Thread: cheap anti theft GPS trackers?

Considering getting a no fees 3G or 4G GPS tracker thingy for my boats

They seem to fall into a few classes

Expensive ones with ongoing fees hook up to vehicle battery

Expensive ones with ongoing fees don't hook up to vehicle battery work out side network e.g spot gen3

Cheap ones with no ongoing fees (aside from sim card/data) hook up to battery

Cheap ones no ongoing fees (aside from sim card/data) with onboard battery

The latter would be the go if such a thing exists that is cheap/reliable, I have read that the cheapies are unreliable and have shit software/coverage may need an antennae

can any one advise? cheers in advance

Curious to what's out there as well, when I looked (6 months ago) they were all out of my budget or a kickstarter project

GPS is basically a set of satellites that operate a very accurate clock. when your receiver receives signal it locates you by the time differential between the satellites
but..........to transmit that info remotely back to you is where it gets into the $
i fitted a $80 aliexpress special into a car and it worked fine, cost $20 for the prepay sim and didnt access it till i needed too. worked well
it was connected to the vehicles battery, drew bugga all current and had a 14 day standby if the battery was connected.
but of course it depended on a local cell service so no service no tracing, so take it into a bad signal area or chuck the vehicle into a shipping container and say goodbye.

There is no bullet proof solution - all are fallible.

I use one linked to V2.7.0 - bought it for $70 I think and then $50 a year. its active tracking so you can monitor 24/7.
There are two models, OBD2 plugin and the wired version which you could run a secondary battery through a relay so if the battery is disconnected it will still run for a few weeks.

The latter is a great options as you can wire it just about anywhere in the car or bike/boat etc and take power from anywhere in the loom making it difficult to locate.

Almost all work using 3G/4G so a basic signal blocker set to the right frequency renders them all useless. Better than nothing though and with active tracking it will tell you the minute it loses signal or the power is cut.

I have a use for a couple of these too. Anyone recommend a brand or can put up a link?

Originally Posted by planenutz

I have a use for a couple of these too. Anyone recommend a brand or can put up a link?

Give Craig a call on 021 734 374 or email sales@offthenet.co.nz

Thanks @terryf

Originally Posted by planenutz

Thanks @terryf

+1

Originally Posted by terryf

There is no bullet proof solution - all are fallible.

I use one linked to V2.7.0 - bought it for $70 I think and then $50 a year. its active tracking so you can monitor 24/7.
There are two models, OBD2 plugin and the wired version which you could run a secondary battery through a relay so if the battery is disconnected it will still run for a few weeks.

The latter is a great options as you can wire it just about anywhere in the car or bike/boat etc and take power from anywhere in the loom making it difficult to locate.

Almost all work using 3G/4G so a basic signal blocker set to the right frequency renders them all useless. Better than nothing though and with active tracking it will tell you the minute it loses signal or the power is cut.

Signal blocker?

yep, you can buy signal blockers, they use them around prisons in nz and in some movie theaters overseas etc

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Signal blocker?

its like a jammer which blocks incoming and outgoing signals rendering 3G/4G or whatever signal is being jammed, useless.
Just a basic google search will give you tons of info https://www.jammer-store.com/

Just saw this on FB
https://www.gearbest.com/gps-accesso...l6SvZV786o8LDM
$20 sound cheap enough

Originally Posted by kiwijames

Just saw this on FB
https://www.gearbest.com/gps-accesso...l6SvZV786o8LDM
$20 sound cheap enough

Pity it only has a 4-6 day battery life before it needs to be recharged.