GPS tracker and stolen cars

With all the cars being stolen lately I'm considering putting GPS trackers in some of my own and my customers cars.

I did a search and didn't find any decent threads besides a guy selling his solution.

From my research on the web I've found systems from under $200 to well over $1,000 with and without monthly subscriptions.

Anyone have any first hand experience with these systems? Good, bad, buyers guide type info?

 

onstar ? they sell a universal one at bestbuy

 

I've always wondered why more folks don't use them. I mean, a $$$$ rod and no protection. I don't have one, but mine is never out of sight. But if I stayed overnight anywhere, I'd have one.

Your prices seem right. There are plenty out there. have you looked at Lo-Jack? Good luck.

 

Problem is they come in a VERY ugly mirror setup, cost $374 for the basic package, BestBuy warns for upto $200 additional labor charges for installation and the OnStar FMV subscription isn't cheap either.

Doesn't seem to be very hot-rod or wallet friendly.

I was thinking more something like this: http://www.rmtracking.com/gpsproducts/vehicle_recovery/smart_tracker.php And NO I have no financial interest in this company or this product. But I do like the low(ish) cost, no subscription fee, backup battery and easy to hide solution.

 

also the problem with the ONstar one is its obvious, and they snap it off like a used condom and toss it in the parking lot of where your car once sat.

I think hideing them is a better aproach out of sight out of mind, gives you time to track it down, or if you prefer , have the law track it.

 

I've got LoJack in my Flex and its still the best way to go imo.

http://www.lojack.com/why/pages/why-you-need-lojack.aspx

No subscription, its a hidden unit, just about every police car out there has a LoJack detector, guaranteed to recover your vehicle within 24 hours of activation and it can even lower your insurance. Hell, they call YOU if they think your car might be stolen.

 

I don't have a better idea but Lojack does not have coverage everywhere in the US. If you look on their site there is a coverage list showing what cities (counties?) are covered. No coverage at all in Nebraska.

 

back to top for the morning crowd, there must be someone out there with some first hand experience.

 

Ground out the coil with the car's cigarette lighter... Price???.... About 99 cents for a length of wire..

 

And how does this recover a stolen car?

Alarm systems and start disablers are all great, but no defense against a flatbed trailer or a thief that knows what they are doing.

 

Your right! They can haul it away if they wanted it that bad...

 

Yep, even thieves can own rollbacks. I have seen a local "recovery" service in our area that has in the cab controls and a "spike device" that they can hook on in your drive way and go several blocks to hook up legally. Illegal? I'm sure but it's the reality, not the "TV reality".
I agree, I am also looking at something to protect my investment. Grundy is great for most things, but I really like my cars and the money is not my objective, so please, contribute with real world input.

 

US Fleet Tracking in Edmond, Ok is one of the largest GPS companies for fleet trucks. Use there device in my hot rod and race car. 70% of the big road trucks use this device. Bout the size of a cell phone, weatherproof and can be mounted several ways. 24 hr tracking via satellite. Alta Mere in OKC is a dealer for them.

Lo-jack has very limited coverage at best. Check web sight for coverage and you will see that they are not the way to go. Very few small metro's and some states don't offer coverage.

 

Arrowtrack it texts your phone when its moved and you can log on a find your car.

 

i also look into this for like five mins iphone users can purchase a device you can track with your phone. problem is i would go get the car myself and end up in jail... look under fleet tracking apps

 

LoJack is VERY limited in scope and coverage, as stated above. As an example, in the OKC area, LoJack devices are only in a handful of the over 500 OCSD patrol cars, and even fewer OKC city cop cars. If you are outside the major metropolitan areas that LoJack actually covers, you are screwed. For the money, there are other options.

I do not like OnStar, and will never own a vehicle with it installed.

 

I have not tried one but here's another option www.zoombak.com

 

A buddy of mine has this in his transporter. I've got my own password so I can track his truck 24/7 wether it's running or not. Check it out HERE

 

a guy did a post on here once.. a 2nd cell phone on his plan, mounted with a charger under his dash, activated the phones gps and looked at it with his computer, seemed like a pretty good idea, as long as you notice it is missing before the phones battery dies, if they disconnect the cars battery.

 

I just ordered a Garmin GTU10 and the hardwire kit 010-11131-10, comes with a 1 year free and $50.00 a year after that, up grade for a "GPS Fence" is $120.00 a year. Free Iphone app and if it leaves the "fence" it will notify you in real time. Battery is good for several weeks, unit is the size of a credit card about 3/4" thick. Anyone else running GPS security?

 

There is an extensive artical in the April Street Rodder. It's called Arrow Track.

 

For my small fleet (5 trucks), I use Positrace GPS. Purchase price was about $200, I get monitoring for $19.99/mo. Can set up all sorts of alerts, too, real time tracking. Installation is about as hard as a car stereo, and it can be made invisible or nearly so.

Google Positrace and you'll find their website.

Chris