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In the "Win" column for digitally-secured systems, the electronic immobilizer basically eliminated auto theft. The cars that are still stolen in significant num
by superuser2 11y ago
In the "Win" column for digitally-secured systems, the electronic immobilizer basically eliminated auto theft. The cars that are still stolen in significant numbers are the last model-years to not have immobilizers.
Car door locks are immaterial anyway, since any thief is just going to break a window. The immobilizer matters, certainly, but even an immobilizer vulnerable to sophisticated attackers is doing two orders of magnitude better than purely mechanical security.
[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/12/upshot/heres-why-stealing-cars-went-out-of-fashion.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/12/upshot/heres-why-stealing-...
- agumonkey 11y agoThis article reminds me that I thought old busted stuff were less likely to be stolen. That's why I was pretty confident my very low grade, rusty, ugly single-pedal [1] bike would be safe for a day. Some guys proved me wrong, ripped my far too weak cable locks and did whatever they wanted with what was valuable of that bike (5$ for the metal frame ? the rest was plastic). [1] wear made left pedal unscrew itself over time, I couldn't ride single legged anymore so I took the failing pedal, the seat and went to my appointment.
- hellbanner 11y agoSorry to hear that. Reminds me of a "best of craiglist" post where a "free washing machine" was left untouched for weeks.. but as soon as a price went on it, it was stolen that evening.
- agumonkey 11y agoHarsh reality : cable locks below 4cm diameters are useless (only useful for young kids I guess). Even fat 2kg cable lock are useless, anyone can rob a bike in a street, the bolder the easier. I'm still waiting for a cheap bike gps 'self powered' tagger so I can use a bike again.
- nikatwork 11y agoI've always wanted to build a spring loaded 30cm titanium spike that would shoot from the seat pole through the seat if not disarmed. Obviously completely illegal, but a satisfying mental exercise.
- mirimir 11y ago"this bike is a pipe bomb" https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3011586006_42403e0788.jpg https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3011586006_42403e0788.j... It was a folkie punk band ;) With that promotional sticker. I had one, but didn't put it on my bike.
- agumonkey 11y agoNice alarm system that consists of a sticker.
- mirimir 11y agoMaybe. Except for the "brought in for questioning by police, bike impounded, paying for a lawyer, etc" parts :( I must say, however, that after my new (expensive, and lovingly customized and maintained) bike was stolen, I did fantasize about remote-controlled explosives. But then I just filed an insurance claim, and replaced it ;)
- nikatwork 11y agoIn most first world countries that sticker would just get your bike taken by the police instead of a thief.
- zw123456 11y agoWhen I was in college, like many struggling students, I didn't have much money, my means of transportation was a 3 speed Stermy-Archer 3 speed bike that had the best security system ever, I never locked it. It had something wrong with the 3 speed and if you stood up on the pedals it would slip and the rider would end up with their taint on the center bar, ouch. It was fine if you were not in a hurry and took your time. There were a number of times when I came out of class and would find it laying on the ground about 30 feet from where I had parked it.
- beachstartup 11y agoold busted stuff is likely to be stolen if there's a healthy grey aftermarket for said old busted stuff parts. the cheaper the stuff, the healthier the aftermarket, if it's a mass produced item. people who buy cheap stuff want to buy even cheaper stuff parts when the stuff breaks.
- agumonkey 11y agoI underplayed how busted it was. Slick tires, rusty rims. 1995 cheap model of a cheap brand. Simplest Shimano gear shifting mechanism, obsolete thumb push. Plastic brake handles. Blue, pink, fluo yellow frame paint. Gah, I loved that shitty bike to pieces, I nearly died on it so many times T_T;
- beachstartup 11y ago"shitty and old" is now "vintage" to the right crowd. someone who owns a crooked bike shop is probably stripping and repainting old cheap frames and marketing them to young hipsters.
- agumonkey 11y agoReally, I considered this one to have no charm, no vintage, nothing. Really cheap 90s crap from the low end of the generic bike shelves at your mall.