Need your thought leadership: Carrera Security Options?

[packetstorm88]

Hi All-

I've owned my 996/C2 for several years now and I must say it has been one of the best cars I've ever owned. I can't say that I've driven this car anywhere near it's performance limits. Ultimately I would like to track the car and really indulge in a few lessons where I can truly experience it's wonderful potential!!!

So here's the latest concern I've encountered. I have had numerous cases where my valve stem caps have all been stolen. I've had to purchase new porsche stem caps and my local dealer recommended that I torque the caps with a wrench. Obviously applying torque didn't work for me, otherwise I wouldn't be writing this. So I decided to replace the caps with plain ugly janes ones for now. The other day both of my amber corners were stolen along with center crested caps. All of these petty crimes have lead me to think twice before I park my car anywhere nowadays (it really shouldn't be like this).

I'd consider myself a jack of all trades and master of what's important to me at this very moment :rolleyes:

So here's the scoop on my latest project, I'm considering a DVR surveillance for my car. I've been fascinated with DVR technology for the longest time and have monkey'd with DVR technology as a hobby. I've self-installed a fully functional 16-cam setup at the house which includes wireless technologies, infraRed, and all sorts of triggers for notification. I hardly ever review the video, but there have been times where my setup has come in handy (neighbors dog pooping in my yard....JK) hehehe...

Ok so there are several technology options available nowadays on the market. As the portable DVR market is reaching maturity, solid state memory devices is finally within reach for consumers and small businesses. I've been tinkering with the idea of installing several mini-cameras in my car that can interface with a portable DVR.

• What's the max allot time necessary for recording?
  
• How many fps?
  
• What are the environmental condition concerns? (i.e. day vs night, weather, etc...)
  
• What area within the car would give you the best coverage and camera angle?
  

My approach is to create test cases where I could run through several iterations to verify if in fact any of them fail. Let's say I start with a 2cam infraRed (nightvision) setup (360 view?), 16GB microSD mem= 6hrs record?, and min 30fps. So the whole setup will run off of Li-ion battery and intend to be completely discrete to a potential thief. I can review the recorded video by simply popping the microSD card right out of the portable DVR and into my blackberry/pda/digital camera/etc.....essentially the video could be easily reviewed and forwarded...

I know this whole setup might sound like overkill for a few stupid occurrences of smalltime crimes, but nonetheless a challenge and maybe an educational serving for my technical appetite. I also like the idea of leveraging this technology for recording on the track. Why not integrate a complete system that can give you video, security, and the visibility to determine fault in an accident (or not by simply disabling the setup while driving).

Alright, enough of my coffee driven rant this morning.....let's bring some thought leadership to this topic.

Thanks all,

-PacketStorm

p.s. checkout the link, this should help some fill the gap if you don't know what I'm talking about....there are numerous options on the market and I plan to customized a solution from scratch. Portable Vehicle Safeguard

Edited April 26, 2008 by packetstorm88

[White987S]

I think parking in a secure garage would be much easier.

[leenseen]

I've been tinkering with the idea of installing several mini-cameras in my car that can interface with a portable DVR.

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your troubles...

I'd be tempted to install a few convert working camera's focusing on the car and the path to the car.

Then install a couple of dummy/fake camera's that were in clear view acting as a visual deterrent.

I think you can also get pressure pad's, you could install a couple of them around the car which would setoff an alarm if triggered.

HTH

[CarreraLicious]

Sorry to hear. I'm not sure about how much help it will be to install a surveillance system, but there are a couple of things you can do- for example, for your wheel center caps, you can buy ones that don't have holes in them that allow you to just stick a coat hanger hook into them to pull them out. This way, the only way to remove the centercap is to take a wheel off to pop them out from the back. You can buy these from bumperplugs.com (no affiliation).

For the wheel valve caps, I've found this style, while not as flashy as the colored caps, still look great, and also are not really flashy enough to attract anyone to want to steal them.

http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant..._Code=POTE996WH

Can't do anything for you about the amber side markers.... most people would not even bother to steal these, as most people like the clear versions, but I guess you can fetch something for them on fleabay. Sad, the state of things I guess, but don't let it get you down from enjoying your car. Good luck!

[packetstorm88]

Sorry to hear. I'm not sure about how much help it will be to install a surveillance system, but there are a couple of things you can do- for example, for your wheel center caps, you can buy ones that don't have holes in them that allow you to just stick a coat hanger hook into them to pull them out. This way, the only way to remove the centercap is to take a wheel off to pop them out from the back. You can buy these from bumperplugs.com (no affiliation).

For the wheel valve caps, I've found this style, while not as flashy as the colored caps, still look great, and also are not really flashy enough to attract anyone to want to steal them.

http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant..._Code=POTE996WH

Can't do anything for you about the amber side markers.... most people would not even bother to steal these, as most people like the clear versions, but I guess you can fetch something for them on fleabay. Sad, the state of things I guess, but don't let it get you down from enjoying your car. Good luck!

Ironically these silver stem caps are the ones that have gotten stolen repeated whereever I have been parking....I really like them and the local dealer sells them at 17.50/set. Thanks for the other recommendations!

[packetstorm88]

I think parking in a secure garage would be much easier.

Yea I know, sometimes that's just not an option... <_<