Cheap gps tracker

TrickyWicky

Cash-Strapped.T32 wrote: »

I don't see why you need internet connectivity tbh, the thing contacts you by SMS unless there's some other functions I totally missed in that ad.

Not sure about this particular one mentioned in this topic but the ones I looked at used the internet to provide live data. IE instead of sending you a text at preset intervals / events / times, it would connect to the internet every 30 or so seconds and log its current location and speed.

Using the internet works out cheaper than using SMS's. At 10 p per SMS or 2/3Kb per update over the internet (with 1GB costing a tenner) there is a massive saving to be made.

One thing I will say to anyone considering using one is this: NEVER tell anyone that you have it installed and bury it as deep inside the dashboard as you possibly can where it will be a real pain to find / remove. If you tell someone your vehicle has a tracker it'll be the first thing they try to remove before moving the vehicle to another location.

Jakg

I have one fitted - it's alright

I found the USB socket a bit rubbish, and I had to glue the cable in place.

IF you hide it (which you should!) make sure it gets a decent reception - I hid mine (deep in the dash) and it didnt get any GPS reception which made it useless.

TrickyWicky

Can you tell us any more about it? - IE does it report in real time, the running costs, how accurate it is etc?

We'd be very grateful as I'm also interested in one. Also what is the USB cable for and what wire did you have to glue for what reason?

Jakg

Don't use real time (although it says it does).

I'm with GiffGaff, and as long as I make one chargeable something every 180 days, the sim keeps running - so I call it (so it replies) every 5 months.

At some pence per text, £10 should last me a *long* time.

Accuracy isn't brilliant, nor is the speed it updates - but if my car was stolen i'd know roughly where it was which is enough for me!

The USB cable is used for charging - you can hardwire it to 12v if you want, but it still charges via the USB socket. Mine kept falling out (when it was buried deep inside the dash, uber pain), so it kept running out of battery (and sending me a "WARNING BATTERY LOW" text every 2 seconds)

I think I paid ~£20-£30 from one of the (many) Chinese eBay Auctions.

It's not as good as a Tracker etc, but the long-term running costs are virtually nil (i.e. all I pay is the credit, which should last me *ages*)

brokenant

I mostly need it to tell me when the trailer is moved (i.e. nicked by thieving scum), and then find out where it is. Does it have that function, it mentions geo fencing but I'm not sure how it works or will tell me instantly.

Jakg

GeoFencing is meant to tell you if it leaves a pre-defined area.

It's a bit of a pain to setup (i did it when i had my car in the garage once) and didn't seem to work properly but tbh I didn't put that much effort in

forgotmyname

You send a text and it replies back with the GPS position providing it can get a lock. Not realtime updates but as quick as you can text it and for it to reply. But dont forget each text uses credit.

20p a text maybe. 50 texts for your £10. Maybe a pay as you go plan that gives unlimited texts for that month, Topup for 4 to 6 months then let the credit run down.

But not too low as you dont want to run out if you need to track it.

a text or 2 every month will keep the sim active.

TrickyWicky

Well some of them on ebay I've been looking at this evening will allow you to watch the real-time movements via their own tracking website. I guess thats mighty useful and cheaper than SMS texts which appear to be an 'on demand' way of finding it.