Why do they still make car alarms? (2015) • Hacker News Board

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#221

Post by Phrodo_00 » Tue, Jan 19, 2021, 11:59 PM UTC

l72 wrote: post #87

Now if we could just disable the feature that causes the horn to honk when locking the vehicle with the key fob... As someone who lives on a residential street, but with a hospital at the far end, we have tons of patients, families, doctors, and nurses that park on our street to avoid paying for the garage. I get to listen to horns honking at all hours. A few cars (Acura comes to mind), do a bit better, in that they…

> A few cars (Acura comes to mind), do a bit better, in that they have a very soft, more pleasant beep instead of honking the horn.

A bit anecdotal, but I remember that during the 90s most cars would do this with this alarm. Although thinking about it, it probably had more to do with off-the-shelf/optional alarm systems having their own loudspeaker.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#222

Post by RegnisGnaw » Wed, Jan 20, 2021, 12:00 AM UTC

alkonaut wrote: post #85

Most likely thing to be stolen from my car is probably wheels, catalytic converter. Both of these require jacking up the car, shoving some bricks under it, and stripping the parts in a matter of minutes. All I need from an alarm is something that takes care of that scenario. If someone steals it the car they have - as the article says - likely done it the easiest way: they walked in my unlocked front door and took my…

Depends where you live. Where I’m living it’s also the Motor Vehicle Inspection Sticker. Here every 1/2/3 years (depending on the age) you need to get your car inspected and they give you a sticker if you pass.

People steal the stickers to drive cars that either rail inspector or know it won’t pass. Last year someone broke my driver side window and manage to remove my sticker.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#223

Post by bhandziuk » Wed, Jan 20, 2021, 12:03 AM UTC

unit_circle wrote: post #171

thelean12 wrote: post #75

Anyone with a car alarm enabled in a city is just straight up rude and inconsiderate. I can't imagine the mindset involved for someone to put a device outside someone's bedroom window that will somewhat randomly start blasting loud sounds at all hours of the night. I'd support legislation making it illegal. Why are car alarms exempt from noise ordinances?

I live in a city and also own a converted van. The van typically has little of value inside it unless I am traveling. This van has an aftermarket alarm. I had this alarm installed after a nasty break-in in Vancouver BC which reminded me never to leave nice things in a vehicle. It makes some noise itself, but also comes with a fob and app that both also make noise. It has served me on at least one occasion where someo…

It'd be cool if the alarm turned on the stereo with a loop that says (loud enough for the thief to hear but not loud enough to be obnoxious to other people) "The owner is being notified you're in their van" (or to that effect).

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#224

Post by AngryData » Wed, Jan 20, 2021, 12:07 AM UTC

chrisseaton wrote: post #134

anonymousiam wrote: post #112

If the author had a Ring doorbell (and looked at their crime reports), or participated on NextDoor, they would know that theft from parked cars is the number one problem in most neighborhoods. An alarm is still a good deterrent for people who do not park their cars in a garage.

I don't get what people are stealing from parked cars? You can't remove radios anymore. What are they taking? Surely nobody's leaving a laptop or a purse in a car?

Airbags are worth far more than any radio.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#225

Post by andy_ppp » Wed, Jan 20, 2021, 12:08 AM UTC

monkeynotes wrote: post #181

spiritplumber wrote: post #100

I have an older RV that people sometimes try to steal (it's usually meth heads wanting to live on it; I've taken to leaving a plaque on the dash saying that if they want a hot meal instead, just knock on my door). The alarm is aftermarket, and silent. All it does is make the fuel pump go in reverse. (The fuel pump is also aftermarket) It's been hilarious a couple times.

Why not just have the alarm cut the power to the ignition or something less damaging than reversing the fuel pump?

I guess because the car would appear to be non-functional rather than deliberately disabled, i.e. the engine would choke and splutter but would not take you far.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#226

Post by rurp » Wed, Jan 20, 2021, 12:08 AM UTC

hedora wrote: post #4

I really wish there was a way to disable the panic button on my key fob. It has a hair trigger and only requires one click to activate. I regularly trigger it by bending over with my keys in my pocket.

I had the same problem and covered the button on my fob with several layers of packing tape which has worked surprisingly well.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#227

Post by dijit » Wed, Jan 20, 2021, 12:11 AM UTC

ineedasername wrote: post #167

spiritplumber wrote: post #100

I have an older RV that people sometimes try to steal (it's usually meth heads wanting to live on it; I've taken to leaving a plaque on the dash saying that if they want a hot meal instead, just knock on my door). The alarm is aftermarket, and silent. All it does is make the fuel pump go in reverse. (The fuel pump is also aftermarket) It's been hilarious a couple times.

What happens when the fuel pump goes in reverse? Also, anyone ever take you up on the hot meal?

car doesn't get any fuel, can't go anywhere. (doesn't prevent valuables inside the car from getting nicked though)

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#228

Post by King-Aaron » Wed, Jan 20, 2021, 12:12 AM UTC

I've been wanting to set up a little raspberry pi or arduino to act as an alarm, which can first play 'welcome to the jungle' and then roll the windows up and lock all the doors, before starting the car, turning the wheel to full lock and just sitting on the rev limiter.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#229

Post by AngryData » Wed, Jan 20, 2021, 12:13 AM UTC

alkonaut wrote: post #85

Most likely thing to be stolen from my car is probably wheels, catalytic converter. Both of these require jacking up the car, shoving some bricks under it, and stripping the parts in a matter of minutes. All I need from an alarm is something that takes care of that scenario. If someone steals it the car they have - as the article says - likely done it the easiest way: they walked in my unlocked front door and took my…

Even if cars had such an alarm they would just start snipping the battery before doing anything else, which then means they can also open the doors without an alarm and steal more shit like airbags, battery, ect.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#230

Post by ska » Wed, Jan 20, 2021, 12:16 AM UTC

svachalek wrote: post #16

Last time I got car insurance (a year ago?) I believe they still asked if it had an alarm, implying they still give a discount for it. Do insurance companies think it actually matters? Or do they just get kickbacks from alarm companies?

Here they ask if you have alarm or immobilizer. They offer a discount because they work, statistically.

Over time fewer cars have audible alarms, but most have at least basic immobilizers these days. I think all the north american vehicles after late 90s early 00s have at least a basic immobilizer.