Microdot marking

Has anyone considered microdot marking their Landy as lots seem to be stolen and broken for parts.

Having looked online you can get a 3 kits from alpha dot for a pound a month which seems quite good value to me. They also give you stickers which may be an additional deterrent for the thieving little gits.

I remember a system from a few years ago which also provided a scanner to the local plod to scan property which identified who it belonged to.

Perhaps Landy Zone could get together and do a deal to have the readers provided and spread throughout the country to allow folk to scan vehicles and parts they intend buying. just a thought.

Comments?

kato Disco said:

Has anyone considered microdot marking their Landy as lots seem to be stolen and broken for parts.

Having looked online you can get a 3 kits from alpha dot for a pound a month which seems quite good value to me. They also give you stickers which may be an additional deterrent for the thieving little gits.

I remember a system from a few years ago which also provided a scanner to the local plod to scan property which identified who it belonged to.

Perhaps Landy Zone could get together and do a deal to have the readers provided and spread throughout the country to allow folk to scan vehicles and parts they intend buying. just a thought.

Comments?

Click to expand...

Many years ago had a Honda Deauville we put Smartwater on the panels and a little ID chip in the foam of the seat and one into the front forks ...

Was cheap for the peace of mind, no one can say it's not yours ...

SmartWater Shop Buy SmartWater Online....

Anything that can or might add an additional level of security cannot be such a bad thing.
However, as I see it there are two stages which need to be considered here:

1. Deterrence
2. Detection and recovery

The main problem with the “hidden” type of marking such as microdots, ultra-violet marking etc. is unless the process is advertised as being in use it can’t be considered as an anti-theft measure, but it does become an aid to recovery. The system you’re talking about does have adhesive labels to advertise the use.

The detection and recovery phase must depend upon the police being aware of the markings, having the equipment available to interrogate the hidden markings and the resources to spare on checking every piece of recovered stolen property for such hidden identity marks. You might be able to tell the police that your stolen headlamps are security marked, but with a property store full of stolen headlamps, how are they to know which ones to check?

There’s also the apparent need to keep the database of owners/vehicles up-to-date which by the sound of it involves an ongoing cost, which although it might be “minimal” but nevertheless it’s an extra cost and it’s ongoing.

In my opinion, some kind of plainly visible method of permanent marking with either the vehicle registration number, vehicle identification number, postcode or some other easily read and understood marking would seem to overcome the difficulties I’ve outlined.

An invisible marker pen might work

kato Disco said:

An invisible marker pen might work

Click to expand...

the UV pens dont last forever tho, they need redoing every so often.

Mines microdotted, did it after somone on here found their bits being sold on ebay, but even tho they were bespoke couldnt retreive them or prosecute because he couldn't prove they were his.
Think mines the alpha-dot kit, got the starter kit for nowt on a special offer/security awareness thingy, cost £16 for the first year (with another kit of 500 dots) and thats it.

I've got smart water and all the glass and panels are etched. I know it may still get Nicked but I hope someone gets done handing.