EMF
100 kW
In another part of the forum, we were discussing bike security or theft control, since our bikes are very expensive. It’s very easy to spend $2,000 dollars on a good eBike, not to mention the hours of research and labor that goes into one of these things. In short, we don’t want to be ripped off!
Several ideas were thrown around, as to what would be the best way to deter thieves. Not knowing for sure, I thought that maybe a way of detecting someone tampering with our bikes would be a good way to protect our investment. Prowling the interweb, I was able to find a nice looking, vibration detection alarm for bikes, with an advertised 110-decibel alarm that only costs 10 bucks!
It was purchased from a website called Virtual Village and the product is direct shipped from Shanghai, China – China uninsured postage 6 dollars. I ordered the product on November 17th and received it on December 12. Not bad, considering the distance this package had to travel, not to mention the process of filling the order!
http://www.virtualvillage.com/items/item.aspx?itemid=4380934&utm_source=baseusa&utm_medium=shopping
The package arrived (miraculously) in perfect condition, having been placed in a bubble-wrap mailer. After cutting this open, upon opening the box, I could tell immediately that this little alarm was extremely well made and also well thought out. For instance, as you can see in the pictures, the battery compartment slider cannot be opened once the unit is installed on your bike. The Gallop came with a sheet of instructions and also, a very nice, personalized letter from my new account manager from Virtual Village, giving me an email address in case there were any problems, not to mention, a code for 25% off another purchase. First class company!
In the pictures below, you will see the packaging and can get an idea of the size as well. You power the device with a single 9-volt battery (not included) and it will tell you by beeping once a minute, when the battery is low. In short, the device can be set to 3 different levels of vibration sensing. Simply press the “Câ€￾ button for 2 seconds and you will hear 1,2 or 3 beeps-with the 3 beeps signifying highest sensitivity.
You arm it by depressing the “Bâ€￾ button for 2 seconds and you will hear a reassuring chirp, telling you that the alarm is activated and will be functioning in 5 seconds. At first, it will give a warning alarm 5 times. If tampering continues, it will sound 15 seconds continually.
Once I installed the battery and played with the Gallop for a bit, I determined that it did perform pretty much as advertised. However, I suspect that the claim of the alarm producing 110 decibels was a bit of a stretch, however, without a proper sound meter, this is just my subjective conclusion. In the video, you might be the judge. I will say that the device sounds too much like a cell phone and to me, wont arouse any attention other than a quick glance at best from a passer by.
Installation consists of slipping the unit around the tube of your bike, then securing with 2 phillips head bolts with nuts that are supplied with the kit.
Bottom line - Will it cause a thief to move on to another bike…I don’t know. Is it worth 10 dollars? Absolutely!
You can see a video here, if you want to see this device in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRY_Ck6WY_A
Pros:
· price and quality – good instructions, well made
· Virtual Village seems to be a good web store
· Easy to install and use
Cons:
· Alarm is not sensitive enough to detect someone taking items from your rear bag
· Alarm sounds too much like a cell phone and is certainly not loud enough. Possibly the 110 decibel claim is incorrect
Final thoughts:
Of course, I could somehow place the Gallop inside my bag and it would sense better there. However, you would have to open, arm and then close your bag each time – sort of a hassle. Not to mention, you only have 5 seconds to close the bag back up. Plus, inside the bag, the alarm is even less noticeable I am sure.
Having said that, there is certainly no disadvantage to having this alarm on your bike and if a thief sees it, or hears it, they just might move along and you can’t beat the price! Maybe someone could hack this thing and create an ear shattering alarm. But as is, it does not seem to be a very good deterrent in my opinion.
Several ideas were thrown around, as to what would be the best way to deter thieves. Not knowing for sure, I thought that maybe a way of detecting someone tampering with our bikes would be a good way to protect our investment. Prowling the interweb, I was able to find a nice looking, vibration detection alarm for bikes, with an advertised 110-decibel alarm that only costs 10 bucks!
It was purchased from a website called Virtual Village and the product is direct shipped from Shanghai, China – China uninsured postage 6 dollars. I ordered the product on November 17th and received it on December 12. Not bad, considering the distance this package had to travel, not to mention the process of filling the order!
http://www.virtualvillage.com/items/item.aspx?itemid=4380934&utm_source=baseusa&utm_medium=shopping
The package arrived (miraculously) in perfect condition, having been placed in a bubble-wrap mailer. After cutting this open, upon opening the box, I could tell immediately that this little alarm was extremely well made and also well thought out. For instance, as you can see in the pictures, the battery compartment slider cannot be opened once the unit is installed on your bike. The Gallop came with a sheet of instructions and also, a very nice, personalized letter from my new account manager from Virtual Village, giving me an email address in case there were any problems, not to mention, a code for 25% off another purchase. First class company!
In the pictures below, you will see the packaging and can get an idea of the size as well. You power the device with a single 9-volt battery (not included) and it will tell you by beeping once a minute, when the battery is low. In short, the device can be set to 3 different levels of vibration sensing. Simply press the “Câ€￾ button for 2 seconds and you will hear 1,2 or 3 beeps-with the 3 beeps signifying highest sensitivity.
You arm it by depressing the “Bâ€￾ button for 2 seconds and you will hear a reassuring chirp, telling you that the alarm is activated and will be functioning in 5 seconds. At first, it will give a warning alarm 5 times. If tampering continues, it will sound 15 seconds continually.
Once I installed the battery and played with the Gallop for a bit, I determined that it did perform pretty much as advertised. However, I suspect that the claim of the alarm producing 110 decibels was a bit of a stretch, however, without a proper sound meter, this is just my subjective conclusion. In the video, you might be the judge. I will say that the device sounds too much like a cell phone and to me, wont arouse any attention other than a quick glance at best from a passer by.
Installation consists of slipping the unit around the tube of your bike, then securing with 2 phillips head bolts with nuts that are supplied with the kit.
Bottom line - Will it cause a thief to move on to another bike…I don’t know. Is it worth 10 dollars? Absolutely!
You can see a video here, if you want to see this device in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRY_Ck6WY_A
Pros:
· price and quality – good instructions, well made
· Virtual Village seems to be a good web store
· Easy to install and use
Cons:
· Alarm is not sensitive enough to detect someone taking items from your rear bag
· Alarm sounds too much like a cell phone and is certainly not loud enough. Possibly the 110 decibel claim is incorrect
Final thoughts:
Of course, I could somehow place the Gallop inside my bag and it would sense better there. However, you would have to open, arm and then close your bag each time – sort of a hassle. Not to mention, you only have 5 seconds to close the bag back up. Plus, inside the bag, the alarm is even less noticeable I am sure.
Having said that, there is certainly no disadvantage to having this alarm on your bike and if a thief sees it, or hears it, they just might move along and you can’t beat the price! Maybe someone could hack this thing and create an ear shattering alarm. But as is, it does not seem to be a very good deterrent in my opinion.
