VIP RS3200 Plus Security System

[rickcincy]

Has anyone been able to test or fully understand the features of this Security System yet? No new comments have been given about it in over three weeks. I'm confused. Some posts make it sound as though the 2010 has less standard anti-theft features than the Generation II models (as a cost-cutting step). Is this feature mainly an alarm system or a disabling system, or both? How much anti-theft protection does this add to a 2006 Prius (my current car), for example? Thank you!

[wave_slider]

The VIP system sets off your horn when the door is forcibly opened or the window is broken. It will not go off when your vehicle is shaken, Harley's go by, etc. All of the Prius come with engine immobilizer chips. You can find this chip in the majority of late model Toyota's and it makes the vehicle very difficult to "hotwire".
I'm adding it to my vehicle because I when I go surfing I must leave the remote in the car and take the laser cut key with me. If someone were to open my vehicle, it would set off the alarm and disable the starter.

[rickcincy]

Originally Posted by wave_slider

The VIP system sets off your horn when the door is forcibly opened or the window is broken. It will not go off when your vehicle is shaken, Harley's go by, etc. All of the Prius come with engine immobilizer chips. You can find this chip in the majority of late model Toyota's and it makes the vehicle very difficult to "hotwire".
I'm adding it to my vehicle because I when I go surfing I must leave the remote in the car and take the laser cut key with me. If someone were to open my vehicle, it would set off the alarm and disable the starter.

Thanks for your quick and knowledgeable reply! If I understood you correctly, this Security System is both an alarm and a disabler. This would make it worthwhile. Please enlighten me further if I'm wrong.

[wave_slider]

Correct. Adding the vp3 gives an alarm/started disable function to your vehicle. Just know that if someone is messing with the vehicle, the alarm won't go off. The door needs to be either forcibly opened or glass smashed. Do it. : )

[Curmujeon]

Somewhat tested the alarm. Locked the car with a window open and opened the door from the inside handle. The horn sounded and lights flashed but didn't try to hotwire it. Haven't tried the passive mode--almost afraid to.

Originally Posted by wave_slider

Correct. Adding the vp3 gives an alarm/started disable function to your vehicle. Just know that if someone is messing with the vehicle, the alarm won't go off. The door needs to be either forcibly opened or glass smashed. Do it. : )

[HTMLSpinnr]

I don't have a window striker, but I did set remote A/C (same as locking the car) w/ my wife in the car while we were using the facilities at a rest area - she opened the door unknowingly and it set off the alarm (even w/ remote A/C on and car semi-powered up). Totally as expected, but it caught her off guard.

[wave_slider]

Originally Posted by Curmujeon

Somewhat tested the alarm. Locked the car with a window open and opened the door from the inside handle. The horn sounded and lights flashed but didn't try to hotwire it. Haven't tried the passive mode--almost afraid to.

That is the only reasonable way to demonstrate the alarm to people. In the instruction booklet it says to tap a key on the middle of the window to show how the glass breakage sensor works, but I've never done it.

I don't know anything about "hotwiring" a car, but would anyone know if a Prius have ever been stolen without the key present? I know you can steal anything if you load it on a truck, but any "hotwired" stolen Prius's you've ever heard of???

[tumbleweed]

Originally Posted by wave_slider

. . . . . . .

I don't know anything about "hotwiring" a car, but would anyone know if a Prius have ever been stolen without the key present? I know you can steal anything if you load it on a truck, but any "hotwired" stolen Prius's you've ever heard of???

We had this discussion 2 or 3 years ago and I think the consensus was the only way a Prius would be stolen without the key was if someone winched it onto a flat bed truck and hauled it off. Then it would only be good for salvage because they most likely would never get it started.

[wave_slider]

Thanks Tumbleweed. I was told by multiple friends (fellow salesmen) that I didn't need the alarm because they just don't get stolen. But, since I have to leave the SK in the vehicle when I hit the water, I feel more comfortable installing the alarm.

[tumbleweed]

Originally Posted by wave_slider

Thanks Tumbleweed. I was told by multiple friends (fellow salesmen) that I didn't need the alarm because they just don't get stolen. But, since I have to leave the SK in the vehicle when I hit the water, I feel more comfortable installing the alarm.

I agree with your logic. I'm a hiker and I will feel better leaving the car if it has an alarm system. I ordered the VIP RS 3200 also.

I'm really more concerned with the stuff I might leave in the car than I am with the car getting stolen.