Vehicle Trackers

Author
Discussion

julian64

Original Poster:

14,317 posts

261 months

Tuesday 18th September 2018
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Time to upgrade my vehicle security. Been looking at this recently to see if there were any recommendations, but the new stuff is a bit of a minefield

I'm looking at the cheap Chinese stuff in the seemingly miniature form size that will just disappear somewhere in a car or bike rather than the obvious stuff.

Some only work on Bluetooth , Some only work if people around you have an app to communicate with. Some charge to look at the location.

I'm looking for GPS, and the ability to SMS for location, battery back up, and importantly the ability to alert on movement. The ability to text the unit to switch off the engine would also be a big plus. All these features I've seen readin around on aliexpress and banggood.

Anyone got a recommendation for stuff they have found which really does what it says on the tin?

Baldchap

8,388 posts

99 months

Tuesday 18th September 2018
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We're getting into the aftermarket alarms of the early 90s again, but with trackers here.

Do you really want something from Aliexpress acting as an embedded vehicle immobiliser on a rainy morning when it fails to work because unlike proper trackers it's never been through testing at -5 degrees?

I'd be very wary of strapping something like that to my pride & joy...

JulianHJ

8,792 posts

269 months

Tuesday 18th September 2018
quotequote all
I’m considering this one at the moment following a positive review from Youtuber Yhe Missenden Flyer:

https://monimoto.co.uk

julian64

Original Poster:

14,317 posts

261 months

Wednesday 19th September 2018
quotequote all
@ Julian... looks good but a bit expensive and I want to be able to charge it up from the vehicle use. Knowing me I'll forget the battery otherwise.

@baldchap.. I just despair of this type of comment. I've recently posted on a thread about someone wanting a motorcycle intercom. I gave a good review about a perfectly functional device from china, but the guy wants to buy something 5 times more expensive because he believes that'll buy him quality.

The sad fact is that he's probably only buying a name rebranded. Experience has taught me (I'm an electrical hobbyist, and have taken oodles of cheap Chinese/branded goods apart ) That while twenty years ago the Chinese used to simply copy with inferior cheap components, nowadays its more like the west is copying with simply rebranding and a huge mark-up to catch the unwary buyer. The idea that China copies is valid, but they are sadly also better innovators in new technology as well nowadays. Holland Germany also much better than us technologically now, possibly even France now IMHO. frown

Its a minefield out there trying to decide what's good or not. IMHO a recommendation from someone actually using something is better than a 'name', hence the thread.

Sea Demon

1,160 posts

220 months

Monday 24th September 2018
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Just had a Bike Trac tracker fitted to my bike - if the bikes stolen, they then do all the work with the police to get it back.

Seen too many stories of people calling the police to say their bike has been stolen, they know where it is etc and the police not being interested.

Depends on how much you want to spend, buy cheap buy twice or buy cheap, lose your bike is how I see it smile


julian64

Original Poster:

14,317 posts

261 months

Monday 24th September 2018
quotequote all
I know this sounds a bit 'dominating the stairs' But I suspect if a thief nicks your bike and gets as far as sticking in his lockup then the police will give up.

I think the police response to this is limited by their workload so they'll be very slow to respond / not interested in doing anything but giving crime number. If you are enough of a nuisance and they do go round the house and no one answers they'll walk away.

I don't think a paid company will do any more than contact them. They certainly won't send anyone round to the house themselves.

Up till now I've always protected my cars/bikes with a tracker and a concealed push button drop relay in series with the fuel pump.

However trakker was rubbish to the point of useless. It took them a year to find out the batteries were dead, and on various occasions when the car was moved without the engine on, it was very variable whether I would get a call or not.

All the tech is available, and relatively cheap. I just want to get an sms message on movement, whenever I require and have the ability to send a text to switch off the fuel pump cos its a bit more techy/cool.

I guess that way if it was in a lockup, and someone moved it I could disable the fuel pump and go and find it out on the road.

julian64

Original Poster:

14,317 posts

261 months

Tuesday 25th September 2018
quotequote all
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/GT06-Car-GPS-Track...

just to update I think I might give this a punt. Sms text GPS location based, and the ability to disable the fuel supply.

For £20 I can't really go wrong, can I?