GPS/GSM Tracker

[Leapy]

The one thing that we've found disturbing on RIBnet is reading about stolen boats. When our boat is at home, it's in an alarmed, locked, brick garage. When we're in transit or on the water, of course, we're as vunerable as the next guy. So, ... we've recently bought one of THESE GPS/GSM trackers (albeit from different eBay reseller).

We'd researched the market...there are a huge number of these devices now and the price range is considerable. UK sourced, subscription devices are the most expensive - many £hundreds plus a monthly fee - but there are a number of non-subscription devices that are around £70 if you're happy buying out of China or HK, or, the same device can be UK sourced for about £110, all through eBay. (JK - there maybe a RIBnet marketing opportunity???)

We paid £64 for ours plus £12 for a 12v charge lead. It arrived within a week and out of the box it looks a well made device. It's the size of a large box of matches, finished in soft touch paint and has a good air of solidity. It comes with a 240v charger, two Li-ion batteries, a magnetic cover, a non-magnetic cover and a waterproof pouch (zip-lock Codders style) that is too small for the device! The device itself is clearly not waterproof. There are no external aerials.

It also comes with instructions that are written in pigeon English: the website for the device is no better, but they're both clear enough to enable use.

And, it's not difficult to set up. You need a GSM SIM (£0.01 off eBay!) and away you go. Within 5 mintues it was powered up, initialised and set up (which phones are authorised to access it, which time zone are you in...) and it then sent us a text to say the boat was in our garage, not moving and it was 15:20 on the 17/05/09. It gives you lat, long, speed and date/time and you can get this everytime you call it from an authorised phone (it hangs up on un-authorised phones). It can also be programmed to text if it starts to move or moves out of a pre-determined area (a Geo-Fence); it has an overspeed alert, an SOS button, a low battery alert, etc etc. and, of course, it doesn't have to be on a boat. It would be just as happy in a car, in a kids backpack or whatever.

Is it robust and reliable? Don't know yet. Watch this space

[chewy]

Looks like a decent bit of kit.
Have you tried moving the boat to see if it does text you?

I like the ebay ad you posted. Can be used to check "spouse fidelity"

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by chewy

Looks like a decent bit of kit.
Have you tried moving the boat to see if it does text you?

I like the ebay ad you posted. Can be used to check "spouse fidelity"

Haven't tried moving the boat yet. Will be trying it this weekend...

Spouse fidelity How does it know the detail? I'm at 52 36.234, -1 24.525 and therefore must be...Wow. Real clever

[chewy]

Without lowering the tone to that of a certain Mr Singleton I think the one in ad also did sound!

[willk]

It sounds like a primo bit of kit - keep us posted.

On a less serious note, I have visions of a Mr Big in HK (gloating of an ever growing number of red dots on a wall sized map) dispaching black van loads of Triads 'round your gaff armed with Shuriken and boltcutters!

[PeterM]

Does indeed sound like a good , simple , decent priced effort that does what most of us want without all the bells & whistles that aren't really needed.

When you ordered did you have to order the 12v lead seperately or was it included ?. Am very seriously looking at one of these as with the boat on a mooring ( while its locked to it )I know its relatively easy to cur the lockas off and away it goes.

for £80 ish I dont think you can go far wrong & but not sure about the wife - she would use it to see where I am on the boat ! Any 'over nighters' in the cosy cabin would have to stop !

[chewy]

Originally Posted by Blackroady

For £80 ish I dont think you can go far wrong & but not sure about the wife - she would use it to see where I am on the boat ! Any 'over nighters' in the cosy cabin would have to stop !

Thats maybe why you can decide what numbers can access it!

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Blackroady

When you ordered did you have to order the 12v lead seperately or was it included?

The 12v lead was listed seperately

[mark-f]

yep, I've had one of those working for over a year now, and so far no problems at all with reliability, all i need to do is find someone with the programming cradle for it as mine is set to GMT+7 .

and from a covert point of view all i can say is it works well even through lots of fibreglass .

Mark

[PeterM]

There is a bundle of 6 on ebay for what would be about £67.50 each - any takers for a job lot ?

I cant however see the power lead listed for it - mentioned in the listing but cant find it for sale - anyone find it & send me the link ? I think this will be my latest ' toy' for the boat - but I can really & honestly say to the Mrs is it worth it for security & the insurance is due soon so it cant hurt !