Anyone using an alarm?, or should I even bother? Options

[CptTripps]

I was considering getting an alarm for my teener...but I'm wondering if it'd be worth the effort?

Normally, I'd do it in a car so I can remote-unlock, but in this case, I'd just be doing it to make noise if someone was in the car and not suppossed to be.

Anyone else using one? What kind?

[campbellcj]

Overall I agree car alarms are 90% worthless -- esp. the "unsophisticated" ones that are just a noisemaker without ignition kill, etc.

However, in the early 90's when we lived in a small condo complex, a basic Hofco alarm "saved" my car from being stolen from the multi-car garage. A would-be thief opened the door of my car, setting off the alarm, which happened to be right underneath the bedroom of our Very Large Harley-Riding neighbor. He heard it before me and ran downstairs with a baseball bat...the teenage punk thief got away but we never had further problems after that night.

These days...if I hear one of our car alarms go off at home, Mr. Remington 12ga and Mr. 120lb Akita will investigate pronto, with me taking up the rear. Frankly, if I hear anybody else's alarm, I don't really give a shit -- not worth getting involved even if there is a real issue vs. just a cold cat looking for a shack-up spot.