GPS Tracker -- Boat security
Evening all been looking into the GPS tracking systems you can get now days for boat security and was wondering if anyone else has looked into them or better still has one, Looking for something simple and reliable where I can insert a prepaid sim card, sent text messages to enable/disable perimeter for when it is parked up at home and that will send text messages if it goes outside this perimeter with the ability to track online.
Has anyone else looked into this sort of technology as the more I look, the more confused I get, there is a lot of cheap ones on EBAY from china but am afraid of "get what you pay for" and then there is the other scale in which you have a subscription which makes it not financial viable for a small trailer boat.
I looking for something that will run of the main battery with its own backup battery in case someone disconnects the main, with good reception for both cell and GPS, can be easily hidden so no one knows it there except yourself.
Dwayne
scotto
Posts: 2470
Date Joined: 21/04/08
Hmmm,
I'll be watching this thread closely. A boat got knocked off from behind me last week.
sea-kem
Posts: 14877
Date Joined: 30/11/09
There's a good market for if
There's a good market for if it becomes financially viable. I'd definitely get one as mine's parked up out in the open most of the summer.
Love the West!
MUSTANG 2250
Posts: 172
Date Joined: 03/07/13
it sounds like a good idea
it sounds like a good idea pity insurance companies dont come to the party and reduce premiums if u have one installed would make recovery very easy
kempy
Posts: 810
Date Joined: 28/05/09
http://www.instanttracking.co
http://www.instanttracking.com.au/
This is what I have in my car works great cant see why it wouldnt in a boat.
Dinkum Auto Electrical A/C & Mechanical Unit 10/16 Kent way Malaga 0438755754 Also Mobile
Open 7 days except when we are fishn For all your auto electrical needs
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
I have a cheapo one from
I have a cheapo one from ebay it will be installed next month. I will post a review!
scotto
Posts: 2470
Date Joined: 21/04/08
Which one
Which one did you get vinesh?
Looks like there's hundreds to choose from.
Likc
Posts: 361
Date Joined: 09/08/09
I was actually contemplating
I was actually contemplating on starting importing these about a year ago. There are few of my findings.
1) They generally work well.
2) Some (on the cheap side) are bit user unfriendly. The only way to communicate with the unit is by text SMS sending commands. So if you want to disable it, you have to send a SMS from your phone. Some of them have key ring type of remote to switch on/off, but that’s usually a part of a kit for cars.
3) Battery life is the main issue. A small unit can suck dry 40Ah battery in about a month. That’s due to constantly being connected to GPS satellite. If you can work around that by trickle charging your battery, than you will be fine, otherwise, you might not start your boat after few weeks on standby.
I’ve tried to get the manufacturers to modify the unit to extend the battery life by only connecting to the GPS satellite every few minutes, but there wasn’t a will to do that.
There is a more expensive unit available (in range of $250) with a solar panel, which charges the battery and apparently it can last up to a year on stand by. This unit is more for boats. All the other are basically for vehicles.
Hope this helps.
r001972
Posts: 5
Date Joined: 06/10/13
Keep the info coming
Good to see I am not the only one that has been looking into these units, I have found some that are also battery backed but as someone put these are more designed for cars but can also see no reason why they would not work for a boat. Just had a look at the link posted by "kempy" doesn't look to bad but does not provide a lot of details and unable to download manual or anything for it.
Good to see has battery backup but limited,I think I will install a 12volt 1.3Ah battery in parallel with the main battery in close proximity to the GPS which is not isolated by the main battery switch.
I don't have a problem with sending the Unit txt's to Arm/disarm as these can be pre-configured with most moderns phones now days.
Keep the info coming guys, good to see others looking at also or like "kemp" have one or getting on installed.
Will look forward to "vinesh87" update when he gets his off ebay and installed!!
r001972
Posts: 5
Date Joined: 06/10/13
solar unit
"Likc" to you have any more info the last point in your post with the unit which has a solar charging option, would be good to look more into.