Tracker Recommendations

[Husky300]

Guys, can anyone recommend a good subscription tracker?
As usual, there are millions of them over the web and not much in the way of recommendations - do they all pretty much do the same thing?
Many thanks in advance

[Baldchap]

We have the Vodafone one and a Smartrak one, the Vodafone app is significantly better and doesn't require a separate 'token' thing to be carried in the car. From a security perspective, the Vodafone one only tracks and logs, it wouldn't ring me if someone stole the car, whereas the token one does.

You pays your money, and all that Jazz.

[WatchfulEye]

Depends on what you want; do you want thr car back, or just keep insurance happy.

Thatcham define cat s5 (requires a separate key fob; automatically alerts over mobile phone networks if car started without the fob or moved with ignition off) and cat s7 which is a mix of things but includes the old cat 6(alerts over mobile phone networks if car moved with ignition) as well as simpler and more sophisticated systems .

Many systems are easily defeated due to reliance on GPS and mobile phone signals which are easily blocked or jammed. GPS in particular does not work in a garage, so once a baddie gets the car indoors, the trail risks going cold.

Some manufacturers add a radio beacon. Once triggered, the system sends out a sting of long range radio pings and does not depend on GPS or mobile networks. The radio pings can be tracked by the recovery company over a range of several miles and through buildings.

If you want the car back then a system with GPS/GSM and a VHF beacon would be my recommendation. These are more expensive and there are few options. But there is a "tracker" system classifieds as s7 (to keep the insurance happy) and including VHF, called tracker locate.

You can also get self install internal battery powered systems. These can be Thatcham s7 approved and may be sufficient.

If all you want is to keep the insurer happy, then just get the cheapest s7 (or old cat 6) device.

I have a basic Vodafone system which has been fine (old cat 6). You wouldn't know it is there; the system auto triggeres if the battery is disconnected or the car moved with ignition off, or if remotely activated by Vodafone if you phone them but has no other interactivity. You can get an app subscription but it costs more and is mostly pointless.

Edited by WatchfulEye on Saturday 18th May 16:33

[Husky300]

Thanks, dude really helpful, - it's like look for one thing, find a billion others, tracker claims they can find it in a container, not sure how that's possible maybe the long range ping?

[WatchfulEye]

Husky300 said:

Thanks, dude really helpful, - it's like look for one thing, find a billion others, tracker claims they can find it in a container, not sure how that's possible maybe the long range ping?

Tracker pioneered the VHF beacon technology - the advantage of VHF is that it is quite good at penetrating buildings, concrete and even shipping containers (it's not perfect by any means).

Previously, thatcham classified a beacon only system as cat 7, and a GPS system as cat 6. As technology has become cheaper, there has been a profusion of hybrid systems offering dual technologies - i.e. GPS/GSM and radio becaon. These days, thatcham have merged cat 6 and cat 7 into a single category S7.

Some insurers insist on cat s5 (previously cat 5) for high value cars - things around £100k market value or more.
Some want a thatcham approved tracker (any classification), when cars get over about £40k market value or are otherwise particularly high risk.

Cat5 unsurprisingly are more expensive and more invasive (you need to carry the fobs), or you'll be getting urgent phone calls asking if your car has been stolen.
Cat S7, in many cases, you wouldn't know it was installed, and there is little you need to do. If it is a hardwired unit, then you are expected to phone the tracker company to tell them if the car is going in for service or being recovered (as disconnecting the battery, or towing the car will activate the tracker unit). The monitoring contract may have small print about the maximum number of avoidable false alarms you are allowed before they sack you as a customer.

Self-install battery units, are typically less interactive, as they don't connect into the vehicle battery or ignition. Some may have a separate remote fob which you use to arm or disarm automatic activation.

This video illustrates the advantage (a bit late in this particular case) of having a beacon to supplement GPS/GSM, as if the GPS system can't get reception, then it's like a needle in a haystack, because GSM alone doesn't give an accurate position. With a radio beacon, the vehicle can still be found by feet on the ground with a radio receiver. The tracker used in this particular video uses a UHF radio beacon which doesn't have as good penetration through objects and range as VHF, but still got the job done. Equally, a beacon only system has a similar problem of, how do you narrow down the search area to put boots on the ground.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdGoxDPMv9Y

Edited by WatchfulEye on Saturday 18th May 22:29

[Husky300]

Hi Mate thanks again, You've given me everything I need to know - really appreciate that.
Best Regards
Jon

[DennisCooper]

Hi Watchfueye,

Excellent information there and I've taken a look at the Tracker website at their solutions.

Would you happen to know of other high quality and reputable brands that offer similar solutions which also use the VHF method? I will have a little search around as well

Cheers, Dennis!

[TheTrueBOND]

Anybody tried any of the cheap trackers from ebay?

The ones where you put a mobile phone sim in.