Car Alarm & Imobilizer for Bongo.

[Tony Hunt]

Does anybody have any knowledge or experience of the following Car alarm http://www.hawkcaralarm.com/CarAlarmRem ... loser.aspx
I am not looking for an alarm to satisfy my insurers just my own peace of mind that my Bongo and possessions are safe from the casual opportunist tea leaf while I am parked up and away from the vehicle. I have had reports that they are good and easy to fit. The company who sells them invite owners to call and ask for wiring diagrams for your vehicle but needless to say when I did they said they dont do wiring diagrams at this time for a Bongo , probably because its a grey import.
What have other people fitted to their Bongos?

[Northern Bongolow]

sorry tony---looks like this question is worse than asking a lady her age. .
dont think many will tell you what security they have.

[M 80NGO]

sorry tony---looks like this question is worse than asking a lady her age. .
dont think many will tell you what security they have.

yep totally agree with that

[Tony Hunt]

Never looked at it that way but surely somebody could email or pm me the information Im looking for. I only want to know if somebody has used this one did they have trouble fitting it to the bongo or is there something better on the market. Apparently its so easy to get the doors unlocked on a bongo with a piece of wire I need to get some protection. You could even ring me and stay anonymous 07968470494. I am an administrator on a metal detecting forum and Im so used to giving help on there to new owners and detectorists in general I didnt think people here would be so cagey over giving info but I can see your point now youve said.

[321Away]

all the non thatcham type alarms are all very similar and basically the same as a thatcham 2-1 upgrade alarm, but the company doesnt produce a category 1 unit to qualify, as with all of them its just there to make noise and act as a deterrent, looking at the spec it seems like a fairly good unit, just be aware, the more you integrate, the more that can go wrong, only single point immobiliser, but to be honest if they've bypassed the alarm, no immobiliser in the world is going to stop them, looks like indicators are fused which is useful and a weakness even on some thatcham units.
Fitting to a bongo isnt that hard, there are several different ways and positions to use,if you need any help pm me and we'll get it sorted out.
Julian

[Tony Hunt]

Thanks for that julian thats all I needed was a bit of guidance. I know alarms and the like can be an issue maybe that others dont like to talk about hence the response I got when everybody else clammed up but I wasnt expecting them to tell me what they had fitted just a general answer like you have given. How else is a senile newcomer like me going to learn from experienced owners other than ask questions about somethings suitability. Its the wiring part of it I might need help with.
When I had a larger Ducato based motorhome which had a category 1 alarm fitted we learnt that in some circumstances like parking overnight on french motorway aires a good trick to stop the Itinerants breaking in the front doors was to fit a chain with a padlock on between the two front inner door handles. We left the curtains drawn back also so that they could see the chain. Side entry door had an extra secondary lock on the inside and we also had small battery powered alarm sensors that would velcro on each side window.
What a palava but totally necessary in those aires if you have to use them. The secret is to use the ones in the towns and villages away from the motorways.
I had several friends who learnt the hard way on their trips to spain and who lost everything of value out of their vans including all their cash and cards plus laptops and tvs. Some say the Itinerants pump some sort of gas in through the foot pedals and you just dont know they've been till the morning but thats another story.

[dreamwarrioruk]

I have fitted similar alarms.not hard to do.just a point remote starts a no no in uk

[321Away]

Thats a big thing with haulage rivers, they pump anaesthetic gas into the nite heater input and knock you out, giving them hours to break in and steal everything or the vehicle!
Once you get hold of the unit, we'll go through the connections and where and whats.
I've fitted loads of alarms with remote starts,on to all types of cars, seen loads on fresh import Bongo's, and only remove them at customer request
Julian

[Tony Hunt]

Its nice to see others believe gassing happens. I had countless arguments on motorhomefacts and motorhome fun with people who say gassing with anasthetic couldnt possibly happen, its just not possible they said, I work in a hospital etc etc and Im an expert on the subject. I gave up in the end. It does happen on the french and spanish motorways even in the service areas where theres loads of people about.
Friends of mine were travelling with another family member in their van and they stupidly parked in the emptiest and quietest motorway aire they could find. They forgot to chain their front doors together that night which they usually religeously did on such parking areas. When they woke up in the morning they both felt sick and really weird, everything of value had gone out of their van including all their money, cards, passports and electrical equipment. Front door had been opened and they never heard a thing. It was the Gendarmerie who said they had more than likely been gassed as it was a regular occurrence with the long distance lorries and especially GB ones.

[helen&tony]

Hi Tony
Yes..not only do I agree with you on that one, I have stated it on forums , and had the same reply...oh...it doesn't happen...but I know it does...not only that, I can go out here and buy the stuff tomorrow...and all manner of "things" not on sale in the UK......it is very normal to keep guard dogs in the garden here to protect livestock...only tonight we've just been told of a pack of 30 or so wild dogs who habitually roam behind our house ...and dogs are kept as protection against foxes, wolves and so on...wolves don't get over the fences, but foxes get UNDER, and the dogs bark...HOWEVER...as they are mostly chained, burglars just spray them with gas , knock the dogs out, and pop in and steal.....those in the know keep the dogs inside!!! ...
But...hey...all we can do is warn, and let the doubters take their chance!!!
Security is not a hobby when travelling...it's a MUST
Cheers
Helen

[Tony Hunt]

Trouble is Helen some like to bury their heads in the sand and retreat into their cosy little worlds where things like that are not supposed to happen, trouble is in the real world it does. Im always wary of anything and everything, it pays to be street wise. I know when my business is being clocked by our travelling friends ( are we allowed to call them Itinerants still) and I take precautions while they are in the area, you have to or else you regret not doing so.
In France and Spain they are a real problem. Hopefully owners planning to travel abroad will have read this and be put on their guard. Never park on motorways to sleep always head for a campsite or aire in a town or village where there are plenty of people.

[helen&tony]

Hi
That's the answer with a Bongo if you want to sleep with an alarm on...get an alarm with a selectable cut off for interior sensors via the remote , thus leaving perimeter only...it won't stop gas attacks, but will set the alarm off if the door circuits are broken.
I have a good alarm, but it seems the remotes are hard to get, and one's broken...so look out for a new model....that way it's likely to be around for a few years. Also, look for an alarm with a user pin-code to stop the alarm if you find the remote batteries have failed.
There is a seller on e-bay that sells the type of Thatcham alarm that is well known, and they have a customer support number if you fit them yourself...but beware...they take a long time to fit!
Cheers
Helen

[rita]

Hi, re the gassing situation..
Would it not be better to fit External sensors(like reversing type)then you would be warned of anybody lurking out side your vehicle when you are camped up.

Cheers..

[helen&tony]

Hi
Now there's a thought...you can get some types of proximity sensors...not too sure how effective they are. They might stop that kind of attack...luckily not common in the UK
Cheers
Helen

[rita]

Hi,
Something like this adapted as required....



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8-CAR-REVERSING-P ... e1ffe2b5b8

Cheers..