Xena disc lock with alarm
Hello there,
I haven't purchased a bike yet, but am thinking ahead about security. A popular device seems to be disc locks. So I found this Xena disc lock with alarm on Amazon.com for a reasonable price:
http://www.amazon.com/Xena-XX-6-Motorcycle-Disc-Alarm/dp/B002TX1WKI/ref=...
I'm just wondering how this thing works exactly, and how sensitive it is. If someone came up and fiddled with the lock, would it go off with just a shake of the lock? Also, suppose I didn't have the lock on my bike and just had it in my bag. If I dropped my bag, would the alarm go off? I ask because apparently you can't turn this device off.
Sorry if these seem like dumb questions, but I have no experience with alarm systems whatsoever (cars, homes, etc.).
Thx.
It auto-arms itself when you
It auto-arms itself when you put it on the brake disc - you can't see it on the picture, but there's actually something like an optical sensor in the middle, so when you put the lock on your disc - it closes off the sensor and the alarm gets armed. When it's in you bag - the sensor is clear, the alarm is disarmed. I believe there're more details on Xena's own website.
About the sensitivity - it's good. Not too oversensitive - it can be left out under strong wind, and as long as the bike itself doesn't move - it'll be good. But just kick the wheel or try to get the bike lifted from it's stand - and it goes off shrieking. Also there're reports from some people that rain affects the sensitivity badly, but we don't have much of the rain here so I can't comment on that personally.
Otherwise - I have two of these on my two bikes and can't complain about anything really.
Xena Alarm Disc Lock
I have been using one of the Xena alarms for about 3 years. It has to be on a disc to be active. When you lock it to the disc, it give s a little beep to let you know it is armed. Sensitivity is greatest when locked to the top of the disc. Any movement to the bike is more amplified with the alarm in that position. I have not noticed any problem in the rain. If the alarm is tripped, it sounds for about 20 seconds or so then goes off.
Max
I've had my XENA lock for
I've had my XENA lock for less then a year but it seems to work just fine. I would say it is definetly not too sensitive. As a matter of fact, I wish it was just a bit more sensitive.
About my only complaint is that it was super hard getting the battery in the compartment. I kept setting off the alarm. Once I put on ear muffs I was able to get the battery in with no problem even though it kept going off.
They're pretty good but...
They're pretty good but have a tendency to false alarm.
When I had batteries in mine, it would quite often go off for no apparent reason; even in my locked garage.
Batteries (surprisingly) last for a long time, and yes, like kirk says, the alarm does go off when you're changing the batteries.
I haven't bothered replacing the batteries this time (due to the false alarms) and I just use it as a disk lock now (no alarm). I use an orange disk lock reminder cable with it.
Dont they have ones without
Dont they have ones without alarms or something?
Could get this one and one without the alarm or can you only put one on the back/front disks?
They do, but a simple disc
They do, but a simple disc lock wouldnt stop 2 or 3 guys from picking up your bike and putting it in a van. The alarm, at least, would scare the piss out of them and draw more attention to what they are doing and has a better chance of scaring them off.