Navigation Question

[MCOjerry]

Does anyone have one of those navigation units like Tom Tom or Garmin and know anything about how likely they are to be stolen?

I guess what I'm trying to say is, are they a hot item to get riped off? I would think that if one were stolen, it could it be rendered unsuable by calling the company and cutting it off from receiving the satellite signal, making it something not worth stealing. Is this a correct assumption, or wishful thinking.

I was looking at these today, and I never realized how small they were. I was thinking about getting one, but having a convertible worries me. A trashed top would be really expensive, more so than a broken window...and I don't relish the thought of having to remove it from the car all the time.

Thanks to anyone with the answer to this weird question.

[**PoshPepper**]

Im not sure how big of a target they are, but considering that people will break into cars to steal nickels and dimes... I would think it would be wiser to remove the Navi when you are parked somewhere.
My dad has one (Garmin Nuvi 350) and he always removes it from it mounting and places it inside one of the car's storage pockets... It really does not take that much effort to remove it from the mounting and then replace it when you get back.

I know some of the newer units (Nuvi 360...) come with a "lock"... i.e. a 4 digit code you enter to lock and unlock the unit... Im sure if someone wanted it bad enough they would take it and try to undo the code...

[cklinh]

I guess what I'm trying to say is, are they a hot item to get riped off? I would think that if one were stolen, it could it be rendered unsuable by calling the company and cutting it off from receiving the satellite signal, making it something not worth stealing. Is this a correct assumption, or wishful thinking.

Nope... wishful thinking... the GPS system is a set of satellites orbiting the earth... i.e., a one way transmission... your unit doesn't send out any information. Seems like the locking mechanism mentioned above would be the only way to prevent someone else from using your unit... but:

1) The thief probably wouldn't know it was a locking unit until AFTER he slashes your top, and
2) As in all things software based, I'm sure there's a way around it...

[Down2TheC]

Second that. I've heard that assumption before. The general rule is, if you're not paying a monthly fee, then it probably doesn't have a unique ID of any sort. That's the case with GPS.

Cell Phones, XM/Sirius, Digital Cable boxes all have unique service IDs.

So you have to guage the places you park, the resale value of the unit, and your ability to hide it when you need to. That's the plus of the Toyota NAV. It's nearly worthless outside of a Toyota.

[gone]

I have the portable Garmin navi. system.It does cause alot of attention.if you drive by my car quick you would think its the satellite radio thing.I leave mine in the car even when im not there depending on where I am.You can leave the window sucker on the window and just detatch the main head unit. its very easy and ide recommend anyone to get one.Just detatch the main unit and you will be fine

[cklinh]

IMO... we have the perfect hiding place... the little compartment up front... just remember to close that little sucker judiciously... I had stashed my ipod there for a year or so... but then again, I don't have a ragtop...

[MCOjerry]

Thanks for the answers everyone. Just what I needed to know.