BMW SOS...... Tracker ?

[Onahi]

As the SOS basically knows your location at any time. With separate stand alone mobile phone technology under the seat. Why is this not classified as a tracker ?
For insurance purposes ?

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Maybe because it only works when activated either by a sensor in case of a fall or if you push the button, just a wild guess Nige.

 

[Glen]

I asked the same question when I picked up my bike, the dealer didn’t know but did offer to fit a tracker for £400!!!.

It does make sense if your location can be accessed any time by BMW assist then they should be able to locate a stolen bike. This should also apply to all vehicles fitted with SOS.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

I asked the same question when I picked up my bike, the dealer didn’t know but did offer to fit a tracker for £400!!!.

It does make sense if your location can be accessed any time by BMW assist then they should be able to locate a stolen bike. This should also apply to all vehicles fitted with SOS.

Question would be, why would BMW assist help, if the SOS had not been activated by some way, thats way they want to sell you a tracker.

 

[POL382]

My car has a similar system but is only able to work when the system is blu toothed to a mobile phone.

 

[Neil W]

Probably end up next year as a pay for option on SOS equipped bikes along with a suitable yearly fee to help BMW UK profit margins

 

[jefformston]

I bought a tracker for around £35, it’s the size of a packet of cards rechargeable via usb. Drain in standby is 10% per week so battery lasts a while between charges. The vibration alert is excellent & so is the geo-fencing, instant text and message via the app if the bike is interfered with or moved. Can’t see what advantages a £400 BMW branded tracker would have.

 

[Onahi]

My car has a similar system but is only able to work when the system is blu toothed to a mobile phone.

The BMW SOS has its own stand alone permanent connection to BMW Mothership and all emergency networks. Its always connected.
I suspect it could easily be used as a tracker, but like has been said, They want to sell you another tracker @ £400.
Piss take.

 

[Weird Bob]

The BMW SOS has its own stand alone permanent connection to BMW Mothership and all emergency networks. Its always connected.
I suspect it could easily be used as a tracker, but like has been said, They want to sell you another tracker @ £400.
Piss take.

I’m not sure it’s always connected or rather any more or less connected than a mobile phone unit is. It doesn’t initiate a connection/call until an accident or you press the button.
That being said I don’t think it would take a whole lot more to make it into a security device. That’s probably going to be generation 2. If they get it rated by the insurance companies I would be interested as some of them either refused outright to cover commuting or only with a tracker if I wanted fully comprehensive.

 

[fred_jb]

I bought a tracker for around £35, it’s the size of a packet of cards rechargeable via usb. Drain in standby is 10% per week so battery lasts a while between charges. The vibration alert is excellent & so is the geo-fencing, instant text and message via the app if the bike is interfered with or moved. Can’t see what advantages a £400 BMW branded tracker would have.

The main advantage of the things like BikeTrac which I have is that they are monitored by a control centre who will contact you if your bike has moved when it shouldn't. If you confirm and report it stolen to the police they will then take over and activate their recovery system which includes liaison with the police on your behalf, using their established relationship and credibility with the police to get the appropriate action taken.

The problem with the DIY trackers is that you may be able to locate the bike, but are you going to confront the thieves yourself? If not you are just another member of Joe Public trying to get the police to assist, and judging by people I know who have been in that situation you would be lucky to get any action in time to recover the bike.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

You can actually do that with a cheapo tracker and make your own control centre, it really is not difficult.

https://www.traccar.org/

 

[Onahi]

Thats my point, It wouldn't take much to make it a tracker ?
On my phone connected app, id be able to track it if it was stolen, in real time. Giving that information to the police.
REF the insurance.....
I can not believe my factory BMW Alarm is not recognised by Thatcham and that the insurance wont recognise it. Feckin boils my piss.

 

[fred_jb]

You can actually do that with a cheapo tracker and make your own control centre, it really is not difficult.

https://www.traccar.org/

Tracking is not the issue, it is the recovery process that is the problem. Someone I know had a bike stolen and was able to report the location to the police because an iPhone in the top box was trackable. The police still did not recover the bike.

 

[Onahi]

Tracking is not the issue, it is the recovery process that is the problem. Someone I know had a bike stolen and was able to report the location to the police because an iPhone in the top box was trackable. The police still did not recover the bike.

I've heard stuff like that. The police just not being interested ? WTF NOT

That leaves only the option of yourself turning up

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

I've heard stuff like that. The police just not being interested ? WTF NOT

That leaves only the option of yourself turning up

Not much else you can really do, but in most cases if it is the scrotes they normally park the bike somewhere for a day or 2 to see if the Police or others arrive to recover it, if bike is still there in a day or 2 they realise it has no tracker, and come back and take it away, so if you locate your bike, normally you can go and recover it, depending on the area, or where it is parked.

 

[jefformston]

The main advantage of the things like BikeTrac which I have is that they are monitored by a control centre who will contact you if your bike has moved when it shouldn't. If you confirm and report it stolen to the police they will then take over and activate their recovery system which includes liaison with the police on your behalf, using their established relationship and credibility with the police to get the appropriate action taken.

The problem with the DIY trackers is that you may be able to locate the bike, but are you going to confront the thieves yourself? If not you are just another member of Joe Public trying to get the police to assist, and judging by people I know who have been in that situation you would be lucky to get any action in time to recover the bike.

Probably not by myself but I if its local then I know a few people who'd help, you never know a plea out on this forum may produce some assistance as well, if further a field then yes I'd be relying on the Police. If you think BikeTrac etc have more pull with the Police nationwide & internationally then I think you maybe disappointed.

 

[Weird Bob]

Thats my point, It wouldn't take much to make it a tracker ?
On my phone connected app, id be able to track it if it was stolen, in real time. Giving that information to the police.
REF the insurance.....
I can not believe my factory BMW Alarm is not recognised by Thatcham and that the insurance wont recognise it. Feckin boils my piss.

I honestly think that it will come as generation 2 or 3 of the SOS. It’s getting hard to insure high end motorcycles so they need to do something to protect their market.
I was lucky my insurer did accept the factory alarm. One insurer flat out refused commuting cover and another made it unaffordable. I just managed to keep it on my existing policy.

 

[sven]

A friend had his BMW 320D M Sport nicked from outside his house a couple of months ago (thieves broke in to nick the keys) and he know it had the BMW SOS system fitted , but he didn't renew the subscription when he bought it. He phoned BMW up and they said they knew exactly where the car was but wouldn't reveal the location because he didn't have a current subscription. After a few days wrangling they eventually gave him the location, by which time the thieves had moved it and the signal was lost (I guess they figured out how to disable it).

 

[stonehenge]

Quite a comprehensive FAQ's here:

https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/experience/engineering/safety/ecall/ecall.html

From a scan read; there is a Sim Card, the Ignition needs to be on and it needs a mobile telecoms service. If the system is activated in an emergency, by whatever sensor, then the emergency services are automatically dispatched. They know where you are (by mobile signal). If you manually activate it by pressing the button (eg you fear you are having a heart attack), you need to speak to them before anything is dispatched. If you can't speak, (such as you are under attack by a yoof with a disc cutter and you are frightened speechless) then the services are dispatched automatically.

There is no mention of Connected Drive technology used in BMW cars that help you find your stead in a crowded car park; or any tracker type connection to an App.

 

[Onahi]

Quite a comprehensive FAQ's here:

https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/experience/engineering/safety/ecall/ecall.html

From a scan read; there is a Sim Card, the Ignition needs to be on and it needs a mobile telecoms service. If the system is activated in an emergency, by whatever sensor, then the emergency services are automatically dispatched. They know where you are (by mobile signal). If you manually activate it by pressing the button (eg you fear you are having a heart attack), you need to speak to them before anything is dispatched. If you can't speak, (such as you are under attack by a yoof with a disc cutter and you are frightened speechless) then the services are dispatched automatically.

There is no mention of Connected Drive technology used in BMW cars that help you find your stead in a crowded car park; or any tracker type connection to an App.

The tracker location is on the connected app on the phone. It shows the location on me (Phone) and the location of the bike.