Living in a vehicle the last few years has helped me save & keep all the money I would’ve otherwise paid to a landlord. So I can afford a security system now, and urgently need one because people are starting to catch onto my patterns and hover around my vehicle like vultures. Please tell me the best security system you know of. I am not savvy with electronics and gadgets, and I never will be. So I need someone to tell me.

I’m thinking of a fuel kill switch or battery kill switch or whatever that thing is;

I’m thinking of camera system that I can monitor with my smartphone from wherever I am, etc

I’m thinking keeping several air tags all around my vehicle, in pockets of clothing, and in bags, and under my mattress (can I use Apple air tags if I don’t own any apple devices??, I run on Samsung and Lenovo and Linux);

Please tell me where to get these things, what the best brands are of fuel/battery kill switches, camera monitoring system

  • @seathruEnglish
    2•4 months ago

    With an auto security system, you are shopping around for a local shop that does good installs more than what brand the alarm is. If you are buying the alarm to prevent the vehicle from being stolen rather than just for the convenience features, I highly recommend you do not attempt the install yourself. Even if you are pretty handy, an amateur installed alarm can make the vehicle easier to steal than one without anything. This is something worth paying someone who knows their stuff.

    Once you find a reputable shop, it doesn’t matter that much what brand they sell. If they do actual good work, they are most likely not selling junk. But you can’t really go wrong with Viper.

    Wyze sells cheap but decent quality security cameras with good alerts. Probably not the best privacy tho, so I wouldn’t point them anywhere too private.

    Edit: Source: I installed car security systems for ~15 years.

  • @jam12705@lemmy.world
    1•4 months ago

    Viper has a pretty good 2-way alarm (your key fob alerts you) and most of their models have relay contacts for fuel pump kill or start signal kill.

    I found a budget version made by Avital I’ve been using for several years.

      • @jam12705@lemmy.world
        2•4 months ago

        You weren’t kidding, I had to switch on Desktop Mode for the menu to finction. Can’t remember if i bought direct from them or some online store…its been a couple years.

  • Frater MusMEnglish
    1•4 months ago

    people are starting to catch onto my patterns and hover around my vehicle like vultures. Please tell me the best security system you know of.

    A free first step would be to have no observable pattern. And/or leaving that general area if possible.

    I would think about the actual threat model and what I could do about it. If someone steals your doodad with an airtag on it are you going to find it and take it back from them?

    • @LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.worldOP
      2•4 months ago

      1. Regarding my patterns: I can’t help it that I have to go to work every day at the same place, and there is only one authorized place to park. As soon as I leave work I keep no patterns but while I’m at work away from my vehicle, vultures are vulturing.

      2. And never mind what I said about airtags. I tried to delete that I even mentioned airtags but Lemmy wouldn’t let me delete it.

      • Frater MusMEnglish
        1•4 months ago

        If employee vehicles are in danger perhaps the employer (or property owner) could hire a security detail? Might present this as a benefit to them to keep customers from getting scared off by crime?

        I worked at a place in a ratty part of time once. Literal crackheads and prostitutes wandering through our lot. After a couple break-ins the company put up a fence.