Garmin GPS Password

 

We have a password on our Garmin device, but we keep reading news stories that GPS units are a hot item for thieves. If passwords actually worked, it would seem this would not be the case.
This may be a really dumb question, but how much protection does a password provide against a thief actually using the device (once stolen, of course)? I assume the "underground" knows of ways around passwords; if so, what benefits do the passwords provide against professional thiefs?

Thanks.

Look at this link

This has been talked about here.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/9911

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Jerry...Jacksonville,Fl Nüvi1450,Nuvi650,Nuvi 2495 and Mapsource.

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Passwords are not a substitute for removing the unit from the vehicle. I never use a PW, and always remove the unit.

--
nüvi 3790T | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable ~ JFK

locking it is pointless

If you take the GPS with you then you don't need to use a lock code. If you leave it in the car, even if you think that you have "hidden" it in the secret place under the seat or the glove box where a thief will never look, then you might feel a little smug that the thief might have a hard time using the device, but you will still not have it, and may have to replace an even more expensive window too. And in the unlikely event that the thief is caught, your GPS might be recovered in smashed form.

Long Thread

adcusnret wrote:

This has been talked about here.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/9911

Definitely check the above thread. The PIN WILL NOT prevent theft. Taking it with you will. The PIN really serves to make the device useless if it is stolen. Understanding that if it is stolen you are not going to get it back, the PIN serves to make the theft a wasted effort on the part of the thief. He/she has basically stolen a brick.

I use a PIN on all my GPS's that support it. Even the 765T that has difficulty unlocking sometimes because of the 3.90 firmware bugs (sort of makes it even more secure grin).

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I support the right to keep and arm bears.

If you loss the unit, the

If you loss the unit, the PIN can protect personal information that includes names, addresses, and phone numbers stored in the unit.

Underground?

trclac wrote:

We have a password on our Garmin device, but we keep reading news stories that GPS units are a hot item for thieves. If passwords actually worked, it would seem this would not be the case.
This may be a really dumb question, but how much protection does a password provide against a thief actually using the device (once stolen, of course)? I assume the "underground" knows of ways around passwords; if so, what benefits do the passwords provide against professional thiefs?

Thanks.

Your making it sound like organized crime s behind the majority of GPS theft, When in actuality it is a crime of opportunity, chances are done by someone looking for a fix. If you take the GPSr with you the opportunity is gone.

If you decide to leave it behind, make sure to use the lock feature. so when the smash and grab happens, it will end up in the trash and not on someone Else's dash.

Always Take it with you, or put your junk in the trunk!

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Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.

The PIN will keep the thief

The PIN will keep the thief from accessing any personal info you may have on your unit. It will not prevent theft. For me the PIN is useless. If my GPS is stolen, what do I care whether or not the the thief can use it or not? I can't. Remove it from your vehicle when you're not using it. Same thing for the "anti-theft" code for car stereos. If they steal the stereo they can't turn it on and use it, but neither can you when once it's gone. False security.

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OK.....so where the heck am I?

My lock theory

I've set a lock code, and added a start-up message that provides contact information to return my GPSr. By doing so, if my device were stolen, anyone who acquired it would have a much weaker defense against charges for possession of stolen property. While that may not increase my chances of recovery (depending on the honesty of the possessor), it does make me sleep better at night knowing I've done my small part to prevent profiting from crimes.

That said, I sleep even better when I don't leave valuables in the car.

The Lock Only Delays

The lock only delays access. It takes (an average) of 5000 attempts to break your 4-digit code.

Less if you use repetitive numbers, primes, sequential numbers or a number with a leading zero or nine.

It's just a matter of perseverance. And the fellow who "mistakenly" bought the locked unit will probably put in the effort rather than call his "investment" a loss.

One fellow asking (in another forum) how to "break" the code was told to just start with 0000 and keep going until he got to 9999, and was back asking questions about use 48 hours later, having unlocked the unit within the first couple of hours.

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The Wizard of Ahhhhhhhs - Earned my Windmill 4/12/2010

Garmin GPS Password. Why use it?

So a thief breaks into your car after seeing you enter a building. They figure it will take an hour to report the theft and maybe a half hour for you to hire a taxi or call a friend to take you home. In the meantime, the thief has your car and your remote garage door activator in their possession. (I hope you didn't leave the keys in the ignition.)

Now, all they need to do is turn on the GPS and press HOME.

Had you just password protected your GPS, the thief would not be on their way HOME... Your house!

Your problems have just been multiplied!

Not Completely Usless, IF

No, the passcode on GPS boxes or car stereos will not prevent theft directly. Other than removing the unit (not always practical with stereos), the only theft prevention/reduction would be IF EVERYONE used the passcode, thereby reducing the incentive (this the theory behind car stereo codes). Obviously, if the would-be thief knows the unit will be useless, he'd be less inclined to grab it. Also obviously, if there are ways of bypassing the codes, and as long as people are lazy, we'll have no relief from the problem. (And yes, I remove stuff from the car when I leave it.)

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"Stop Global Whining" [Nuvi 250W, Nuvi 265WT] [Mercury, NV]

I do not use the password.

I do not use the password. My "Home" is the lat/long of a nearby intersection. No address for the thief to determine where I live.

The password is not a deterrence.

--
“It’s their world. We’re just living in it.”

I use one plus StuffBak

I use the Garmin PIN on my nüvi but I also use a splash screen stating that the PIN is in place and the unit is covered by StuffBak. If someone finds or steals my GPS they can't use it but the CAN contact StuffBak toll free with no questions asked. They'll be instructed to drop the unit at any UPS drop point and they'll receive a $50 reward.

My name, address, phone number, etc. aren't displayed - only the StuffBak account number and contact info. Even if it's claimed by a thief I'd rather pay the $50 reward and get my unit back.

Check out the site and the testimonials at:

http://www.stuffbak.com/sb/default.aspx

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GPSMAP 76CSx - nüvi 760 - nüvi 200 - GPSMAP 78S

I don't put in my home

I don't put in my home address or GPS coordinates for someone to be able to find my house. I don't need to anyway...I know where I live and I find my way there each and everytime I want to go there. ; )

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OK.....so where the heck am I?

re: I don't put in my home

I got lost in the Santa Cruz mountains one foggy night. The GPS had lots of information but nothing I really needed to get me back home except HOME. So I pressed the button and it got me onto a main freeway. At that point, I didn't need the GPS unit anymore so I turned it off. It had done its work for me.

Saving your address on your GPS unit is not a detriment. Not password protecting may lead to other issues or problems.

No Pin

I don't use a pin, I take mine out of the car or put in the truck. My "Home" address is my town where I live, no other information stored.

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Nuvi 50LM Nuvi 2555LM

Pin or No Pin

OK, so some of you don't put a pin in because you believe that if you always take it with you, it won't get stolen.

So, what about the times you may forget or you're stopped at a convience store or rest stop (Any place you are just going to be away from the vehicle for just a few minutes and don't want to go through a re-boot). Or someone is in the vehicle waiting for you and they decide that they need to get a drink or use the restroom. I could go on and on.

Think about it. If it gets stolen and there is no PIN, then it can be sold. If there is a PIN, then maybe the thief will get frustrated and not take the risk for something they can't sell. If ALL GPSr's had a PIN, then word would get around that they aren't worth the effort.

I watched a news video one time in Miami. They had a rash of car thefts from the front driveways of some major hotels on Miami Beach. This was in the 60's, before surveillance cameras were the norm. The Police had set up a camera across from a hotel and just let it roll (for weeks). Finally, they got the guy on film. He walked out of the hotel (probably walked in from the beach side), walked right up to a Corvette (that was locked and had no keys in it) and 14 seconds later he was driving away. This guy was quick, but he only got 5 blocks before he was surrounded by marked cars. That was 14 seconds to get it unlocked and get it started without a key. How long do you think it would take to just get your GPS?

I know, Iknow, you always take it with you. I'll bet that the one time that you don't take it with you is the one time it will get stolen and it will be sold because there is no PIN! You just made a criminal's day!

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Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA