Is it worth using a tracker?

[AshleyBrayson]

I've seen simple tracking devices like the ones you'd have on a key ring and can track via a phone. Is it worth using something like this that you could somehow conceal on the bike? At least you'd know where it ended up if stolen.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

No. IIRC, they only get tracked by people that have the tracking app on their phone, which is virtually nobody. The pet trackers with a sim card and gps would be better, but you have to figure out what to do about battery life.

 

[PeterL]

Interested in this thread and would have thought something like this would do well

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MAGNETIC-REWIRE-SECURITY-104-PRO-TK104/dp/B00WAE5UMM/ref=pd_sbs_107_10?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YP0XH7PW1WQFC2MX13TT

battery life seem to be reasonable?

 

[rich_r]

You can get GPS trackers that take a SIM card (use a PAYG low usage one that only needs one text or call a year to stay active) that are the size of a cigarette lighter from China for £10. Probably easier to fit on a bike. They are designed for cars though, so require a 12V supply.

My friends has one in his car, and it does work well - despite it's cheapness. However it's not something the Police can access directly, so it'd be up to you to work with them using the app or web page to provide the location.

 

[Pokinwilly]

I'm having the same though/intention. I have some experience with GPS tracker, as I installed one (cheap, bought from China) in my car.
Feedback is that battery lifetime is the main concern : I had to connect it to the permanent power, the integrated battery would last 1-2 days only.

Interested in this thread and would have thought something like this would do well

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MAGNETIC-REWIRE-SECURITY-104-PRO-TK104/dp/B00WAE5UMM/ref=pd_sbs_107_10?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YP0XH7PW1WQFC2MX13TT

battery life seem to be reasonable?

I've just ordered from China a similar tracker for 30EUR (expected in 30-40 days). My criteria was : waterproof + long battery life time (90 days in eco mode : one GPS fix per hour).
I plan to power the GPS tracker using the lightning output of the Bosch edrive motor (which is enabled but unused on my mountain bike pedelec), but I still have to figure out how to connect it, and find a place for the tracker (probably within the motor case).

More to come...

 

[STEVEMANFA]

Keep us updated on this, because I'd like to fit one on my bike.

 

[Wheel-E]

I've got a bluetooth tracker in my controller housing - £20 and battery lasts a year.
I'm planning on buying a cheap GPS tracker which will need to be hidden where it can be removed and charged regularly. I also have a seperate alarm which goes off when the bike is moved.

I'm not kidding myself that any of these things alone will work, but if the noisy alarm doesn't put them off/alert me then the tracker will alert me if the bike has moved beyond the geofence and in which direction. The bluetooth tracker is tiny and has a fairly good range, as long as you know approximately where it is. For the low overall cost, I'm thinking I may as well.

 

[rich_r]

If it's on an electric bike, then it might be better to find a way to keep the tracker battery charged using the bike's battery - keeping it properly hidden and making it more difficult for a potential thief to remove.

Assuming it charges from USB, you should be able to find a suitable 5V supply from the controller that'll be able to supply enough current.

Another advantage of having a powered bike over a non-powered one

 

[DangerousDave79]

Just a thought, wouldnt you be safer getting bike insurance?

That way youve no stress if it gets knicked and get a brand new bike out of it?

 

[rich_r]

Insurance is good, but from the experience of friends who have had their bike stolen, it can take months before you get a payout - leaving you with no bike (and possibly expense because you've not got to use public transport or a car to get to work). With a tracker you have an additional chance of getting it back much sooner.

Also if your bike isn't an unmodified standard model from a big name, insurance can be sometimes be tricky. For example if you've fitted a motor kit yourself using parts bought off eBay or direct from China, it might be difficult to replace with like for like if prices have gone up.

 

[BazP]

I've just had my bike stolen and was paid out in 10 days by Legal and General.
It covered the full cost of the bike buy not accessories such as rack, lights etc. They said that I should have valued the bike to include these. Incidentally, they never questioned what lock was on it at the time.

Only problem now is going to be the next premium.

 

[Subspace]

I recommend a Tile bluetooth key finder. If you lose it then any Tile user can "find" it for you. Only thing I don't like is the battery cannot be replaced.

 

[Subspace]

Assuming it charges from USB, you should be able to find a suitable 5V supply from the controller that'll be able to supply enough current.

You can also use a DC-DC converter to step down the main battery voltage to 5V USB e.g.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-6V-40V-To-5V-3A-Double-USB-Charge-DC-DC-Step-down-Converter-Module-RM-/201955024040?hash=item2f05751ca8:g:f44AAOSwXetZQQCm

I use a similar module to power my lights.

 

[Martin56]

Worth checking this thread:

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/gps-tracker.27123/#post-363579

 

[jaivioxford]

Much needed Information..Thanks for posting..

 

[Steve Dyson]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but check out the link below if you fancy making your own with arduino

Make Your Own GPS SMS Security Tracking System

Make Your Own GPS SMS Security Tracking System: In this project I will show you how to combine a SIM5320 3G module with an Arduino and a piezoelectric transducer as a shock sensor in order to create a security tracking system that will send you the location of your precious vehicle via SMS when i…

www.instructables.com

 

[vfr400]

I have a Samsung phone. If I go to Samsungdive.com, I can see exactly where it is. It uses the phone's GPS somehow. I was thinking that you buy a used Samsung with a broken screen or an old working model from Ebay as a tracker using that service. the old Samsung galaxy Ace is pretty small, so could easily be concealed.

 

[sjpt]

My son had a similar tracked phone; it tracked his stolen phone to a house in London, but there was nothing the police were willing to do about it.

 

[RossG]

The best advice I could give on tracking devices is turn them off !! After all do you really want every tom dick & harry knowing where you are at any one time ? You pop out for a bike ride telling the whole world where you are via ' Map My Ride ' or one of the many other cycle ride mapping apps, then whilst you happily wend your way around the countryside back home some one is turning your house over because they know you're out.

Nah...that can't happen,,

Cyclists warned to beware sharing data on ride-tracking apps

With more people tracking their rides, could the apps they use be helping thieves locate and steal top-end bikes?

news.sky.com

Same thing goes for phones or any device that uses GPS data sharing...beware.

 

[vfr400]

The best advice I could give on tracking devices is turn them off !! After all do you really want every tom dick & harry knowing where you are at any one time ? You pop out for a bike ride telling the whole world where you are via ' Map My Ride ' or one of the many other cycle ride mapping apps, then whilst you happily wend your way around the countryside back home some one is turning your house over because they know you're out.

Nah...that can't happen,,

Cyclists warned to beware sharing data on ride-tracking apps

With more people tracking their rides, could the apps they use be helping thieves locate and steal top-end bikes?

news.sky.com

Same thing goes for phones or any device that uses GPS data sharing...beware.

You're being tracked everywhere anyway. Have a look at your Google Timeline.