GPS unit safety tip

[MelBay]

Our car was broken into a couple of weeks ago. All they got away with (besides my sense of security) was my car wash quarters and my GPS. And the idiots took my PHONE charger, and left the GPS charger. :hysterical:

All the way home I was thinking "OMG, they fired up the GPS, hit the "GO HOME" button because they know we're at a basketball game, and are at our house murdering the dogs and taking everything". Obviously kids stole it to resell for something nefarious, so luckily I overreacted, but I had this thought:

When I replace my GPS, my new "GO HOME" will take me to the church up the street. That way, if anyone with any brains should happen to steal the next GPS, they'll be taken to the nearest house of worship.

I highly suggest changing your GO HOME to a public spot close to your house, like a grocery store, church, gas station, etc.. If you can't get to your house from one of those neighborhood joints, then you need more help than a GPS can provide.

And that's my little tip of the day.

 

[Makai Guy]

... That way, if anyone with any brains should happen to steal the next GPS, they'll be taken to the nearest house of worship....

And that's my little tip of the day.

And one I've used for some time, recognizing that if they REALLY had any brains they'd have already gotten my address from the auto registration in my glove box..

 

[mrrick]

And one I've used for some time, recognizing that if they REALLY had any brains they'd have already gotten my address from the auto registration in my glove box..

Or else got to where your GPS took them, then drove around operating the garage door opener until they hit the jackpot.

 

[Passepartout]

Same would apply to a smart phone with navigation. If you are fortunate enough to have a neighborhood police station, that would be a good place to designate as 'Home'.

 

[dioxide45]

Our Garmin GPS unit has a lock feature. Unless you are "at home" it requires the use of a PIN code to use the GPS unit and get to the Go Home option. I suggest turning that feature on. When you are at home the GPS recognizes the coordinates and the PIN is not needed, but if it is away from home it requires the PIN.

 

[MelBay]

Thanks Dioxide, I'll look for that when I buy my next one.

 

[Rob&Carol Q]

We use a major intersection as "Home"...though I like the Police idea.

More often than not, I know the way out of my neighborhood so why did I ever even designate a "Home".

Most time we use it we just input where we want to go then the silly computer figures it out...then we make random turns to frustrate it!:hysterical:

 

[UWSurfer]

Before our cellphone replaced our GPS unit, I had inadvertently entered my sis-in-law's address as the HOME entry & recall several times fighting the unit as it kept trying to steer me 25 miles to the north of my home. :ignore:

Agreed though, the old fashion paper registration would get them to your home.

 

[KauaiMark]

Hmmmm...

We use a major intersection as "Home"...though I like the Police idea.

I think I'll just program my "Home" to the police officer's house a couple doors down. I know he keeps his service side arm handy

 

[Sandy VDH]

what gets worse is if they steal your car, use your GPS and then your garage door opener and actually get into the house.

Now that is scary.

 

[Icc5]

Another change is on luggage

Our car was broken into a couple of weeks ago. All they got away with (besides my sense of security) was my car wash quarters and my GPS. And the idiots took my PHONE charger, and left the GPS charger. :hysterical:

All the way home I was thinking "OMG, they fired up the GPS, hit the "GO HOME" button because they know we're at a basketball game, and are at our house murdering the dogs and taking everything". Obviously kids stole it to resell for something nefarious, so luckily I overreacted, but I had this thought:

When I replace my GPS, my new "GO HOME" will take me to the church up the street. That way, if anyone with any brains should happen to steal the next GPS, they'll be taken to the nearest house of worship.

I highly suggest changing your GO HOME to a public spot close to your house, like a grocery store, church, gas station, etc.. If you can't get to your house from one of those neighborhood joints, then you need more help than a GPS can provide.

And that's my little tip of the day.

On luggage we either put our work address or a relatives address so someone loading the luggage doesn't get any dumb ideas.
Bart

 

[PigsDad]

On luggage we either put our work address or a relatives address so someone loading the luggage doesn't get any dumb ideas.
Bart

I don't even put an address, just a last name and a phone number. After all, if my luggage gets lost, are they going to write me a letter? No, a phone call is would be much more useful.

Kurt