Be Safe – Five Must-Have Security Devices

Most of us like to live an honest life, in which we work hard for the things we own, like our classic cars. However, there are some people that try to take these things from us. Although these people might decide to steal something, if you bring to their attention that there is something observing them, they are likely to go away. With that in mind, we have put together a list of five items that will keep your classic car safe, that will thwart the efforts of any would be thief, and that will catch them in the act.

Classic cars are often stolen because we get complacent and lazy. But why? Just because the garage door is locked does not mean a thief will be deterred in their efforts to steal your classic. It’s not enough. We need to do more, we need to be proactive, not reactive. By investing in some or all of the kit listed below, we can sleep soundly knowing that our beloved classics are safe.

1) Disklok

We live in an age of technology, meaning laser beams and GPS tracking. However, the fact remains that if Billy the Thief can’t physically drive your car, then it’s not going anywhere. As such, there is no school like the old school, and the trusty Disklok is the headmaster. This silver disk is made of toughened steel which simply goes over the steering wheel and locks down. It’s got a big arm on it that will clatter the legs of anyone trying to drive your classic. It’s near impossible to get off the car without making a hell of a racket, it’s designed to be kind to your steering wheel and it also acts a big, imposing, visual deterrent to would be thieves. Get one, it just makes sense. There’s a reason this is the most recognisable security device for cars on the market.

2) Handbrake Lock

Much like the Disklok above, the handbrake lock is another tried, tested but above all, simple way of keeping your car safe and where you left it. If the would be thief can’t take the handbrake off, or change gear, then the car is going nowhere. Furthermore, if the car is locked in gear, it makes it very hard indeed to move it onto a trailer or to tow it away. For less than thirty quid, this is a must-have bit of security kit for any classic car owner. It’s simple, it’s as tough as old boots and it’s been around forever, which serves as testament to how effective it is. It simply slides over the handbrake lever, then you clamp it around the gear stick and lock in place and away you go.

3) Rewire Security GPS Tracker

Okay, let’s move into the future now and embrace technology with this clever bit of kit. It’s a GPS tracking system that you affix to the car care of a massive great magnet. The unit is self-powered, so there are no wires to give the game away to any slightly intelligent thieves. Though you will need to charge it up once a month or so, depending on what setting you have it on. The software to use the tracking is pay-as-you-go, so no need for expensive subscriptions, and it’s all cloud-based, so you can access it from any device. In today’s age of classic cars being lifted away by trucks/cranes/winches, this is a welcome breath of fresh air. Just look at the reviews and you read stories of cars being found in mere minutes. That’s the kind of high-speed resolution we want when our beloved cars go missing.

4) Faraday Box

If you own a modern classic, the chances are you can access it with a remote fob. The problem here is that the modern day car thief has thought of that, and as such, now has access to all manner of clever technology that will pull the signal from the air, allowing them to copy it and then use it via a third party device to open your car and deactivate any immobilisers. And they don’t need to wait for you to use the key. In some cases, they can grab the code from the key even when it’s not in use. The best way around this? A Faraday Box, which is a specially lined box that stops the key’s signal from ‘escaping’, and also stops outside sources from getting on the key’s wavelength. For less than £20, it’s well worth it for the peace of mind if nothing else.

5) ieGeek 1080p Security Camera

It would be remiss of us to not have at least one camera on this list, and this 1080p outdoor camera from ieGeek seems to be just the ticket. It’s only £40, and the reviews seems to be incredibly positive. The camera is a standalone bit of kit, so no need for overly complicated installation dramas. It works off WiFi or via an Ethernet cable, it’s motion activated, you can record to an FTP server or to an SD card, you can access it via your phone as well as your desktop PC and, well, what more could you want? Oh, it records in daylight and in the dark, thanks to an impressive night vision/infra red mode. Furthermore, there is a lot to be said for the off-putting nature of a camera to a potential thief. They don’t want to be caught in the act, so will leave you well alone if they see this little beast on display.