Theft-"reducing" your Deck?

I like the aftermarket decks but I don't like them being so attractive to theives. What are some ways to reduce or making them more difficult to steal?

 

I have a double din. I keep a black towel in my backseat (mainly for my sweaty ass after running) and I throw it over the dash when I park someplace sketchy.

 

I started with a JVC KW-NT30HD. Completely detachable face. I bought it for that reason, though I wish it had better pre-amp outs and a few other features, but I digress.

The next step was to tear the face plate off an old stock taco unit, super glue all the buttons and knobs in place, and use velcro to attach it to my dash, over the radio hole.

It's not a new idea, and there's a few threads in this sub-forum showing it, but so far, it's working well for me. A couple of people with 7" avics and such are doing the same thing with fixed-face HUs. Pretty genius, and seems to work as a deterrent.

Other than that . . . kill the noise when entering apartment complexes, unfamiliar neighborhoods and parking lots. If you're running a full-blown NAV unit, shut'er down so nobody sees it when you're parking.

Kenney

 

Yeah, I've got a 2nd gen so its a double din. That fake faceplate looks pretty good and not so attractive to theives. Is that a DD? Where'd you get that?

 

This is what I've done to mine

1.Just like lug nut keys, you can buy a special bolt for the mounts.

2. Limo tint / 5% tint you can see through the window

3. I recorded all my after market parts / accessories to my insurance.

The New Jvc has better output and a detachable face

 

park in a garage at home....every stereo i've ever had stolen was stolen over night from a car parked outside

 

My only theft was at work, at lunch time, with people driving in the parking lot, with security guards on site.

1. only works if they plan on taking the time to unscrew things. Its called snatch and grab, not unscrew and gently remove. Not a bad idea, but I dont think the person that stole mine even knew what screws were being used.

2. Not legal. I am not going to break the law*/ disregard my personal safety to prevent someone else from taking a radio.

3. This is the best bet. I called my insurance and added $4k in coverage for aftermarket parts (for replacement in case of theft, vandalism, or in the event of a wreck) for ~$9 bucks a month.


*to each their own, but not worth it to me.

 

Here is what I have done with my DD head unit.

• Darker tint
• good alarm system with bright flashing blue light,,, I mean its really bright. My wife makes fun of it cause it looks like a rave going on in my driveway
• Installed auto driveway halogens to come on;;; motion sensors
• try to park off the street if possible. I have only a driveway with no garage.
• If away from the house always park in a public very traffic-ey place. No parking garages that are empty etc.
• Write down your serial number and take a pic for insurance

That is about all you can do. If someone really wants what you have they will get it regardless.

 

All good ideas. That's why the thread is titled, Theft "Reducing" not theft proofing. Then I start to wonder if it's really worth having a nice deck and have to worry every time I park somewhere. The stock JBL in my Taco sounds pretty nice already.

 

Honestly - if you are happy with sound and function, skip it.

I have wanted so many times to just skip a system, but my desires for time alignment and better midbass and gentler/more detailed tweets have always won out.

 

Better time alignment? What's that mean?

Part of the reason for considering an aftermarket HU unit is because if it's reasonably priced its not much more than the price of the iPhone cable adapter alone. Then it's very tempting because much more versatility and a DVD player. But them there's the cost and the theft risk. Decisions decisions.

 

Time alignment is where you tell certain speakers to fire a fraction of a second earlier or later to trick your brain into thinking they are in different places. For example, you would tell the left speakers to fire a touch later than the right speakers so the sound hits you at the same time. It makes it sound like you're in the middle.

 

I hear you. My stock was not JBL and it sucked really bad. I put in new speakers and sub and amp and it still sucked with the stock HU. What I did is bought a discontinued Kenwood DD and got a sweet deal on it. All the money went into speakers, subs, sub box, and amp. If they nab the DD I will just buy another discontinued DD.

I needz my tunes.

 

2 things:

1) you stole my idea! i knew i should've patented that shit haha


2) this is one reason i bought a Nakamichi for my last install .. it's not flashy like most aftermarket units. excellent sound quality and reliability. most douches willing to steal have never heard/seen a Nak.

 

Are the DD units easier to steal than single dins?