Theft prevention trackers

[rotor]

Searched the forum but couldn't find any comment on such devices.

A friend who will be making a trip to where theft is a know problem asked me about trackers, but my knowledge of the subject is quite shallow: there is (the best-known ?) GlobalStar/Spot device which operates entirely on their own hybrid (terrestrial+satellite) network, but is pricey, especially when the monthly service fee is factored in.

Other than Spot, there is a variety of devices, all of two distinct types: those that have built-in SIM card and operate in cooperation with selected, often regional mobile telephony company(ies), and devices where the user is providing the SIM card and the device communicates with the owner via SMS messages and/or SIM's data traffic. The former type always requires a service contract with the device vendor, the latter often (but not always) does nor. The type that works with owner provided SIM seems to be more likely to be operational world-wide (provided of course one can obtain local pre-paid SIM in the country visited). There are also some privacy concerns when a complete travel log is left in the service operator's possession.

Is my general understanding of the technology correct? Is there someone here that has practical experience with a particular device vendor/service operator he would be willing to share?

TIA,

[Cormanus]

Hullo rotor. I can offer no assistance with your enquiry, but wanted to say it's good to see you. I was wondering only the other day where you'd got to.

[peterbaron]

Our member GoldOxide has an inexpensive telephone tracker for his AF.
Very sure, he will chime in.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Welcome back to the Forum rotor.

Cormanus really did miss ya!

(╯︵╰,)

[rotor]

Hullo rotor. I can offer no assistance with your enquiry, but wanted to say it's good to see you. I was wondering only the other day where you'd got to.

Hi, thanks for the kind words Cormanus. Somehow this stupid epidemic had a way to get me, the snow and ice, and my bike at different/incompatible locales more often than not But I have the best intentions to rectify the situation this coming spring/summer. Virus or no Virus.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Searched the forum but couldn't find any comment on such devices.

A friend who will be making a trip to where theft is a know problem asked me about trackers, but my knowledge of the subject is quite shallow: there is (the best-known ?) GlobalStar/Spot device which operates entirely on their own hybrid (terrestrial+satellite) network, but is pricey, especially when the monthly service fee is factored in.

Other than Spot, there is a variety of devices, all of two distinct types: those that have built-in SIM card and operate in cooperation with selected, often regional mobile telephony company(ies), and devices where the user is providing the SIM card and the device communicates with the owner via SMS messages and/or SIM's data traffic. The former type always requires a service contract with the device vendor, the latter often (but not always) does nor. The type that works with owner provided SIM seems to be more likely to be operational world-wide (provided of course one can obtain local pre-paid SIM in the country visited). There are also some privacy concerns when a complete travel log is left in the service operator's possession.

Is my general understanding of the technology correct? Is there someone here that has practical experience with a particular device vendor/service operator he would be willing to share?

TIA,

Thanks [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=3454]PB.

rotor: My solution is the least known.

Basically I took one of [url=https://www.simtek.io/products/simtek-duo-smart-motion-sensor]these devices, modified the electronics with a tilt-switch (basically a mercury switch), a few circuit cuts/jumps and a resistor or two (all this totally voids the device warranty), and I have been using it for a couple years now.

The original device functionality is maintained, but I cover those sensors up. I keep the Simtek Duo stored under the seat (for example) and when the bike is moved in a non-favourable way, the device activates and sends a SMS message to my phone usually in less than 30 seconds. With the installed app, I also get triangulated coordinates of the device, and hence my bike. That is basically it.

The lithium battery charge lasts up to a year, but is easily recharged via a USB power source. I find myself charging it every couple months when the app shows 60% or less on the battery. This device has a $4 US per month fee or a lower priced annual fee.

Another great thing is I move this from bike-to-bike - as needed. Above all, if I stop using it for motorcycle tampering, I can use the device as it was originally marketed for.

[Jfro5687_imp]

Hi Rotor, Sorry I can’t help you with any gadget feedback. You don’t say where the trip is which might help or the actual bike (is it a BMW GS?) however my advice would be to concentrate on prevention more than relying on any one tech device.

In the UK. Most theft is in two categories, opportunistic or planned.

Planned is basically organised crime. If someone really wants your stuff they will probably already know it’s there and weigh up the risk vs reward of trying to steal it. Then depending upon what it is go to more extreme lengths to plan for it. For example, huge farm tractors, Combine Harvesters, Range Rovers and luxury cars. All full of trackers and alarms, keyless entry, CCTV, secure yards and buildings etc yet they get stolen all the time. Serious stuff.

Opportunistic. These are more preventable. m/bikes can fall into this category thankfully because they just aren’t valuable enough (in most cases) or the demand isn’t there on the black market. Try and cover your bike, hide it or park it away out of sight. Use an old bike cover not a flashy new one that says ‘look at me’. Don’t leave your bike out on the driveway for hours with traffic going past, you never know who’s going past looking. Take a different route home. Mix up your routine. Avoid on street parking if you can. Ask to use someone’s garage or driveway. The worst they can say is no. Use the steering lock and buy a decent bike lock. Chain it to a post ideally not through the front wheel but the frame or swing arm. Make the wanna be thief try elsewhere. A motion alarm is good thing (don’t get me wrong) but on its own is unlikely to deter a serious attack.

The majority of opportunist stolen bikes are lifted into the back of a van, which takes seconds, broken down and stripped into spares within hours, or burnt out after being razzed about an estate. VIN numbers will be ground off, identifying marks and number plates removed at the earliest opportunity.

A lot of the high end stolen stuff is sent abroad into Europe in shipping containers. Never to be seen again.

[emptysea]

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)

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.

[rotor]

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!).

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)

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.

Thanks for the comment;
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_imp]

Hey rotor:

The site https://www.simtek.io/ has all the answers. That said,
[ul] [li]The battery is removable.[/li] [li]The SIM card is removable. It comes with one, but I think you can use your own. It is probably cheaper to use the one that came with the device.[/li] [li]I have another unit that has lifetime no-fee connectivity, but they don't sell those units anymore.[/li] [li]There is no off switch, nor do you need it. It would defeat the purpose of the device anyway. I added a switch to toggle between normal and my custom mode of operation.[/li] [li]No GPS, it is cell tower-based. This is why the battery can last up to a year while the device is in full operation.[/li] [li]These devices are ideal for things left alone for periods of time.
[/li][/ul]
The primary motive is I wish to be made aware when my "stuff" has been agitated and then I can act accordingly, whether it is 20 feet away or 2000 miles away.