Autowatch Ghost CANbus Immobiliser.

[skeggysteve]

I've just been reading about this and wondered if anyone has any experience of them.

Using existing buttons in your car you input your chosen code and the car will start.

But if your keys are stolen/cloned etc. obviously the car won't start as the thief wouldn't the code or possibly that a code was even needed.

https://www.autowatch.co.uk/products/security-solu...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyU1Gp_fF_4&fe...

It seems so good I wonder why it's more widely known about, or am I missing something - quite likely .

Price seems to be around the £400 mark.

[Rat_Fink_67]

I've dealt with quite a few Ford RS and ST customers' cars fitted with a Ghost and to me they're a really good idea. Yes it can be a bit of a fiddle inputting the code (often a combination of window and mirror switch commands but it can be set up to use any buttons using the CAN bus), but is impossible to circumnavigate.

[skeggysteve]

WRT inputting the code it seems that you choose so I guess it could be just 4 presses on one button.

Surprised more people haven't replied as it seems such a good idea to combat key cloning etc.

[Toltec]

Works well on my car, on frosty days I can have the engine running and nip inside the house if I want, if anyone tries to nick it the engine will just stop when it is put in Drive.

The only downside is if you turn the engine off you have to take the key out, put it back in after a few seconds then start and enter the code. Not much of a faff, but you cannot exactly do any quick getaways with this. Might be a pain if you have a manual and stall it!

There is a valet function that allows the car to be started and driven without the code until you reset it or someone goes over 30 odd mph.

2fA for your car basically.

There is a way to recover the system using a separate code you keep somewhere safe and then it is also possible to get Autowatch to generate a new recovery code providing the unit is registered to you with them.

Edited by Toltec on Wednesday 29th November 18:10

[Gareth79]

Rat_Fink_67 said:

but is impossible to circumnavigate.

Does removing the device from the vehicle circumnavigate it?

[Toltec]

Gareth79 said:

Does removing the device from the vehicle circumnavigate it?

Yes, it could take a while to find though, if you cut a credit card into three lengthwise and stack the pieces it would still be a bit larger than the unit.

[996TT02]

Gareth79 said:

Rat_Fink_67 said:

but is impossible to circumnavigate.

Does removing the device from the vehicle circumnavigate it?

I would imagine that all you needed to do was walk around the car...

[Deep]

996TT02 said:

I would imagine that all you needed to do was walk around the car...

Lol

[TimmyMallett]

My Saxo had this years ago!

Although it was a keypad that you put a 4 digit PIN code in....Also had a secondary benefit that it wouldn't be nicked as a getaway car as you had to do it every time you started it.

That, and it was a Saxo.

[Tuvra]

Have it on my RS, best modification I have ever purchased.

[oobster]

Any issues with it Tuvra? Been thinking about getting one for my RS.

[Tuvra]

None at all. It even added a few nice extras to the car, auto lock doors once you go over a certain speed, windows that can be opened/closed off the fob etc. It's a fabulous idea

[Gareth79]

Toltec said:

Gareth79 said:

Does removing the device from the vehicle circumnavigate it?

Yes, it could take a while to find though, if you cut a credit card into three lengthwise and stack the pieces it would still be a bit larger than the unit.

My bugbear with the product is the claims such as "The only way a thief could take a Ghost protected car is by physically towing it away, even then they will never be able to drive it!". I'd assume that somebody who tows it away either doesn't intend to drive it (strip it for parts) or will have enough time to remove the device in their own time.

[Tuvra]

Gareth79 said:

My bugbear with the product is the claims such as "The only way a thief could take a Ghost protected car is by physically towing it away, even then they will never be able to drive it!". I'd assume that somebody who tows it away either doesn't intend to drive it (strip it for parts) or will have enough time to remove the device in their own time.

Turn the wheels into a kerb/wall as you park.

Mine has the Ghost and a tracker fitted. I have no doubt I would find the car way before either were discovered.

It cost me about £350 for both and gives me total piece of mind. This sort of system should come as an option on new cars IMO especially with cars now having integrated touchscreens and I-drive like controllers to enter a code/combination.

[dieseluser07]

Apart from having a sticker is there anyway a theif would know you have this fitted before they smash your window in?

Seems all well and good if it stops theft but chances are you will still get your window smashed and car potentially damaged before they figure it out, then they may just damage your car in anger that they cant steal it?

[rich12]

What happens when the buttons you use to enter the code/sequence fail?
Window switches fail all the time, how do you start it then?

[Ninja59]

Rat_Fink_67 said:

I've dealt with quite a few Ford RS and ST customers' cars fitted with a Ghost and to me they're a really good idea. Yes it can be a bit of a fiddle inputting the code (often a combination of window and mirror switch commands but it can be set up to use any buttons using the CAN bus), but is impossible to circumnavigate.

What like the MK2 FRS that went even with it? (I appreciate it is fixed now though, reality is though a car did go missing even with it fitted).

[Tuvra]

dieseluser07 said:

Apart from having a sticker is there anyway a theif would know you have this fitted before they smash your window in?

Seems all well and good if it stops theft but chances are you will still get your window smashed and car potentially damaged before they figure it out, then they may just damage your car in anger that they cant steal it?

Mine came with little Window Stickers.

rich12 said:

What happens when the buttons you use to enter the code/sequence fail?
Window switches fail all the time, how do you start it then?

You can access it via bluetooth. You get a credit card with an emergency start procedure on the back including serial number, bluetooth connection code etc.

[Toltec]

dieseluser07 said:

Apart from having a sticker is there anyway a theif would know you have this fitted before they smash your window in?

Seems all well and good if it stops theft but chances are you will still get your window smashed and car potentially damaged before they figure it out, then they may just damage your car in anger that they cant steal it?

You need the deluxe package, it comes with 24 hour armed security, they follow you around, park next/near to you and then guard your car while you are away from it. The platinum package adds an extra following vehicle to provide sniper backup.

Packages start at £300,000 per anum.

[eltax91]

rich12 said:

What happens when the buttons you use to enter the code/sequence fail?
Window switches fail all the time, how do you start it then?

All the time? Really? You wake up and use the car 6 times a week, and 3 or more of those 6, your window switches fail?!