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& Cheryl Imboden'sEurope for Visitors europeforvisitors.com |
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TrackIT Anti-Theft Alarm
LEFT: The TrackIT Receiver/Alarm goes into your bag. RIGHT: The Keychain Transmitter sends a constant signal to the Receiver/Alarm, preventing activation while your bag is nearby. (Keys are for arming or disarming the Receiver/Alarm.) Archived article October, 2005: TrackIT Corporation appears to be out of business. (Its Web site has been replaced by a parked-domain page that consists of ads.) Muggings are rare in Western Europe, but many tourists become victims of pickpockets, purse-snatchers, and luggage thieves. My "Crime in Europe" article has tips on protecting your belongings, and here's another one: Buy the TrackIT Portable Anti-Theft System, which is designed to scare the daylights out of anyone foolish enough to steal your laptop or camera bag, suitcase, backpack, or purse. It also sounds an alarm if you're forgetful and leave your valuables behind. A device in two parts TrackIT has two components: a Keychain Transmitter and a Receiver/Alarm, with a total system weight of 150 grams or 5-1/4 ounces. You keep the Keychain Transmitter on your person and place the Receiver/Alarm in your bag, preferably in an outer pocket. (If you travel with a lot of valuables, you can use one Keychain Transmitter to control multiple TrackIT alarms.) A defense against thieves When you turn on the Keychain Transmitter and arm the Receiver/Alarm by turning its key, a short-range radio signal keeps the alarm from going off. If a thief grabs your bag and carries it out of range, the Receiver/Alarm loses the radio signal and sounds a loud, warbling siren. This usually will be enough to make the thief drop your bag and disappear into the crowd. A deterrent to mashers As a bonus, the Keychain Transmitter has a "panic button" that you can use to sound the alarm instantly if you're in danger of being molested or mugged, if your bag is snatched, or if you want to discourage a potential crook. The alarm stops when you release the button, unless the assailant has run out of range with your bag (in which case the alarm will continue screeching). Note: The alarm range varies, depending on the operating environment and whether you've chosen the "high" or "low" setting. In my informal testing at the "low" setting, the alarm usually sounded when the two components were about 20 feet or 6 meters apart. Where to buy it TrackIT retails for US $59.95. Look for it at a retailer that sells travel accessories, or order it from TrackIT Corporation's Web site at [Web site no longer functioning. - Oct., 2005]. Photos copyright © TrackIT Corporation. Used by permission. |
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