Has anyone got any experience with cheap trackers? With my new car I want to fit something that makes it easier to find if it's stolen. 

 

The tracker systems are stupid money so don't want to go that far. Thought about an old iPhone or something as I could use the track my iPhone software to find it...

On 09/01/2018 at 09:38, Chris said:

Has anyone got any experience with cheap trackers? With my new car I want to fit something that makes it easier to find if it's stolen. 

 

The tracker systems are stupid money so don't want to go that far. Thought about an old iPhone or something as I could use the track my iPhone software to find it...

 

Sorry, I don't have much knowledge of trackers, only the likely tech behind them.

 

There are a few problems with using an old smartphone:

1. Would need to have data on all the time. Phone may use data for things you can't really control. You'd need a data SIM for it.
2. Would need to be plugged in all the time, potentially draining your battery.
3. Difficult to to hide the phone from a thief.

A proper tracker should work around these issues. How much are the ones you've looked at?

 

Is the car you're buying really at such a risk of being stolen? You could go for home CCTV and/or physical security instead.

I've bought a 2011 Jaguar XJ L with a very high spec. With all this talk of keyless thefts it concerns me a bit that someone might fancy it. 

 

My 12v goes off when the car is locked so battery drain isn't too much of a worry. I could get a cheap phone with a rolling data plan I thought. Maybe an old iPhone to use the find my iPhone feature or an android so I can use Google. 

 

A proper tracker is about £400 plus a subscription. 

What about these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tracker-Vehicle-Theft-Protection-System-Black/dp/B003XDN58K/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1516126063&sr=1-6&keywords=car+tracker

and a asda pay and go sim with £10 on it

4p per text to give the location of the car. Does lots of fancy things but can be used for just tracking.

 

Edited 16 January, 20188 yr by JWvrs25

So how are you going to prevent the phone and the car being separated?

How will you track the car after the phone's battery runs out?

 

The phone idea really is not worthwhile. If you are that worried then investigate proper trackers and/or beef up your other security.

I have this installed;

 

https://www.carlock.co/

 

I pay a monthly subscription of about £5.50. Yes it can be easily removed from the OBD port, but I get an alert when that happens (I can always tell when they've carried out a software update during a service!), but for a cheap, reliable, non intrusive system (you don't have to remove trim/seats/carpets to install it), and you can transfer it from vehicle to vehicle. 

 

I've had it installed for approximately 3 years. Once you've set it up the way you want it, it's 'Fit& Forget'. 

 

They have a new addition to the system, but at the moment it only  works on crApple phones. 

2 hours ago, Fin69 said:

I have this installed;

 

https://www.carlock.co/

 

I pay a monthly subscription of about £5.50. Yes it can be easily removed from the OBD port, but I get an alert when that happens (I can always tell when they've carried out a software update during a service!), but for a cheap, reliable, non intrusive system (you don't have to remove trim/seats/carpets to install it), and you can transfer it from vehicle to vehicle. 

 

I've had it installed for approximately 3 years. Once you've set it up the way you want it, it's 'Fit& Forget'. 

 

They have a new addition to the system, but at the moment it only  works on crApple phones. 

 

You could get around the easy removal by using a plate with two holes drilled in it, and two holes in the plastic either side of the OBD port. Couple of bolts, job done  Obviously would be easier to do on certain cars