MetaTrak Problems

[treblid]

expect a company to pay to upgrade equipment, equipment that is still working fine just to further future proof someone ahead of 2033

Thanks eddie for your detailed reply.

I am not sure we have the luxury of 2033 when France are already switching hardware out. Hence my question regarding security issues in a non 2G coverage area.
I hope (and would not expect) my 2023 installation to stop working across large parts of Europe (France and Spain) when it's only 4 years old.
I will obviously contact MetaTrak to find out my exact situation.

 

[eddie]

Thanks eddie for your detailed reply.

I am not sure we have the luxury of 2033 when France are already switching hardware out. Hence my question regarding security issues in a non 2G coverage area.
I hope (and would not expect) my 2023 installation to stop working across large parts of Europe (France and Spain) when it's only 4 years old.
I will obviously contact MetaTrak to find out my exact situation.

Again with the greatest respects, I haven't said it will work until 2033

Is yours 4g/LTE In essence 2g/4g multi network, I suspect you don't know, I also suspect you'd be unhappy if I started talking about your system and how to disable it.

So I say again, Meta Trak have the answers, and, as it is Meta Trak you pay, for the service your questioning, no one else can help you.

Worse case, I'm guessing, is you may need to pay for an upgrade, to keep your system up to date

 

[Brains]

Ash is in Mexico so won't be seeing this thread, he will be back in work a week Monday

To be honest, the most he could do would be to speak to Metatrak and they are confident that they will be able to offer a continuation of service. I believe them because they make their money offering a subscription service, sitting on your arse until the lights go out isn't a very good business model


Its not really a time bomb. Speak to Meta Trak and find our "exactly" the your personal situation, not someone else, not some one with a different system, not Chat GPT your equipemnt

Which is why it seems sensible to me, if you are worried, to speak to the people that operate the system and charge you for doing so.

Yes it would be a good idea to be proactive and get the answers you need from the horses mouth

Meta Trak are advising the Countries that they can, with certain equipment no longer continue tracking

No he (they) can't! Think of the tens of thousands of records, vehicles sold, owners deceased, vehicles scrapped the list is endless, half the people that buy second hand vans don't even know that there is a tracking system fitted, and ultimately do what? tell people that the aim is to shut down 2G by 2033

No sorry, this is one of those things where the simple solution is to have a chat with Meta Trak who will know exactly what equipment you have, if it will be affected, and if it is, when it "could be" affected and if so, what would be the cost involved for upgrading the equipment to operate on the newer networks should you still need tracking as a condition of insurance.

The life time warranty applied to the Growler system, not the tracking system, and to be fair, every thing still works.

You can hardly expect (I know some will ) expect a company to pay to upgrade equipment, equipment that is still working fine just to further future proof someone ahead of 2033

He is on holiday in Mexico, Whatguardz is working normally, if you have an installation issue with the tracking system, I'd suggest speaking to Wattguardz, but anything to do with monitoring, subscription or operation matters can only be directed at Meta Trak to be fair as they are the ones with the answers

Also, generally I don't mind discussing security matters on MHF as we never need to get too specific, I would suggest though that starting to discussing who has what, when and where things are fitted is a bit daft on an open forum

The short answer is speak to the people you pay to monitor your motorhome

eddie
Thanks for the detailed reply.

I have already asked MetaTrac whether my system installed by VanBitz in March 2020
is a 2g system (which I presume it is) and whether they expect it to be working in most of UK & Europe in the foreseeable future.
(My van was probably the very last motorhome that went through the workshop, as the pandemic shut down was declared as we left)

I'll see if I get a reply, as nothing so far (you would have thought it would be a FAQ)

However: I think WattGuardz are potentially missing a trick here.

If they hold all the contact details details for every system installed by VanBitz in the last 30+ years, I'd guess they also know which ones had MetaTrac kit installed.

It would take someone a day or two to send out an E-Mail AND a letter to each and every one of them, advising them that the MetaTracc 2G system has reached end of life, and would they like to book in a time slot for WattGuardz to upgrade it (for a fee of course)

I agree, probably half the people you are sending the letters/emails to may have died off, moved home, or sold the motorhome years ago.
But the other half (especially most of those installed in the last decade) will still own their motorhome (or know to whom they sold it to), and every one of them is a potential customer, for the "WattGuardz Metatrac 4G Upgrade" ©

Bottom line is WattGuardz are the only ones that have the records of where the trackers are situated in each vehicle.
They are the only company in the UK that specialise in fitting trackers to motorhomes, so know all the hiding places.
They are the only ones that can do the work easily.

If WattGuardz contact me to say I need the "WattGuardz Metatrac 4G Upgrade" © my only two questions will be:
How Much ? and
What Date? can you fit me in?

There is money to be made!
(And if they don't want it, then franchise it out!
A man in a van could make a nice living for a while running up and down the country upgrading them.)

 

[zac]

I just called Metatrak to confirm some questions, and they stated that the UK switch-off for 2G is 2033 and they have said it (mine) will work till then. That's a long way off to worry about it now. Maybe when my next subscription comes up in another 3 years, I might dig a bit deeper, but potentially 7 years to sort it out, and also to upgrade from Metatrak 2G to 4G is a change of hardware, so back to the dealer/workshop, etc.

 

[Brains]

I just called Metatrak to confirm some questions, and they stated that the UK switch-off for 2G is 2033 and they have said it (mine) will work till then. That's a long way off to worry about it now. Maybe when my next subscription comes up in another 3 years, I might dig a bit deeper, but potentially 7 years to sort it out, and also to upgrade from Metatrak 2G to 4G is a change of hardware, so back to the dealer/workshop, etc.

Sounds like MetaTrac don't know much about how a mobile tower actually works.

2033 is the last date 2G MAY still work in the UK.
That will be the last tower, probably somewhere remote, and it may well be replaced long before 2033.

Vodafone, who own about 50% of the 20,000 mobile phone site in the UK have stated they are closing down 2G by 2030.
The 2G shutdown in the UK has already started.

Any new tower erected in the last year or two will not have any 2G apparatus installed.
Any tower that is refurbished in the last couple of years will not have any 2G apparatus installed.

The 'life' of the kit inside a mobile tower is about 7 years.
A tower in somewhere like the City of London it's more like 18 months, the rest of London and other cities it's about 3-5 years, and more rural areas it will be 7-10 years.
Some more remote towers still have original kit 15+ years old, but that will all go within 5 years.

I think all of us with 2G trackers will start to notice blanks in the service within the next year or two.

If you keep you van in a rural storage location, not near WiFi, the most likely first effect will be when log onto the MetaTrac App and see your vehicle has 'moved' quite a distance from the actual location. as the tower triangulation stops working, one tower at a time.

 

[treblid]

I have contacted MetaTrak and our 2023 installed system is only 2G compatible.

MetaTrak told me they only changed their hardware and supplied only 4G systems for installations after July 2025 - which I find quite incredible! Not sure how they have got away with that. I thought 2023 was short sighted. The UK Government and main network operators announced the intention to switch off 2G (and 3G) in December 2021.

I will contact WattGuardz in due course to see what the options and costs are.

 

[eddie]

Sounds like MetaTrac don't know much about how a mobile tower actually works.

2033 is the last date 2G MAY still work in the UK.
That will be the last tower, probably somewhere remote, and it may well be replaced long before 2033.

Vodafone, who own about 50% of the 20,000 mobile phone site in the UK have stated they are closing down 2G by 2030.
The 2G shutdown in the UK has already started.

Any new tower erected in the last year or two will not have any 2G apparatus installed.
Any tower that is refurbished in the last couple of years will not have any 2G apparatus installed.

The 'life' of the kit inside a mobile tower is about 7 years.
A tower in somewhere like the City of London it's more like 18 months, the rest of London and other cities it's about 3-5 years, and more rural areas it will be 7-10 years.
Some more remote towers still have original kit 15+ years old, but that will all go within 5 years.

I think all of us with 2G trackers will start to notice blanks in the service within the next year or two.

If you keep you van in a rural storage location, not near WiFi, the most likely first effect will be when log onto the MetaTrac App and see your vehicle has 'moved' quite a distance from the actual location. as the tower triangulation stops working, one tower at a time.

Brains, saying that Meta Trak “don’t know much about how a mobile tower actually works” is unfair, I understand why you think that but it's not true

Your post makes several assumptions about the networks that do not follow from the published switch-off plans.

Replacing or upgrading equipment at a mast does not automatically mean its 2G service has been removed. Nor can you calculate when 2G coverage will disappear from a claimed lifespan for mast equipment.

Operators decide when and where to retire the service, and their published plans are the reliable basis for discussing those dates. Meta Trak passes on the latest information available from the operators, while making clear that plans can change. The earliest currently announced start of a UK-wide 2G retirement is in mid-2029.

There is another important point: Meta Trak uses roaming SIMs that can connect to multiple networks, subject to coverage and roaming arrangements. Losing access to one operator’s 2G network does not necessarily mean losing service where another compatible network is available.

The positioning explanation is also incorrect. Meta Trak obtains a vehicle’s position from GPS navigation satellites and reports it over the mobile network; it does not triangulate mobile masts to locate the vehicle.

If there is no mobile signal, as can happen in rural areas just as it does with a phone, the app may continue to display the last position received. Being near Wi-Fi does not affect the tracker’s connection.

2G retirement is a real issue, especially for travel abroad, but the predictions in your post about every new mast and widespread loss of service within a year or two are not established facts.

Meta Trak can check the equipment in an individual vehicle and advise on the countries its owner intends to visit, which is why I keep reiterating that anyone worried about this should speak to Meta Trak and discuss it with them.

 

[MichaelT]

I have contacted MetaTrak and our 2023 installed system is only 2G compatible.

MetaTrak told me they only changed their hardware and supplied only 4G systems for installations after July 2025 - which I find quite incredible! Not sure how they have got away with that. I thought 2023 was short sighted. The UK Government and main network operators announced the intention to switch off 2G (and 3G) in December 2021.

I will contact WattGuardz in due course to see what the options and costs are.

You could buy a decent one like Scorpion instead.

 

[eddie]

You could buy a decent one like Scorpion instead.

There's lots of Scorpions running on 2G as well

 

[MichaelT]

There's lots of Scorpions running on 2G as well

Probably but if you buying a new one anyway

 

[eddie]

Probably but if you buying a new one anyway

Personally I wouldn't bother unless it is a condition of insurance, given all the older systems ran on 2G that was all there was "back in the day" so given the time scale elapsed, and the associated decrease in insurance valuations, for many a monitored tracking system is no longer a requirement

Given that I can render any tracking system inoperative with a small hand held gadget, I have always argued that its only worth having if you "have" to have one

Many people would do better to pay a little more for their insurance and not fork out for the purchase, installation and subsequent monitoring fee's

Perhaps I am biased because I know how easily they can be turned off, any of them

 

[Deneb]

Given that I can render any tracking system inoperative with a small hand held gadget, I have always argued that its only worth having if you "have" to have one

Many people would do better to pay a little more for their insurance and not fork out for the purchase, installation and subsequent monitoring fee's

Perhaps I am biased because I know how easily they can be turned off, any of them

Can't disagree with any of that eddie

But I assume communication between the alarm system and the user's phone is via 2G also? If that's the case it's not just the tracker, but the ability to set and unset the start inhibition and maintenance modes as well - ignoring the transport mode if we're forgetting the tracking function?

The start inhibition is surely one of the reasons why as you have previously said, you aren't aware of any vehicle fitted with Strikeback having been stolen, as I'm sure you are also aware that without it, thieves can also override the manufacturer's engine immobiliser with another small hand-held gadget that many of them happen to carry when looking to take vehicles of a specific make and model. It's also one of the benefits with which the Strikeback system has been marketed as being better than competitors' systems.

I know that you're going to say, "talk to Meta Trak", but it is something else that owners should perhaps be more concerned about than the tracking side.

 

[MisterB]

I'm one of those caught in the trap, not deliberately set, but stuff happens. Mine was installed in November 2023, so l ss than three years ago! If Meta knew they would become obsolete and not work in some parts of Europe in 2026, then I think that any 'fault' lies with their supply to any installers, not the installers fault. Had they made that clear, then I'm sure I would have chosen to go for a 4g model rather than the 2g as labour costs to install would, I believe, be similar.
My concern is not the tracking as such, but the immobiliser. If I set the immobiliser but the 2g signal cannot reconnect to reset the immobiliser, what would I do? Can Meta guarantee that just leaving the system in place and no longer subscribing, that the system would not arm itself? But these are questions for Meta themselves not for Ash etc.

So my plan now after revisiting the thread is to consider upgrading Meta to 4g or having a fresh install of a different tracker/immobiliser and paying my subscription to someone else...

 

[MisterB]

I've sent this email to MetaTrak

I am somewhat concerned about my metatrak install only being 2g despite the fact that it's less than three years old? We travel a lot in Europe, especially France where they are phasing 2g out and have already started to do so.
My major concern is in setting the immobiliser and then being unable to access it or is it only the tracker aspect that wouldn't work if a 2g signal is available?

 

[zac]

I've sent this email to MetaTrak

I am somewhat concerned about my metatrak install only being 2g despite the fact that it's less than three years old? We travel a lot in Europe, especially France where they are phasing 2g out and have already started to do so.
My major concern is in setting the immobiliser and then being unable to access it or is it only the tracker aspect that wouldn't work if a 2g signal is available?

I thought these has an emergency over ride which is bluetooth and located directly in the app itself so would have thought it wouldn't matter about getting a 2g signal to turn off the immobiliser? Or have I gotten this wrong

 

[MisterB]

I thought these has an emergency over ride which is bluetooth and located directly in the app itself so would have thought it wouldn't matter about getting a 2g signal to turn off the immobiliser? Or have I gotten this wrong

That's why I'm asking Meta and will post their response when I receive it! I'm sure it's Bluetooth aswell, but it would be nice to have that confirmation from the manufacturer.
As I said, I'm not too concerned about the tracker not tracking in Europe, but I am concerned should the immobiliser not function.

 

[eddie]

This is the problem

The earlier ones didn't have Bluetooth, later version did

So I say yes, and it is misleading for some, and if I said no, again that will be misleading

In the same way that phones improve all the time as technology moves on

My first pagers I made myself, sat at a workbench of an evening after the days installation and it was a handheld receiver, so no SMS no GPS no Bluetooth no remote immobilisation

Meta Trak have all the information pertinent to YOUR installation

 

[MisterB]

I've sent this email to MetaTrak

I am somewhat concerned about my metatrak install only being 2g despite the fact that it's less than three years old? We travel a lot in Europe, especially France where they are phasing 2g out and have already started to do so.
My major concern is in setting the immobiliser and then being unable to access it or is it only the tracker aspect that wouldn't work if a 2g signal is available?

Here's Meta Trak response - I haven't had time to fully consider it yet though ...

Good morning,



Yes you would be correct that, if there is no 2G service available in the country you are visiting, you will not be able to set your Meta Trak immobiliser in your app. Whilst in the UK 2G will remain until at least 2030, likely 2033, this may cause issues if you travel to Europe in the coming years. There are a couple of options for you to work around this:



We currently offer a subsidised upgrade program for 2G units, to upgrade to a 4G system. You should speak to your installer Wattguardz (merged with VanBitz) regarding this program for more details and pricing.


We can supply you with a fob that can allow your system to automatically immobilise the vehicle. The cost would be £39 for 1 ID Tag, or £69 for 2 (inc. VAT and next day, signed-for delivery). This would mean you don’t need to rely on the app to set your immobiliser when in an area of poor signal (or even at home). The app will override the fob, so if you set “Deadlock” on the app then the vehicle still won’t start even with the ID Tag present. This can be configured in the following ways:


NO TAG NO START: The immobiliser is set 90s after the ignition is switched OFF and the ID Tag is out of range. The immobiliser is unset when the ID Tag comes into range.


NO TAG ONE START: The vehicle is allowed to start the first time if the ID Tag is not in range but will automatically block 90s after the ignition is switched OFF. This can be a useful option if the customer has safety concerns about a thief entering their property.


BUTTON PRESS: The immobiliser is set 90s after the ignition is switched OFF. The immobiliser is unset by pressing the button of the ID Tag within range and before the ignition is switched ON; the ID Tag will flash once to confirm the request and then flash rapidly to confirm the request has been completed.

 

[zac]

Here's Meta Trak response - I haven't had time to fully consider it yet though ...

Good morning,



Yes you would be correct that, if there is no 2G service available in the country you are visiting, you will not be able to set your Meta Trak immobiliser in your app. Whilst in the UK 2G will remain until at least 2030, likely 2033, this may cause issues if you travel to Europe in the coming years. There are a couple of options for you to work around this:



We currently offer a subsidised upgrade program for 2G units, to upgrade to a 4G system. You should speak to your installer Wattguardz (merged with VanBitz) regarding this program for more details and pricing.


We can supply you with a fob that can allow your system to automatically immobilise the vehicle. The cost would be £39 for 1 ID Tag, or £69 for 2 (inc. VAT and next day, signed-for delivery). This would mean you don’t need to rely on the app to set your immobiliser when in an area of poor signal (or even at home). The app will override the fob, so if you set “Deadlock” on the app then the vehicle still won’t start even with the ID Tag present. This can be configured in the following ways:


NO TAG NO START: The immobiliser is set 90s after the ignition is switched OFF and the ID Tag is out of range. The immobiliser is unset when the ID Tag comes into range.


NO TAG ONE START: The vehicle is allowed to start the first time if the ID Tag is not in range but will automatically block 90s after the ignition is switched OFF. This can be a useful option if the customer has safety concerns about a thief entering their property.


BUTTON PRESS: The immobiliser is set 90s after the ignition is switched OFF. The immobiliser is unset by pressing the button of the ID Tag within range and before the ignition is switched ON; the ID Tag will flash once to confirm the request and then flash rapidly to confirm the request has been completed.

They are not mentioning the Bluetooth option, which I am assuming is because you don't have it?

I don't see the point of having this auto arm when you are in and about/using the vehicle, as for me i only ever set mine when it is on the side of my house at home (if a thief steals the keys or breaks in). If I am using the vehicle, then I am there with it, so there is no need to have it keep setting the immobiliser, but that's just me, and we are all different, so what works for me i am sure, will not be the same for others.
Good to see they are subsidising the upgrade from 2G to 4G, would like to know what this looks like in terms of cost when someone has had a quote, but then i guess quotes will be different depending on what needs to be done, maybe.

 

[Orion]

We currently offer a subsidised upgrade program for 2G units, to upgrade to a 4G system. You should speak to your installer Wattguardz (merged with VanBitz) regarding this program for more details and pricing.

All good information, particularly this section. Thanks for contacting MetaTrak.