Security - GSM GPS Tracker devices

Dirty · 16-10-2013, 01:36 PM

I was thinking of getting one of these or something similar. I wondered if anyone here had one or knows if they are worth the money?

I know Datatool used to do one (Robs thread) but times move quickly and the Chinese are making cheap copies that need no yearly fee either. The one I'm looking at is on ebay here Obviously a UK based onward seller as you can get them even cheaper. I've messaged this guy and he says it will work with a 3G sim (older units had issues and needed 2G sims) plus has a movement (tembler?) sensor that can be programmed but he hasn't tested that out as yet.

Darren69 · 16-10-2013, 02:40 PM

Interesting, I'm wondering where would be a good place to hide one of those on a bike? In airbox?

Dirty · 16-10-2013, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren69

Interesting, I'm wondering where would be a good place to hide one of those on a bike? In airbox?

It's smaller than a cigarette packet 64x46x17mm so could be tucked away in a few places. I'd guess under the seat is still favourite though.

16-10-2013, 03:49 PM

Looks like a great idea.

Is this on all the time or only when your bike moves? Would it drain the battery if left for a while do you think?

I am interested in one of these. I have read so much recently about bikes getting robbed it would be good to have this working if it did happen for sure !!!

Darren69 · 16-10-2013, 04:05 PM

Providing they couldn't find it. It sounds like it has a built in motion sensor so presumably it would activate when the bike moved and if it were using the bikes own battery it shouldn't cause a problem. It does say its magnetic though so might not be a good idea near electronics?

16-10-2013, 04:07 PM

probably be better to remove the magnets and get a few cable ties on it to be on the same side.

Dirty · 16-10-2013, 05:02 PM

It would be a drain on the battery yes. I think the one I linked to comes with 2 battery's and claims 80 hour standby time. I don't know if the unit charges the battery when it's wired in and on. If it did and you used the bike regularly you could connect to a switched circuit that charged it up whilst you rode it. You'd only have 80 hours to find it if nicked though but that's probably longer than it would take scumbags to pull it apart anyway!

Dirty · 18-10-2013, 11:57 AM

Just got a reply from the seller. The unit does charge the battery if wired in. I think I'm gonna take the plunge and buy 1.

utopia · 18-10-2013, 03:20 PM

I've been pondering fitting a tracker for some time now.
I'll watch this thread with interest.

18-10-2013, 03:52 PM

Sorry for being dense, but if you use a PAYG sim, when does the unit "draw down" from the account? And how would you top it up?

(As I said, pretty noob questions...)

Dirty · 18-10-2013, 04:57 PM

Not sure what you mean by 'draw down'. Pretty much all PAYG sims can now be managed, topped up etc via the Internet. If I get one of these (who am I kidding? When I get one!) I'll get an Ovivo sim. I've been using them for my mobile for a year now. One time payment, currently £15 then 150 mins, 250 texts and 500mb data every month for free, no further charges so topping up wouldn't be an issue.

Darren69 · 19-10-2013, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty

Not sure what you mean by 'draw down'. Pretty much all PAYG sims can now be managed, topped up etc via the Internet. If I get one of these (who am I kidding? When I get one!) I'll get an Ovivo sim. I've been using them for my mobile for a year now. One time payment, currently £15 then 150 mins, 250 texts and 500mb data every month for free, no further charges so topping up wouldn't be an issue.

Please keep us posted. I may add one to my xmas list!

Dirty · 21-10-2013, 12:30 AM

More research needed!

For a start Ovivo don't allow trackers on their network

'Devices such as GPS trackers, satellite navigation, data-enabled cameras or other machine to machine devices are prohibited and will be disconnected from OVIVO’s network, resulting in your service being withdrawn.'

Whether they could tell I don't know but I don't want to risk them cutting off my main number as well. Apparently giffgaff are good value though and have no similar scruples.

I've seen an app that controls certain devices - TK102/103 etc. Seems worth getting one that can be controlled like that rather than just via SMS.

Funkatronic · 21-10-2013, 10:57 AM

giffgaff should be ok

Darren69 · 21-10-2013, 10:57 AM

Could you use something like a 3G pay and go SIM. Would the device need to make out going calls or does it just respond when you call it? If the latter then you wouldn't ever need to top it up

16-10-2013, 01:36 PM	#1
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	Security - GSM GPS Tracker devices I was thinking of getting one of these or something similar. I wondered if anyone here had one or knows if they are worth the money? I know Datatool used to do one (Robs thread) but times move quickly and the Chinese are making cheap copies that need no yearly fee either. The one I'm looking at is on ebay here Obviously a UK based onward seller as you can get them even cheaper. I've messaged this guy and he says it will work with a 3G sim (older units had issues and needed 2G sims) plus has a movement (tembler?) sensor that can be programmed but he hasn't tested that out as yet.

21-10-2013, 10:57 AM	#15
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,025	Could you use something like a 3G pay and go SIM. Would the device need to make out going calls or does it just respond when you call it? If the latter then you wouldn't ever need to top it up __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

16-10-2013, 02:40 PM	#2
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,025	Interesting, I'm wondering where would be a good place to hide one of those on a bike? In airbox?

16-10-2013, 03:49 PM	#4
wezrvf Guest Posts: n/a	Looks like a great idea. Is this on all the time or only when your bike moves? Would it drain the battery if left for a while do you think? I am interested in one of these. I have read so much recently about bikes getting robbed it would be good to have this working if it did happen for sure !!!

16-10-2013, 04:05 PM	#5
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,025	Providing they couldn't find it. It sounds like it has a built in motion sensor so presumably it would activate when the bike moved and if it were using the bikes own battery it shouldn't cause a problem. It does say its magnetic though so might not be a good idea near electronics?

16-10-2013, 04:07 PM	#6
wezrvf Guest Posts: n/a	probably be better to remove the magnets and get a few cable ties on it to be on the same side.

16-10-2013, 05:02 PM	#7
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	It would be a drain on the battery yes. I think the one I linked to comes with 2 battery's and claims 80 hour standby time. I don't know if the unit charges the battery when it's wired in and on. If it did and you used the bike regularly you could connect to a switched circuit that charged it up whilst you rode it. You'd only have 80 hours to find it if nicked though but that's probably longer than it would take scumbags to pull it apart anyway!

18-10-2013, 11:57 AM	#8
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	Just got a reply from the seller. The unit does charge the battery if wired in. I think I'm gonna take the plunge and buy 1.

18-10-2013, 03:20 PM	#9
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,545	I've been pondering fitting a tracker for some time now. I'll watch this thread with interest.

18-10-2013, 03:52 PM	#10
turbohobbit Guest Posts: n/a	Sorry for being dense, but if you use a PAYG sim, when does the unit "draw down" from the account? And how would you top it up? (As I said, pretty noob questions...)

18-10-2013, 04:57 PM	#11
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	Not sure what you mean by 'draw down'. Pretty much all PAYG sims can now be managed, topped up etc via the Internet. If I get one of these (who am I kidding? When I get one!) I'll get an Ovivo sim. I've been using them for my mobile for a year now. One time payment, currently £15 then 150 mins, 250 texts and 500mb data every month for free, no further charges so topping up wouldn't be an issue.

21-10-2013, 12:30 AM	#13
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	More research needed! For a start Ovivo don't allow trackers on their network 'Devices such as GPS trackers, satellite navigation, data-enabled cameras or other machine to machine devices are prohibited and will be disconnected from OVIVO’s network, resulting in your service being withdrawn.' Whether they could tell I don't know but I don't want to risk them cutting off my main number as well. Apparently giffgaff are good value though and have no similar scruples. I've seen an app that controls certain devices - TK102/103 etc. Seems worth getting one that can be controlled like that rather than just via SMS.

21-10-2013, 10:57 AM	#14
Funkatronic another year another bike Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London Bike: S2r 1000 Posts: 1,597	giffgaff should be ok