How do you prevent from theft?

[Justin220]

Portable GPS system theft reportedly up 700%

More and more people are adding electronic gadgetry to their car's arsenal after their initial purchase, which often makes sense since it almost always costs less to add audio equipment or GPS navigation from an aftermarket company than it does to spec if from the factory.

Sadly, recent statistics prove that you'd better be careful with that shiny new piece of technology. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 24,700 portable navigation systems were swiped in 2008, representing a whopping 700% increase over 2006. While the number in thefts has rocketed skyward, the number of units sold have likewise gone supernova, leading us to wonder if the actual percentage of thefts over units in service has changed appreciably overall.

Apple's iPod is also attractive to thieves, who stole 17,000 of the little music players in '08. Perhaps the rise in iPod thefts helps explain why half as many car stereos (14,000) were stolen last year than in 2006, although we are willing to bet that automakers' continued move away from standard-sized, non-integrated head units is also a major factor.

Our common sense advice? Add-on nav systems and iPods are portable for a reason... remove them from your car when you leave it parked. Disaster averted.
[Source: Ecommerce Journal]

Hi guy, how do you prevent your GPS from theft? To me, I use a Eonon portable GPS to be easily taken away while I'm leaving, how about you? Any other good ideas?

[CDavis7M]

My gps is inside my phone. So, that solves that.

[hachi-roku_fan]

My iPod and GPS is in my phone, so I'm good

[johnnypaseo]

My gps is inside my pants so that solves my problem also?..

[darthbauer]

If not using your phone then spend a little extra and get the thing installed in your dash. I might get something done like that to the point where it just looks like a stock Navi unit.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Keep in mind that you have private addresses in your GPS' that the thief can very well go after. So please take the time to take your GPS unit down and out of the car with you after you are done using it.

[Justin220]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Keep in mind that you have private addresses in your GPS' that the thief can very well go after. So please take the time to take your GPS unit down and out of the car with you after you are done using it.

That's true! Not only for your car's safty, but also for your house safty. Crimes are all around! Be careful, take it away, don't be lazy

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by Justin220

That's true! Not only for your car's safty, but also for your house safty. Crimes are all around! Be careful, take it away, don't be lazy

Not only your own home, but if you have relatives' and friends' addresses set in your GPS.

[SilverBack]

Call me old school, but I still print directions online. When I get there I rip-up and crumple the pages and toss them in to the floor. Nobody would break-in because they only see trash

[MadMax]

That myth about having addresses in your GPS making you more susceptible to burglary is bunk! You keep your registration in your car, right? Doesn't it have your address on it?

Yes, it has happened; but for the most part it is not the criminal trend that the Internet makes it out to be! Your garage door opener is more potentially a way to get into your house than your GPS!

http://www.snopes.com/crime/intent/gps.asp

[BDD]

I only use my GPS when I need it. Otherwise it stays in the house and I try to never leave things in my car. It's like putting money in a glass case on your lawn.

[IllusionX]

Originally Posted by MadMax

That myth about having addresses in your GPS making you more susceptible to burglary is bunk! You keep your registration in your car, right? Doesn't it have your address on it?

Yes, it has happened; but for the most part it is not the criminal trend that the Internet makes it out to be! Your garage door opener is more potentially a way to get into your house than your GPS!

http://www.snopes.com/crime/intent/gps.asp

Actually, registration do NOT have address indicated. Only insurance paper and insurance is supposed to follow the driver, not the car. I never leave a copy of the insurance in the car.

Originally Posted by k r a y z e e . j o j o

Call me old school, but I still print directions online. When I get there I rip-up and crumple the pages and toss them in to the floor. Nobody would break-in because they only see trash

x2

Originally Posted by darthbauer

If not using your phone then spend a little extra and get the thing installed in your dash. I might get something done like that to the point where it just looks like a stock Navi unit.

People have been breaking in cars when they see the GPS mount here.. :( That's very pain in the ass sometimes.

[silver_echo]

Originally Posted by IllusionX

Actually, registration do NOT have address indicated. Only insurance paper and insurance is supposed to follow the driver, not the car. I never leave a copy of the insurance in the car.

checked a washington state registration lately? address is shown on registration here...

[IllusionX]

that's stupid. :(

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by silver_echo

checked a washington state registration lately? address is shown on registration here...

And Texas. And Florida. And every other state I've ever seen...

Maybe not up in Canuckland, but down here where the sun actually shines and the snow melts, it's that way.

[Tamago]

streets go east and west, avenues go north and south









wtf is a GPS?

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by silver_echo

checked a washington state registration lately? address is shown on registration here...

PO Box FTMFW (keeps the emissions at bay too, right silver? my MR2 was registered to Spangle back in the day)

[firebob]

I have my GPS and scangage II mounted in my glove box. I did get the external antenna for it and it sits on the dash at the windshield. When I get out of my car I close the glove box and there’s nothing to see.