Car security systems are getting increasingly James Bond-like, if GeoVision's new box of tricks is anything to go by. The new GV-Compact DVR looks like an ordinary storage box, but could be the ultimate weapon against car thieves.
The box is designed to hook up to a mini anti-theft arsenal, including mini cameras, and even GPS if you're feeling fancy. In the scenario outlined to us by Altech reps, the box connects to a well-disguised "lipstick" popup camera, recording the activities of would-be carjackers on up to 500GB of internal hard drive space or up to 4 external drives.
The trickiness really kicks in when your wheels are stolen. Details are sketchy, but GeoVision claims the 3.2kg, $1,199 box has the ability for "real time video tracking". The box has the ability to send data via a UMTS 3G modem and monitor movements via a mini-GPS device "no bigger than a box of matches" (the distributors Altech say they're evaluating the GPS unit).
"If someone knocks off your car, it could call back and say 'your car is on corner of Smith and Jones street'," Altech's rep told us.
We're not sure if a commercial GPS tracking service would be easier, but security boxes like this (and others like those from Black Widow) will at least give you some peace of mind.