Vanbitz? New system called Pandora camper? (1 Viewer)

[Tcamper1963]

Hi, has anyone heard of this system? It's expensive at about £1250...but maybe an alternative to vanbitz...

I am totally confused!

My van is £25k and it seems these systems are being fitted to motorhomes at least twice this price..

I like vanbitz but their Strikeback doesnt include immobilisation which as far as I can work out is another £200 on top of £599.

Is that correct?

Thanks Toby

 

[tonyidle]

I have spoken to vanbitz but found it confusing....

These are the things I want
1. Internal and exterior alarm
2. Immobiliser
3. Asset locator but not a tracker
4. The loop system I like for the bikes
5. To arm outside when inside
6. Lifetime warranty

I already have a steering wheel lock, a pedal lock, a swivel seat lock and an OBD lock....

Maybe counselling for paranoia would be more effective?

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I have spoken to vanbitz but found it confusing....

These are the things I want
1. Internal and exterior alarm
2. Immobiliser
3. Asset locator but not a tracker
4. The loop system I like for the bikes
5. To arm outside when inside
6. Lifetime warranty

I already have a steering wheel lock, a pedal lock, a swivel seat lock and an OBD lock....

If you want to know how effective the VanBitz non starter is as an immobiliser, then have a read of this thread.

Massive thanks to Eddie Vanbitz and Metatrak

Long story, but here goes... My son's MH was stolen a couple of years ago, it was his pride and joy. Fortunately insurance paid out but he never wanted to go through that trauma again, so he bought another MH and went straight to Eddie who recommended going the whole hog with alarm, tracker...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[gus-lopez]

Maybe counselling for paranoia would be more effective?

You can't have too much.

 

[two]

It's my belief that you are only buying peace of mind. I guess that, if you are really bothered, the more you spend on protection, the more at ease you might feel but try to overcome it if you can - there are plenty of companies out there willing to take your money in return for a bit of reassurance.
My house has been burgled in spite of an alarm and cctv. They could've been attracted by the security (suggesting something of value inside) or "off their mind". They did not care about locks or noise - just smashed their way through until satisfied with their haul. Police were not interested in pursuing the culprits - just issued a crime reference to use on my insurance claim.
£1k seems a lot to protect £25k. I'd just get sufficient to obtain insurance cover (which might not be much at all) and leave the worrying to them. Spend what you save on your holiday.

 

[Stealaway]

We haven't got either, we've got the following, having had it on a few MHs now we're more than happy with it:

Autowatch 695RLC alarm system...

Hi my MH is an Elddis Accordo 125, actually a Majestic 125 as it’s Marquis Dealer Special December 2015. It is fitted with the above alarm system which is Thatcham approved Cat 2-1 upgrade, their words. Appart from PIR and Ultrasonic sensors in the habitation area it has 2 door sensors on cab...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

For me there are two types of alarm.

One that supposedly secures against entrance and theft.
That's not going to happen unless you bar all the windows
Best option is to leave nothing of value in the van - Our most expensive items are our smart phones and they always go out with us.
Have a look around your van and see how much of value to a thief there is in there - Is there a £1000 worth left in the van?

Secondly its the theft of the van.
That would be very inconvenient so I make sure that wont happen.
Fit what you make you comfortable but don't forget some bits are huge and where do you keep them when moving.

If the worse come to the worse you are fully insured
I only have the cheapest CAT 5 alarm, just enough to satisfy the insurance company

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[tonyidle]

You can't have too much.

You really can. Imagine putting that lot on every time you leave the motorhome to go food shopping.

 

[ShiftZZ]

I have had two vanbitz alarms fitted.

Now you may think Eddie and myself don't like each other, true. No only joking..

Why vanbitz?
Well the vans we have had had cobra alarm fitted, don't know by who, but they were poorly installed and kept going off.

So off to Vanbitz,

Firstly, the install is professionally done, you can't see how it's done, blue flashing lights, I'm assuming they take the dash apart, so very neat and tidy. A few new buttons on the dash, very neat.

The van was well looked after, Ash and Ian a good team, pre install meeting, regular updates, and a very good handover.

Now, after we had finished we drove off to Blue Anchor for a few days and I found an 'Orphan screw, great I thought, I can get one over on the grumpy old git, so we popped into Vanbitz on the way home,

Orphan screw in hand, saw Eddie, showed him the Vanbitz fail. He smiled and said 'have you had work done on your gearbox? I answered yes, he said this screw was one of the access cover for the gearbox, my heart sank, his technician fixed it..bugger..

Vanbitz know their stuff and Eddie isn't that bad.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I have had two vanbitz alarms fitted.

Now you may think Eddie and myself don't like each other, true. No only joking..

Why vanbitz?
Well the vans we have had had cobra alarm fitted, don't know by who, but they were poorly installed and kept going off.

So off to Vanbitz,

Firstly, the install is professionally done, you can't see how it's done, blue flashing lights, I'm assuming they take the dash apart, so very neat and tidy. A few new buttons on the dash, very neat.

The van was well looked after, Ash and Ian a good team, pre install meeting, regular updates, and a very good handover.

Now, after we had finished we drove off to Blue Anchor for a few days and I found an 'Orphan screw, great I thought, I can get one over on the grumpy old git, so we popped into Vanbitz on the way home,

Orphan screw in hand, saw Eddie, showed him the Vanbitz fail. He smiled and said 'have you had work done on your gearbox? I answered yes, he said this screw was one of the access cover for the gearbox, my heart sank, his technician fixed it..bugger..

Vanbitz know their stuff and Eddie isn't that bad.

Same experiences here. And the coffee machine (if you can call it that) does Bovril!! - always think of Jasper Carrot when I see it. Super campsite as well and Eddie always good for a chat.

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[Chris]

Same experiences here. And the coffee machine (if you can call it that) does Bovril!! - always think of Jasper Carrot when I see it. Super campsite as well and Eddie always good for a chat.

Eddie is a good lad presumably because his lovely Welsh wife keeps him in check.

 

[ShiftZZ]

Eddie is a good lad presumably because his lovely Welsh wife keeps him in check.

Welsh Boys, Ash (Newport bud)..

 

[pappajohn]

Here is the link for the pandora system...
https://www.motorguards.co.uk/pandora-camper-alarm-immobiliser-system/

One item I noticed included in the 'what's included' section.....

• 6 months free subscription

This obviously means the system IS subscription.

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[jollyrodger]

You really can. Imagine putting that lot on every time you leave the motorhome to go food shopping.

Or for a quick pee

 

[marchie]

Maybe counselling for paranoia would be more effective?

Don't knock it! If you're on Twitter and are paranoid, then you've got it made! More followers than you would believe ...

Steve

 

[fat haggis]

Respect is earned not given. I know where my money would go if I had a new or nearly new van to secure.

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[DuxDeluxe]

Eddie is a good lad presumably because his lovely Welsh wife keeps him in check.

No, he is a good bloke for also following a great AB beating team

 

[WESTY66]

On my third van and had a growler and non starter on each of them so I can sleep soundly at night knowing it will be where I left it
I suppose it all boils down to “how much do you value your van?”
You can start by fitting the growler so you will hear the scumbags entering the vehicle!
Some immobilisers can be over ridden by crooks, but not the non starter, you could even fit a tracker so the nice lady can ring you up and tell you where your van is getting burnt out, or you can fit a non starter and keep it where you parked it!
You pays your money and takes your choice
Me? Growler and non starter every time
Oh btw the last two vans have had alarm immobilisers ripped out and replaced by growler and non starter by vanbitz

 

[Ninjabob]

If you want to know how effective the VanBitz non starter is as an immobiliser, then have a read of this thread.

Massive thanks to Eddie Vanbitz and Metatrak

Long story, but here goes... My son's MH was stolen a couple of years ago, it was his pride and joy. Fortunately insurance paid out but he never wanted to go through that trauma again, so he bought another MH and went straight to Eddie who recommended going the whole hog with alarm, tracker...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Maybe I'm missing something but in the attempt to circumvent the alarm there is a good thousand pounds or more damage and labour involved in putting that van back together. Now you could put in an insurance claim but your excess might be £500 and future increases in premium for the claim that could affect other policies as well and your going to cough up for the repairs as the cheapest (albeit expensive) option.

The old adage "if they want it - they'll have it" applies even if they have to drag it off on a low loader even with the alarm blaring away.

Spending the money on insuring it with a respectable company and some well thought out mechanical protection may be another (cheaper) option.

None of the above detracts from what is obviously (from recommendations here) a quality product.

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[Realist]

If they want it they’ll (attempt) to take it…… true words but.

Im a believer in making sure the gits get bugger all and my van has more security features than Fort Knox and some are in sight before they attempt to gain entry and the other percentage is alarm and hidden items.

If it takes me 10 mins to unlock, enter passwords, remove items etc etc and I know the codes I bet time the thief attempts that they be in handcuffs or my friend Mr Baseball Bat visits.

 

[Dilwyn]

Other specific motorhome alarm systems are available other than VB. We have fitted Out Smart the Thief {https://www.606060.com} to our last two vans - alarm, immobiliser and tracker combined - they boast they have yet to have lost a van!

https://www.606060.com

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Maybe I'm missing something but in the attempt to circumvent the alarm there is a good thousand pounds or more damage and labour involved in putting that van back together. Now you could put in an insurance claim but your excess might be £500 and future increases in premium for the claim that could affect other policies as well and your going to cough up for the repairs as the cheapest (albeit expensive) option.

The old adage "if they want it - they'll have it" applies even if they have to drag it off on a low loader even with the alarm blaring away.

Spending the money on insuring it with a respectable company and some well thought out mechanical protection may be another (cheaper) option.

None of the above detracts from what is obviously (from recommendations here) a quality product.

Perhaps you missed the point that a) they did not steal the van which resulted in a much lower insurance claim by several tens of thousands and b) coincidentally that immobilisation stopped the theft of something like half a dozen caravans as well. A matter of choice, but to quote…. “They wanted it but could not have it” which proved the value of the non starter to myself and very many others

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[DuxDeluxe]

Other specific motorhome alarm systems are available other than VB. We have fitted Out Smart the Thief {https://www.606060.com} to our last two vans - alarm, immobiliser and tracker combined - they boast they have yet to have lost a van!

https://www.606060.com

My insurance company would not even look at it when I asked. Not Thatcham approved tracker at the time so they would not touch it.

 

[tribalbrit]

Be careful when opening the box.

 

[Stealaway]

If they want it they’ll (attempt) to take it…… true words but.

Im a believer in making sure the gits get bugger all and my van has more security features than Fort Knox and some are in sight before they attempt to gain entry and the other percentage is alarm and hidden items.

If it takes me 10 mins to unlock, enter passwords, remove items etc etc and I know the codes I bet time the thief attempts that they be in handcuffs or my friend Mr Baseball Bat visits.

If you kept less valuables in the van there would be no need for all this massively complicated and costly security

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[Abacist]

Hi, Thanks for your answers but I was just asking if anyone had experience of the pandora camper alarm system, which it seems you don't....I am considering vanbitz as the alternative...but would want an immobilser...

I have a Metatrack system from VanBitz which incorporates an immobiliser together with a separate Tracker system on top of my Growler and Strikeback alarm system. As far as I am concerned it’s the bees knees!

You can keep Pandora’s box of tricks!

VanBitz are just up the M5 for me and came highly recommended.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

If you kept less valuables in the van there would be no need for all this massively complicated and costly security

….but then again I want to wake up in the morning and still see the van on the driveway……

 

[OldCodger]

Other specific motorhome alarm systems are available other than VB. We have fitted Out Smart the Thief {https://www.606060.com} to our last two vans - alarm, immobiliser and tracker combined - they boast they have yet to have lost a van!

https://www.606060.com

We removed our outsmart the thief alarm. It is a particular configuration of the Gemini 931TMH alarm - at its heart it is a car alarm. We removed it because the ultrasonics kept alarming despite multiple attempts to fix it - including a complete replacement.

Eddie’s team removed the Outsmart the thief alarm in minutes when they fitted our growler. No false alarms since and much better deterrent. I defy anyone to be in the van with the alarm going off.

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[Stealaway]

….but then again I want to wake up in the morning and still see the van on the driveway……

Stealing contents from the van is very different from stealing the whole van.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Stealing contents from the van is very different from stealing the whole van.

Nowt worth nicking…….

……have you ever been inside a van when the growler system has gone off? You won’t want to hang around to try and open the safe. Louder than an F4 Phantom on full reheat

 

[Flairy]

I’ve put this on before my VanBitz system was fitted 2004 it keeps you safe while you sleep, when your out of the motor home , or parked on the drive . It’s fitted by people who know motorhome security and when you ring with question they can look you up on there system and sort you out.I paid for lifetimes cover and if it alarms my phone texts me .what more can you wish for,and it’s trouble free.

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[Realist]

If you kept less valuables in the van there would be no need for all this massively complicated and costly security

Nothing of value in the van bud security is put in place to secure the van itself not its content, unless you value contents more than the van itself.