This is the kind of black box we want in our cars... GizMag brought to our attention a physical security device (read: safe) that prevents opportunistic smash-and-grab theft that occurs sometimes when thieves see so much as a PDA cable or cell phone charger. The AutoSafe hooks into your vehicle via a wire rope cable that can attach to a chassis-mounted seat base, seat hinges or baby seat fixing points so you don't have to run and get your drill. AutoSafe comes in various sizes, from smaller ones that fit an MP3 player, PDA or pharmaceuticals to larger ones that can fit an entire laptop bag.
The safes span in price from $100 to $300 depending upon their size.
[Source: AutoSafe via GizMag]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eric L. @ Sep 18th 2006 4:05PM
Not sure how this is better than a generic box, a Master lock, and a bike cable lock. Now if you could unlock this thing with your car's remote keyfob, it would be neat.
Beau @ Sep 18th 2006 4:52PM
Even better yet is make a tough glove box that locks with the central locks
ckm @ Sep 18th 2006 4:58PM
Great, now they'll break into your car AND destroy the interior as well.
Meth heads are not the brighest bunch, one who broke into my car couldn't figure out how to open the glove compartment, so he ripped it off the dash...
A pretty stupid idea, IMHO. Just take your crap out of the car and leave all the little storage nooks open so anyone can see there is nothing in the car.
Chris.
kansei @ Sep 18th 2006 5:37PM
hmm I never thought to use a child seat anchor to secure a box. ingenius! 100-300 dollars though... eugh I guess I'll continue to just carry my ipod and head unit faceplate with me when I lock up the car in the garage at night.
jim @ Sep 18th 2006 5:44PM
Reminds of a true story that occured in NYC back in the late 80's when stereo systems REALLY started to get the aftermkt treatment. initially, a car had a sign on it that said "no radio"; a not uncommon sight in the city...and one that usually served the purpose it was intended to serve....thieves passed on the car after a quick look see to assure themselves they were not being stroked. Well, a particular car had a sign that said"no radio", yet the window had been smashed and someone had written on the sign....GET ONE !!
Mario @ Sep 19th 2006 12:06AM
Have any of you have ever been in Latin America.
If you don't have your car secured with 3 to 6 armored security devices, along with an advanced electronic alarm, you will probably not find it where you left it parked just 5 minutes ago, while you were buying the newspaper.
Commonly you need to install things like a steel lock for the shift stick (http://www.multlock.com.ve/verflash/html/aprod1a.htm), an armored safe to cover pedals (http://www.multlock.com.ve/verflash/html/aprod1j.htm)
and so on...
This AutoSafe may be just kid's play for any burglar in the third world.
Noah @ Sep 19th 2006 12:11AM
Put your stuff in the trunk, it's just as inconveniant as opening and using this little dohicky which will clutter up the cabin.
--Noah
Bullitt Mustang @ Sep 19th 2006 3:30AM
The problem is with the idiots who smash your window without knowing if there is anything of any value in the car.
Karl @ Sep 19th 2006 8:42AM
Seems like a good idea, but I've found two big problems with it.
First, someone seeing a "safe" in a car means that there's a good likely hood of other valuable stuff in the car, making it more appealing to smash and grab, even if they only find quarters under the seat.
Second, cables, ties, bolts, welding, you could take whatever vauables you want, pour 20 feet of concrete on top of it and somebody will steal it if they want it bad enough.
My stero was stolen, you'd think that owning a convertable and leaving the doors unlocked would minimize the damage? No. The guy who helped himself to my five year old cd unit that skipped a lot broke the window anyway.
mgc6288 @ Sep 14th 2008 10:52PM
Tell you what - I just had my GPS stolen out of the trunk...they busted the window, popped the trunk, and then yanked the device! took my son's tokens as well...gee... Thought about using this in the trunk as it really is a pain to carry a fragile Nuvi. Any thoughts?