25 replies to this topic

[Nev]

I wrote the software for a tracking system just like this (5 years ago). There are various issues with them, but to cut a long story short, they are pretty effective in retrieving cars stolen by joy-riders and amateurs, but rather ineffective against professional thiefs. This is because pro's drive the car into a signal free zone, ie a metal/thick lined environment, such as a container, metalised warehouse etc. They leave it for approx 1 or 2 months, and if it hasn't been retrieved by the insurers/police by then, they ship it. Once 12 miles off the coast you will never get it back.

Edited by Nev, 20 February 2011 - 05:27 PM.

[TheRealVXed]

Well it cuts out the thieves who are more likely to steal a 10year old vauxhall!! Can't imagine they are on anyone's "list"!! Judderman - just finished doing it. Really easy, took about five minutes. Connected straight to the battery with a 5amp in line fuse as per the instructions. Working fine. Just need to give them a call tomorrow to verify signal strength etc. Seems like a good solid unit, and I had mine dipped in plastic so it is totally waterproof and can put it anywhere.....

[iVXT]

Well it cuts out the thieves who are more likely to steal a 10year old vauxhall!! Can't imagine they are on anyone's "list"!!

Judderman - just finished doing it. Really easy, took about five minutes. Connected straight to the battery with a 5amp in line fuse as per the instructions. Working fine. Just need to give them a call tomorrow to verify signal strength etc. Seems like a good solid unit, and I had mine dipped in plastic so it is totally waterproof and can put it anywhere.....

Sounds good for the money you got it for. Are they still on offer anywhere?

Any possible problems with a flat battery with this as take it's wired on a permanent live. Only a problem if not your everyday car I suppose. I had this probs with a tracker a few years ago & finally found it was the unit draining the battery as it was charging the back up tracker battery even with the ignition off.

[walkes]

Lets insiders know where nice cars are...

[TheRealVXed]

Yes it is permanent live. It has a "sleep" mode which only draws 3mA (even when it is charging it only draws <15mA) if it detects the battery voltage go below 10v or something like that (can't exactly remember) Also has a cut off, so when the back up battery is full it stops charging it and just uses the car battery to run GPS/GSM. Also sends you a text when the car's battery is running low/dead. It's fairly nifty. I met the guys at Autosport Intl, but I'm sure they will be touring all sorts of shows and things with offers as they pitch at more than just cars. I am fairly pleased with it

[TheRealVXed]

Just spoke to them to ensure all was working correctly etc. The unit has a movement sensor inside so will shut down if it has been stationary for more than an hour. According to the guy I spoke to they designed this originally for caravan use, but it can be activated for the car device as well. During the time it is off it only uses 3mA of power so shouldn't drain the battery between uses (unless you only use the car like once a year!) It seems that their product does a lot more things than their marketing suggests....