I recently bought a new truck after having my previous one stolen, sadly. I know there's only so much you can do to prevent theft, but I really don't want to go through that whole process again.

A few people have recommended installing a "kill switch" so the truck won't start if someone tries to steal it.

Is this generally the best option for theft prevention? If so, what type of kill switch would you recommend, and is there anything specific I should ask for when having one installed?

I am located in West Houston, West of the Memorial City area, so any recommendations for reputable installers in the area would be appreciated.

Have an Igla system installed. You can authenticate via a "PIN" that you input via buttons in your truck, like the steering wheel buttons, door/window buttons, and some other buttons - depending on make/model. It also has key fobs that come with it, and it has an app.

The nice thing about Igla is that remote start works.

Even if the truck is started, if the code isn't entered, when you put it in gear, it will put the truck back into park. It's not going anywhere, even if they swap out the ECM and try to use their key.

I will look into that! How much does the installation usually cost for a system like that?

I had mine installed for $1200, but it's been about 4 years. I fear what it may have increased to.

Sheesh, the prices I have got for installing a killswitch have been lower than that.

I appreciate the help!

What was stolen?

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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What was stolen?

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Chevy Silverado RST

CanyonAg77 said:

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Quote:

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I am located in West Houston, kind of near the Memorial City area, so any recommendations

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Move.

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Coming soon, but sadly it's pretty much everywhere in Houston.

DeepETX_Aggie said:

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1agswitchin4lanes said:

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What was stolen?

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Chevy Silverado RST

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Man, sorry to hear that.

We go to church at chapelwood and have always felt safe in the 77024.

I even have a beater for traveling for work to SATX and S Texas.

The local igla guy the raptor guys use is Sound Evolution on Westheimer. They claim that they're the only authorized Iigla dealer in Houston and that may or may not be true. There is another place on the north side I think they're in spring that advertises a little, but I'm not so sure that they're an authorized dealer for Igla.

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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The local igla guy the raptor guys use is Sound Evolution on Westheimer. They claim that they're the only authorized Iigla dealer in Houston and that may or may not be true. There is another place on the north side I think they're in spring that advertises a little, but I'm not so sure that they're an authorized dealer for Igla.

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Randall at ModFX in Spring is an IGLA dealer. He's done a few for us over the years. Would highly recommend him.

I have a Ravelco. It was $750 to have installed. It is nice, but for the additional $500 I would much rather have the ability to remote start the truck on hot days.

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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DeepETX_Aggie said:

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1agswitchin4lanes said:

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What was stolen?

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Chevy Silverado RST

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Man, sorry to hear that.

We go to church at chapelwood and have always felt safe in the 77024.

I even have a beater for traveling for work to SATX and S Texas.

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Yeah, it's a bummer, but luckily I had good insurance, so they paid the previous truck off, and I was able to get a newer one. The whole process took about a month tho.

I live a little farther down I-10 west in the 77077. Not a horrible area; I've lived here for 3 years, and haven't had an issue until now.

DeepETX_Aggie said:

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I live a little farther down I-10 west in the 77077. Not a horrible area; I've lived here for 3 years, and haven't had an issue until now.

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My daughter lives in that area and crime wise it doesn't seem too bad. But those roads... definitely need some work.

I got one on it right now haha. That was my first purchase after getting a new truck!

Towns03 said:

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OP, this is what works:

The Original Club Steering Wheel Lock Car Anti Theft Security New | eBay

and it's the most cost effective option out there-

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If you're kidding, well done. Those things are easily defeated in 30 seconds or less by most professional thieves. That won't keep your car where it's at if someone wants it.

My family used them in the 90's, but times have changed.

DeepETX_Aggie said:

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1agswitchin4lanes said:

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DeepETX_Aggie said:

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1agswitchin4lanes said:

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What was stolen?

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Chevy Silverado RST

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Man, sorry to hear that.

We go to church at chapelwood and have always felt safe in the 77024.

I even have a beater for traveling for work to SATX and S Texas.

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Yeah, it's a bummer, but luckily I had good insurance, so they paid the previous truck off, and I was able to get a newer one. The whole process took about a month tho.

I live a little farther down I-10 west in the 77077. Not a horrible area; I've lived here for 3 years, and haven't had an issue until now.

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I grew up in 77077 and then moved to 77079.

Driveway gate, big dog, shotgun.

Mas89 said:

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Driveway gate, big dog, shotgun.

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I think his was jacked outside.

GMA3748 said:

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Towns03 said:

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OP, this is what works:

The Original Club Steering Wheel Lock Car Anti Theft Security New | eBay

and it's the most cost effective option out there-

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If you're kidding, well done. Those things are easily defeated in 30 seconds or less by most professional thieves. That won't keep your car where it's at if someone wants it.

My family used them in the 90's, but times have changed.

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The Club is not hard to defeat by 'pros', but most thefts aren't pro, and they're fairly effective for being a deterrent as in "Now you have to deal with this, so go find another target".

But yes, if they REALLY wanted your truck, it's not hard to defeat and you get what you pay for.

Totally depends on what you drive and what you're trying to protect. If it's a higher-end vehicle that's sought out by a crook, the Club isn't going to do much slowing down.

Funny (or not) enough, I had a truck stolen in SA, Texas a few years ago. Put an IGLA on its replacement and haven't had to worry about it being where I parked it.

GMA3748 said:

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Totally depends on what you drive and what you're trying to protect. If it's a higher-end vehicle that's sought out by a crook, the Club isn't going to do much slowing down or have them "pass you by".

Funny (or not) enough, I had a truck stolen in SA, Texas a few years ago. Put an IGLA on its replacement and haven't had to worry about it being where I parked it.

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GMA3748 said:

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GMA3748 said:

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Totally depends on what you drive and what you're trying to protect. If it's a higher-end vehicle that's sought out by a crook, the Club isn't going to do much slowing down or have them "pass you by".

Funny (or not) enough, I had a truck stolen in SA, Texas a few years ago. Put an IGLA on its replacement and haven't had to worry about it being where I parked it.

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True but....You still have to worry about break in, no? My car got broken into twice when I lived in Dallas. Each time nothing was taken. 1st time they tried to steal the stereo but only succesfully fkd up my console and dash. Second time it was like they just smashed the window for fun.

Funny enough, while I have an Igla, the potential thieves don't know. So, when I'm somewhere where the risk is higher, I pull the Club out from under my backseat. I know that they can be defeated, but I'm using it as a visual to hopefully keep the numbskulls from even trying to break in.

Does anyone with Ravelco keep the unit in most of the time and just take it out in high risk areas/times? Like if its parked at the house or work or whatever and I want to retain remote start - just keep the plug in- but if I'm at a hotel overnight or leaving it at the boat ramp or something while fishing all day or overnight cabin stay just pull it out then?

I can see how that would be a convenient way to keep remote start most of the time but then again its like if it gets stolen while the plug is in like what was the whole point.

lazuras_dc said:

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GMA3748 said:

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GMA3748 said:

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Totally depends on what you drive and what you're trying to protect. If it's a higher-end vehicle that's sought out by a crook, the Club isn't going to do much slowing down or have them "pass you by".

Funny (or not) enough, I had a truck stolen in SA, Texas a few years ago. Put an IGLA on its replacement and haven't had to worry about it being where I parked it.

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True but....You still have to worry about break in, no? My car got broken into twice when I lived in Dallas. Each time nothing was taken. 1st time they tried to steal the stereo but only succesfully fkd up my console and dash. Second time it was like they just smashed the window for fun.

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Broken windows/break ins are still definitely a thing. There are always risks of break in. There are stickers one could put on a drivers side window indicating IGLA's presence but I haven't gone that far. Between 5% tint and not driving certain vehicles to certain places, I've managed to not have another break in since 2023.

lazuras_dc said:

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IGLA almost seems like one more digital thing that can go wrong and potentially strand you? Maybe the concern is unfounded.

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I haven't heard of anyone having their vehicle bricked by IGLA, but there's always a possibility that could happen. I'd rather control when my vehicle turns on than leave it to chance. There are other companies coming out with similar products to IGLA too so it's not like it's the only game in town but I've had good luck with it on my vehicles.

lazuras_dc said:

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Does anyone with Ravelco keep the unit in most of the time and just take it out in high risk areas/times? Like if its parked at the house or work or whatever and I want to retain remote start - just keep the plug in- but if I'm at a hotel overnight or leaving it at the boat ramp or something while fishing all day or overnight cabin stay just pull it out then?

I can see how that would be a convenient way to keep remote start most of the time but then again its like if it gets stolen while the plug is in like what was the whole point.

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This is what I do. Usually, I'll hide the plug someplace no one would check (hopefully)