Dilemma Dilemma Dilemma

P

POH

Joined
May 29, 2018
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Pilote 740c
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What are the thoughts of the funster's on my three dilemmas going to get new van very soon (cnc) I know about the dos and don'ts so put them aside for now .
1, do I get alarm to satisfy insurance company so it is covered from day one with Phantom alarm
which can be fitted at home within days
2, do I get insurance that doesn't require any and go for a strikeback form vanbitz which would be fitted early May to mid May .
3, So van would only have immobiliser for best part of 8 weeks !! it would have wheel clamp and disklock and patriot seat lock at home but only disk and patriot when away.
All your thoughts are appreciated.
 
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if it were me i would ( and do have the vanbitz strikeback system ) try telling the insurance it is booked in for the stikeback as soon as work can resume. they extended the normal 30 days to get it sorted a few weeks for me when i had mine done. but that was a few years ago.
 
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Langtoftlad said:
My insurance required alarm etc... on asking further they were happy to insure me for all risks except theft with a confirmed fitting date.

(I slept in the van on the drive!)
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Swmbo would not let me sleep in the van on the drive for 8 weeks!!!!!!

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We faced the same dilemma and opted for the Phantom alarm fitted by our dealer
Not ideal but times are difficult
 
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POH said:
Swmbo would not let me sleep in the van on the drive for 8 weeks!!!!!!
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Is that because she would not let you back in the house :welcome4:
 
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We are in the same position- ended up getting the dealer to fit a tracker before we leave their premises, and we are getting the Vanbitz Growler in a few weeks. Insurance company gave a tiny discount for the extra alarm but were far more interested in the tracker. For our peace of mind, we are getting what seems to be the best alarm and a non starter immobiliser too. Not sure if we will continue with the tracker subs next year though.
 
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Robert Clark said:
We faced the same dilemma and opted for the Phantom alarm fitted by our dealer
Not ideal but times are difficult
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HI Robert, how do you find the Phantom alarm, i am still pondering as to which one i get either Phantom or strike back .
 
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Following discussion with our insurer and underwriter (CAMC), we settled on a Smar Track tracker, and they were ok with the Mercedes factory fitted alarm and immobiliser. Personally I wouldn’t do more than they require. We find the tracker useful as we keep the van in storage and can constantly monitor its position and state of charge foe the vehicle battery.
 
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POH said:
HI Robert, how do you find the Phantom alarm, i am still pondering as to which one i get either Phantom or strike back .
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I’ve not taken delivery of the van from the dealer yet so can’t comment. Though funflair has had one fitted for a while now.

I did have a Growler in a previous van which was fine. The biggest difference between Growler and Phantom Vanguard as I understand it is that the Growler has external flashing LED’s
There is also a difference in price and Phantom is fitted by local installers. I was planning to have a Growler in my new van but had to find an alternative as Vanbitz was closed.

Hope this helps
 
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POH said:
HI Robert, how do you find the Phantom alarm, i am still pondering as to which one i get either Phantom or strike back .
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Hi

As Robert says we have the Phantom Sentinel Alarm/Tracker combo, I am sure that it is different to the VB system wireless vs wired for a start, I wasn't bothered about bright flashing LED's so the discreet Phantom suits me, on our IVECO chassis the alarm won't integrate with the original key fob or the touch screen entrance door so it is completely stand alone operation via a fob or the app, I use the app all the time so don't need to carry keys around with me.

All in all I am happy with it and so are our insurers ;)
 
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IMO the van should be ok with all the bits of security that you have, until you can get it booked in with Vanbitz.
When you get a fitting date inform the insurance company.

I would think that very few if any, get nicked off of drives.

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POH said:
What are the thoughts of the funster's on my three dilemmas going to get new van very soon (cnc) I know about the dos and don'ts so put them aside for now .
1, do I get alarm to satisfy insurance company so it is covered from day one with Phantom alarm
which can be fitted at home within days
2, do I get insurance that doesn't require any and go for a strikeback form vanbitz which would be fitted early May to mid May .
3, So van would only have immobiliser for best part of 8 weeks !! it would have wheel clamp and disklock and patriot seat lock at home but only disk and patriot when away.
All your thoughts are appreciated.
Click to expand...

That sometimes helps our potential customers make a comparison.

Some times the dealers don't know any of the answers which of course answers the question.

If it is a standard Strikeback the differences are still there but not as glaring.

So the main questions to ask are do you intend to use bikes? because the "bike loop" is really useful for bikes and trailers. Standard on both our motorhome systems

Is the system going to be "plugped" into the OBDP? in which case insist it is hard wired and soldered.

Does it come with a couple of radio keys that can't be scanned or grabbed?

Is the warranty with the dealer? or the mobile fitters that they get in to install it? Not important now, but in three years time when you need a replacement alarm radio "Blipper" will you be "fobbed off" ( ;) :giggler: )

Or ask yourself "why" we have the waiting list when we don't advertise and haven't attended an outdoor show for years!

Don't forget your 10% Funsters discount making our standard installation £540 for a full system!
 
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eddievanbitz said:

That sometimes helps our potential customers make a comparison.

Some times the dealers don't know any of the answers which of course answers the question.

If it is a standard Strikeback the differences are still there but not as glaring.

So the main questions to ask are do you intend to use bikes? because the "bike loop" is really useful for bikes and trailers. Standard on both our motorhome systems

Is the system going to be "plugped" into the OBDP? in which case insist it is hard wired and soldered.

Does it come with a couple of radio keys that can't be scanned or grabbed?

Is the warranty with the dealer? or the mobile fitters that they get in to install it? Not important now, but in three years time when you need a replacement alarm radio "Blipper" will you be "fobbed off" ( ;) :giggler: )

Or ask yourself "why" we have the waiting list when we don't advertise and haven't attended an outdoor show for years!

Don't forget your 10% Funsters discount making our standard installation £540 for a full system!
Click to expand...
Don’t forget the free camping😁😁

And the free F&M hamper for all fittings in June👍
 
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another dilemma which is more reliable Phantom or strike back, as it's a long way to go for repairs if needed to strike back as Phantom would come to me at home if needed , cos i need to make my mind up in the next couple of days as time is marching on.
 
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Had my strikeback on this van for just over 9 years. And 3 years on a previous van ( not the same kit just both had strike back) I have not had any issues whatsoever and it has so far been flawless in operation.
So it is likely that you'll not need to go back for repair only fit another to your next van.
 
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To be honest if you haven't booked yet, I doubt if you will get an appointment with us early/mid May.

I will be going into the office tomorrow but I am pretty certain that we are booking end of May into June, and that is with the fitters doing extra days to get the waiting list down!

It may help you with your decision.
 
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