charlesteton wrote:

In the UK, bonnet and door theft is quite widespread on Defender's. There was also a spike in bonnet thefts in 2011 when the Puma bonnet bulge came in, lots of idiot thinking its cool to have on pre-2011. Theft of Defender's has reached epidemic proportions, just check out the stats at LandyWatch.

It will indeed be interesting to see your prototype product. Are these going to be available or just a one off?

As mentioned and agreed the layered approach is best, I have a number of layers above standard each hopefully reaching the two minute guide and a sytem for recovery/disablement of the vehicle remotely. As the title suggests these hinges are 'anti-theft' are yours going to be 'theft proof?'

Look forward to seeing and constructively viewing your own product. Good luck.

Lifted originally from another forum.....

K9F wrote:

It is clear that there is no single magic solution to security. Each security product just buys you time - and it is time that is the real deterrent to potential thieves, not loud alarms nor flashing lights. Most people simply ignore alarms. The more time your vehicle takes to steal, the greater the chance a potential thief will be caught so the more likely they are to move on to a less protected vehicle.

Curiously, the magic time delay is roughly 2 minutes. A delay of 2 mins will make most thieves move to another vehicle. A delay of 4 mins will not give you twice the protection (a case of diminishing returns). However, two security products which each take more than 2 minutes to defeat does seem to offer double the protection. This is the reason specialists recommend a 'layered' approach. Each product provides one layer of protection and you decide how many layers you need for the risk in your area.

X4SKP wrote:

Hello dgardel...

1 The new Optimill hinge protects 'itself' by being more difficult to remove from the bonnet
due to the obscured fixings from the outside. presumably once fitted these can be removed intentionally
by the owner, by lifting the bonnet and reversing the process of installation... or am I missing something?

2 The main hinge bolt probably has a security head to it but could still be removed with the right tool.
........

yes correct

The hinges pivoting pin is retained by a grain from the bottom side, so you do not have screws from the outside. Discovery 5 td6 HSE Stornoway Gray Outback Engineering Limited Edition

IID Pro MV License

X4SKP wrote:

'Theft Proof' is a tough ask. Mine will be unusual / if not unique when viewed, therefore aiming to put off an attempt.
If attempted the aim then is to slow down, inconvenience, surprises, etc, together with the requirement for specialised tools / probably even the requirement for a unique tool. the net of this is to hope the gives up.

X4SKP wrote:

Hello K9F

Mine are currently viewed as a one off.

'Theft Proof' is a tough ask. Mine will be unusual / if not unique when viewed, therefore aiming to put off an attempt.
If attempted the aim then is to slow down, inconvenience, surprises, etc, together with the requirement for specialised tools / probably even the requirement for a unique tool. the net of this is to hope the gives up.

I agree, for most 'have a go' car thieves multiple aspects, that require the above, can only help.

I have undertaken a Patent Search, so know what is currently filed (in Europe).
I may put in an Application before disclosure, but commercially, my judgement currently, is that there's not much
in it, despite the fact that all in if you have your bonnet stolen it's a 1K fix.