SPOT Trace Product....Theft-Alert Tracking Device

[Crom]

I see SPOT is retailing a new product for tracking purposes only. It retails for about $99. And if my limited brain power understands this rebate correctly, the full cost is returned in the from of a rebate card (up to $100). The rebate appears to be good through 12/31/2014. A subscription is required, if annual option is selected it's $99 per year. From the reviews on Amazon, the device can be battery powered for a few months, and alternatively can be fed from +5V.

I don't care about 2-way messaging, I do however like the prospect of 1-way satellite tracking.

Have any of you used this thing?

 

[unseenone]

In other words, it's free for 99.00 a year. Sounds like a cell phone company, only cheaper.

Neat idea though.

 

[Crom]

I read the product literature and decided this has value for me, so I have one on order. Primary use will be to monitor my rig. Secondary use will be to beacon my position while backpacking into wilderness.

 

[Crom]

So far it works great. I've programmed it to alert me when it moves. It also sends me a meesage every day telling me that everything is normal, batteries good. The unit is equipped with a vibration sensor, and after movement is detected, it reports it's position to SPOT's servers every 5 minutes. SPOT makes an app for android, and it make it quick to for me to monitor, etc.

On the way to work, (3 miles, 15 minutes) it did it's job and reported (3) times.

I like how compact it is, and it appears to acquire it's position very quickly, which I'm very happy with.

Here are some pictures.

Here you can see, it's not much larger than a Motorola 900Mhz pager.

On the roof rack getting ready for the ride to work.

Turned on, unit performing POST. Velcro harness in place.

Off to work!

I plan to hard-wire mine to +5v, but first I want to see how long the unit lasts on the lithium batteries. Here is a published table of how long the batteries should last at room temp.

I'll post more after I spend more time with the product. I'll be submitting my rebate paperwork tomorrow, to get my $100 back for the purchase price. :sombrero:

 

[robgendreau]

It basically is a GPS sending position info over a sat network, not a cell network, via text. And providing, I assume, some sort of tracking site. There are bazillions of GPS trackers out there, usually requiring a SIM if you just wanna use them over cellular networks. They require a plan, and, like phones, about every kind imaginable is out. Simplest are pay as you go (seen some for as little as $7US/mo), with GPS text sent directly to your number. They are used for fleet tracking, kid tracking, stalking exes, etc. Considering this uses a sat network, it's probably one of the cheaper ones out there, although the cellular ones can be found cheaper, especially if you can just get a preloaded SIM.

Fancier ones attach to a relay in your vehicle's electrical system so you can remotely kill the ignition. Some can do speed and other metrics in real time. And for the best anti-theft protection use of something that sends alerts when the vehicle is started or moved are nice (GPS obviously wouldn't work in a garage, for example).

They even make 'em for bicycles; there's the SpyBike, for instance. Does GSM, not satellite, but would work worldwide (about $6/mo for the GSM SIM).

Wonder if I could get an insurance break if I installed one?

 

[pugslyyy]

The folks that have Sportsmobiles for rent (sorry, can't remember the name) have an InReach in it for position monitoring + emergencies (since it has 2-way text capability). Monthly service is higher but for me the 2 way would probably make it worth the premium.

 

[robgendreau]

The folks that have Sportsmobiles for rent (sorry, can't remember the name) have an InReach in it for position monitoring + emergencies (since it has 2-way text capability). Monthly service is higher but for me the 2 way would probably make it worth the premium.

Cool. Combines anti-theft with support. Very different concept than the Tracer, which is meant to be very passive, even just as a transmitter.

I've been searching for emergency roadside services that can be contacted via text for help. So far, I've struck out with DeLorme (though they liked idea), Good Sam, and AAA (who can't be bothered to reply). I'll start a thread if I can find anything out, but if I'm gonna get a sat communication device I need it to send info BOTH ways, since an emergency at home when I'm traveling may be more important than what happens to me on my trips.

 

[pugslyyy]

Cool. Combines anti-theft with support. Very different concept than the Tracer, which is meant to be very passive, even just as a transmitter.

I've been searching for emergency roadside services that can be contacted via text for help. So far, I've struck out with DeLorme (though they liked idea), Good Sam, and AAA (who can't be bothered to reply). I'll start a thread if I can find anything out, but if I'm gonna get a sat communication device I need it to send info BOTH ways, since an emergency at home when I'm traveling may be more important than what happens to me on my trips.

GEOS Alliance has some options - http://www.geosalliance.com/ but more focused on SAR than ERS.

The discussions I've seen for using an Inreach for ERS involve having a man-in-the-middle. You text a friend/relative and they make the call for you.

We're going to Guatemala in September and I'm pretty sure I'll have an InReach by then, along with the GEOS emergency Medivac coverage. https://www.geosalliance.net/geoslogin/medivacorder.aspx?refid=N

It's really cheap insurance to ensure repatriation in case of injury/illness.

Anyone have any other recommendations?

 

[Crom]

I picked up some DC-DC converters to evaluate. A couple will go to home-built-always-on USB charging ports for the truck. One will be to provide +5v to the SPOT device. I should have the harness built and connected up in the next few days. SPOT is still working great. I have it mounted in the interiror now and it's doing a great job. Very happy with it so far.

 

[pugslyyy]

I picked up some DC-DC converters to evaluate. A couple will go to home-built-always-on USB charging ports for the truck. One will be to provide +5v to the SPOT device. I should have the harness built and connected up in the next few days. SPOT is still working great. I have it mounted in the interiror now and it's doing a great job. Very happy with it so far.

I got several like that, but with the USB dongle already attached. Much more reliable than going the cigar lighter route.

 

[UncleBilly]

Another one I saw somewhere is Ghost Alarm and it's $150 and $5 month too monitor.


Uncle Billy 🇺🇸