group buy gps tracker???

[dubrus]

just reading yet another owners pride and joy has been nicked and towed away without any trace, really pi$$es me off that.

got me thinking this is the largest RIB community in the country so is there maybe a way we can club together for X amount of GPS recorders-RIB.NET buy them and make a profit on them (can put in the coffers or RNLI etc or ANO they wish). we can then in turn store the details in a private section only open to long term members with X amount of posts or something so the scumbags can't just login and see this stuff etc.

just an idea guys and i'm sure it could be expanded on.......opinions?????

cheers

[willk]

I think you should read this and this

I'd say more, but I gotta rush - my popcorn is starting to pop

[dubrus]

just for clarity-i'm in no way suggesting anyone pays anything to me or any other member-the monies should be paid to rib.net as they should be the buyer. i.e they can make a little wedge by just ordering in X amount and selling them to us if they wish.

on another note i was thinking of the little GPS recorders you can text for a live update that you commonly see on ebay. these allow you to program a "home port" and if the boat moves 50 yards from it (from memory) it will text your mobile telling you. you can also disable this aswell obviously.

i looked at some PAYG options and i found one a while back at £5 that stays live for 90 days. i assume it won't be used (here is hoping) so it would only take 20 quid per annum to keep it running. ofcourse people may have better deals open to them or may know of better ones???

my idea is to hide it in the engine somewhere which should be easily doable given the size and it's plain black would just look like part of an engine to most.

edit-like this for example http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Original-Thinp...item1c17310ee9

cheers

[wavelength]

I would be up for it, or will buy on own. Anyone any experience of those on the link or similar so they can give us a heads up on whats hot and whats not?

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by willk

I think you should read this and this

I'd say more, but I gotta rush - my popcorn is starting to pop

Thats what I thought .. right your popcorns' done now come back and say what you wanted ... I dare ya anyways .. you forgot this mighty tome of internet group buy meandering ......Ah..... my tea is ready .. got to go

[dubrus]

dave-like you i'm happy to buy one on own but i thought could get rib.net some coffers perhaps-save us a few bob-central database on here with our boats details (private link) etc etc.

if no one is bothered then fair enough but i stress again-i'm not doing the ordering due to previous problems so a trader would need to accept multiple payments from all parties or perhaps my suggestion of rib.net does the buying for us and makes some coin at same time.

on the units themselves there is a few discussions knocking about with them on ones to buy and ones to not. i have the email of the company that make them which i was sent by someone on here a while back-but they only sell in bulk so the only option was ebay for me............or maybe go down this road................

cheers

[Chris]

Originally Posted by wavelength

I would be up for it, or will buy on own. Anyone any experience of those on the link or similar so they can give us a heads up on whats hot and whats not?

I have one of these ebay, it is mounted in the engine and would be undetectable unless you started stripping off plastic panels under the hood.

It has been in there for a year and has been running of a 12volt power supply that is also hidden in the engine. It also has a battery that will last for 24-36 hours if it so if they just take the engine then I would still be able to chase after them

THe one in the link includes the hardwired charger and is a really good price also a UK seller.

All you do is fit a PAYG Sim (I used Vodafone and have had good results.)

I still get an accurate position fix when the boat is in the barn so the GPS is working not only through the engine cowl but also the barn roof.

[Screaming04]

Originally Posted by Chris

I have one of these ebay, it is mounted in the engine and would be undetectable unless you started stripping off plastic panels under the hood.

It has been in there for a year and has been running of a 12volt power supply that is also hidden in the engine. It also has a battery that will last for 24-36 hours if it so if they just take the engine then I would still be able to chase after them

THe one in the link includes the hardwired charger and is a really good price also a UK seller.

All you do is fit a PAYG Sim (I used Vodafone and have had good results.)

I still get an accurate position fix when the boat is in the barn so the GPS is working not only through the engine cowl but also the barn roof.

How long have you had it in that location? Some companies that sell the unit seem to indicate that it requires a very protected environment (not too hot, no water etc). I'd like to get one, your install location would be ideal, just not sure if it's too harsh for the electronics.

Thanks

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Screaming04

How long have you had it in that location? Some companies that sell the unit seem to indicate that it requires a very protected environment (not too hot, no water etc). I'd like to get one, your install location would be ideal, just not sure if it's too harsh for the electronics.

Thanks

Its been in there for 12 months, It is in a plastic bag so is protected from splashing however it does not generally get to wet under the engine hood anyway. As for heat and vibration it is mounted in a strip off velcro that acts as a cushion and I dont think it get that hot under there either.

It seems fine

[Polwart]

Dubrus,

I can't speak for John but I think it is unlikely he is going to group buy on something that is readily available via other vendors in the UK (e.g. ebay). The cost saving to rib.net would be small and therefore the margin limitted. Given the time and effort involved in herding cats etc - its unlikely to be worth anyone's while - and there would be little if any discount to ribnet members. If you want a tracker theres been several threads in the past which seem to suggest there are some good ones for under a £100.