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I am insured with Comfort Insurance, they state that my Swift Kontiki must be fitted with either a Cat 1 alarm or an approved immobiliser.
I have been looking at the various systems and have decided on two possible options the first being Outsmart the Thief Cat 1 alarm Outsmart the thief
The above appears to be a very well specced system, and is able to be fitted at home, has anybody had experience of this alarm and Outsmart the thief.
The other system is Strikeback which well known on the forum, the price of both alarms is about £600, can anybody tell me the key differences of the above alarms.
My favoured system is Outsmart the Thiefs Motorhome Defender system, which look like a fantastic system, but is unbelievably not one
of Comforts approved systems
Motorhome Defender
I cant comment on the Outsmart system,but I have had the Strikeback on my motorhome for nearly 5 years in that time a led packed up and one door contact.
On both occasions a tele call to Vanbitz had the parts posted to me within 1 day in the uk and within 2 days in Spain.
I will have the Strikeback fitted on my next motorhome.
______________________________________________________________ Cheap no good
Good no cheap
My quick thoughts and comment, only made by knowing about my own Strikeback installation is that my Strikeback is a wired to the door contacts system and the Outsmart seems to be wireless for the habitation door.
I am no expert ( but one will be along soon I expect ) but is wireless totally reliable? I am not sure, maybe "wireless" contacts are now proven to be as secure as "wired" so I am not sure of the implications, but I like wires.
Mike
P.S. By the way all my lockers are also contact wired .. do they include the lockers and a protection of the bike rack/stuff left ouside the van on the Outsmart?
______________________________________________________________ When confronted by a problem, you can solve it easily by reducing it to the question, "How would the Lone Ranger have handled this?"
Don't forget that it you order Strikeback through Outdoor Bits you get a free Battery Master to help share the load of the system between the engine and leisure batteries over the periods of time when you don't get to use the van so much. This is a saving of £120.00 as well
I have attached a comparison sheet that you can use to make an easy check between what is standard with Strikeback and other systems.
ps I notice Strikeback is currently NOT on the current approval list, maybe its being upgraded?
Regards
Ken
As we have worked with Thatcham from the beginning Van Bitz were here first We have several delisted products listed.
Our Thatcham approval number appears on each installation sheet and will vary on vehicle type. A European motorhome would have a different system to an American RV for example.
There will shortly be I am glad to say after talking to Thatcham for years a motorhome category which will be even better
Eddie - why isn't the Strikeback system listed on the Thatcham site? Bit confused as we too are trying to decide on which system to go for and we have been going by the listing on thatcham's site.
Jan
eddievanbitz wrote:
Perhaps this would help you.
Don't forget that it you order Strikeback through Outdoor Bits you get a free Battery Master to help share the load of the system between the engine and leisure batteries over the periods of time when you don't get to use the van so much. This is a saving of £120.00 as well
I have attached a comparison sheet that you can use to make an easy check between what is standard with Strikeback and other systems.
Eddie - why isn't the Strikeback system listed on the Thatcham site? Bit confused as we too are trying to decide on which system to go for and we have been going by the listing on thatcham's site.
Jan
Hi Jan
I expect Eddie will be along to answer himself but in the meantime as I have often recommended the Strikeback system I thought I should take a look at the Thatcham website....
I find the Thatcham website quite confusing there are just so many options none of which seem to show me what I am looking for but in the depths of the website I have found documents which I find are easier to understand.
Here is a link to the full list of compliant devices and suppliers found on the Thatcham website, as you will see Van Bitz is listed :
______________________________________________________________ When confronted by a problem, you can solve it easily by reducing it to the question, "How would the Lone Ranger have handled this?"
But the only mention I can find of Vanbitz are those deleted from the listings and not valid if installed after their date of deletion.
5. SPECIAL NOTE ON ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS


Adding and Deleting Systems
System names are periodically added to the list based upon those systems which have complied with the Criteria. From time to time systems will be deleted from the list. There are two possible reasons for this:
• The system has ceased to be available. The system may or may not be replaced by another system with a different name. Deleted systems may be superseded by new systems.
• The system is not maintaining compliance with the Criteria or is exhibiting high warranty or theft experience in the field. The Production Audit process may illuminate non-compliances.
Deletions may be effected instantly at any listing. In order to clearly point out deletions they will be listed separately.
Important: If a significant safety or security issue is raised, leading to a system deletion, Thatcham will immediately issue a “Deletions Bulletin” to all Member Companies advising them of the situation.


Recommendations to Insurers for handling deletions
It is recommended that Insurers adopt the following approach for dealing with deletions:
• From the designated deletion date, do not recognise the deleted system for new business.
For existing customers continue to recognise the system indefinitely as a valid system or continue to recognise it if it was fitted
prior to application for insurance cover (new customers).
Note: Normally deleted systems should still attract insurance discounts and concessions but only if installed prior to the issuing of the current listing


Special Deletions Bulletins
If a “Special Deletions Bulletin” is issued for a system, Insurers may choose not to recognise previously installed systems as appropriate.
So - please can Vanbitz tell me where to look for the proof of their listing now not last year!!!
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France
) but is wireless totally reliable? I am not sure, maybe "wireless" contacts are now proven to be as secure as "wired" so I am not sure of the implications, but I like wires.
We have several delisted products listed.
but in the depths of the website I have found documents which I find are easier to understand.
