Toda Party
06-25-2002, 02:12 AM
I didnt write this, but its very helpful
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
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.
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
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.