Affordable Tracking Device Found!!

Bodge · 09 April 2016, 18:01

Im thinking this may be the ticket for many of us that would like to track the location of our boats.

I am ordering one and placing it under the hood of my motor.

How to track your bike in case of theft, using your mobile phone? | Techie Fans

matt h · 09 April 2016, 18:11

That looks good. Would like some feedback frome someone who has one! Good find dude

Xk59D · 09 April 2016, 18:16

if i understand it correctly someone who also has one has to be within 100ft of your boat/outboard etc for you to get an update on where it is....i.e it is practically useless.

"If an item goes missing, TrackR's Crowd GPS network will help you find it. When another user of the TrackR app comes within 100ft range of your lost item, you will receive a GPS update of where your item is"

you would be far better with a GSM tracker for not much more money, granted you need a sim card etc though.

HDAV · 09 April 2016, 18:27

its bluetooth range under 100 yards so if boat is more than 100 yards from you no chance

great for keys, wallet perhaps your dog...............................

Further than the BLuetooth (low power)4.0 range you are relying on others with app being nearby to mesh the signal to you....

Motor Bike Real Time GPS GSM Tracker Phone SMS Global Locator Anti-Theft 4DP0 | eBay

IS actually what you probably need

Bodge · 09 April 2016, 18:30

Xk59D, you are correct.

I just went to the Tracker site and came across the info stating how it works. They failed to mention the limitations on the original link I provided....

So close and yet so far...

Sorry folks for getting your hopes up. Im feeling a bit silly now.

Bodge · 09 April 2016, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAV

its bluetooth range under 100 yards so if boat is more than 100 yards from you no chance

great for keys, wallet perhaps your dog...............................

Further than the BLuetooth (low power)4.0 range you are relying on others with app being nearby to mesh the signal to you....

Motor Bike Real Time GPS GSM Tracker Phone SMS Global Locator Anti-Theft 4DP0 | eBay

IS actually what you probably need

HDAV, seems this bit of kit you posted may actually be useful. Thank you.

HDAV · 09 April 2016, 18:34

Motor Bike Real Time GPS GSM Tracker Phone SMS Global Locator Anti-Theft 4DP0 | eBay

no harm no foul........

Some can be set to only text when moved or battery low,battery will last 6 months if no alerts, you can also text them and they reply. NOt as cool and doesn't have an "app" but may be worth the investment...... i am considering one as for£12 and 2 wires seems sensible mostly it come down to how you configure them some you have text the config to some connect to a pc to configure

Xk59D · 09 April 2016, 18:35

if you want a cheap option then these are meant to be decent enough- VEHICLE GSM GPRS GPS TRACKER CAR TRACKING LOCATOR TK102B DEVICE SMASHING | eBay

Bodge · 09 April 2016, 18:40

Thank you. These both seem like good options and for the money Im willing to try one just for piece of mind.

Xk59D · 09 April 2016, 18:41

keep in mind you need a mobile sim card and probably a pay monthly sim or find a way to make PAYG work.

PAYG would work in UK, i did find a deal about a year ago for £10 top up would last 90 days but most are 30.....maybe cheap insurance if you want it.

HDAV · 09 April 2016, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xk59D

keep in mind you need a mobile sim card and probably a pay monthly sim or find a way to make PAYG work.

PAYG would work in UK, i did find a deal about a year ago for £10 top up would last 90 days but most are 30.....maybe cheap insurance if you want it.

there are specialist suppliers of sims for these applications typically low monthly fee £3+ vat and limited functionality

A friend sets them up in remote monitoring applications they text a server with a code it then emails the relevant people an alert. Security companies often use them in alarm panels in the event of a landline failure they will text to say phone line is down so mostly sit there doing nothing but need to work when required so the standard PAYG sim is no good

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Real-...3D281884808897

read description as it explains the features well

Xk59D · 09 April 2016, 18:53

a standard PAYG sim will work fine in a tracker, maybe not the best option but as long as you top it up every X days then no worries.

however, if you have a link for £3 a month i'm all ears

Bodge · 09 April 2016, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xk59D

keep in mind you need a mobile sim card and probably a pay monthly sim or find a way to make PAYG work.

PAYG would work in UK, i did find a deal about a year ago for £10 top up would last 90 days but most are 30.....maybe cheap insurance if you want it.

I think an inexpensive simm card can be found, I'd be willing to pay seeing my boat gets left tied up at many waterside pubs..

I also need a device that will track my crab and prawn traps that go missing on occasion. Seeing how much extra weight I put in them to keep them from drifting with the tide with plenty of sinking line, I find it hard to beleive they drifted off to Japan.

Bodge · 09 April 2016, 19:05

Thanks for the replies folks. My original post may have been a failure but you have put me on the right track.

Last Tango · 09 April 2016, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xk59D

a standard PAYG sim will work fine in a tracker, maybe not the best option but as long as you top it up every X days then no worries.

however, if you have a link for £3 a month i'm all ears

Standard O2 monthly SIM...Default on the payment for a couple of weeks and it reverts to PAYG. Doesn't seem to be any time limit on the credit you put on it after that.

I had one of the really cheapys to start with but it was unreliable and "cooked" two SIM cards over about 6 months....PITA.
This ain't much dearer, more "user-friendly", more features and certainly no issues to date.
Realtime Vehicle Car GSM GPRS GPS Tracker Tracking Alarm System TK103-A VG3 | eBay

Xk59D · 09 April 2016, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Standard O2 monthly SIM...Default on the payment for a couple of weeks and it reverts to PAYG. Doesn't seem to be any time limit on the credit you put on it after that.

I had one of the really cheapys to start with but it was unreliable and "cooked" two SIM cards over about 6 months....PITA.
This ain't much dearer, more "user-friendly", more features and certainly no issues to date.
Realtime Vehicle Car GSM GPRS GPS Tracker Tracking Alarm System TK103-A VG3 | eBay

i'll speak to you next time about this

HDAV · 09 April 2016, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

This ain't much dearer, more "user-friendly", more features and certainly no issues to date.
Realtime Vehicle Car GSM GPRS GPS Tracker Tracking Alarm System TK103-A VG3 | eBay

Ideal for a larger item and can useexternalanteena so much better GPS and GSM coverage less likely to be compromised by being in container or lorry.

Bit big to mount under the cowl of an OB tho.... I'll see about these sims...

ShinyShoe · 09 April 2016, 22:23

SIMs - your best bet is a GiffGaff SIM. SIM is free, credit doesn't expire provided you use the SIM to make a chargable call at least every 3 months. Most UK SIMs will only keep the credit for 3 months.

I have the first one linked in a caravan. It works. Its not amazing. It may depend on signal strength but I can only get about 3 or 4 days out it if not charging off the van battery. It will detect shocks, speed, movement. You can interrogate it for position by sending it a SMS with the word WHERE. You can also switch to a data mode and use an Ap - but it would be data hungry IMHO.

Not 100% convinced the external antenna one would make it anymore usable in a container. I think you want to know its been nicked before it gets into the tin box!

TK102B - I looked at - but needs USB power so meant spending £3 on a USB power source which felt pointless the other one uses 12V power which I had plenty of. Plus its marked all over the outside what it is. The other one can be got for about £12 if you hunt hard enough and looks more like a car part.

Mine if it thinks its been nicked phones you. There may be a microphone on it - not sure - complete pain in the ar5e! Fine if it really is nicked - I forgot to switch it off when towing the van one day - I was called constantly by it! Cancel the call it goes to voice mail...

If anyone wants a GiffGaff SIM I wont complain to anyone using this link: https://www.giffgaff.com/orders/affiliate/shinyshoe - which gets me free credit when you top up the first time ;-) - costs you nothing more.