What Is a Ghost/IGLA Immobiliser?
The IGLA Ghost Immobiliser is better known as the Autowatch Ghost II. It is a CAN-BUS Immobiliser that digitally prevents the vehicle from starting. “IGLA” (игла) is Russian for “needle” which is an appropriate name as it is very small and hard to find. It injects CAN-BUS messages into the vehicle to prevent it from starting. If you don’t speak Russian then the name does not mean much, but once you know the meaning it makes sense. It is made by Author Alarm.
What does the IGLA Ghost immobiliser look like?
The IGLA Ghost immobiliser is not much to look at. You can see how small it is held in my hand in the photo below.
It’s small size makes it the perfect system to disappear into a wiring loom and impossible to detect.
IGLA vs Autowatch Ghost 2. What's the difference?
The Autowatch Ghost II is a re-brand of the IGLA 200. They are both the same product just with different brand names. Ghost is the better name for English speakers.
The first time I recall hearing the tern “Ghost” in regards to car security was the Viper Ghost Switch. This is when you could wire up a factory dash switch as the alarm over-ride switch so it’s not obvious. I dare say that is where the inspiration for the Autowatch re-branding came from.
Modern vehicle theft prevention
New vehicles are surprisingly vulnerable to theft.
As with all vehicles they can still be stolen with the keys. They can also be compromised using a range of methods to duplicate the keys!
This post explains modern vehicle theft methods and why added security should be considered.
How does the IGLA Ghost immobiliser work?
A traditional immobiliser simply cuts a wire to break the circuit, once the immobiliser is disarmed it re-connects the wire and allows the vehicle to start.
IGLA is different in that it blocks the engine from via CAN and LIN buses. There is no LED or buttons with the system which can be followed to find it’s hidden location. Instead it uses the vehicles factory buttons which allow for a unique pin number to be entered, before allowing the car to be driven.
IGLA 200
IGLA is easy to use. Disarming is achieved via a combination of pre-selected buttons on your car dash/steering wheel or your Bluetooth smartphone.
Smart security to protect your car
IGLA is a unique car security device developed to protect your car from theft.
IGLA works on digital buses CAN and LIN. IGLA works silently, it does not require additional wires that give away its location.
Due to its small size, the device can be installed almost anywhere in a car, from under to bonnet to the boot. IGLA can be installed wherever there is power and CAN-BUS. It is concealed into the vehicles wiring loom making it virtually impossible to find.
If additional blocking is required then a CAN-BUS relay can be added, again these are hidden n the vehicles wiring so can not be easily found.
IGLA 231
Additional Bluetooth fobs
The IGLA 231 has all the features of the IGLA 200, plus a couple of Bluetooth Fobs which disarm the IGLA when they come into range. This is really useful for those times when your phone battery is dead, or there are multiple vehicle users.
Digital blocking
Both the 200 and 231 prevent the vehicle from being driven away via digital blocking. How that blocking works is vehicle and firmware dependent. It will prevent some cars from starting, other will be blocked from being put into drive or stall the engine if that is attempted.
Service mode
IGLA can be put into service mode so there is no need to share your PIN number, phone or fobs when the vehicle needs top be serviced.
IGLA features:
- Digital locking via CAN-BUS to immobilise the engine
- Undetectable using scan/diagnostic tools
- PIN code via vehicle buttons on steering wheel/dash
- User changeable PIN code
- A secure, unique emergency code should the PIN be forgotten
- Service/Valet mode means the PIN code is never compromised
- Cannot be bypassed using traditional theft methods
- Cannot be bypassed using traditional theft methods
- Built in COMFORT features
* Functions are vehicle specific
Contact me for more details
IGLA installation process
I only sell IGLA with installation. I cover the whole Wellington region and offer a full onsite installation service.
Once it is installed I run through how it all works for your specific vehicle.
