Anti-theft sticker came with my new Garmin

Personally, out a sight...out a mind. Don't advertise, take a chance on a thief breaking your window, causing grief by arranging to get said window and whatever else gets damaged. Better off to not have anything of value showing. Doesn't matter what neighborhood you may be in suburbs or city. My 2 cents.

I like the idea of anti-theft stickers as a deterrent of sorts. I use my gps in my work truck and tend to leave it on the windshield all day. I do put my sun visor down so it's not so obvious to passers by. All gps's should have the option of password enabling I wish my i3 had it!

Ray

I am still waiting to put these on the window...I'd be curous to hear more thoughts on this?

A sticker is advertising plain and simple... to some its a challenge. Some thieves may resent that you feel secure with a measly code intended to thwart them (and you are in effect thumbing your nose at them)

Will setting a security code prevent starting the Garmin in maintenance mode? If it doesn't, the thief could just start the stolen GPS in maintenance mode and erase "all user data".

I've never heard of maintenance mode. Is that when you hold your finger on the battery indicator?

On the 660 when you power up while pressing the upper left corner the GPS will start up in maint/diag mode. I may have the name wrong - maybe it's diagnostic mode. One of the options in this mode is to erase all user data.

I wouldn't chance it.

Stickers may be a deterrent for some thief's, but some might think of it as an empty threat. Just as some homes have stickers on their windows or posted signs on their laws saying they are "protected by such and such security system".

Depending how desperate the criminal is, they may go ahead no matter what the stickers or signs state.

I hide mine under the seat. It's not so much to protect the GPS, it's more to protect my car. It's a pain, but I'd rather do that than find a window broken.

Thank you to everyone that responded..I keep mune locked in teh glove comparment if I leave for a short time..other wise it come with me in a carring case..

I think the stickers are invitations to break in and look for something. I use a weighted dash mount and put the whole thing out of sight when not in the car.

They came with my nuvi 660 also, but I don't think I'll be posting it on any window on my SUV. I too agree that it is an invitiation to break in or vandalize your car. Still, removing the GPSr and placing it in my pocket or backpack is the best anti-theft method of all.

Absolutely do NOT put these stickers on your window! It is saying, "HEY THEIF, LOOK NO FURTHER, YOU HAVE FOUND THE GOLDEN TICKET". They do not care if it is locked or not. The maintanence mode is locked out, and it can not be used without the code, but the theif doesn't care and will sell it on eBay to hte next sucker. The sticker is just an advertisement.

Thanks for the comments so far. With what I've heard, it sounds like it's stupid to put the stickers on the car. If someone sees the GPS and the anti-theft sticker they may think that it's a fake sticker. I know someone who put up a fake "Alarm System" sticker on his car and installed a blinking light. So far my conclusion is to (if I leave the car in certain areas) remove the GPS and the mount. I hate banana belts but after having my car vandalized twice, I take my GPS, video ipod and other items with me in the belt.

My car in general is advertising for a thief as I have a 2-way antenna on the car, Ham license plate (one with lightning bolt in the middle) and the control panel for the trunk mouted radio on the dash.

I wouldnt put the stickers up. It lets people know you have a GPS and it may be in the car under the seat or in the glovebox. Even if they dont get it because you carry it with you, its not worth the broekn window and intrusion to your car.

I agree with leaving the stickers in the original box. It's better to keep honest people honest. A sticker with "GPS" on it is too much of a temptation, even if it isn't in the car or has the lock set. The would be thief doesn't know about all that stuff. All they know is there is (was) a GPS in the car and they're going to try to make a quick buck.

I think I will put the stickers on my bicycle!!!