Category Archives: Reviews

We test the alarms and give our 10 cents worth.

New Check Lists for Alarms/Immobilisers

So with the NZSA Star rating system for car alarms and immobilisers now dead and buried it’s been interesting seeing what others are up to. Mongoose have simply adopted the “Star rating System” as their own and dropped the NZSA … Continue reading

Posted in Car Security News, Muppets, NZSA, Reviews, You really should know... | 2 Comments

Alarm Reviews (Not sponsored!)

It’s nearly 3 years since the review section of the blog went live. I’ve had some fantastic feedback over this time about how blunt, honest and useful the reviews have been. One of the main criteria I have is to be upfront … Continue reading

Posted in AVS, Car Security, Reviews | Leave a comment

Cobra AK4615

New from Cobra is the AK4615, which is really taking alarm technology to a new level. Not only does the alarm feature a wireless siren (more about that later) it also works as a CAN-BUS, or PLIP (upgrade) alarm, plus … Continue reading

Posted in CAN BUS Alarms, Car Alarms, Car Security, Cobra, Reviews, Upgrade Alarms | Leave a comment

Steal Shield SS440, SS440U

The SS440 and SS440U are both rated as a NZSA 4 star and claim to be the cheapest insurance rated alarms in NZ. The U stands for shock sensor which is the only difference between the two models. Feature wise … Continue reading

Posted in Car Alarms, Insurance Approved, Reviews, StealShield | 2 Comments

Mongoose “TA” Toyota Alarm (CA1)

Mongoose have recently been making an effort to push their CA1 Toyota alarm. It is claimed that is now rated as a NZSA 5 star (I’ll get on to that later) and I dare say that they will be attempting … Continue reading

Posted in CAN BUS Alarms, Mongoose, Reviews, Toyota | 2 Comments

Autowatch 674Ri

The Autowatch 674Ri is a remote Immobiliser. It comes with two remote controls and is rated as a Thatcham CAT 2 system. Note: This qualifies as a NZSA 3 star without the usual shortcomings. Most other remote immobilisers are simply alarms with … Continue reading

Posted in Autowatch, Immobilisers, Reviews | Leave a comment

Cobra AK4138

The Cobra AK4138 is basically the AK4198 and the 8509 combined. Together the system is a full blown Thatcham Cat 1 system with plenty of cool options. The system is completely modular which means that the Siren, Alarm ECU and … Continue reading

Posted in Car Alarms, Cobra, Reviews | Leave a comment

Cobra Drivers Card

With more and more cars having Immobilisers these days the easiest way to take a car is with the keys. The Cobra Drivers Card is designed to protect your vehicle even if the car keys and remote are stolen. It can … Continue reading

Posted in Cobra, GPS Tracking, Obsessive Go-Kart, Obsessive Installs, Reviews, Sirens | 6 Comments

Mongoose M25

You’re probably thinking what the hell has this got to do with the Mongoose M25 Immobiliser? Well that’s simple, it suffers from the same flaw! Unlike the Autowatch 573PPi or the Dynatron D2200 which both require the over-ride pin code to program a new transponder tag, the Mongoose M25 can have a new transponder tag coded to the system in a matter of seconds. This in my view is a major oversight! Continue reading

Posted in Immobilisers, Mongoose, Reviews | 4 Comments

Dynatron D2200

The Dynatron D2200 is the second Transponder immobiliser to be reviewed here. Like the Autowatch 573PPi it is a dual circuit immobiliser but unlike the Autowatch it does not have the option of a third external cut. The D2200 shares … Continue reading

Posted in Dynatron, Immobilisers, Reviews | 2 Comments