Portable alarm for almost anything

Author's Rating:

Pros: light, portable, can be looped around almost anything

Cons: automatic alarm reset after 30 seconds of ringing, can be too sensitive

The Bottom Line: 
If you don't mind the sound level of the alarm and its sensitivity, this could be a good alarm for almost anything.

Author's Review
Ask any notebook computer owner what he fears and you can be sure that theft is at the top of the list. It's been said that a thief will most likely focus on something else if he finds that a potential target isn't easily stolen. The Targus Defcon 3 portable alarm can be thought of as such a deterrent.

The Targus Defcon 3 portable security system is a motion sensor alarm that can be attached to anything via a 6 inch cable and can be remotely controlled with a two button remote. Unlike most notebook alarms which can only be used for notebook computers by attaching it to the "security slot", the Defcon 3 can be attached by looping the 6 inch cable around whatever you want to secure, whether it be a computer bag, backpack, etc.

The Defcon 3 alarm is about the size of your credit card but it is 16mm (0.63 inches) thick. The top of the alarm has a 6 inch long 0.6 inch thick(?) cable that can secure the alarm to the intended target. The cable makes a loop from the right to left and is secured by screwing the end of the cable to the alarm. So, to secure the alarm to a computer bag, simply unscrew the end of the cable from the alarm, loop the cable around the bag's strap and screw the cable back into the alarm. Set up the alarm via the remote and your computer bag is now "secured" from potential theft. Should the alarm detect too much motion that it considers as substantial movement, it will first sound a "warning" alert before it blasts out an earful 94 decibels. Should the thief try to cut the alarm's cable, or unscrew the cable, or unscrew the battery panel, the alarm will also sound, hopefully scaring away the thief and deterring potential thieves.

The alarm has two LED lights which lights up when the alarm is activated, or triggered. The back of the alarm contains the panel to the battery compartment, which for security reasons is secured by a screw to prevent unauthorized tampering. The alarm requires 3 AAA batteries.

The remote is contained in a quick release keychain which you can quickly release the remote from your regular keychain by pressing on the spring latch. It has an LED light to indicate activation of the alarm. There are two buttons, one large (arm/disarm) and one small (menu). Depending on the combination of the keys pressed, the remote can activate the alarm, change settings such as low or high motion sensitivity, the choice of alarm sounds, the volume settings, etc.


The features of the alarm are:

-Alarm volume choice of 84 decibels or 94 decibels (default)

-30 second duration alarm

-6 different siren alarm sounds

-Quick activation of "Panic Alarm"

-Motion sensitivity choice of low or high to trigger alarm

-Warning light and sound on initial motion detection to deter potential thieves or accidental movement

-remote control range of up to 40 feet

-low battery warning alert


Here are my observations of the alarm. I didn't like having the limit of 30 seconds for the alarm duration. Once the alarm has rang for 30 seconds, it will reset itself. I'd rather have the alarm ring continuously with a few seconds break rather than resetting itself. The alarm can be a bit TOO sensitive, even when set on low sensitivity. If a half ton truck rumbles by, it could be enough to set off the alarm. But then, most times, I wouldn't be leaving my things too far away from me anyways so I'd be able to disarm it. I like the "Panic alarm" feature, which I use for personal safety as well. I just have the alarm attached to whatever I want to that I'm using by screwing the cable into the alarm. The alarm will sound to indicate that it is ready to be armed. If I don't arm it, it won't make any more noise, and won't be triggered by any motion. When I need the alarm, I just press the panic button (both the large and small button together). The alarm and remote are very lightweight and don't take up much space. I like the remote feature of the alarm as well as its portability and that I can secure just about anything. The remote feature requires that the alarm be armed and disarmed by the remote control. This could be an advantage and disadvantage depending on your view. Arming and disarming by the remote could be very convenient. Sometimes, it could be a disadvantage when you want to arm the remote without the remote. An advantage of the Defcon 3 over other computer alarms is that there is no combinations to set or remember to disable the alarm. This can be quite stressful, especially when you have a roomful of strangers angered by the alarm. The other disadvantage is the cable that you use to loop around whatever you wish to "secure"(?) can be a bit thin. Anyone with a wire cutter could easily cut the cable but this alarm, like most, are meant to deter thieves, not really prevent them. So, you have to consider that when looking for similar theft prevention products like alarms and locks. For me, the pros outweigh the cons and I use this alarm everywhere I go, regardless of whether I have my laptop computer with me or not. This has actually become my personal alarm, a safer alternative to a pepper spray, which, if I get overpowered, could be used against me.

The dimensions of the Defcon 3: 87mm (3.45 in) x 53.55mm (2.1 in) x 16mm (0.63 in). The Cable dimensions: 1.6mm (0.6 in) thick, 154mm (6 in) long.

The alarm requires 3 AAA batteries. The remote requires a SNSI/NEDI 1811A or equivalent battery. The battery life of the alarm is 90 days with the cable secured and 3 years with cable unsecured. The battery life of the remote is 2 years.

For the security it gives me as a personal alarm and as a computer alarm, I am very happy with the Targus Defcon 3 personal security system. Although it may be a bit pricey, I think that it is worth my money because of its ability to secure just about anything, including me.

Thanks for taking the time to read and rate my review.