Steal a Dash? NOT!
Seems like every day there’s another article about GPS devices being stolen out of cars:
Thefts of GPS units from cars on the rise (registration may be required)
We had a bit of this in our national road test but fortunately we have a secret defense - over the air software updates. Because all Dash devices are connected we can push a software update over the cellular link. If a tester’s device was stolen they could call us up, verify their identity, and then we’d send down a software update that replaced all the software on their device with a simple program that said ‘This device has been disabled’. If you feel this is an error call 1-800-XXX-XXXX’. I know what you’re thinking - why not say something a bit more vengeful? Well, it turns out what goes around comes around. Someone stole one of our devices and decided to give it to his brother for his birthday. But, he neglected to steal the cradle. His brother then called the number asking that his device be re-activated and could we send him a new cradle. Our fabulous support group said sure! What’s your address and phone number? Bingo, his new cradle showed up in a black and white delivery vehicle 
September 25th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
GO DASH! GO DASH! You guys think of EVERYTHING!
September 26th, 2007 at 8:37 am
September 26th, 2007 at 8:38 am
September 26th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Have you looked into using the two-way info to actually track down stolen units? Privacy issues aside (which I realize are not trivial), while there may be some satisfaction that a stolen unit is useless, 9/10 times they’ll just get tossed and you’re still out $700 for a new unit…
September 27th, 2007 at 9:36 am
The first time one of our units was stolen we sure had the urge to add tracking - but then we thought about what we would actually do with the information. Would the police in a typical city go track down someone that just stole a $500 device? Probably not. We also discussed the privacy issues with our testers at several in person dinners. The conclusion was that the privacy concerns and the need to avoid a vigilante creation tool won out. I will share that when one tester device was stolen several other testers used the ’send to friend’ feature to send the address of the local jail to the stolen device with some colorful messages in the description - didn’t bring the device back but sure made them feel better
September 27th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Interesting point on the vigilante aspect. I do fully understand the privacy can of worms is best to avoid for now, but I’ve seen several advisories recently from police that warn of rapidly rising theft rates for these devices — driven by the fact that they are relatively expensive, easy to spot & grab, in high demand, and still have low market penetration (so there is a strong secondary market on ebay, etc.). I’m sure it will get much worse, and given the two way abilities, a solution, or perhaps an opt-in solution to help with privacy concerns may help drive sales even more. Perhaps requiring a police report in order to track a device would be another solution. The upside is possible recovery (for your customers and insurance cos to benefit), and secondarily a deterrent once word gets out….
September 27th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
All good points - this is an area we’ll be listening carefully to our customers when we roll out. One other aspect of our ability to wipe the device over the air (OTA) - this also includes your address book. One concern with competing units is when a thief steels them they also typically have an address card entry called home and a device that will take you to your likely un-occupied house. By wiping that form the device we prevent them from driving right to your house after steeling your GPS.
October 1st, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Shouldn’t you be very much concerned about the TomTom/Tele Atlas deal and the recently announced Nokia/Navteq deal? I believe these deals raise significant antitrust ieeuse for the the PND manufacturers since the leading and dominant digital map makers will now be controlled by your PND competitors. Please call me or email me to discuss a strategy for contacting the DOJ to complain about these anticompetitive transactions. Thanks, Bob Doyle 202-589-1839.
October 5th, 2007 at 8:24 am
I think we stressed that this unique feature is very important to DASH and can be advantageous to them, happy to see they are finally leveraging their capability to differentiate themselves from other GPS units.
December 11th, 2007 at 8:10 am
Genius. I want one of these now.
January 13th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I am SO glad to find you guys! I did a search for “tracking stolen GPS units” on Google and found your site. The ability to wipe and/or disable the unit remotely is genius and an appropriate “conservative” business response to the “liberal” problem of common thieves and thugs!
I have just found the replacement unit to the Magellan 800 unit that was stolen in my own driveway (along with a $250 window replacement bill!) by a probable Hillary supporter!
That’s my opinion, and it ought to be yours!(sm)
Larry Copling
http://www.Copling.com
January 19th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I believe the 4 digit code should be set in everybodies gps. when left for 5 minutes it lock out. if you dont know the code you cant use it. now a device that has a remote detonation would be sweet!!! that will teach em!!!
July 11th, 2008 at 8:09 am
sure would be nice to give this to my kids and be able to know where they are
My cell phone has a private tracking software called Chaperone that I can use to track it…is there a way to encrypt the info to use Dash in the same way? Touchy area I know but could a be HUGE seller for parents of teenagers! 
July 11th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
@Cal Our privacy policy doesn’t currently support us tracking individual units - data is aggregated anonymously. However, ideas such as these are excellent food for thought. Thanks!
August 29th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
This all sounds great - but don’t you have any plans for double DIN unit to be installed in-dash? You would have customer for life if this could be done!!! I just really hate the portable devices…
September 9th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
GOOD!
I WAS a Garmin customer. PArt of the reason was that I thought they were good about registering stolen units and returning them.
WRONG!
I had two Garmin Units stolen and immediately reported this to Garmin thinking they would put this in their database.
Well, I wanted a software update which I would be eligable for on one of the stolen units. I was told that I would need to submit a police report or buy a new copy of the software in question.
Given that GPS Units are the number one item that is stolen, it would seem that an “industry leader” like Garmin would do everything in its power to fight GPS theft and support its victimised customers.
Nope.
According to the Tech Support people the stolen status is noted, yet they are still upgrading the software on the stolen unit.
I am glad I found you because the next GPS unit I’m buying will come from you based upon the poor treatment I have received from Garmin.
Garmin has lost my business unless they drastically change their attitude about stolen units.
October 9th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Great idea. I suppose that since GPS units by their very nature and function, always know exactly where they are. Its seems an easy matter to be able to pinpoint the location of a stolen unit somehow to catch the theives. Here’s hoping! P.S. This is why I like the portable ones.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Excellent discussion. The possibility of the Dash doubling as a mini-GPS lowjack occurred to me after I felt guilty lecturing my daughter-in-law about hiding evidence of an on-board GPS device when she parked. I appreciate (really)Dash’s reluctance to track individuals units and report them, but clear wording in a privacy policy, an opt-in option for the service, and automated, authenticated reporting should cover those concerns. Keep on thinking about it.
I can’t begin to tell you how difficult it was to give the Dash away as a gift and keep my TomTom.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Any one who wants the peace of mind that comes from knowing where their personal assets are.Beside monitoring your teens driving from the comfort of your home through a computer.And for companies with multiple vehicles imagine being able to save a lot of money and increase productivity with the use of a simple device.That’s why my GPS Tracking Device is one of the best in the business and work for you 24/7.Don’t wait another day.Hop on it now and save for your teens and your business future.
December 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
I believe disabling a stolen GPS is a great ideal. I mean why would’nt you? I have GPS installed in my truck because I want to catch a thief if they steel my truck. Then I will press charges and see that the thief pays for their actions. Doesn’t make sense for a company to continue to provide upgrades and support to units that they know are stolen.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Great stuff, thanx! will add your RSS. in connection with the trackers would you go GSM or use a GPS tracker?
December 20th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Great write up - five stars. I bookmarked this page.
December 21st, 2009 at 2:53 am
Interesting read. There is currently quite a lot of information around this subject around and about on the net and some are most defintely better than others. You have caught the detail here just right which makes for a refreshing change - thanks.
February 1st, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Great product. After long research, it seems as Garmin is best gps product over all.
Signal is always good, fast re-route calculation, easy to use and more user friendly.
The product is little bit high but it’s worth every penny.