Targus PA400U DEFCON 1 Ultra Notebook Computer Security System
by Targus
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List Price: Our Price: $19.99 You Save: $30.00 (60%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $7.95 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Targus PA400U DEFCON 1 Ultra Notebook Computer Security System
Customer Review: There is a newer model than the one in the photo: It's Great!
Summary: 5 Stars
I travel with my notebook in my backpack. I have had three of these things. You have to read the instructions to set the combination correctly!
They all have worked well and they NEVER have changed the combination on me spontaneously!
The newer model has the same features but uses AAA bats and not a 9V which the old one used. It is thiner than the old model also. I like the blinking red light when ever I arm it. I run the cable through my zipper on my backpack and leave in strapped to the desk or chair in my hotel room. It creates a shrill LOUD alarm (if you set it for this feature) when the unit is moved. There are two sensitivities. You can set it to only alarm if the cable is cut. Yes you can cut the cable with a good set of wire cutters...so it would not stop anyone determined to take your notebook from you and had strong intentions to do so. It will stop someone from just grabbing it and trying to run.
I also really like the little gadget in the photo...(lower right hand corner of photo) it fits into the security hole of my notebook very snugly. The cable of the Defcon can go through the hole of this gadget and you can just lay it next to your notebook and it will start to "scream" as soon as the notebook is moved (it does give you a ~15 second warning before "screaming" with a loud CHIRP sound, so you can disarm it. Go to Targus website and check it out. I don't work for them. I do believe they sell a quality little alarm. It is not Fort Knox, it is a lot better than nothing. Blinking light and siren deters the common dumb criminal (not on drugs or really crazy)from taking your computer. It's should be just one of a series of methods you have to secure your notebook, not the only one.
It's nice for travel. You can even hang the thing on a door knob and know if someone opens the door. It's a motion alarm with a blinking red light. The number of blinks tells you how it is armed. I recommend it.
Customer Review: Good product, but...
Summary: 3 Stars
Let me start by saying what I like about this device: it is relatively light, and works flawlessly both as security against and as a deterrent to anyone trying to walk off with your notebook. With this device, I feel safe leaving my $3000+ Sony Vaio sitting in the library for an hour while I go grab lunch. It takes 20 seconds to lock, and 20 seconds to unlock, and has been compatible with every notebook I've tried it on.That said, the device is not without its problems. Firstly, the device is HYPER-sensitive to motion. If one puts the device into motion-detection mode, it is very difficult to disarm (i.e. to rotate the combination dial) without setting off the alarm. What's worse yet is the 110db warning beep it lets out every time it detects even the slightest bit of motion, meaning that even if you are skilled enough not to set off the full alarm, you are going to have a rather embarassing time disarming it should be in any sort of quiet setting. In short, it is virtually impossible to use the motion detector feature in anywhere you might want it, like a library, since your neighbors will not likely be receptive to a series of 110db warning beeps. Another problem with the device is that there are only 1000 possible combinations. While this sounds like a petty complaint, it is significant -- if you plan to leave your notebook unattended for an hour or two, it is not difficult for your local sticky-fingers to run through all possible combinations before you get back. Let us hope no one is this daring, however. My final complaint about the device is a minor one -- I don't need a 110db beep to let me know the device is on.
Basically, Targus could fix most of the problems by having two volume levels for various warning beeps; instead, though, we have to suffer through these things at the same ear-piercing volume as the alarm.
Customer Review: Targus PA400U DEFCON 1 Ultra Notebook Computer Security System
Summary: 1 Stars
I had this for approximately 2 years. It worked fine for couple of months but suddenely started to activate the alarm without any disturbances. One day I left my laptop attached the alarm in my office for about half an hour. During this period, the alarm was activated and I was embarrased to face my office workers. This is without increasing the sensitivity of the alarm. I sent it back to Targus and they were nice enough to give me a new alarm. But after several months, it started the same problem.
So, now I am afraid to use this security system with my laptop. But I did not face problems like changing the combination by its own. You can use it without the alarm activation (i.e: without batteries) but the cable is so thin, it is not recommended to protect any valubles.
Customer Review: Too Sensitive to Motion
Summary: 3 Stars
Mine goes off with little or no motion. It almost seems that its own "beep" causes enough motion to make it "beep", which causes it to So I don't set it. The saving grace is that even if I don't set it, the alarm always goes off if the cable is cut. The thinness of the cable plus its retractability make it easier to travel with than the thick cables.Customer Review: User from New Jersey
Summary: 5 Stars
This product is very compact and easy to use. You dont need to carry a lengthy cable. This also has motion sensor which is very useful especially in hotels, and airports. The only problem is that there are only 999 combinations of lock which could be easy to break.