Hmmmnn,,, lets see if I can get through this mine field without tripping anything... I think what you are looking for is a combination of all of the above. First, Go to a high end car alarm shop and talk to the manager. Ask for an alarm with a paging system. Do hook it to the electric brakes. In several sporting goods stores, there are what are called "game cameras" They are basicly weather proof cameras hooked to motion sensors that take pics of what-ever moves in front of them. There are also VCRs that have a extended play feature that can record about 9 hours of video. Video cameras around 1 or 2 hundred and the VCR is around 100. If the thieves are coming in the night when you are home, just use the pager and deal with it yourself. If that is not what you wish to do then use the sirens and lights. At the very least, get their picture and have them put away. When your at a motel, you can still use the video system. I work out of town a lot and have many thousands of dollars worth of my own tools in my truck. I always get a room where I can park in front of my window and I set up my video system and record all night. When the humidity is high, I use a bit of anti-fog on the glass outside. So far (knock on balsa) I havent had a problem, maby the thieves see the camera.

>this paragraph was deleted in order to stay off the mines<

(Yes, I'm from Texas)