Popular Mechanics - USA (2018-07 & 2018-08)

THE UNSTEALABLE CAR

In a modern car, even basic components are packed with technolog y. That’s why a 2016 Nissan Altima is so conve-

nient, so safe—and why replacement headlights can cost more than $2,000. Those expensive parts have increased

demand for black-market discount alternatives. Pair that with security gaps in features like remote unlocking and

push-to-start, and auto theft is up: 4 percent in 2017, and 7.4 percent in 2016. So how can you convince an opportu-

nistic thief to move on to an Altima that’s not yours? We tested three high-tech deterrents. And The Club.

MISSION

DARKNESS

FARADAY BAG

VERIZON

HUM X

OWL CAR CAM

The Hum consists of a
plug for the OBD port
that gathers vehicle
data and a wireless
Bluetooth speaker that
clips to your sun visor.
If you wake up to an
empty space where
your car was parked
the night before, open
the Hum phone app and
you can see your car’s
location. But the idea
isn’t to help you ind
the perp and go all vigi-
lante. The Hum is there
to say that the owner
is watching. Because
unplugging it triggers

This pouch is made

of fabric woven with

conductive metals that

block any electronic

signal from getting in or

out. If you park within

range of your key fob,

stash it inside this bag

to stop a thief from

copying the signal. Even

with the lap open,

our tester Jaguar XF

couldn’t read the real

key’s signal from inside

the car. Unconcerned

with aesthetics? We

found that two layers of

aluminum foil work just

as well.

If this dashcam detects

motion in or near your

car when you’re not

in it, LEDs light up the

interior, and it sends live

video straight to your

phone and to Owl—

even if a thief steals it,

you’ll still have his photo.

The device also has a

speaker, so if you get an

alert, you can say, “Hey,

you, with the soul patch

and the Insane Clown

Posse tee, just letting

you know that my steer-

ing wheel is covered

with botulism!” And that

the cops are on the way.

$299 plus

$10 per month

BY EZRA DYER

But what about simple tools and brute force? We took a drill to the lock, then hammered in a screwdriver, snap-

ping the welds and releasing one of the hooks. Disqualiied? Nah. Like all these devices, The Club’s job has

always been to announce that this car is more trouble than it’s worth. Thirty-two years later, it still does. $43

52 JULY/AUGUST _ 201 POPULARMECHANICS.COM