02-25-2021, 08:08 PM
Thanks Jfro5687 and GoldOxide;
@GoldOxide:
The web description of your device device mentions "removable" SIM card; but I assume it is not possible to use the device with a user's own pre-paid SIM card in whatever locale he's visiting, thus also avoiding after-sale relationship with the vendor? Is there a hardware on/off switch - so that the battery is not drained during the times rider's posterior is in the saddle? (I would not expect the battery itself to be removable?) What exactly was missing in the "stock" MO that motivated you to do the modifications? (do I guess correctly that detecting movement only based on GPS location was not considered sensitive enough?) From my friend's (the Traveller) perspective, main disadvantage of this class of devices is leaving a whole bunch of personal info in the vendor's possession ad secula seculorum. (Given the parts he will be travelling, I understand the sentiment).
@Jfro5687:
We are considering primarily risk of opportunistic theft while travelling: primarily leaving the bike unattended overnight. The locale does not matter: he knows he can get local pre-paid SIM with text quota in every country he will be passing through, but it is not considered prudent to assume vendor's "international" SIM card will keep the device operational in any and all countries he might be passing through. I fully agree that this is not the solution for "planned theft"; but this isn't the problem we are trying to solve here. And all usual precautions must be taken; the tracker is not likely to prevent the theft, only improve the chance to retrieve the bike (by some slim margin!).
I happen to know Globalstar as a communication system, and other than the privacy concerns it is a well-engineered system. Despite being pricey, SPOT tracker has a lot going for it, but primarily for it's other functions (that you mention); however in our case these are not considered to be of any real utility.
@GoldOxide:
The web description of your device device mentions "removable" SIM card; but I assume it is not possible to use the device with a user's own pre-paid SIM card in whatever locale he's visiting, thus also avoiding after-sale relationship with the vendor? Is there a hardware on/off switch - so that the battery is not drained during the times rider's posterior is in the saddle? (I would not expect the battery itself to be removable?) What exactly was missing in the "stock" MO that motivated you to do the modifications? (do I guess correctly that detecting movement only based on GPS location was not considered sensitive enough?) From my friend's (the Traveller) perspective, main disadvantage of this class of devices is leaving a whole bunch of personal info in the vendor's possession ad secula seculorum. (Given the parts he will be travelling, I understand the sentiment).
@Jfro5687:
We are considering primarily risk of opportunistic theft while travelling: primarily leaving the bike unattended overnight. The locale does not matter: he knows he can get local pre-paid SIM with text quota in every country he will be passing through, but it is not considered prudent to assume vendor's "international" SIM card will keep the device operational in any and all countries he might be passing through. I fully agree that this is not the solution for "planned theft"; but this isn't the problem we are trying to solve here. And all usual precautions must be taken; the tracker is not likely to prevent the theft, only improve the chance to retrieve the bike (by some slim margin!).
(02-25-2021, 07:22 PM)EmptySea_imp Wrote: Spot Device is more costly at $120-$150 (US), but you can buy a monthly subscription plan at $15/mo which could be cancelled when your friend returns from the danger zone. He could then sell the device...in fact, some retailers offer a 30 day return on these (although I think that taking advantage of such a return policy to use an item for a short time is basically stealing)Thanks for the comment;
I happen to like Spot because of its emergency features and therefore use it whenever I might be riding where there’s limited cell service. There may be better options these days, but all of them have a cost.
On other thing: I don’t use my Spot for theft prevention. In fact, unless you can hide the device, the thief will probably recognize it and toss it away. I make sure my insurance is paid up and includes theft coverage and then I’m very careful where I park. Odds are that nothings going to happen, even in the danger zone, but if it does and if your friend has decent insurance, it will be an inconvenience at worst.
I happen to know Globalstar as a communication system, and other than the privacy concerns it is a well-engineered system. Despite being pricey, SPOT tracker has a lot going for it, but primarily for it's other functions (that you mention); however in our case these are not considered to be of any real utility.