Gps Tracker Systems?

[Dainese Brave]

I've been doing some research into possibly fitting a Gps Tracker system on my Gsa....

...but I've never really had much to do with them in the past, and wondered if anyone had any personal recommendations, and why.

I'll admit that I'm not a great lover of alarms, as they tend to put a drain on the battery, and seem an ineffective security device....not as good as a big padlock and chain anyway!

I'm wondering if these systems put the same sort of drain on the electrics as alarms?..particulally when in storage?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Racey]

Have a look at this - the guys have been debating them for a while:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226058

 

[GADGET]

So despite the disadvantages you have already put forward, to say nothing of the financial cost of fitting the device and presumably some sort of subscription. Do you think Norwich/Norfok warrants the fitting of a Tracker? I may be biased, but we are not exactly crime hot spot here

 

[Dainese Brave]

No....but my bike doesn't only stay in Norfolk.

My thoughts on getting one were for security, abroad as well as at home, and also to reduce my insurance premiums.

 

[GADGET]

fair comment, got to be lighter than carrying a big lock and chain.
But if its stolen abroad, how are the local plod set up in respect of the business end of tracker; over here they are fitted in a proportion of patrol cars.....

 

[Mr K]

A bike would generally be nicked by sticking it in a van or lorry - Would this render the tracker useless?

 

[Dainese Brave]

A bike would generally be nicked by sticking it in a van or lorry - Would this render the tracker useless?

I'm led to belive that the 'Tracker' version will work in a van, in a container, and even in an underground car park.....but don't ask me how?

 

[ovenpaa]

Many years ago I ordered up my first new BWM, an 1150 Adventure and rang around for some insurance quotes including the BM insurance, I was always asked the same questions "Does it have an alarm and tracker" Every time I said no I was greeted with a sharp intake of breath until I asked if it would make a significant difference to the premium, cue some umming and ermming and the reply was none!

These days I insure my bikes as not alarmed, not locked left on the road (I even did this with my G40X which does not even come with an ignition system) Yes I do secure them with an Almax/Squire/Xena combo but never bother with after market alarms.

Anyway my point is trackers are great for peace of mind but if the Insurance companies do not appear to rate such devices are they really effective or worth the extra outlay?

 

[Snoopy]

Trackers generally use the SMS system to relay co-ordinates, if your mobile works underground or in a van it would be ok.

 

[Dainese Brave]

That's interesting about the lack of insurance discount...that isn't the main reason for me getting one, but it was a big influence.

I've not actually gone as far as calling my brokers (Carole Nash/Aviva) to see what the discounts might be.

I have to be honest, and say that I'm always reluctant to attatch gizmos like alarms etc onto my bikes, as I'm sure they are a receipe for future troubles....

.....I'm quickly going off the idea of trackers too, it seems there aren't many positive comments towards them.

Thanks for your input fellas.

 

[ovenpaa]

Biggest plus for a tracker (For me at least) was when I was hammering around the more obscure forest lanes and beaches in DK on the G450X - the plan was my wife could tell exactly where I was at any time. Great until I buried it in very soft sand for the third time, decided the best plan was to bleat to my wife about life being so unfair and........ Yup no signal on my mobile

 

[Giles]

The pukka 'Tracker' device is a good bit of kit. Pretty much all the police traffic cars have tracker fitted, as of course do the helicopters. If one car picks up a signal, I would say within an hour we've found what were looking for. Quite often quality cars are deliberately laid up in a side road somewhere because the criminals know that we will find it. If its still there a week later they know there's no tracker fitted.
There have been a number of occasions when we get nearer and nearer the signal to eventually find the tracker device in a hedge where it has been ripped out of a car.
This would be food for thought on a bike. There are only so many places you could hide it compared to a car. If they occasionally find it in a Merc or a BM, you can bet yer bottom dollar they find it pretty quickly on a motorcycle.
The expensive annual subscription to Tracker would put me off too .....
It is good kit, but personally, I'd only fit it to my Aston Martin.

(sigh ..... one day ..... ).....

 

[Dainese Brave]

Good points.

Size of the unit was a concern...and so where to hide it. I wasn't actually sure how big they are, but when you think of it logically it would have to be pretty small to be able to conceal it.

I had also wondered....if you do fit one to a bike (or a car for that matter)...do you advertise, by way of a sticker, that you have one fitted...as a deterent..but by doing so, then alert the thieves to look for one to remove?!?!

Thinking it's too much hassle/expense for what it gains.

 

[Giles]

I had also wondered....if you do fit one to a bike (or a car for that matter)...do you advertise, by way of a sticker, that you have one fitted...as a deterent..but by doing so, then alert the thieves to look for one to remove?!?!

Yes, its a good question. The car trackers are professionally fitted and are well tucked away. I guess if you advertised that fact, some thieves would be put off, knowing they'll have to find it, and it could be hidden anywhere. That having been said, most of the high value cars that i have had dealings with, have not advertised their tracker device.

Out of interest, the current trend in burglaries (last four or five years or so..) has led to a sharp rise in high value car theft. Hot wiring a car is a thing of the past. Most good modern cars can't be started without the key now days, so if somebody fancies your flash Merc, BM, etc etc, they burgle your house now, leaving your telly, video, computer ... but concentrate on looking for your car keys.
I also know of one or two instances where keys have been spotted hanging on a hook or placed on a table in an entrance hall or porch, and have been fished out the letter box with an anglers rod. (Honestly!!).
So try not to leave keys in an obvious place. (We are all guilty ... my keys hang on a hook in a kitchen and her indoors keeps her jewelry in her bedside drawer! probably like 90% of the population!) Ideally you'd keep yer diamonds in the coffee jar and yer car / bike keys somewhere equally obscure.

 

[Giles]

A bike would generally be nicked by sticking it in a van or lorry - Would this render the tracker useless?

I forgot to add .....

The tracking equipment in the police cars picks up the signal strength masured in bars. (the more bars the nearer you are).
Sometimes a signal is detected but is very weak. It might even appear for a few seconds then dissapear. The signal comes up with a numeric code, and we immediately phone tracker and give them that code. They can then remotely boost that signal, the boost will last for a period of time (24, 48 hours? Not too sure) and the increase in signal helps its chances.
Plant can be recovered from lockups and even freight containers, so bikes in vans and lorries would be no problem.

 

[Big Nick]

To be honest if my bike was nicked I'd prefer not to have it back

 

[Giles]

Yes, I pretty much think the same too. Worst case scenario is when its found crashed in a dead end street on an industrial site, probably bounced off the rev limiter in every gear, and the insurers decide to repair it and give it back to you! No thanks !!!!