Security: Autowatch Ghost 2? Is this the way forward?

T

The Lost Jockey

Messages
4
Location
Harrogate
Vehicle
T5 SE 174
Having just got my first Cali, T5 (174), I was wondering if this was the best way to keep it safe. I live in Harrogate, north of Leeds. A few things come to mind:

Is a ghost device the best type of security (impossible question, I know)?
Is it value for money?
Is there a place in the north that installs them?

I'd be grateful for you help and advice. Thank you.
 
Hi, congrats on your new to you California. I’m not a million miles away from Harrogate, around half hour. Is your Cali a daily drive or just used for getaways? Bit of a faf but I’m pretty sure it’ll stop your new pride and joy getting pinched. I turn my drivers seat around so it faces the back then put a padlock through the runners. I’m pretty certain a car thief wouldn’t have a clue how to turn the seat around even without the padlock through the runners. I’ve got some pics somewhere, I’ll find them and attach them. Or you could fit a ghost system for around £5001748294948638.jpeg
 
The Ghost 2 prevents the van being driven away even if someone has the keys. A friend of mine had his Golf R stolen after thieves broke into his house while they were asleep and took the keys. The Ghost 2 will prevent this kind of theft. Personally, I would highly recommend it. In terms of value for money, that’s for you to decide for your own circumstances, but after fitting there are no ongoing subscriptions as you would have with a tracker, for example. Cost would be about £500 including fitting and I’m sure someone will recommend somewhere in the north of England.
However, I wouldn’t use it as a sole security device. There are lots of threads on here regarding security so dive in and check them out as well.
 
Hi, congrats on your new to you California. I’m not a million miles away from Harrogate, around half hour. Is your Cali a daily drive or just used for getaways? Bit of a faf but I’m pretty sure it’ll stop your new pride and joy getting pinched. I turn my drivers seat around so it faces the back then put a padlock through the runners. I’m pretty certain a car thief wouldn’t have a clue how to turn the seat around even without the padlock through the runners. I’ve got some pics somewhere, I’ll find them and attach them. Or you could fit a ghost system for around £500
Padlock through the runners! I presume that prevents the seat from being turned back. Great idea!
 
Having just got my first Cali, T5 (174), I was wondering if this was the best way to keep it safe. I live in Harrogate, north of Leeds. A few things come to mind:

Is a ghost device the best type of security (impossible question, I know)?
Is it value for money?
Is there a place in the north that installs them?

I'd be grateful for you help and advice. Thank you.
The California cannot be driven away without the Ignition key.
The Ghost will not stop the vehicle being taken away on a low loader.
The Ghost will not stop the vehicle being broken into and contents removed.
 
@WelshGas is right, as he often is (there any many useful posts for a new owner here as I was not so long ago, but he stands out). Whilst recognising what he says is correct, I nonetheless have a OBD blocker with signs in the windows, and when I feel the location is vulnerable (Italy over night on a street for example) I lock the steering wheel with a chain having first ensures I park at full lock, engaging the internal steering lock too, and park in a position where a tow away or low loader will find access difficult.

A search of this forum will offer many alternatives always with the caveat that if there are skilled thieves and they want you car they probably will find a way to steal it.

A Ghost is not for me but others are enthusiastic.

Above all, keep your key fob safe.
 
Last edited:
Having just got my first Cali, T5 (174), I was wondering if this was the best way to keep it safe. I live in Harrogate, north of Leeds. A few things come to mind:

Is a ghost device the best type of security (impossible question, I know)?
Is it value for money?
Is there a place in the north that installs them?

I'd be grateful for you help and advice. Thank you.
As others have said here and we’ve covered in quite a few threads before, the number one protection for a Cali is to keep your keys safe. That’s not in a bowl by the front door, not hanging up on the kitchen, but safe, out of sight. We do this with all our cars.

I’m not sure about T5 Thatcham for the immobiliser and alarm, but for a T6.1 it’s as high as you can get and without the key, impossible to steal without a crane or low loader.

I did some digging a year or so ago and found, based on the data available, about 9 Calis were stolen (I can’t recall which year). One would hazard most of those were through the keys being stolen. The majority of theft stats for vehicles is theft from, not of.

Outside of keeping the key safe, just about everything else is either a deterrent against theft attempt by a nugget who thinks you can still hot wire cars (steering locks, bear locks etc) or peace of mind for you. Which is fine.

But, IMHO, Ghosts are utterly pointless. If someone is in my house, finding my key safe, breaking into that, getting the keys and going outside to steal my car, assuming I haven't got downstairs with my baseball bat in time, they are welcome to the car. It’s insured. I have more chance of winning the lottery though than that happening, so I rest easy at night. I also don’t buy a ticket :)

As an extra aside - your worry is not unusual, just about every new owner comes on and worries about theft of what is a major purchase for them. Just let it wash away and dont get caught up in the website sensationalism of these sellers - they have stuff to sell.
 
All VW Californias from T5 to T6.1 and the new T7 have the Thatcham 1 security system of alarm and electronic immobiliser.
You need the key fob to disable the alarm and start the vehicle.
 
As others have said here and we’ve covered in quite a few threads before, the number one protection for a Cali is to keep your keys safe. That’s not in a bowl by the front door, not hanging up on the kitchen, but safe, out of sight. We do this with all our cars.

I’m not sure about T5 Thatcham for the immobiliser and alarm, but for a T6.1 it’s as high as you can get and without the key, impossible to steal without a crane or low loader.

I did some digging a year or so ago and found, based on the data available, about 9 Calis were stolen (I can’t recall which year). One would hazard most of those were through the keys being stolen. The majority of theft stats for vehicles is theft from, not of.

Outside of keeping the key safe, just about everything else is either a deterrent against theft attempt by a nugget who thinks you can still hot wire cars (steering locks, bear locks etc) or peace of mind for you. Which is fine.

But, IMHO, Ghosts are utterly pointless. If someone is in my house, finding my key safe, breaking into that, getting the keys and going outside to steal my car, assuming I haven't got downstairs with my baseball bat in time, they are welcome to the car. It’s insured. I have more chance of winning the lottery though than that happening, so I rest easy at night. I also don’t buy a ticket :)

As an extra aside - your worry is not unusual, just about every new owner comes on and worries about theft of what is a major purchase for them. Just let it wash away and dont get caught up in the website sensationalism of these sellers - they have stuff to sell.
OBD port lock +1 for me
I also have a ghost2, but installer said it’s not possible to instal on a T7 yet.
Firmware update on the ghost needs to be finalised.
Also a yellow through the steering wheel Stoplock pro.
And it’s insured. £399, a year what a bargain !
Do what you feel is the most you want to spend.
 

Have a look at this company. Customer service has been excellent and easy fit onto a leisure battery (tell them its a leisure battery install). Wont stop the low loader etc but cheap and useful.
 
Had to have my Ghost removed as was told by Ghost fitter it would conflict with new tow-bar electrics to be fitted.

It sits in the canbus (mine behind dash) therefore may conflict with additions to canbus at later date.

Give me the vapours when the dash was removed by third party technician to take out.

Bit of a pain when in for service as if it self sets (test drive scenario) the service team don’t know (despite instruction left) how to get back in to service mode.

Mine was a bit of a nightmare.
 

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