Alarm installers in Houston?

[sleemie]

I THINK I've decided to get an Audiovox alarm system for my car based on the price and having heard things about it. To be honest, I'm still really not sure what to do about my situation. I'm moving to Houston and I've heard they love to steal cars and rims down there. I've already got a lojack, so I'm more concerned about the rims getting stolen. I've heard a ton of different opinions in terms of what to go with. The tech at the dodge dealer really doesn't like the idea of third party alarms, and he wasn't trying to sell mopar because they don't even make an alarm for the 2008 yet, and he didn't even recommend THAT. My car currently has NO alarm, which makes no sense to sell a car like that without even a basic factory alarm system. I'm thinking I might just move down and take a chance and wait to see if I come out one morning and it's up on blocks and THEN get an alarm system for it after my insurance gets pissed at me.

So, anyways, in case i go with the Audiovox, can anyone recommend a good installer in the Houston area?

Thanx.

[flyboi]

I've been living in Houston for 3 years and it's true, they love to steal cars and rims here. They've tried me twice, but were unsuccessful. It usually happens in the apartment complexes, so having a garage is a must. You can go to mobile one near Sharpstown mall for an alarm install. This guy Juakim (pronounced - waah keem) gives good prices. Another good idea is to get the sensors for your tires, case someone tries to jack your car up the alarm will go off. I know this works well with Viper alarms, but not sure with other brands. Just watch where you park and get as much security on your car as you can and you should be okay.

[sleemie]

That's why I'm so concerned, I'm moving into an apartment complex in the Medical Center area. Guess I better get something, then. What do you have on yours?

[flyboi]

I have a Viper alarm with the beeper that goes off every time the alarm is triggered. I also have lojack (most HPD cars can track lojack cars, it isn't like that in some places), the club and a .380 pistol. I plan on getting the tire sensors pretty soon. They run a little under 100 bucks. The Medical Center isn't a bad area, but no area is immune to car thefts. I stay in Katy, which is a nice area, but even the scum make their way out there ocassionaly.

[sleemie]

Just talked to Juakim and they currently have a close-out special on a Viper 690xv for $349.00 installed, but I can't take advantage of it because I won't be down there until April 10, but he said they have other deals so I'll check back when I get down there.

What's the deal on the gun laws down there? I know you can get a permit to carry a concealed weapon, but what's the law in terms of using it? Like if someone is breaking into your car are you allowed to brandish your weapon to scare them away? I have to assume you're not allowed to shoot them if they're unarmed and breaking into your car. Also, if you don't have the concealed weapon permit, are you allowed to take it out of your house and go after someone breaking into your car?

[flyboi]

I'm glad you asked about the gun laws. They just passed a law that allows you to carry a gun in your vehicle without a license. The law is basically saying that a car is an extension of your house, so it's legal to carry and shoot anyone who you feel may cause you harm..... just like in your house. You still need a license to carry outside those two areas, so leave the gun in the car if you don't have a license. I don't like riding with weapons, but after 1 attempted car jacking around TSU on Scott street and 2 car theft attempts... plus my girlfriend is usually in my car... it's a necessity. I work downtown and I stick to myself, but these Chargers stick out like a sore thumb if you have them fixed up. I don't want to scare you because those mishaps did take place in bad areas. I lived in SW Houston for awhile bcuz I didn't know much about Houston and didn't know it was a bad area, but I found that out really quick, then moved out. My girlfriend goes to TSU and that area is extremely bad... I'm talking crack head city... so the attempted car jacking happened after dropping her off. Like I said, I stay in Katy now and I haven't had any problems since I first moved here.

[sleemie]

Would you happen to know the law if someone is trying to steal your car and you're in the house and you don't have the permit and you want to go out and protect your car?

What happened with your attempted jacking?

I have thought about that, also. I'm gonna have my 12 year old son with me a lot and have thought about having some protection. I mean I would let them take the car if they would just kick us out and take it, especially with the lo-jack, but if they tried to take it with him in it or if they tried to hurt us or something I would want to be able to prevent that. Or if I saw them approaching the car and could see what was about to go down even use it as a deterent.

[sleemie]

Speaking of guns, could you recommend a place for that also? I take it you have to have your TX driver's license. I'll only have my VA one when I first move down. Speaking of bad areas, I mentioned sharptown to a friend of mine down there who lives out in the sticks and she was like NO NO NO, stay away! Doesn't sound like a place I'd want to live, but wouldn't have any problem going there to get my car done. I think some of those surburban texan women think every area in the city is bad.

[Liquidice281]

That's why I'm so concerned, I'm moving into an apartment complex in the Medical Center area. Guess I better get something, then. What do you have on yours?



100% Garage or Anti-Rim Theft Alarm. My friend had his rims taken two years ago on campus at Rice University, across the street from the Medical Center. Sometime between 4PM-6PM in the afternoon. We went into the field house for a meeting, came out an no rims...car on blocks.

Same guy about 6-8 months later. He had insurance on the wheels - got a new set. Same situation. 4PM in the field house, came out at 6PM.... no car. Police found the car a few days later stripped.

H-Town FTW...

<3 Liquid

[Liquidice281]

Speaking of guns, could you recommend a place for that also? I take it you have to have your TX driver's license. Speaking of bad areas, I mentioned sharptown....

Sharpstown = Big No No. Stay away from 3rd Ward area, Medical Center, and Westheimer. As for guns - in the great state of Texas there is no waiting period for guns and assault weapons can have 30-round clips. Jesus I love Texas. Get your Texas License and you're good to go. I recommend Carter's Country (http://www.carterscountry.net/) (supporting vendor?) for all your self-defense needs. Go with a .45 ACP Hollow-Point. Take a look at the Springfield XD .45 ACP. 13 Rounds :devil:


<3 Liquid

[Liquidice281]

Would you happen to know the law if someone is trying to steal your car and you're in the house and you don't have the permit and you want to go out and protect your car?

What happened with your attempted jacking?



Last post, I promise.....

As per Texas Law.

"A person is justified in using deadly force against another to protect his property to the degree he reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to prevent the other's imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, theft during the nighttime or criminal mischief during the nighttime, and he reasonably believes that the property cannot be protected by any other means."

"A person is justified in using deadly force against another to pervent the other who is fleeing after committing burglary, robbery, or theft during the nighttime, from escaping with the property and he reasonable believes that the property cannot be recovered by any other means; or, the use of force other than deadly force to protect or recover the property would expose him or another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. (Nighttime is defined as the period 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.)"


My uncle was car-jacked downtown. He was at a light and a guy came up with a gun and said get out of the car. My uncle said "You really dont want to do that, boy." The guy spooked and ran off and my uncle stepped out and hit him 1x in the back and 1x in the leg with a .38 special. Called the police and filled out a report over the telephone and had to do another followup over the phone a week later. Craziness.

Also something to take into account, apartment break-ins/invasions are a real risk in Houston. Get your Texas License and get a gun.

<3 Liquid

[sleemie]

As far as staying away from med center, that's where my son lives and that's where I'm getting an apartment, so I guess I've just gotta deal with it.

Looks like I'll need to be getting a piece along with my alarm very soon after getting down there. I'm gonna be nervous even on the first night without having an alarm on it....probably need to set up my alarm for the next day.

As far as the gun rules, won't have my tx license right away, but I have a piece someone gave me when I was a teenager and I have NO idea of it's history, but would that be considered legal to have in my car or in house if I didn't purchase it in TX, or purchase it at all, and since I won't have a tx license?

Someone mentioned insurance for the wheels, if your wheels came stock on the car when you purchased you don't need to insure them separately, do you? Even if they are the 20" chrome plated ones?

[Liquidice281]

Yea, Med Center isnt THAT bad but there are better places. If you have stock wheels dont worry about them. If its OEM it should be covered by your auto insurance. Also, people dont steal stock rims - they go for the aftermarket 22in+ super elaborate ones so I wouldnt be concerned with 20in stock wheels. In fact, I probably wont alarm my 22in Comp grey vipers because they arent 'flashy' enough to be stolen.

And as for your illegal firearm - keep it in the house. If you get pulled over with an unregistered firearm get ready to go to jail.

<3 Liquid

[sleemie]

I do want to get an alarm system for it since it has none at all right now, and i figure why not spend a few extra bucks for the tilt sensors on the wheels. My wheels are kinda flashy, but not as flashy as the big funky 22s they love down there. The 2008 R/T package comes with the shiny 20s, don't think the previous years did.

[flyboi]

Listen to Liquidice... everything he wrote was the truth. The attempted car jacking took place right across the street from Univ of Hoston... down the street from TSU. I was at a red light and I saw this guy (looked like a bum) approaching my car. I didn't think anything of it because they usually have bums walking on the street in that area. The guy kept approaching and pulled a gun from his side. I froze for a sec while he pointed the gun at the window. I don't know what got into me bcuz I just pulled off. I'm lucky he didn't shoot. I didn't have a gun at the time, but got one shortly after. I was able to catch the other guys because my beeper went off on my key chain once my alarm was triggered. Today a 13yr led the police on a car chase in a stolen G6... I'm telling you it's wild in some of these areas. Like I said b4 I don't want to scare you because it's not all bad. But it is something to be aware of. The good thing is that there are plenty of other Chargers fixed up out here, so I hope that there isn't too much of a need for mines LOL!! Good luck and remember a car isn't worth losing your life for.... so if your backs against the wall, give it up.

[jackal98]

You all are going to scare this fella into staying away from Houston.

Yes Houston is city with crime issues, but what major city is 100% safe? I do agree with getting an alarm because it is supposed to be a theft deterent and reduces some insurance premiums. I also agree with having home and car protection but please don't have the mentality that this is the wild, wild west.

The suburbs are becoming dangerous as the the inner city may be. When I stayed near Tomball, someone tried to break in my 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 without the Hemi; it only had a hard cover over its bed.

Carter's County has good prices on guns and please stay away from pawn shops. Carter sells both new and used guns with background checks on the person and guns. I don't know if pawn shops do that. And since you have a youngster, please buy a gun with a saftey and lock. Lots of kids in Texas are killed because they find a handgun and starting playing with it. I have Glocks because i don't have kids and don't want to deal with a safety at 3AM if a burgular arrives.

Also look into taking the class for obtaining a concealed handgun class. That will eliminate all of your issues about gun carrying in the state of Texas. There are some states that the license can be used in as well. But some public places such as the workplace, schools, and malls prohibit guns, even with the license.

I would stay away from Sharpstown unless you just have to have something you cannot find anywhere else, like 22 inch rims for $1 each.

[TheCrow13]

You all are going to scare this fella into staying away from Houston.

Yes Houston is city with crime issues, but what major city is 100% safe? I do agree with getting an alarm because it is supposed to be a theft deterent and reduces some insurance premiums. I also agree with having home and car protection but please don't have the mentality that this is the wild, wild west.

The suburbs are becoming dangerous as the the inner city may be. When I stayed near Tomball, someone tried to break in my 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 without the Hemi; it only had a hard cover over its bed.

Carter's County has good prices on guns and please stay away from pawn shops. Carter sells both new and used guns with background checks on the person and guns. I don't know if pawn shops do that. And since you have a youngster, please buy a gun with a saftey and lock. Lots of kids in Texas are killed because they find a handgun and starting playing with it. I have Glocks because i don't have kids and don't want to deal with a safety at 3AM if a burgular arrives.

Also look into taking the class for obtaining a concealed handgun class. That will eliminate all of your issues about gun carrying in the state of Texas. There are some states that the license can be used in as well. But some public places such as the workplace, schools, and malls prohibit guns, even with the license.

I would stay away from Sharpstown unless you just have to have something you cannot find anywhere else, like 22 inch rims for $1 each.

Dude...relax...
Don't know where you are from...I've been in H-Town area for @18yrs...came from Philly..like Jac says all big towns the same. Most complex in Med center are gated.. Would advse alarm, but remember...if anyone anywhere wants your car...they will get it! Thiefs usually go to nice areas to get cars...that's where they are...

I have F150 PU...one of most stolen vehicles here...has been broken into (1x)....before I had alarm... stole RF bd1000,750Xamp and head unit.....Now have alarm with pager... most only good to @ 1500 feet...

For the most part...I moved here...and would never go back...

Again...relax

[sleemie]

Well, can't scare me away from Houston because my son is there and I figure if he's gotta be in that mess then I need to be there with him.

I do plan on getting a gun and then a permit, I'll have to figure out how to handle the quick access situation in the home, though.

For the record, I thought I remembered someone mentioning in this thread that you're now allowed to keep a gun in your car and they treat it as an extension of your home, but that's not exactly true I found out. You're only allowed to have a gun in your car if you're considered to be "traveling," which I was told is considered passing through one entire county or something like that. I'm sure there will be some issues coming up as to people claiming to be travelers when they really weren't. He did tell me, though, you can come out of your house and bust a cap in someone's a$$ (that's my language) if they're breaking into your car. My intent would be to chase them away, and would only shoot them if absolutely necessary. I do plan on getting a permit, though, not to even have that issue. The guy at Carter's told me that the number of car jackings has significantly decreased because there's the potential for too many people to have guns in their cars.

Sharpstown came up because flyboi recommended getting my alarm from this place there. I don't know much about Houston as far as places to trust with my car and alarms, so if someone here recommends it I wanna use them. I don't really have too many qualms about going into the hood in daylight to get my alarm installed. Besides, if they're in the hood I'm sure they're experienced with setting up systems to protect your car.

[zirad54]

Well, can't scare me away from Houston because my son is there and I figure if he's gotta be in that mess then I need to be there with him.

I do plan on getting a gun and then a permit, I'll have to figure out how to handle the quick access situation in the home, though.

For the record, I thought I remembered someone mentioning in this thread that you're now allowed to keep a gun in your car and they treat it as an extension of your home, but that's not exactly true I found out. You're only allowed to have a gun in your car if you're considered to be "traveling," which I was told is considered passing through one entire county or something like that. I'm sure there will be some issues coming up as to people claiming to be travelers when they really weren't. He did tell me, though, you can come out of your house and bust a cap in someone's a$$ (that's my language) if they're breaking into your car. My intent would be to chase them away, and would only shoot them if absolutely necessary. I do plan on getting a permit, though, not to even have that issue. The guy at Carter's told me that the number of car jackings has significantly decreased because there's the potential for too many people to have guns in their cars.

Sharpstown came up because flyboi recommended getting my alarm from this place there. I don't know much about Houston as far as places to trust with my car and alarms, so if someone here recommends it I wanna use them. I don't really have too many qualms about going into the hood in daylight to get my alarm installed. Besides, if they're in the hood I'm sure they're experienced with setting up systems to protect your car.

http://loneranger2008.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/texas-castle-doctrine-the-law-word-for-word/