i do and i have my secret location set some where away from my home. I also use a customize splash screen. I updated and no longer adding my telephone #. I punch in my telephone # in google and immediately my address pop up so I took it out.
Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 263 Location: Winter Springs, FL
Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:59 am
It's a zero value feature. I used it once, noted that it worked, is an extra step for me to use it and it is not a deterent to theft, so I've never used it since.
Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Posts: 51 Location: Ontario, Canada
Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:59 pm
HappyFunBoater wrote:
It's a zero value feature. I used it once, noted that it worked, is an extra step for me to use it and it is not a deterent to theft, so I've never used it since.
I use it and unlock location is away from home. I agree it's not a deterrent for theft, but I think it's a significant deterrent for a home invasion after the theft.
When you turn off the unit while it's connected to the AC power the unit doesn't shut off.
It has a firmware flaw that requires you to turn "off" the power, then disconnect from external power before you can enter the PIN again after entering it incorrectly the first time.
I use it because with a unlock awayfrom home and not in my favorites.I will feel better if it does get stolen knowing it cannot be used by the dummy that took it.
Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 19 Location: San Leandro, CA
Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:29 pm
YES!!
1. Unless you like the thought of giving a thief and/or the person he sells it to full use of the GPS you paid your hard-earned money for, I'd think you'd have to be an idiot NOT to use it.
2. If you affix to it a clear label (forget that worthless and cartoonish "Garmin Lock" sticker) that says, "WILL NOT OPERATE/NO VALUE WITHOUT PIN-CODE #," you actually have some semblance of a real deterrent that could make a thief change his mind about bothering to take it in the first place since he'll know it is worthless to sell.
3. If you had the foresight to use the security code and a thief (or the unwitting buyer) DOES contact Garmin and/or sends it in to unlock that code, guess what? Since you registered it in your name you'll get it back!! It's true when they say an ounce of prevention....
I use it, but it's a pain in the as.$ If you happen to mistype it a single time, it locks the unit, and you have to reboot. What brain surgeon came up with this idea, I cannot imagine. Every password prompt I've ever encountered allows you 3-4 tries at a minimum. I just now tried to get into Garmin support to give them the suggestion to alter this for a later release, but their support web site is unresponsive.
Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 151 Location: Fort Worth TX
Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:24 am
Blade wrote:
2. If you affix to it a clear label (forget that worthless and cartoonish "Garmin Lock" sticker) that says, "WILL NOT OPERATE/NO VALUE WITHOUT PIN-CODE #," you actually have some semblance of a real deterrent that could make a thief change his mind about bothering to take it in the first place since he'll know it is worthless to sell.
Like that is really going to change his mind and not take it. He will steal it and remove that silly label and sell it to some un-suspected fool.
Bottom line is do not leave the GPS in the car in the first place. Nuvi's are small, take them with you when you get out of the car.
Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 19 Location: San Leandro, CA
Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:28 am
AV8TOR wrote:
Blade wrote:
2. If you affix to it a clear label (forget that worthless and cartoonish "Garmin Lock" sticker) that says, "WILL NOT OPERATE/NO VALUE WITHOUT PIN-CODE #," you actually have some semblance of a real deterrent that could make a thief change his mind about bothering to take it in the first place since he'll know it is worthless to sell.
Like that is really going to change his mind and not take it. He will steal it and remove that silly label and sell it to some un-suspected fool.
That's precisely why I said you have "some semblance" of a theft deterrent and didn't make the claim it would work every time. If you believe there's such a thing as a smart thief, a label would absolutely make him think twice about taking it, as opposed to having no label at all; so what harm could there come from applying that ounce of protection if it alleviates you needing a pound of cure? None.
As far as selling it to some "unsuspecting fool," that's ludicrous! Who in their right mind would pay somebody for an obviously hot, street-corner or non-packaged GPS if he wasn't satisfied on the spot that it actually works? With the Garmin lock it wouldn't... so no sale.
I'm merely trying to be pro-active and offer an easily-applied suggestion that could save somebody (maybe even you) some grief -- so I have to wonder about the negativity on your part. Yes I know it's all a crap-shoot. But at least with my method you come to the table with money in your pocket that gives you a chance of walking away later with something to show for it. If you DON'T put on that label, they WILL take it -- hell, you're not even in the game.
I locked mine the day after I bought it. If everybody who owns a Nuvi locked it, then after a while, thieves would catch on to the fact they are stealing units they can't power on, and thus can't resell.
Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 95 Location: Danbury, CT
Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:36 am
I lock mine. If a thief is going to steal it, they will get it. However, because it is registered under my name and once reported, Garmin can report on its whereabouts to the police and secondly because it is locked by pin, the unit pretty much has no re-sale value. I may lose out but so will the thief. I don't want to give them any reason to keep stealing!
By the way, I had mine set in my parking lot, but after reading a few posts, I think I will move it to an area away from my home. It probably would work better that way because it also takes it a little time for it to connect to the satellites and by the time I move over the new "home" area, it should login without me having to enter the PIN.
Use the Lock code! It's going to take a pick pocket to get mine. As for the new Nuvi 200W, if you miss hit the wrong number, it has a back button. If you have a unit that has to be rebooted if you hit the wrong number, just use the same number over serveral times instead of jumping around on the screen. It might help u!
Just think about this, if by some chance your car should be hi jacked, once the unit is turned off, the party's over using the GPS. You might get some pleasure knowing in your mind, "well I lost my car, but the THUG want be able to use the GPS". As for etching the serial number in the back case that might be a good thing.
On my GPS Map76cs, It has a welcome screen with my name a phone number listed. Maybe some honest boater would return it if found floating in the water or elsewhere. It does not have a lock code.
Just remember this, your GPS is your buddy, protect him.
Joined: 28 Nov 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Rhode Island
Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:03 pm
I have my lock set on. Even if its not in my car it can be stolen ANYWHERE. What Im hoping is that there isnt some way the theif can open the thing up and "reset" it.
Use the lock! As someone said earlier, if the word gets around that the Garmin lock is generally used the bad guys may just go after other brands.
For security reasons DON'T use your home as the favorite place.
Could a patient thief enter codes sequentially until the unit unlocks? For example, there are maximum 10,000 codes. If 6 trial codes can be entered in one minute, that equates to 360 codes in 1 hour. At 1 hour per day, the unit would be unlocked in 4 weeks or less.
Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Northern NJ
Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:33 pm
Not only do I use the lock, I have a flash screen set announcing the unit is locked, which also has some contact information for me saying to please return the unit (in case I misplace it for some reason, or if it is recovered by the police). I got the customized flash screen from a gentleman from Italy who has it on his website!
Rather than use some site to create the splash screen, just use MS Paint to create a small .BMP with the desired information on it. Save As a .JPG and use it in your nuvi.
I use the lock, and the "home" location is the local police station. I didn't bother with it at first but after my son borrowed my Wife's unit, left it in the car and got a broken window to go along with the missing Nuvi it sort of seemed like a good idea.
I like the idea that even if some ner-do-well steals it it won''t work for him.
I don't use the windshield mount, and allways put in away out of sight when parked.
By the way, for when my son borrows it, Jill now says "We are here, now hide me or I will never speak to you again!" instead of the usual "Arriving at destination on right"
Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 44 Location: California
Tue Dec 09, 2008 1:33 pm
Phlytyer wrote:
mmsstar wrote:
Jill now says "We are here, now hide me or I will never speak to you again!" instead of the usual "Arriving at destination on right"
Okay, so how does that happen?
Guessing - but he may be using the TTSVoiceEditor program: http://turboccc.wikispaces.com/TTSVoiceEditor , created by one of the users here. I love this program...
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