Diy trackers. (1 Viewer)

[Vlad The Impaler]

As has been brought to our attention again recently our pride and joys can and do get stolen
There have been a few posts about self tracking using fairly cheap trackers found on eBay
What are the pros and cons,the best units,how easy are they for the thieves to detect? Etc.
Opinions and thoughts please!






Vlad

 

[pappajohn]

van gets stolen, you self track to a gypsy camp......or a dodgy lockup unit with half a dozen no-necks in residence.

what you going to do then....ask nicely for it back.

police will probably act on it once reported but how many pieces will it be in when they get there.

police cannot track in realtime unless its a recognised tracker with a proper control centre.

better to have a proper gps tracker so plod can trace the van while still on the move and recover it in one piece.

 

[Linda and Steph]

Any information on insurance when a tracker is fitted - do you get a reduction?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Techno]

I'd consider the Vanbitz tracker must be compliant?

 

[pappajohn]

Any information on insurance when a tracker is fitted - do you get a reduction?

only if its insurance approved, which means a proper tracker with subscriptions and a control centre

 

[Tootles]

only if its insurance approved, which means a proper tracker with subscriptions and a control centre

Even then, you cant seem to get a reduction. We had a Phantom2 system on our tow van for five years, No reduction at all, even though I argued the toss with different companies. :Angry:

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

I've not got one ,however if I did reducing my premium wouldn't come into it my insurance is cheap enough enough already IMO .
I would be more interested in being able to act quickly if the worst ever happened!







Vlad

 

[pappajohn]

Even then, you cant seem to get a reduction. We had a Phantom2 system on our tow van for five years, No reduction at all, even though I argued the toss with different companies. :Angry:

very true, it is of course up to the insurers if they discount or not.

 

[StitchUp]

van gets stolen, you self track to a gypsy camp......or a dodgy lockup unit with half a dozen no-necks in residence.

what you going to do then....ask nicely for it back.

police will probably act on it once reported but how many pieces will it be in when they get there.

They probably wouldn't because the occupants will be protected under the Human Rights Act 1998

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TheBig1]

if you self track your stolen motorhome to a gypsy camp or a gang of thugs, just ring the police and mention one of them appears to be carrying a handgun. no delay in them getting to you and the thieves wont argue with a couple of H&Ks being aimed at them

soon say you were mistaken afterwards

 

[g8ysn]

g8ysn

have [back2you] fitted since new
1-phone up day/night -gives long/lat position
2- movement/tamper. will tx alert
3- set goe fence
4 - panic button / up to 5 informants/family
5 - micraphone / listen into conversation
6 - engine cut off switch
look at web site they have updated since i bought mine

also have in line alarm fitted to cat

doors alarmed including lockers


:thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

[journeyman]

van gets stolen, you self track to a gypsy camp......or a dodgy lockup unit with half a dozen no-necks in residence.

what you going to do then....ask nicely for it back.

police will probably act on it once reported but how many pieces will it be in when they get there.

police cannot track in realtime unless its a recognised tracker with a proper control centre.

better to have a proper gps tracker so plod can trace the van while still on the move and recover it in one piece.

They will track using anything to hand. Even if it means logging into your account to see where the vehicle is. My friend recently located a stolen laptop using "Find My Phone" live tracking……The victim telling the officer over the phone where it was. I'm even aware that some forces have paid the cost of getting a dormant tracker activated in order to locate a high value vehicle. The bottom line is PJ not everyone can afford a monitored tracker, so a self-fit is a secondary option.

Why would the motorhome be in pieces?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

They will track using anything to hand. Even if it means logging into your account to see where the vehicle is. My friend recently located a stolen laptop using "Find My Phone" live tracking……The victim telling the officer over the phone where it was. I'm even aware that some forces have paid the cost of getting a dormant tracker activated in order to locate a high value vehicle. The bottom line is PJ not everyone can afford a monitored tracker, so a self-fit is a secondary option.

Why would the motorhome be in pieces?

we should agree to disagree on the police intervention and tracking methods but google it and check the results.

It wont be stolen to sell on...not in this country at least.
it will be stolen for parts, theres a lot of money in UNTRACEABLE spare parts, far more than for a complete TRACEABLE and documented motorhome.

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

What is the approx cost of a monitored tracker,and what's the difference in the tracking device it's self ?
Not the fact that someone else monitors it for you,what does their device have that the cheaper option doesn't.




Vlad

 

[pappajohn]

What is the approx cost of a monitored tracker,and what's the difference in the tracking device it's self ?
Not the fact that someone else monitors it for you,what does their device have that the cheaper option doesn't.




Vlad

trackers can cost hundreds and subscriptions vary but are around £100 pa.

Difference is a monitored tracker uses GPS and, laterly, VHF transmissions....a sim card tracker uses the mobile phone network and as such relies on cellular masts and repeaters to locate to an approximate location.

A decent GPS signal from 6 or 7 satellites will locate to a few meters....the more active satellites, the more accurate the location

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[journeyman]

we should agree to disagree on the police intervention and tracking methods but google it and check the results.

It wont be stolen to sell on...not in this country at least.
it will be stolen for parts, theres a lot of money in UNTRACEABLE spare parts, far more than for a complete TRACEABLE and documented motorhome.

Most of the info refers to companies who require an instant police response, based on just the initial alarm....Type A calls. The others Type B, require more info.....Ie confirmation that a criminal offence is in progress......My van trundling down the m6 without me at the wheel is a criminal offence......obv you may not get an immediate response, but certainly in my area £20k's worth of van would get some sort of action.

The price between monitored and non monitored is narrowing, I will probably go down that route eventually. But I do like the fact that my self monitored has a movement sensor, so I get an alarm if the van is being interfered with, which is important to me because of where it's parked.

 

[journeyman]

Link Removed. According to the website splurge, my self-monitored also uses GPS.?

 

[TheBig1]

Link Removed. According to the website splurge, my self-monitored also uses GPS.?

mmmmm not certain i trust that company to provide security or tracking products. no physical address just a premium rate number and amateurish website. they no doubt buy in from elsewhere and just put a markup on the item. whats to stop them selling the tracking info and disable code to thieves

either buy from a reputable company with a real presence or buy off ebay etc and fit your own simcard

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[journeyman]

It's a uk based company, had a faulty lead, replaced in two days. It will do me for a year..I agree, it's all Chinese stuff.

 

[sdc77]

I have a self installed tracker... Works very well. Provides all the info commercial tracker does and relays it back to me it is susceptible to Gps and gsm blocking but so are commercial ones. I do get an insurance deduction for it.
I do not rely on tracker alone. I have a cat 1 alarm Covering all doors and I have physical security and a live cctv motion sensing alarm on the drive.
I'm still careful though..

 

[journeyman]

I have a self installed tracker... Works very well. Provides all the info commercial tracker does and relays it back to me it is susceptible to Gps and gsm blocking but so are commercial ones. I do get an insurance deduction for it.
I do not rely on tracker alone. I have a cat 1 alarm Covering all doors and I have physical security and a live cctv motion sensing alarm on the drive.
I'm still careful though..

Same deal, tbh, theft from within the van/criminal damage is the most likely scenario for the newer vans. I suppose someone somewhere can overcome the electronics, but normally high value cars are pinched after the offender has obtained the keys.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Allanm]

I had to fit a tracker before I could get our van insured. We have two trackers fitted. One of them is advertised by the camping and caravanning club and as we are insured with them, we got it at a discount.
See Link Removed

We also have a Cat security device, locking wheel nuts and deadlocks on the doors.
The problem with just having GPS trackers is that you can buy jamming devices easily enough and once your van is in a container, it disappears from satellite view.
Allan

 

[pappajohn]

Link Removed. According to the website splurge, my self-monitored also uses GPS.?

its a pay-as-you-go simcard tracker using gps for logging purposes, not tracking purposes.

Apart from being £129 its very little different to the £20 units on ebay.

A reputable company would advertise it as a vehicle tracker without need to suggest using it to track a cheating wife/husband oh:

 

[pappajohn]

I had to fit a tracker before I could get our van insured. We have two trackers fitted. One of them is advertised by the camping and caravanning club and as we are insured with them, we got it at a discount.
See Link Removed

We also have a Cat security device, locking wheel nuts and deadlocks on the doors.
The problem with just having GPS trackers is that you can buy jamming devices easily enough and once your van is in a container, it disappears from satellite view.
Allan

it also disappears from an sms phone service as well.

From Tracker website.


TRACKER has led the way in stolen vehicle recovery solutions for 20 years and we are the only provider working in partnership with the entire UK police force, giving you access to an unrivalled network of police support to locate your vehicle in the event of a theft.

Our stolen vehicle tracking units use cutting edge technology to recover vehicles fast, often within hours, and now the TRACKER Mesh Network creates even more opportunities for stolen vehicles to be identified and located.

By using our unique VHF technology TRACKER units can even overcome potential problems such as concealment and use of GPS/GSM signal jammers to successfully locate stolen vehicles.

TRACKER is approved by Thatcham and recommended by major insurers reducing your insurance premiums.

I doubt very much you will find any SMS tracker approved by Thatchem

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[MR. FUSION]

If its a newer vehicle one of the best defences is to hide the keys & probably not in the house either but somewhere where no amount of searching will find them.:thumb:

 

[TheBig1]

Same deal, tbh, theft from within the van/criminal damage is the most likely scenario for the newer vans. I suppose someone somewhere can overcome the electronics, but normally high value cars are pinched after the offender has obtained the keys.

not the case with pro thiieves, they pop the bonnet and plug in a doctored ecu and use a specially cut key registered to that ecu to start the engine

technology has slowed down the opportunist joy rider, but the professional thief just changes the method used to take the vehicle. they adapt and learn, but a big payout above £20k per vehicle makes it worthwhile. many vehicles are stolen to order with the thieves using a number of techniques to fill their shopping list

this info from a friend who is a master locksmith specialising in vehicles

 

[pappajohn]

cant quite get my head around the 'specially cut key' bit.

The key transducer may be matched to the new ecu/immobiliser but not the door lock barrel or ignition switch barrel.

It could be a case of modern technology to overcome the electronics and old school lock busting and hot-wiring to bypass the door and ign I suppose

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TheBig1]

no think more like a master key, just put it in the lock, wiggle and turn it at the same time. no hotwiring needed. a pro locksmith has the same tools, and its not a jemmy bar and flat ruler with a hook. ive seen it done and it takes seconds leaving no damage thats why they charge big money for lockouts

the more difficult keys are the laser cut version, but theres a workaround for that too

modern pro thieves dont wear stripy jumpers and a balaclava and are hard to spot

 

[journeyman]

not the case with pro thiieves, they pop the bonnet and plug in a doctored ecu and use a specially cut key registered to that ecu to start the engine

technology has slowed down the opportunist joy rider, but the professional thief just changes the method used to take the vehicle. they adapt and learn, but a big payout above £20k per vehicle makes it worthwhile. many vehicles are stolen to order with the thieves using a number of techniques to fill their shopping list

this info from a friend who is a master locksmith specialising in vehicles

I'm sure your correct......I will reiterate that stolen keys or lifting the vehicle is the most common method. Certainly in my area of residence.......what would be interesting is to locate the cheapest approved monitoring system using VHF....mainly all I can se is in the £500 region including installation plus approx £100+for annual monitoring....I'm sure c+cc had a cheaper deal last year.

For me, something is better than nothing. The product depends on your own circumstances and the depth of the individual's pockets. I've also invested in decent alarm and have the van parked in an area where it would be difficult to steal it....but it's not fool proof and you also need an element of luck...if your targeted at the very least your van may get damaged.

 

[sdc77]

I can tell you now that in most areas suffering van thefts.. Sprinters were getting hammered with the substitute ecu method.
On the other note... Security should be blended.. A Gps based tracker is better than none.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}