Luggage tracker in my scoot - good results

[maxrpg]

I haven't had the cash spare to pay out for an expensive tracker yet, so thought I would try something else in the meantime just to see if it works.

I bought this a few months back: https://eshop.v.vodafone.com/uk/curve-gps-tracker#slate

And I have to say the results from using it have been pretty good. Currently located under my seat, takes about an hour to charge via USB power bank and depending on how often I ask it to update me on its location the battery lasts between 2-5 days, and I get charged a subscription fee of £2 a month.

I managed to set it all up, I can set perimeter fences in the app to alert me if it moves outside the fence and it alerts me if my scooter moves so much as an inch from its standing location. I often forget to turn off alerts and as soon as I take my scoot of the main stand I get an alert telling me its on the move. Which is really good. Annoying at times, but good.

I really like how it uses GPS, nearby WIFI and Bluetooth to work out and triangulate its location, which has been really accurate 90% of the time, I can request its location at any time and it shows it within seconds on a map and even logs where its been.

Its not really designed for tracking bikes but it has worked really well the last few months for me. At least now I have some temporary protection should my scoot be stolen.

Anyone else had good results with other cheap trackers?

I've seen a lot of trackers costing £100s that do pretty much the same as this one, I'm actually starting to wonder if investing in a more expensive tracker is even worth it now.

[WD Forte]

That could be useful and looks a lot cheaper than some
'motorcycle' ones I've seen that had a rats nest of wires bundled in with them.

'Motorcycle tracker' is usually marketing bullshit they don't specifically track bikes cars or anything else, they report their location, time and movement so bike, car, tractor, dog collar or kids lunch box its all the same process.

Battery life could be improved by some hacking and tapping into the bikes battery and supplying it via a 12v to 5v regulator.
I doubt it would take any more power than current alarms and possibly less ( depending on use of course, more talky more power)
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bikers smell of wee

[xX-Alex-Xx]

Sounds decent apart from the 2 day battery life.....
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DILLIGAF

[Ariel Badger]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

I'd rather it not continually drain from the main battery. Easy enough to charge it when the bikes powered on, but I don't always ride every other day. There's enough trackers out there that can last a month or more between charges.
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DILLIGAF

[Polarbear]

I have a cheap tracker on my boat. It's weird that you actually phone it and it then it gives you a google map picture of where it is. Battery lasts ages as it's only in use when you phone it. PAYG sim so cheap as chips to run. Cost something like £15 if I remember right.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Nobby the Bastard]

Do you regularly forget where you left your boat?
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Polarbear]

[Nobby the Bastard]

Oh, I know it happens. I live right by the K&A.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[maxrpg]

[WD Forte]

When you quiz it , can it tell you the battery status?
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bikers smell of wee

[maxrpg]

[Easy-X]

Interesting. £36 per year is a bit steep for my pocket but at least it's a straightforward solution.

I probably wouldn't wire it into the bike electrics unless you're out and about regularly. The point of a more vehicle-oriented tracker is it knowing when to go into sleep mode (i.e. not moving.)
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[Bhud]

I bought one on the strength of this thread. In retrospect, it's fine, but it's an uncharacteristic purchase. There are more cost-effective solutions - I just didn't want to think about them. I like the Vodafone app - it's fast to load and to bring up the location of the tracker. I also like the fact I don't have to log in to the app every time I bring it up. I switched it to "performance" mode, and it does update every 5 minutes or so. It seems to switch itself to "everyday" mode if I shut down the app.

There is no motion tracker but a motion-sensing alarm is a cheap and subscription-free thing which works well. I use one like this (although not exactly the same - the seller of the one I bought is no longer registered on Ebay), except mine is designed to be wired up directly to 12V AC:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384796269696

I've fitted a fuse, inline with the battery, so there is a constant drain. However, the drain is absolutely minimal. The motion sensor is adjustable, and works well. It gives a warning signal if the bike is moved, and the alarm sounds if it's moved a second time before disarming it.

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Not very good. I bought two in April, one for each bike to hopefully simulate the old DataTool pager the Kawasaki had years ago.

No movement sensor.
The ‘perimeter fence’ is too big to be effective. By the time I’d been alerted the bike would be well away.
‘Beep’ locator is way too quiet.
Battery at first lasted a week but now won’t charge beyond 50% and then dies in one day.
Now struggling to connect.
One of the device-specific charging leads overheated and blistered the plastic sleeve over the USB plug.

Subscription cancelled.