Which GPS Tracker do you use and why?

[Ivann]

I found couple of archived kiwibiker posts dating 10 years back and products being obsolete. This is why I`m opening this thread needing your help!

Question! I just bought a motorcycle and looking to hardwire it with GPS for a surprise to the thief who may one day decide to nick it.
I`d be happy with a mobile app tracking so I could update the police in real time if bike is either ran on its own or loaded on a van. Basic configuration options such as engine cut off, shock/displacement sensor, unauthorized engine ignition, battery cut off sensor, own backup power are very welcome! The sooner the alert the easier to recover.

Would you care to share what are you using and how does it perform?

I understand if some do not want to publicly post sensitive information. You`re welcome to PM me a recommended product. After all we don`t want to serve a silver plate to those who mean harm.

Thank you!

[R650R]

Police will not be interested unless the moment of theft involved harm to a person. They are just too busy dealing with thugs bashing their wives to respond immediately unless yourcreal damn lucky on timing.
Also police will not enter premises to search unless you have it wired to remotely enable the horn at will. This is because it’s not entirely accurate data in an urban environment with buildings and metal roofs etc. Mine often showed that it was parked at the neighbours house.
It’s a nice piece of mind thing but theives are too dumb to care.
Quite hard to conceal one properly on a bike and then there’s mucking about with electrics, you’ll need a battery tender as it will parasite draw to charge itself.
Proper theives will have it chop shop in ten mins with everything stripped or have it parked/dumped somewhere for couple days then go move it again. Tip especially for cars is to check your local supermarket/mall carpark....

[Blackbird]

I suspect that you're only interested in a tracking function rather than the wider use of GPS. However, I bought a TomTom 550 and have been delighted with it. You can read about all its features on the web and YouTube, many of which I haven't needed to use. The main function I use it for is pre-programming routes when I'm mentoring and examining riders for advanced roadcraft skills. One less thing to worry about whilst I'm watching how they perform in various environments. When I'm on tour with mates or visiting places I haven't been to before, putting in the end destination is handy to keep an eye on things such as time to destination, distance travelled and so on, location of gas stations etc are also handy. Live updates for traffic flows and hold-ups are also handy. At the end of the day, it really depends what you want to use it for. I have no mobile tracking capability for theft etc and that's an entirely different function from the more obvious use of a GPS. We have a GPS in our cars but almost never use them as Google Maps on the mobile phone is just fine. I would have thought that if you're worried about theft, there are good specialist options available at reasonable prices these days.

[Ivann]

.........
Also police will not enter premises to search unless you have it wired to remotely enable the horn at will. This is because it’s not entirely accurate data in an urban environment with buildings and metal roofs etc. Mine often showed that it was parked at the neighbours house.
....

This is a good advice. I will extend my search to have this option. Thanks

[slofox]

Don't forget that Garmin provide free updates forever...I think...well they did last time I upgraded mine... back in ...err...coughcough.

[jim.cox]

I installed a cheap and cheerful gps tracker on my hack bike.

There is a thread about it here... https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/187957-GPS-Tracker

The unit I chose has a switched circuit that is intended for fuel cut-off/immobilisation - you could use it to activate the horn.

[Ivann]

Has anybody tried AVS FTAT6?

[Hoonicorn]

Police will not be interested unless the moment of theft involved harm to a person. They are just too busy dealing with thugs bashing their wives to respond immediately unless yourcreal damn lucky on timing.
Also police will not enter premises to search unless you have it wired to remotely enable the horn at will. This is because it’s not entirely accurate data in an urban environment with buildings and metal roofs etc. Mine often showed that it was parked at the neighbours house.
It’s a nice piece of mind thing but theives are too dumb to care.
Quite hard to conceal one properly on a bike and then there’s mucking about with electrics, you’ll need a battery tender as it will parasite draw to charge itself.
Proper theives will have it chop shop in ten mins with everything stripped or have it parked/dumped somewhere for couple days then go move it again. Tip especially for cars is to check your local supermarket/mall carpark....

Kind of assumes that bikes go to chop shops, what I've seen online from people who recovered bikes is that the thieves like joyriding and weed. Take the bike up some back streets for some fast wheelies or up a firebreak then dump it once they've thrashed it. Otherwise they swap it for weed where the dealer holds it for a few months before selling it to another customer or on facebook marketplace. Police recover items when they do a drug bust. A side-effect of criminalisation of weed.

Question though, would an alarm be better? Makes a lot of noise and alerts you, some alarms even alert your phone.

[jim.cox]

Has anybody tried AVS FTAT6?

Just looked at the specs ...

It has no power input - relies totally on the internal battery - 6 weeks stated runtime - probably less in real life

At $400 it is quite expensive

Magnetic hold only - no provision for tie down

In my opinion this will do a better job at around 1/3 the cost... https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/electronics-photography/gps/automotive/listing/3269381458

[Ivann]

Just looked at the specs ...

It has no power input - relies totally on the internal battery - 6 weeks stated runtime - probably less in real life

At $400 it is quite expensive

Magnetic hold only - no provision for tie down
[/URL]

Hmm I'm not sure if you looked up the correct product. It has 11 to 36 volt external power compatibility and couple of hours internal battery.
Most important is it uses GPS not a mobile network to triangulate.
It also cost 299 +150 (optional) for instalation by one of their authorized dealers.

[jim.cox]

Hmm I'm not sure if you looked up the correct product. It has 11 to 36 volt external power compatibility and couple of hours internal battery

Seems there might be two. The one I found we listed as an 'asset tracker'

But I see there is also a 'vehicle tracker' which does have power in - which makes sense.

And that pricing is a bit more reasonable for a 'professional' product.

Looks good - go for it - and let us know how you get on :)