Best Motorhome security system (1 Viewer)

[Springer 52]

Hi having brought a new motorhome our insurance states we have got to have a tracker or cat 1 thatchams alarm fitted we have no idea which is best any advice will be appreciated thanks

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Two words.

Vanbitz. Growler.

 

[faraway]

Ditto

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[daveandsan]

As above.

 

[DBK]

The VB system is very good but you can get Cat 1 alarms from other people. Have a look at Outsmart the Thief. Their basic Cat 1 system is a bit over £400. I have their Titanium tracker system which is a bit over £600 but it was fitted by them at my house, so no need to travel and stay overnight.
I'm certainly not knocking the VB stuff, it's good, but it isn't the only system on the market - which is the impression you might get on here.

 

[Stretto Boy]

+1 VanBitz

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Have a look at Outsmart the Thief. Their basic Cat 1 system is a bit over £400. I have their Titanium tracker system which is a bit over £600 but it was fitted by them at my house, so no need to travel and stay overnight.

Except that it's not a Thatcham Cat 1 system is it? They certainly don't make that claim on their website.

That being the case if a Cat 1 system is an insurance requirement this system is not an option

I think this has been covered before. If I remember correctly, much like Eddie's Non Starter, the way this system works disqualifies it from any Thatcham approval.


You're right that there are other Cat 1 systems available but this isn't one of them.

 

[JimJams]

A nice read..

Broken Link Removed

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

We recently had the Growler (and a Tracker) fitted to replace the Cobra system which came on the van we recently purchased. The Cobra alarm seemed to have a bloody mind of its own, to the point it just had to go. Having had a Growler fitted to our previous van, which had always worked perfectly, it was a no-brainer to get another. Plus you will be afforded both great pre sales advice and post sales support should you need it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Chipster]

Except that it's not a Thatcham Cat 1 system is it? They certainly don't make that claim on their website.

That being the case if a Cat 1 system is an insurance requirement this system is not an option

I think this has been covered before. If I remember correctly, much like Eddie's Non Starter, the way this system works disqualifies it from any Thatcham approval.


You're right that there are other Cat 1 systems available but this isn't one of them.

Thought Cat1 is alarm immobiliser or Cat 2-1 upgrade. Tracker is Cat 6/7.
The Gemini system supplied by Outsmart The Thief is Cat 1.

 

[MillieMoocher]

Current van has a Cat 1 Cobra alarm and I agree with @RowleyBirkinQC that it sucks. A mind of its own and I can fart louder than the noise it makes...definitely an alarm make to avoid in my experience.

New van already booked in to Eddie for Growler, but I also need a Cat 5 tracker so dealer is arranging that..

 

[funflair]

The VB system is very good but you can get Cat 1 alarms from other people. Have a look at Outsmart the Thief. Their basic Cat 1 system is a bit over £400. I have their Titanium tracker system which is a bit over £600 but it was fitted by them at my house, so no need to travel and stay overnight.
I'm certainly not knocking the VB stuff, it's good, but it isn't the only system on the market - which is the impression you might get on here.

A friend has just had this system fitted today, we talked to the guy at Peterborough and the system looked really good TBH.

Martin

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Thought Cat1 is alarm immobiliser or Cat 2-1 upgrade. Tracker is Cat 6/7.
The Gemini system supplied by Outsmart The Thief is Cat 1.

Only if installed by a Thatcham approved installer which Outsmart the Thief aren't.

You can check the Thatcham register of Recognised Installers for yourself here: http://ww2.thatcham.org/tri/index.jsp?page=1259

If it's installed by someone not approved then it's just a box of expensive electronics that's worth no more than a £9.99 DIY kit from Amazon.

 

[DBK]

Except that it's not a Thatcham Cat 1 system is it? They certainly don't make that claim on their website.

That being the case if a Cat 1 system is an insurance requirement this system is not an option

I think this has been covered before. If I remember correctly, much like Eddie's Non Starter, the way this system works disqualifies it from any Thatcham approval.


You're right that there are other Cat 1 systems available but this isn't one of them.

Their basic motorhome system is Cat 1 (says so on the website) but having checked it is about £500 now. It is the "Titanium" system which isn't Cat 1 as it includes a remote immobiliser, which as Eddie explained well recently, the Thatcham people haven't quite got their heads around yet so it's Cat 4 or 5 - can't remember which.
What I have is now called LockDown not Titanium.
But to the OP the best probably is the VB system, but you can get a good system for a lot less.
Shop around.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Their basic motorhome system is Cat 1 (says so on the website) but having checked it is about £500 now.

I refer you to my post #13 above.

I couldn't find that claim on their website. It's very naughty if they really are making it.

You could go and buy the same components they use, or the same components VB use, and install them yourself. That wouldn't be a Cat 1 system either.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DBK]

S

I refer you to my post #13 above.

I couldn't find that claim on their website. It's very naughty if they really are making it.

You could go and buy the same components they use, or the same components VB use, and install them yourself. That wouldn't be a Cat 1 system either.

Scroll down to the motorhome alarm on this page.
http://www.606060.com/products-8-c.asp
My insurance doesn't require Cat 1 or a tracker, I bought the system for peace of mind and as a deterrent.

 

[jessthedog]

Unless it has changed?
The Vanbitz alarm might be the dogs gonads, but thats not Cat 1.

 

[funflair]

I refer you to my post #13 above.

I couldn't find that claim on their website. It's very naughty if they really are making it.

You could go and buy the same components they use, or the same components VB use, and install them yourself. That wouldn't be a Cat 1 system either.

£495 basic alarm Cat1

motorhome-alarm-14-p.asp

Martin

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Reto]

Spent a lot of time researching alarms before deciding and concluded that the VB Growler with Non-starter was the best available. There are cheaper available but in my opinion this was an area where it was worth stretching the budget.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

S

Scroll down to the motorhome alarm on this page.
http://www.606060.com/products-8-c.asp
My insurance doesn't require Cat 1 or a tracker, I bought the system for peace of mind and as a deterrent.

£495 basic alarm Cat1

motorhome-alarm-14-p.asp

Martin

OK they're making the claim. I missed that.

Which approved installer is certificating it for them?

http://ww2.thatcham.org/tri/index.jsp?page=1259

 

[DBK]

Unless it has changed?
The Vanbitz alarm might be the dogs gonads, but thats not Cat 1.

Ones with remote immobilisers aren't as I understand it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[funflair]

Whats so important about Thatchem Cat1 or whatever, if your insurance are not calling the shots you just want the best alarm that suits you at a price that suits you.

Martin

 

[jessthedog]

Ones with remote immobilisers aren't as I understand it.

I beleive it classed as a
Thatcham Category 2/1 – electronic alarm upgrade

 

[DBK]

OK they're making the claim. I missed that.

Which approved installer is certificating it for them?

http://ww2.thatcham.org/tri/index.jsp?page=1259

No idea, I didn't want Cat 1.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Unless it has changed?
The Vanbitz alarm might be the dogs gonads, but thats not Cat 1.

My insurers, two different companies to date, disagree

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Whats so important about Thatchem Cat1 or whatever, if your insurance are not calling the shots you just want the best alarm that suits you at a price that suits you.

Martin

It's as much about the installation as anything. An insurance company wants to know that's it's been fitted properly.

Thatcham are an insurance industry financed organisation. They've written minimum standards of what is acceptable for insurance purposes.

I agree if it's not an insurance requirement fit or don't fit whatever you like. Lots of people fit those 20 quid trackers from Amazon and are quite happy with them.

If it is an insurance requirement and you can't provide an installation certificate from an approved installer when asked then you will find yourself uninsured.

 

[Jim]

Unless it has changed?
The Vanbitz alarm might be the dogs gonads, but thats not Cat 1.

I think its 2-1 as its fitted to a van with a factory fitted immobiliser.

However you should always remember The Thatcham Approved checkmark is only given to the actual alarm and while Thatcham do have an Approved Installer Scheme, the alarms quality assurance means nothing if it is fitted by a cowboy or a well intentioned but inexperienced fitter, or one that's not around to honour a guarantee. One of the reasons why vanBitz have such a good reputation, is that they have been doing it for many years. Their attention to detail is top drawer, the comprehensive notes kept about each install, the options and quality of the fitting, is in my experience without equal. That it is Thatcham approved is well down the list of reasons why I always opt for strikeback.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jessthedog]

My insurers, two different companies to date, disagree

Copied from Van bitz website. They dont say that there alarms are Cat 1
But 2-1
Though the cert is out of date.

 

[funflair]

My insurers, two different companies to date, disagree

They might change their minds if you tried to claim.

Martin

 

[pyro]

Insurer to Pyro "Do you have a Thatcham alarm fitted?"
Pyro to Insurer "I have what the manufacturers installed plus a Sigma alarm. Does the Thatcham bit matter?"
Insurer "Not really. As long as you have adequate alarms fitted, it doesn't really affect your premiums by much "
Insurer "Do you have a tracker fitted?"
Pyro, wising up "Yes, but I put it in myself and it contacts me, not an alarm monitoring company"
Insurer "Great, DIY is fine but it only saves you £12 a year to have any tracker fitted. But this next question is really important"
Pyro, grimacing "what is it?"
Insurer "Do you have professionally fitted reversing sensors?"
Pyro "Of course, factory fitted. And I have an additional reversing camera, with a second longer distance rear view camera"
Insurer "Excellent, that saves a fair bit off your premiums"

Insurer: AIB

Now, with hindsight (and may yet be rectified), I would choose the VanBitz kit. Why? Reputation, support, attitude, Eddie knows his stuff. And he is an avid supporter around here. Just because he drives a £1M palace on wheels doesn't mean he's unapproachable.

As with all things, you pays your money, you takes your choice

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}