Simple + effective alarm system?

I've just read that over 100 defenders were stolen in Derbyshire last month (and most are not expected to be found) so i've finally come to the conclusion i need an alarm.

I obvioulsy wont need one that interfaces with the engine management system or one that closes all of the electric windows and sends you a text, i'm thinking more along the lines of an ultrasonic single sensor linked to a siren of some sort that goes off if you dont turn the alarm system off (via a hidden switch ?)

I fitted something simillar to an escort 10 years ago but i cant find such a simple unit - anyone recomend anything?

you can't beat a rabied dog as a deterent , seriously though whatever alarm you put on your vehicle the scumbag twockers will get past it, alarms are a good deterant but thats about all, i have a tracker on my wifes car and its worth every penny, but then again, if the bastards want it, they probably know a way around it

I suppose i could allways fit a few of those little red flashing LEDs into the dash and stick some "THIS CAR IS ALARMED" stickers on the windows.

Total cost = £2
Effectiveness = 0
Peace of mind = -10

I'm working on an idea I had which involves a steel framework fastened to the back of the drivers seat, when the seat back is pushed forward the framework can be padlocked to the steering wheel.

If you're going for the hidden switch and siren you could tap into the fuel pump solenoid.

When I used to park my car in backstreets I'd take the rotor arm off. You obviously can't do this with a diesel, but just disconnecting the fuel pump solenoid will stop the less determined espescially if the bonnets padlocked.

The problem with alarms is that false alarms are that commonplace now nobody takes any notice.

You can buy simple little devices called "Door Mines"
Basically you pop a 12 gauge shotgun cartridge into a housing,then cock the pin,and hey presto,any1 ****s with ya landy,they will **** there pants big time.
They are legal in the uk,but only with 12 gauge blanks,but i have plenty of lives,lol.......

matto said:

You can buy simple little devices called "Door Mines"
Basically you pop a 12 gauge shotgun cartridge into a housing,then cock the pin,and hey presto,any1 ****s with ya landy,they will **** there pants big time.
They are legal in the uk,but only with 12 gauge blanks,but i have plenty of lives,lol.......

Click to expand...

I dont like the sound of that suggestion - it takes me ages to wake up in the mornings, i might forget to disable it.

I will try searching ebay for "retro car alarm"

when you park it at home run a live wire from the house to the car, this has the advantage of waking you up in the morning

is this just a problem in derbyshire? I guess a lot of the thefts are from isolated farms etc. I frequently forget to lock mine, and have even gone away for the weekend having left the keys in the ignition!!!!!!!!!!!!
One thing i did read about is that a lot get stolen and sent out to africa in containers. I have heard of people fiiting the spare wheel on a roof rack to the roof so the vehicle is too high to fit in a standard shipping container, thus (possibly) discouraging theives.

i guess the simplest immobiliser would be to fit a battery kill switch with the switch hidden in the vehicle

As for simple alarms, try argos

Or you could fit a battery master switch below the passenger seat with a removable key. Range between £1.20 and £25 from Demon Tweeks (just ordered one myself)

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=LMA789C

If I need extra piece of mind I will pull the wire of the fuel solenoid and the ignition wire from the starter, I keep meaning to wire these via some hidden switches, however I am never sure if this is a good idea or not.

Another idea I had was to build my own pedal box, I have seen them on ebay but all it is, is 2 hinged sections that stop access to the pedals.

I then figured this doesn't stop people towing it/pushing it, so I also thought a way of keeping the handbreak on by means of a steel bracket of 1inch steel, padlocked inplace below it.