Lojack and Leather

LoJack does not use GPS, so that's not really relevant. LoJack is an RF (radio frequency) technology that allows a customer to report his or her car stolen, have LoJack broadcast the "show yourself" signal to your car via cell phone-like towers and your car starts to send out beacons that properly equipped police cars can use to find the car.

Also note that while GPS gives you exact coordinates, the LoJack tracking units give you "it's nearby and sort of in this direction" and the police have to follow a compass-like tool to find the car.

When a LoJack tech installs the device, it gets put in a "random" location out of a list of possibly 20 or 30 spots on a car. LoJack employees are not supposed to disclose even the 20-30 possible locations it could be put and they are absolutely not supposed to tell you exactly where they put it. Someone stealing a car equipped with LoJack will have to perform a pretty thorough search to find the unit; even if found, it may look like a normal car component.

The likelyhood of your Prius getting stolen is way lower than a car on the top 10 stolen list. A major problem for "casual" thieves is the fact that you only have an electronic ignition. It's going to be way harder to just decide "I like that Prius, I'll take it" versus the car right next to it on the street. That said, someone could steal your keys or develop a technology to read your key fob's interaction over RF with your smart key system (though obviously something like that would be a seriously professional thief, and if they want my car that bad, I say take it - I'll get a new one).

If this were another type of car without such a complicated key system (mind you, obviously any security system can be broken, including the Prius electronic ignition, so complicated or not someone who really wants it can do it), I would definitely suggest LoJack if you're worried about your car being stolen.

For fun, here's a video demonstration of LoJack in action:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SxgZI0Lj5Ao

 

Oh and the reason that GPS doesn't work in parking garages is they need a clear view of the sky to work. They work on satellite-based RF broadcasts (they use multiple to "triangulate" a location - in quotes because they frequently work on four signals at a time) and if there's no clear view of the sky, the signals won't get through.

Very similar to satellite radio or satellite TV; if something's in the way, you get poor or no signal.

 

After purchasing LoJack, the dealer was out of the transaction.

Before I left with the car, I already had voice mails at home
and on the cell from the company that was going to do the
install.

I made an appointment, and a guy came out to my house to
put it in. Easy as that.

Only negative thing about the process: He left the doors
unlock after installation. Booo!

 

The sad reality is that police in many areas are so overworked and their departments so understaffed that they don't have the resources to go flying over your city in an airplane looking for LoJack signals. Seattle is having a hard time with its police shortage, and I suspect the same is true of many other cities. LoJack technology is great, but only works if there are dedicated troopers and officers monitoring for signals.

The police won't even come to the scene of a car accident unless there is bodily injury or traffic obstruction. Never mind home security systems; by the time the police respond to those, if ever, the thieves can empty your house.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Susanne101 @ Mar 3 2007, 07:16 PM) [snapback]399693[/snapback]</div>

Just to note, I also have LoJack in my car. It was a part of a warranty/package I didn't need but was within my budget and sounded acceptable so I got it. I feel good to know that if my car is stolen that a cop car within 3-5 miles of my stolen car will be notified, however I don't really view it as an incredible value and wouldn't have gone out of my way to get it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Angel Flight Pilot @ Mar 3 2007, 07:38 PM) [snapback]399701[/snapback]</div>

Correct. Most cruisers are equipped with the units in them (according to LoJack marketing and Wikipedia).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Angel Flight Pilot @ Mar 3 2007, 07:38 PM) [snapback]399701[/snapback]</div>

Different issue; a small fender bender does not need police intervention. A stolen car does.