Just thought i'd share this with you all. I forgot to pick up the keyfob to my new 997 earlier today. I hadnt driven more than 1/4 mile until i got a phone call telling me the car was stolen!!! Obviously i told them the details and i went back to pick it up. Did i hear rite at the opc that the car would shut down if you left home without the keyfob? Anybody know please share. Because it didn't!!
well the tracker works then!!!!
- Thread starter mottle
- Start date
So the car can be tracked with or without the fob being in it (or near it at start up)? That's Big Brother stuff! I had presumed that the car and fob always had to be within a certain distance of each other or it would trigger an alert - eg if you were unlucky enough to be car-jacked and you were left by the side of the road with fob in pocket!
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The difference is , if someone breaks into your house and pinches your car keys without the fob and drives it away, tracker contact you, if they pinch keys and fob you would have to inform tracker that it had been stolen.
They contacted me on a ferry because the fob was in my pocket and when the ferry started to move it sent a signal to tracker, I just explained what was happening and everything was fine.
Although everyone says don't keep your fob with your keys like in a key wallet, but when you have a loan car from an OPC ( well the one I use does ) the fob is in the wallet with the key.
Steve
They contacted me on a ferry because the fob was in my pocket and when the ferry started to move it sent a signal to tracker, I just explained what was happening and everything was fine.
Although everyone says don't keep your fob with your keys like in a key wallet, but when you have a loan car from an OPC ( well the one I use does ) the fob is in the wallet with the key.
Steve
At home in late November 2008 my 997 turbo, bought new in October 2006, wouldn't start. Fortunately I had just taken out an additional 2 years warranty. Porsche Assist attended and confirmed the battery was fine and diagnosed a starter motor problem. The car was recovered on a transporter to OPC.
OPC checked starter motor and found it OK. Non start traced to faulty VTS. There was much to and fro between OPC and Cobra and I never quite got to the bottom of whether a new VTS unit was installed or the old one rebooted. Upshot was car was returned on a transporter and the problem never reappeared.
So for sure in some modes the VTS can disable your car! I think that facility may be switchable and I intend to check with Cobra how my current car is configured. If it is an option, I would have it OFF.
The corollary to this of course is that VTS is not part of the warranty so all the costs of transport and diagnosis were a potential risk item for me. Fortunately OPC decided to take the long view....
OPC checked starter motor and found it OK. Non start traced to faulty VTS. There was much to and fro between OPC and Cobra and I never quite got to the bottom of whether a new VTS unit was installed or the old one rebooted. Upshot was car was returned on a transporter and the problem never reappeared.
So for sure in some modes the VTS can disable your car! I think that facility may be switchable and I intend to check with Cobra how my current car is configured. If it is an option, I would have it OFF.
The corollary to this of course is that VTS is not part of the warranty so all the costs of transport and diagnosis were a potential risk item for me. Fortunately OPC decided to take the long view....
garyw
Moderator
I believe this is the system fitted as the Porsche VTS http://www.cobravehiclesecurity.co.uk/products/stolen-vehicle-tracking/cobratrak-5.aspx
garyw
garyw
If they did that I'd be bankrupt - must have had 100's of false/mistake calls over the past few years. The system is c**p and I'd cheerfully throw both VTS sets of fobs in the bin if not for the insurance insistence. There are also two types of alerts, so even if you call to say you're on a ferry and to stand down the system automatic movement alerts are texted and calls made.
I have three fobs for the Cayenne and despite spending an afternoon on the phone to cobra rebooting them all, two currently don't work - again. They're also pretty delicate and have had to resolder broken connectors after dropping one.
Not a fan.
I bought my C2S in Dec and the OPC completed the paperwork for the tracker and was told I would get an SMS confirming activation. A few months later I was taking a ferry trip and called Cobra to tell them - only to find that the subscription had not been activated. They could still 'see' the car and track it using the VIN. OPC was contrite and paid Cobra to get the subscription up and running - it seems that mine was not the only incident and they blamed it on some admin balls up.
BUT - it got me wondering why would we pay the annual fee if they can still track the car if it is stolen if you simply pay the subscription over the phone if and when you need it?
BUT - it got me wondering why would we pay the annual fee if they can still track the car if it is stolen if you simply pay the subscription over the phone if and when you need it?
I think this is what is supposed to happen. I have done forgotten my fob 3 or 4 times (it's the wrong shape to keep in your wallet and it rather defeats the object if you leave it in the car or attach it to your keys). They have called me on my mobile, my home number and sent me a text if I haven't responded.
If they don't get a response then they can turn the car off and "track it" I believe.
By the way I gather that Cobra start charging you if you have more than 5 false alarms in a year. I have resorted to putting my keys in a bag when I get back in and this has been sufficient to remind me that I need to pick up the fob which I store seperately.
If they don't get a response then they can turn the car off and "track it" I believe.
By the way I gather that Cobra start charging you if you have more than 5 false alarms in a year. I have resorted to putting my keys in a bag when I get back in and this has been sufficient to remind me that I need to pick up the fob which I store seperately.
My insurance provider (I have a C2 tip) said there would be no discount for having my Tracker on so I haven't bothered with it. Certainly they or the other companies I rang for quotes were not bothered about me having a Tracker. Is this because I live in rural Norfolk or is a C2 not attractive to car thiefs?
I agree Gary. But it still doesn't answer the question - can the car be tracked with the fob(switched on) in the car? This would appear to be the case and if it can then how do we know are cars are not being tracked all the time (and by whom?)? All the fob does is prevent a "the car is moving without fob inside" warning being transmitted?
Unlike Peter I have never had any trouble with the system and have only ever been contacted by Cobra on the odd occasion when the car could have been stolen because I left the fob in the house. That said as soon as the value of the car falls below the upper limit set by the insurance company I don't think I will bother renewing the sub. I think the deterrent that the car may well have a active tracker is probably equally effective!
I have just spoken to Cobra this afternoon. According to them, generally speaking the car will run with or without the fob. The only time the car won't run is when the system has been set to the highest security level and the fob is not present, in which event the engine is disabled. The person to whom I spoke was able to look at her monitor and confirm that my car was set to normal (ie not the highest) security level.
One further point for those who have bought cars recently is that the statement in the current version of the Porsche VTS Operating Manual ...... "The Unique Phone Number can be found on your Client Card."...... is not correct. Cobra don't give out a client card. They may have done in the past but don't now. How you are supposed to find the number is not made clear. I found it on details from previous cars.
And Gary, I was amused to see from the link you posted that fitting Cobra will reduce by 30% the insurance premium on my motorhome and 25% on my caravan. What a pity it has effectively increased my cost of car insurance by 100%
Cheers
Peely
New member
All very interesting, I am in need of two new fobs, as the previous owner lost them !
I called Cobra and they told me they are available from any OPC at £30+vat each, but would need programming in and that would be another £35+vat from the OPC and then the anual charge of £275 ........ (I think?)
My current insurer doesn't require the tracker, but I am due to change in the next few weeks, is there a recognised car value that equates to needing a tracker for insurance or not, £75k ?
If so I think I'll try and stay just below it.
I called Cobra and they told me they are available from any OPC at £30+vat each, but would need programming in and that would be another £35+vat from the OPC and then the anual charge of £275 ........ (I think?)
My current insurer doesn't require the tracker, but I am due to change in the next few weeks, is there a recognised car value that equates to needing a tracker for insurance or not, £75k ?
If so I think I'll try and stay just below it.
garyw
Moderator
Ian
All correct except the annual charge is £205 inc a bit of tax...
I had to get a new fob after a breakin at home, OPC dealt with it easily..
I did a very similar thing with my valuation a few years ago... however I'm with RSA and they do insist on an active tracking device.
garyw
All correct except the annual charge is £205 inc a bit of tax...
I had to get a new fob after a breakin at home, OPC dealt with it easily..
I did a very similar thing with my valuation a few years ago... however I'm with RSA and they do insist on an active tracking device.
garyw
chrismouzou
New member
hi all
tracker keeps on going off-getting well annoyed-informed by tracker people not to have your fob next to your mobile phone can affect the signal and setting off the tracker
chris
tracker keeps on going off-getting well annoyed-informed by tracker people not to have your fob next to your mobile phone can affect the signal and setting off the tracker
chris
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