Duncan's loss - a possible option

[milltech]

Duncan\'s loss - a possible option

This is not entirely off topic. I've been offered a product which would sell for something under £500. Essentially you plug up to 4 sensors into it, movement sensor, bilge sensor, entry door or locker sensor, whatever you like, and you programme text messages and up to 2 mobiles into the system. So according to which sensor is triggered you and one other would get an appropriate text message, maybe one to you and one to marina security.

You have to buy a sim card and pay for some credit, but that's it. I can think of several applications but security is not an easily sold commodity and £500 is not exactly free. I think the price would include a movement sensor, but the system accepts standard burgler alarm type sensors.

What do you think?






<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[duncan]

Re: Duncan\'s loss - a possible option

does it come with a time machine?......[sad]

Seriously it is going to be a balance of costs issue together with resources in the area of the craft. In my case security is in the area but if it was on a trot, many miles from home, who do you call?

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[martynwhiteley]

Re: Duncan\'s loss - a possible option

Not sure which would be worse.....

1. Having the boat stolen

2. Being sat watching Corrie with SHMBO when a text message bleep comes from my mobile, and the inevitable inquisitive glare!

" Don't worry darling, it's just from the boat, someones interfearing with her".

"That bloody boat, you spend more time with her, spend more money on her, and now your sending each other texts......................."

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> Real boaters do it on the Humber </font color=blue>

 

[milltech]

Re: Duncan\'s loss - a possible option

Well it's a good point, but I suppose most information requires some kind of response, and mostly we have some form of local support for our boats, marina office, local boatyard, shipwright who does a bit of work for us, even the local plod.

Knowing the water level is too high may well prevent a sinking, and pointing out a breach of security to marina staff drinking tea in the office may save a loss.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Happy1]

Re: Duncan\'s loss - a possible option

You have to careful with that technology as it is changing daily. These systems have been around for a while as you know, but they are moving more towards picture images. e.g. if the alarm is set off you get an instant image sent to your mobile phone from the camera on board. You can also send a message to the camera to take a photo and send it to you at any time. Nokia are launching or perhaps have as we speak a camera phone that does just that, good for hiding in the Au-pairs room /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif but I guess you would need two phones! but isn't that the way marketing goes /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

As others say there is nothing more annoying than getting a text message to tell you the boat is being broken into some miles away. Unfortunately the Police are inundated with false alarms from normal burglar alarms, and car alarms, they will probably add these to their list if they are not properly installed.

The only deterrent is physical I'm afraid, you have to make your boat secure in a way that puts the thieving gits off and sends them elsewhere. Crook lock have found a very succesful product that is almost 100% safe. No thief will even bother to attempt to steal your car with that on, but handbags and briefcases in the open are an easy target through a smashed window. The boating manufacturers will have to follow the car manufacturers and get better systems installed at build point. The security at the moment is laughable on most new boats.

So BIG good quality locks on view, don't leave anything valuable in view (apart from the lock), and show that you mean business, our boats are a valuable asset to all of use. There are enough people out there who will not bother, let them carry the can, although I guess we end up paying for it in increased premiums.

As for Duncan, well he has done his best, and been bitten twice, but it seems that a radical review will have to take place to ensure that they go elsewhere next time. As an expert I am happy to visit the boat and make recomendations.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[Moose]

Re: Duncan\'s loss - a possible option

I knew that resident gadget expert couldn't leave this thread alone/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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El Alce

 

[Happy1]

Re: Duncan\'s loss - a possible option

Talking of gadgets, there is a new one out you would like, it is the Sony DSCU60 waterproof mini camera, well it is actually the U20/U30 marinised. RRP £249, but I know where you can get it for £208 if you want one. It is waterproof to 1.5 mtrs is 2 Mega pixles (not that great but hey it's a cheap snap camera) I do think it is very cheap as I paid £199 just for the Underwater case for one of my camera's! It does go down to 40mtrs, but I took a photo of a turtle at 30mtrs and got a very dark picture, as a serious flash is required at that depth. It was more money for an additional Sony underwater flash gun, so I don't use it at that depth now.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[Moose]

Re: Duncan\'s loss - a possible option

I'm off/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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El Alce

 

[milltech]

Re: Duncan\'s loss - a possible option

Your post has validity but security options run all the way from a £5 padlock up to having a full time crew aboard, so everyone must make a judgement on how much they think they are getting for a given investment. Is the bang worth the buck? Being able to see pictures of the water in your bilge might avoid a false alarm, but the cost of the extra cover is going to be high.

One of the things that appealed to me about the system offered to me was its portability, so if I perceive a greater threat exists from thieving off my boat show stand, (which it does), I could pick it up and move it for the week. If there was a spate of burlaries from the garden shed I could move it there too.

No matter how big the padlocks burglars in afloat situations have time, all night if they need it, to penetrate your security, probably the best option is to hang a big notice on the side saying things like, "video entry recording", or something. Cheap at the price or a sign!

Maybe I've discovered the sales will not be mamouth, but not unfortunately whether it definitely would sell or definitely wouldn't, which is a pity.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>