Protect your GPS unit from car thieves

Protect your GPS unit from car thieves
Navigation systems grow in popularity — for motorists and bad guys

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24392168/


GPS thefts up 370%... protect your GPS. If you have an expensive one, unclip it from it's stand and store in under your seat or in your glove box. Or take it with you. Apparently, smash and grabbers are on the prowl.

When parking on the street, in a lot, or your own driveway, do NOT leave anything visible in your car. Even an empty bag or backpack, box, etc.
Its not worth getting your window broken and interior trashed for it. Common sense security.

Yep, best advice. I keep my GPS in the in dashboard, or at home, if I know I won't be using it. Fortunately, around here, random break-ins are not incredibly common. But I won't completely dismiss it, as its still possible.

I don't keep much that's valuable in my car, except maybe the stock radio might be worth some cash, if they had the tools to get it out. Or maybe some jumper cables.

This is what I do even though mine isn't an expensive one and its older. It isn't out unless I'm using it. I do the same with my radio faceplate when I park in a higher risk area.

I also wound never leave the GPS on the dash or windshield, unless I was inside a restaurant and could see it from where I was eating.

To show you how clever they are here: years ago when I first moved here, I had a '65 GMC P/U to drive in bad weather. It had a gun rack so some friends gave me a small plastic rifle to put up there. One night someone smashed the door glass and stole the rifle. To top it off, the door wasn't even locked.

We stow everything when we leave the car. The article makes a good point about the rings on the windshield. An experienced thief might still break in thinking just that, the radar detector, GPS, radio faceplate etc might be under the seat or glove compartment.