Dragon Car Alarms

Vehicle security fitting in Fareham for drivers across Hampshire and West Sussex

Dragon Car Alarms is a car security installer working from a base in Fareham, Hampshire. The company fits alarm, immobiliser and tracking systems to cars and vans, and states that its customers typically travel from Portsmouth, Southampton, Chichester, Guildford, Hampshire and West Sussex. Its stated approach is to advise each customer on the product that suits their car, their insurance requirements and their individual needs, and installations are carried out at the Fareham base.

The business has operated under the Dragon Car Alarms name since 2001, according to the copyright notice on its site. A separate website, Dragon Car Audio, covers car audio and other aftermarket car electronics.

Thatcham-approved alarms and insurance-oriented systems

A central part of the offer is Thatcham-approved equipment intended to satisfy insurance conditions. The company supplies Thatcham Category 1 alarms, describing them as suited to cars and vans, and notes that newer CANBus vehicles with integrated electrical systems running off a central backbone circuit require a Cat 1 upgrade system. It also refers to Thatcham Category 2 immobilisers as a minimum insurance requirement for UK cars, and to Thatcham Category S5 VTS vehicle tracking as a route to insurance compliance and protection; trackers require a monitoring subscription to remain compliant. Customers can additionally move up to a Category S5 VTS immobiliser that provides immobilisation at every stop.

Motorhome alarms and trackers

The company presents itself as experienced in motorhome alarms and trackers, with the choice of device depending on the insurer's requirements and the age of the vehicle. For newer vans built on Ducato or similar platforms it offers a Category 2:1 upgrade alarm. Where tracking is needed, it recommends an S5 VTS tracker with a unique tag, or an S5 VTS with immobilisation if required. A motorhome package combines an alarm with a sensor for the habitation door, so that intrusion into the main living area triggers the alarm; the alarm in that package is an Autowatch 695 2:1 upgrade suitable for most modern vans.

Non-insurance and additional security products

Beyond Thatcham-approved lines, Dragon Car Alarms supplies vehicle security products that are not Thatcham approved, including engine remote start alarms and the Autowatch Ghost Immobiliser. Some Pandora car alarms can be configured with anti-hijack functionality, although the company notes that this invalidates the alarm's Thatcham Category 1 status.

Specific products named on the site include:

• Ghost Immobiliser, which uses a unique sequence of existing dashboard buttons to deactivate the system, described as undetectable and suited to keyless-entry vehicles, supplied with or without tags.
• Pandora Smart Pro, an alarm that sends notifications and reports what triggered it in real time through an app or text message where there is mobile coverage; it is a Thatcham Insurance Cat 1 alarm and immobiliser.
• Ecotrak S5 VTS, presented as protection against relay theft, key cloning and OBD theft, with a tag that must be present to drive, a login portal, a free app, multi-vehicle capability and geo-fence alerts.
• Pandora Mini BT, an entry point to the Pandora range for modern cars, with built-in shock, tilt and motion sensors and two tags, one of which must be present to start the car.
• Clifford Concept 650, a Thatcham-approved Cat 1 alarm for insurance purposes with a dual-zone proximity sensor, two five-button remotes, a long-range amplified antenna and support for optional extras, described as ideal for older vehicles.

Combined packages

The site lists combined configurations alongside individual devices. One pairs a Category 2:1 upgrade alarm for insurance with an S5 tracker and immobilisation, aimed at countering key cloning, relay attack and OBD port theft on modern vans, using Eco Trak S5 VTS with immobiliser. Another combines the Ghost Immobiliser, which counters key theft, key cloning, relay attack and OBD port theft through a code entered before starting, with a Category S5 VTS tracker for insurance.

Product range by category

The catalogue groups products into insurance alarms, upgrade alarms, immobilisers, trackers, motorhome equipment, caravan security packages and remote start systems. Named lines include Pandora Elite, Pandora Light Pro, Pandora Storm, Pandora Eye, Pandora Camper Mini and Camper Pro, Hornet Maxx1, Autowatch 695 and 375, Clifford 2:1 Upgrade, Clifford BlackJax, Clifford Arrow 5.1 and SmartStart, Viper 3102v, Viper 106v, Viper One Way, Viper Two Way and Viper 586vi LCD. Tracking options include Eco Trak S5, Meta Trak S5, Smartrack S5, Scorpion S5, S5 VTS Plus, Eco Trak S5 Immo Deadlock, S5+ Smartrack, iMOB Fleet Tracking, Meta Trak Shield, Smartrack uTrack and self vehicle tracking, plus Category S7 ALS units from MetaTrak, Smartrack and Trident and a Caravan S7. The range also covers remote central locking and alarm removal.

Waiting facilities and location

Customers waiting at the Fareham base are provided with a dedicated waiting area, and the company notes that shops are within walking distance. The site also includes information on things to do while waiting.