without having to be near it. A flashing icon is displayed on your cell phone even if the device was on the other side of Earth or on your shelf.
I change the time sampling interval from 1 or 2 minutes when I carry it hiking, to 10 minutes with my cargo on airline flights. I change to 30-minute samples when I leave it with my car, where it can track for 3 or 4 weeks. Battery life depends on sampling interval. It notifies with a text message when the battery gets to 10%.

There's $20/month subscription for the GPS service, cheaper if you buy a year, which I do. I use it so often, it is worth the cost to me.
I consider it like insurance at $5/week even simply when I take the car shopping once a week with 5 or 6 stops in a day parked outside different stores. That's less than $1 a day for this kind of theft insurance. Unfortunately it is not comprehensive.
When I hike, the SOS is insurance because I'm often outside of cell service. That's worth $1 a day.

If my '14 ever goes to a shop, it will have this device hidden deep in the bowels - The upgraded units I have come with a rubber case and lanyard, a magnet and clip attachments and tools, like in the photo below. Mine were $24 each.
An Apple Aircard is worthless. It's all about getting a GPS unit and buying service. There are many more devices - I'd just say pick one. I can recommend this one. For me, this device mitigates several potential serious risks at low cost. ~ Thieves beware.

914World Rocks! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)
~ Pezz

[Pezz]

I did not know there is a "GPS jammer" device. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
No doubt some thieves have these.

My neighbor's son told me about Multipurpose "Bug Detectors" ..like James Bond has. No doubt some thieves have these.
~ Hidden camera detector, Anti spy Detector, RF Detector, GPS Detector, Anti Tracking Strong Magnetic Detector for GPS Tracker, Hidden Camera Finder, Listening Device in office, car, meeting, hotel. ~ All in a hand-held device, even pocket sized.

Reading further about the GPS detector stated (my bold highlight):
"Most GPS trackers will be in long-time standby mode for purpose of power saving, typically when the vehicle is standing still. GPS Trackers will transmit at intervals of 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, in particular when vehicle is moving. So it is insufficient to detect GPS trackers using RF Signal Detection. But most of GPS Tracking devices are magnet mounted to vehicles chassis/trunk/bumper/wheel wells/storage compartments/under seat/engine compartment/under the hood for easy installation and removal. Therefore the Magnetic Field Detection is designed to locate such magnetic GPS tracker.

So to avoid a thief with a bug detector, do not use a magnet mount for the GPS tracker. I don't, by chance.
I've decided to install and wire a tracker into the car permanently in a small waterproof box. No charging the battery and it is hidden well in the engine compartment. Easy project.

Final note is for those like me that store their car(s) in an autohauler trailer. I live in a small remote ranching community where a lot of workers use trailers for tools and horses and vehicles. It is a common heist out here to steal the entire trailer. Most people leave the trailers hooked to their trucks. When we unhook, we always lock the tongue and chain the wheels. Just ideas to consider if you trailer your car.

Cheers~
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[ClayPerrine]

I did not know there is a "GPS jammer" device. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
No doubt some thieves have these.

My neighbor's son told me about Multipurpose "Bug Detectors" ..like James Bond has. No doubt some thieves have these.
~ Hidden camera detector, Anti spy Detector, RF Detector, GPS Detector, Anti Tracking Strong Magnetic Detector for GPS Tracker, Hidden Camera Finder, Listening Device in office, car, meeting, hotel. ~ All in a hand-held device, even pocket sized.

Reading further about the GPS detector stated (my bold highlight):
"Most GPS trackers will be in long-time standby mode for purpose of power saving, typically when the vehicle is standing still. GPS Trackers will transmit at intervals of 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, in particular when vehicle is moving. So it is insufficient to detect GPS trackers using RF Signal Detection. But most of GPS Tracking devices are magnet mounted to vehicles chassis/trunk/bumper/wheel wells/storage compartments/under seat/engine compartment/under the hood for easy installation and removal. Therefore the Magnetic Field Detection is designed to locate such magnetic GPS tracker.

So to avoid a thief with a bug detector, do not use a magnet mount for the GPS tracker. I don't, by chance.
I've decided to install and wire a tracker into the car permanently in a small waterproof box. No charging the battery and it is hidden well in the engine compartment. Easy project.

Final note is for those like me that store their car(s) in an autohauler trailer. I live in a small remote ranching community where a lot of workers use trailers for tools and horses and vehicles. It is a common heist out here to steal the entire trailer. Most people leave the trailers hooked to their trucks. When we unhook, we always lock the tongue and chain the wheels. Just ideas to consider if you trailer your car.

Cheers~
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

The trailer I have was the second one my father owned. The first one was stolen right out of his driveway. So with the replacement, came a tongue lock, a ball socket lock, a Denver boot, a couple of cable locks to thread through the wheels and shackles, and a big, heavy long cable looped over the axle and hooked around the fence posts.

Yes it makes it hard to move when you want to use it. You have to undo and pack up all the anti-theft stuff. And when you park it, you have to be diligent about putting it back on the trailer. But the trailer is there when needed, not abandoned on the side of the freeway full of old shingles.

And we have the GPS tracker that is on it now too. It doesn't transmit unless it is moving, and it is not magnetically held onto the trailer.

Remember, you can never make your car/trailer un-stealable. What you can do is make it harder to steal than the one down the street. Thieves are lazy and will go for the easiest target to get.