While considering a car alarm I have come across the Toad text alert system which can work independently of an alarm, senses shock, and sends a text message to a pre-specified mobile phone using an on-board orange PAYG sim when a shock is detected or an alarm activated. It apparently can also double up as a tracking system with MST Locate (I wonder if it would meet the requirements for reduced insurance costs...) See GSM Alarms - Toad Text Alert for a description of the system and a link to the manual.

I was considering getting one and running it independently so if anything happens to the car I get alerted, but people don't get all excited about setting an alarm off. Anyone tried one out?

When I get a chance I'll call Toad and ask if the sim can be changed to an Orange one that gives 300 free texts for one month when topping up £10 - but my guess is it's a sealed unit. Will also ask them if it can be earthed to an earth when active alarm connector, I guess it might need a relay but I'm no electrician.

Just come across some things that seem to be made in china and sold on Ebay. They allow you to do a whole lot more than the Toad text alert and are quite cheap. For example WIRELESS GSM CAR ALARM SYSTEM+IMMOBILISER on eBay, also Car Alarms Immobilisers, Security Electrical, Car Accessories, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 16-Jan-08 12:57:04 GMT) Allows you to remotely listen, and even broadcast your voice and disable the car by text or call. I can't imagine the quality will be brilliant though, at least Toad is a reasonably respected name.

There's even a cheapie Chinese stylie one with a GPS receiver that can tell you the GPS co-ordinates.

Not sure I'd want to know if my car's being wrecked and I'm miles away....

Nothing you could do other than worry.

The cheapie chinese one's seem interesting, at least you get to say "f**k you" to the t**ts assuming it works, but if these cheap alarm systems were that great I'd expect to find them mentioned, and/or recommended, in forums on the internet, but searched google and no such luck.

I guess advantages are the Toad text can work silently and independently of an alarm system (so if my neighbours mess with the car again I can run outside with an axe or something), long range unlike other pagers, and easy to fit (5 wires in total of which only 3 would be used without an alarm system installed).

I like the look of the Toad one. Anyone know if the standard Skoda alarm has an additional siren output? The manual says it can send a text when your own alarm is activated.

They seem to be popping up on ebay at about £100 at the moment. As for the standard Skoda alarm output, I suspect if you can find the positive wire from the alarm control unit to the siren, you can splice the wire into that one (although I am not an electrician so I would check with someone who knows their stuff).

After posting this I have decided the on-board shock sensor may not be adequate for standalone use, and there's no way of deactivating it so if it works as I'd expect I'd get an SMS every time I use the car.

The best location for the earth wire, I am guessing, is the "earthed when active" wire of an alarm so it is only turned on when the alarm is on. Again I'm no expert so best to get it checked out before doing anything, as the booklet does say a good chassis earth.

I am now almost set on a Clifford Arrow 5 alarm with a dual zone proximity sensor, as it's supposedly a very good brand, and should come in at little more than £100. Just need to order now Could add one of these text pagers if I find it will be useful - and hopefully they'll still be cheap on ebay.