I agree with everyone about false alarms. In the past I really only set car alarms when I'm leaving the vehicle unattended someplace that is 'less than safe' (very subjective). 

Most of the time I don't use an alarm, but it's nice to have when I do need it. 

I have to agree with the signs/alarm stickers/blue light/disabling concept. I'm not terribly worried about the van being stolen as much as I am about things being taken or the 'violation' of a break in (like happened with my 85 Westy in NYC awhile back.

Gregg
90 Westy

On May 2, 2011, at 11:16 AM, Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Don, you're absolutely right.
> 
> Whenever an alarm goes off in the middle of the night, whenever one goes
> off in a campground, whenever one goes off in a parking lot, causing
> everyone within earshot to scowl and eventually bringing someone dashing
> out of a store to shut the darn thing off, the first thought that goes
> through my mind is NOT "I gotta get me one of those."
> 
> Possibly useful read here:
> <http://www.transalt.org/files/newsroom/reports/caralarms/08ineffective.html>
> 
> The effectiveness of car alarms appears to be slight, given the small
> discount offered by insurance companies for cars with alarms, see:
> <www.silentmajorityny.org/links/alarmdiscount.pdf>
> 
> And,
> 
> "[...] the effectiveness of car alarms has been challenged by many
> studies over the past several years. Auto insurance companies, a`to
> makers and law enforcement agencies agree that cars with alarms “show no
> overall reduction in theft losses'. One major reason is that people are
> so used to hearing the noises, they have grown indifferent, and make no
> effort to act when they hear an alarm. Another is that today’s
> professional auto thief is very sophisticated and can easily disable the
> electronic alarm device before it goes off.
> 
> "In addition, car alarms have created a huge backlash due to the noise
> they create. Groups across the country have formed to combat the `noise
> pollution' that car alarms contribute to daily life. Some even go so far
> as to propose outright bans on their use.
> 
> "The use of a car alarm is still a personal decision, but it’s important
> to know the facts:
> 
> "* They have been proven to be generally ineffective in stopping car
> theft.
> * Depending on your circumstances, a car alarm can have a negative
> impact on your relations with your neighbors.
> * There are other more effective security measures available to protect
> your automobile." From <http://www.car-alarm-guide.net/car-alarms/>
> 
> Mind, I'm not anti-alarm. If someone wants to make their van into a
> midnight "hey everybody, wake up!" noisybox, then that's their choice.
> Just consider that not everyone within earshot will consider that swell
> whooping sound to be a pleasant addition to the local soundscape.
> 
> --
> Rocky J Squirrel
> 
> 
> On Mon, 2011-05-02 at 07:30 -0700, Don Hanson wrote:
>> On Sun, May 1, 2011 at 8:38 PM, miguel pacheco <mundopacheco@gmail.com>wrote:
>> 
>>> Oh no, prepare yourself.....we get to hear about the two rabid black labs
>>> again! Oh and the note on the dash, reading,' you boys get started with
>>> your
>>> target practice. Went to get more ammo....'
>>> 
>>> Miguel
>>> 
>>> Controversial, revolutionary signature line removed as requested........
>>> 
>> 
>>  How about a rant on "false alarms"?
>> Have you ever seen anyone react to an alarm with anything other than
>> annoyance or amusement?  Seriously, I hear those dumb things all the time,
>> beeping or hooting away, with people walking right past... .They're
>> especially irksome in a quiet campsite when they get activated.
>> 
>>  I like a friend's solution when he drove a breadloaf and lived in New
>> Jersey...He had some magnetic signs..."Ertz's Reptile Farm" and
>> 'danger-snakes inside' below that.  His van was never bothered once he
>> started sticking those on while steet-parked....till someone stole the
>> signs.
>>  Don Hanson