Interest Poll: new security device

[Weston]

Alright, I've built one of these for myself, and I'm wondering if I should make more...

It's an alarm add-on that connects to the power lock control module. Instead of letting thieves use your power locks against you (ie the coat-hanger-in-the-window trick), this device will use them to fight back.

When the alarm is armed, the unlock switches are disabled and will trigger the alarm if pressed. This means that the coat-hanger-in-the-window trick will just be a waste of their time and set off the alarm. That should come as quite a surprise to them, so hopefully they'll run away and/or attract attention and get caught.

In addition to that, if a door is successfully unlocked, it will immediately lock itself again and trigger the alarm. No matter how they unlock the car, it will just lock back up on them and the alarm will go nuts. Even with a key, you would have to do something special to be able to get in, and the alarm will still go nuts as soon as you try anything.

I'm thinking that unpleasant surprises which waste their time and draw attention will make them come to their senses and just give up. Obviously, nothing is 100% secure, so it's a good idea to have other security measures in place as well.

So, is there interest in such a device? What's a reasonable price?

[exciv2000]

I'd be interested so long as it works as advertised. Any backdoors we should be aware about (probably don't want to discuss here)

[Bedlam]

Hrmm..seems like a great idea...I'd love to see some circuit diagrams or something, just for my own intrest. (I'd keep them confidential of course). Do you need an open trigger input on your alarm to make it work? would it need to be an normally open, or normally closed type input? I'd think you could simplify things by just having it disable the switch, and trigger the alarm. I've seen something out there that does almost the EXACT same thing...or at least plans for it on the intarweb...just dont remember where. Honestly, it sounds like a really, really, good idea for the Honda/Acura croud...since thats exactly how they get into your cars. However..I think if they are breaking into a car with an alarm in the first place, they are going to make sure its disabled...so what then? Regardless...sounds like a great add-on..depending on parts involved (I'd assume lots of wire, a few relays, maybe other parts)

Could prolly sell them for $50 or so I'd think..more for installation. Way to think outside the box anyway..

-Bedlam

[Kwando]

I thinkt that one of the best devices i have seen so far is what BMW's have. Anyone that has a BMW will know about the double locking feature. When the doors are double locked you can't even open the door from the inside. It's almost impossible without breaking anything.

In addition to that they have a little keypad that displays all the vital info (AVG MPG, AVG MPH, TEMP, etc) but it also has a feature that allows you to enter a 4 digit code (this has to be done every time you exit the car) that will disable a handful of components.

Don't know exactly what it disables but you cannot start the car. After 3 attempts the horn starts going off.

With the doors not being able to open the car car unable to start I don't think you can get away with much.

VERY nice feature to have, go to the local BMW dealership and ask them to demo it.