Cheap GPS trackers

[Andy9934]

Just looking at this: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Mini-GSM-GPRS-GPS-SMS-Real-Time-gps588-platform-Vehicle-Motorcycle-Bike-Monitor-Quad-band-Global/702851_1023249108.html?spm=5261.1386603.1998196893.645
as it's to be £3 in their sale on 11/11/14 - has anyone tried one of these before. Apparently just needs a 2g simcard with credit and a 12V power supply, you text it and it will text back coordinates.
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Surrey
Honda Varadero XL125

[iooi]

[Nash GT]

[P.addy]

[WD Forte]

I've been looking at a few on ebay
and interested in the running cost of the sim.
I know it would depend on how much and how often its sending
data and wouldn't want one to keep texting me that its
" still outside... not moving...'kin freezin it is"
so presume you can program the conditions under which they
send data.
I haven't come across any detailed info on whether a cheap
PAYG sim or contract would be needed.
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bikers smell of wee

[bugeye_bob]

[WD Forte]

geofence eh?
Righty ho, noted.
Will see if any of the oriental bargains
those nice people at Ebay keep offering me will do that.
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bikers smell of wee

[Taught2BCauti...]

Despite the description, they do not use GPS technology for positioning - just GPRS triangulation.

I bought the same make and model off eBay for about £14, hoping to use the GPS feature to provide downloadable geo-tracking logging data, but it doesn't have a GPS chipset, and I got a refund.

Accuracy is poor, and only sends data back after you send it a text message.

If it's what you want though, you don't need line-of-sight to satellites, so you can fit it almost anywhere.

Cheapest similar unit that does have a Sirf3 GPS chipset, is the TK102 or TK102-B.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Rogerborg]

[Taught2BCauti...]

[smegballs]

[WD Forte]

The item below (£30) came up first on my ebay search
It says it has the SIRF chipset and a load of functions/blurb/stuff
Says it has 5M accuracy too
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111201679112?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
It includes a sim but the ones they sell seperately say £5 a month will give you unlimited 24/7 tracking which may answer my main question
of how much they cost to run.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121344000908?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

My as yet vague idea was to possibly have one I can put on the bike when I'm away in the van and vice versa

I have no idea if they're any good or not, just offering the links up as examples
(The sellers close location to me is appealing as I have windows to put in
in the event of a rip off)
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bikers smell of wee

[Taught2BCauti...]

Best and cheapest way to use these things, is to get a free PAYG SIM from https://goo.gl/jBVvSy which has additional £5 credit when you first top-up, and doesn't expire.

If you want to know where it is, you send it a text message from your mobile (at whatever your rate is). It then replies with it's location, at a cost of 6p that comes off the PAYG SIM credit.

You can also set alarms, geo-fencing, etc. and it sends you a text every time it is triggered - at a cost of 6p that also comes off the PAYG SIM credit.
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Robby]

I use an old android phone, tracking it through www.greenalp.com

[Marmalade]

Just in case they are any use, i've a load of older orange 2g sims, unregistered.

quid each, posted, or try the orange site, they might post you one for free but i assume theirs will be 3g ones.
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[iooi]

[G]

I'd go for the cheap phone route.

While I'm at it, I'd be tempted to remotely wire in the camera(s) to be on the outside of the bike and see if I can get anything from that.
Then I'd try and make it work as a dashboard too. Then I'd add it to the 'pipe dream' list and never get around to it at all .

[WD Forte]

I've mused over Arduino /Pi type gadgets but while its fun to self build,
in terms of cost and time they just cant compare with the stuff from China
nowadays.
I have had vague ideas of hacking the shop bought gizmo to an Ard/Pi thing
to add extra functions like setting off light strobing, sirens, poison gas, stabby cutty things, huge fuel explosions etc
in the event it detects its been nicked.
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bikers smell of wee

[Miquel2Agrest...]

This rf jamming can be setted on your bike,then you can come to have a look.

[Kamikaze Bob]

[Taught2BCauti...]

If anyone fancies going for a Chinese - This One is one of the best on the market for under £20

It uses GPS and GPRS, and should be accurate to within 3m, but make sure you get the 4-wire version, as it also supports connecting a relay that can be operated via SMS.

I also use this device just for the SMS relay function in security applications, where I might need to switch on or off a remote piece of equipment - like an electronic lock, a central heating system, a floodlight, an alarm system, or to re-boot a server.

You don't need to worry about satellite availability for the SMS relay function to work - it even works underground! (I use an old 2G phone to check signal strength).
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu