[Rio Lobo]

Seen members recommend either side of the argument. What are yall's experiences/thoughts?

Ravelco is obviously very reputable and reliable and pricey. I'd have to spend a day driving to get one installed.

Kill switch is cheap and simple, but really not excited about having to cut up wiring on a car with warranty. But, I'm not afraid to do it (wouldn't be first time messing with automotive wiring). I know Ravelco does something similar in regards to wiring.

Don't care about losing remote start obviously if it means a more secure car.

So which route would you choose?

 

[Ivory15Cat]

If you reach out Revelco and let them know there is no installers around you, they will mail you the kit to your house. That’s what I did

 

[JeepGeek]

I have Ravelco on two vehicles. Had them installed at home by a local ravelco dealer. Great install, clean, takes about 3 hours per car and honestly not all that expensive when you consider the investment in the car. Where I am, just north of Chicago, we are seeing cars stolen daily - even from dealer service bays over night.

 

[baabootoo]

What are we talking price wise? I couldn't find them on Amazon.

 

[JeepGeek]

What are we talking price wise? I couldn't find them on Amazon.

Not on Amazon. It’s about 500$ installed. You can check out availability at www.ravelco.com. Baabootoo - you might get the same guy that did my cars…

 

[Spoolin]

I assume remote start would be gone even with the Ravelco?

 

[JeepGeek]

I assume remote start would be gone even with the Ravelco?

Yes. That’s a downside. Being garage kept, generally not an issue for me. But if you park outside and or daily drive - remote start can be a great thing to cool / warm a car.

 

[OldMoparGuy]

So are these systems as tough to defeat as they say and insurance companies give discounts when the vehicles are equipped with them,

 

[JeepGeek]

So are these systems as tough to defeat as they say and insurance companies give discounts when the vehicles are equipped with them,

Great question...my personal perspective is just about anything is defeat-able with time and knowledge. I think where this product excels is that "beating" it will take more time and knowledge than most of the opportunists out there looking to get in and out in 5 minutes. Watching the guy do parts of the install - it's really all about adding time through protection and confusion (harness protection, wire access through firewall, wire colors, sequence of starting, unique key, etc). I am by no means some Revelco sales guy - I don't want to come off that way. Its a product that works for me and my situation.

Net for me is - anything we do with our cars from a security perspective should be about removing opportunity where we can (having it garaged, for example is a huge plus), while adding time and complication to the actual theft. If someone really wants what you have, they can find a way. But in most cases - these are all crimes of opportunity.

 

[Rio Lobo]

If you reach out Revelco and let them know there is no installers around you, they will mail you the kit to your house. That’s what I did

Wait, what?! Did it come with instructions? Because I know each installation is unique. Do they just say splice some wires and have a good time?

So are these systems as tough to defeat as they say and insurance companies give discounts when the vehicles are equipped with them,

Well, I'm guessing it's on a per insurer basis. Some would probably say "Oh, you're already getting the discount because your car has an alarm." While others might recognize the Ravelco and throw you a bone. But honestly any discount is likely just a drop in the bucket and a non-factor.

 

[HemiMetal]

Yes. That’s a downside. Being garage kept, generally not an issue for me. But if you park outside and or daily drive - remote start can be a great thing to cool / warm a car.

I had remote start on my R/T but lost that feature when I traded it in for my M6 cat. But programming my fob to remote roll-down the windows just about makes up for it by venting the hot air out of the cabin on summer days.

 

[Ivory15Cat]

Wait, what?! Did it come with instructions? Because I know each installation is unique. Do they just say splice some wires and have a good time?

Yes it comes with instructions for a self install or take to a local alarm installer to have done. Not as easy as just spicing wires.

 

[2020 white knuckle]

I have had Ravelco on to other vehicles, and it works great. Plus, they are going to install it on my 2020 HC in a couple of weeks. Very clean and professional install. I've had excellent luck with them. It would definitely slow down an amateur thief or prevent him from stealing your car completely. Read up on it, it's quite interesting on everything they do when they install it.

 

[GNBRETT]

Ive had both. Even had a different one that worked like Ravelco and I always preferred the kill switch cause if u loose ur little key fob ur screwed! If u hide the kill switch discreetly no one will EVER find it or even look for it.

 

[OUTLAWSSAA]

Kill switch is cheap and simple, but really not excited about having to cut up wiring on a car with warranty. But, I'm not afraid to do it (wouldn't be first time messing with automotive wiring). I know Ravelco does something similar in regards to wiring.



So which route would you choose?

I was told that they only spliced into 1 wire for the kill switch, and was easily reversible if needed.

 

[Thavik]

What circuit would be the best for installation of a kill switch? Ignition (start button wiring), starter or fuel pump?

 

[OUTLAWSSAA]

They used the starter solenoid on mine.

 

[HemiMetal]

Net for me is - anything we do with our cars from a security perspective should be about removing opportunity where we can (having it garaged, for example is a huge plus), while adding time and complication to the actual theft. If someone really wants what you have, they can find a way. But in most cases - these are all crimes of opportunity.

Security-layering. It's all about getting a thief to cuss you out and encouraging him to choose a less protected target. To that end kill-switches, steering wheel locks, pedal locks, wheel boots, GARAGES, motion sensing lighting. It's all up to you. Some people don't want to be bothered with the few extra seconds it takes to secure their vehicle. For me I don't mind. And their unsecured rides are part of my security-layering strategy...

 

[covidcommander]

GARAGES

 

[jaybe312]

I have Ravelco on two vehicles. Had them installed at home by a local ravelco dealer. Great install, clean, takes about 3 hours per car and honestly not all that expensive when you consider the investment in the car. Where I am, just north of Chicago, we are seeing cars stolen daily - even from dealer service bays over night.

Do you know if they’re still installing these in the Chicagoland area? I’m looking to purchase one for my DDSRT and the closest install location is just south of St. Louis MO - Can you share the name of the company that installed yours? TIA