[Consoles]

Hi guys,

As most of you will have expensive motors and with the change in the way thief's are now using advance IT to grab the codes from you keys in the house.

I have decided to buy an inexpensive GPS tracker for my X1
A very simple two wire system which can be hidden in the dash and requires very little DIY.

The system uses GPS and mobile sim card ( I got a free GiffGaff sim and use a £5 mth topup )

once installed you download the app add in the IMEI code, within a minute its setup and tracks you car live on the map.

£17 for a simple device which in the event of your car being stolen, means you can live track it and deal with the situation as you see fit.

Could also be used to see where family members are going if they use your car.

Edit: link for the tracker i bought https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...5e0d954e994a65

[A13x]

why not just enable GPS tracking from within the bmw and track it on bmw connected?

[Consoles]

That's an option, but what if you don't have BMW Connect subscription ?

[sensible]

Originally Posted by Consoles

Hi guys,

As most of you will have expensive motors and with the change in the way thief's are now using advance IT to grab the codes from you keys in the house.

I have decided to buy an inexpensive GPS tracker for my X1
A very simple two wire system which can be hidden in the dash and requires very little DIY.

The system uses GPS and mobile sim card ( I got a free GiffGaff sim and use a £5 mth topup )

once installed you download the app add in the IMEI code, within a minute its setup and tracks you car live on the map.

£17 for a simple device which in the event of your car being stolen, means you can live track it and deal with the situation as you see fit.

Could also be used to see where family members are going if they use your car.

Edit: link for the tracker i bought https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...5e0d954e994a65

I have been thinking about something similar myself. Not sure it would need a monthly aim subscription though as you don't use the credit very often. Maybe a paycas you go one would do. Once topped up with £10 should last the year ?

[Consoles]

any simcard which allows texts will work, I just chose Giffgaff as I already have 2 payg accounts with them and never had any issues.

[M2Andy]

Personally, I wouldn’t want my car back... let them strip or export it and I’ll happily take the payout.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by Consoles

any simcard which allows texts will work, I just chose Giffgaff as I already have 2 payg accounts with them and never had any issues.

Do you attach it to permanent live so it works when the car is parked? or does the GPS have an internal battery. Let us know when you fit it and how/which wire you attach to. I like the idea just nor sure how I would hard wire it.

[330Stevie]

Originally Posted by A13x

why not just enable GPS tracking from within the bmw and track it on bmw connected?

Because it can be switched off by anyone in the car and only tracks when car is parked

Operation Cundal does exist with the police, however an active built in tracker is best.

[SteveChester]

I bought one of the battery powered ones - how do you wire this in?

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by M2Andy

Personally, I wouldn’t want my car back... let them strip or export it and I’ll happily take the payout.

This 100% I have no idea why people would want the car back after the scum have soiled the car with their presence in it.

Would not want it back at all.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by Wills2

This 100% I have no idea why people would want the car back after the scum have soiled the car with their presence in it.

Would not want it back at all.

If it's only few roads away parked up (to see if it gets recovered via a tracker) then you could get it back undamaged and save all the hassle of an insurance claim etc etc.

[robbiep]

Originally Posted by sensible

I have been thinking about something similar myself. Not sure it would need a monthly aim subscription though as you don't use the credit very often. Maybe a paycas you go one would do. Once topped up with £10 should last the year ?

Most PAYG sims, if you don't use the unit to make an outgoing call/text every so often the SIM gets cancelled. Or the credit only has a certain time limit, after which it gets scrapped and the SIM gets switched off.

[Mikesmith2939]

I use a live tracker for which I pay £6 a month.

This transmits GPS info on the go and when stationary.

It logs route taken speeds average speeds distance travelled etc.

Extra trackers can be added to the same account if you have multiple vehicles.

Self installed so you can put it where ever you like.

[SteveChester]

Originally Posted by Mikesmith2939

I use a live tracker for which I pay £6 a month.

This transmits GPS info on the go and when stationary.

It logs route taken speeds average speeds distance travelled etc.

Extra trackers can be added to the same account if you have multiple vehicles.

Self installed so you can put it where ever you like.

Can you provide a link for it ?

[SteveChester]

Originally Posted by sensible

If it's only few roads away parked up (to see if it gets recovered via a tracker) then you could get it back undamaged and save all the hassle of an insurance claim etc etc.

I got mine back - it was parked up 10 miles away completely undamaged - much easier than having to make a claim and buy a new one etc..

[Mikesmith2939]

Originally Posted by SteveChester

Can you provide a link for it ?

This is a similar system to mine, but these are only charging £4 a month.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CyberSpy-...7ae8:rk:4:pf:0

[sensible]

Originally Posted by robbiep

Most PAYG sims, if you don't use the unit to make an outgoing call/text every so often the SIM gets cancelled. Or the credit only has a certain time limit, after which it gets scrapped and the SIM gets switched off.

...so you sent it a text once a month!

[robbiep]

Originally Posted by sensible

...so you sent it a text once a month!

It receiving a text is incoming. It sending a text is outgoing. Even so, credit on a lot of networks only lasts a few months before being deleted.

It's a great idea with PAYG ... in theory. In practice, it doesn't work.

It does work with a contract SIM, however.

[Soul_Glo]

It's a level of security for sure but not the most reliable. GPS devices are easy to deactivate and jam. Not to mention behind thick walls, ferry containers and, areas of no network coverage your GPS is useless. Helps but doesn't entirely prevent theft or always assist with vehicle recovery.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by robbiep

It receiving a text is incoming. It sending a text is outgoing. Even so, credit on a lot of networks only lasts a few months before being deleted.

It's a great idea with PAYG ... in theory. In practice, it doesn't work.

It does work with a contract SIM, however.

Yes looks like you are right and that PAYG wouldn't do the job.

Also looks like the OP has the best deal for a pay monthly Sim via Giffgaff at £5 a month if this article is anything to go by.

https://www.personalgpstrackers.co.u...r-gps-trackers

If it is conceded that you need some form of monthly subscription, is this the best option for your money?

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by Wills2

This 100% I have no idea why people would want the car back after the scum have soiled the car with their presence in it.

Would not want it back at all.

Someone nicks your car, drives around in it and there's little to no external damage and you class it as soiled??

Of course, they will have revved the engine to buggery, as no doubt you have done yourself.

Given the choice (in the above scenario) or waiting ages for a new car and the aggro that entails vs getting my car back, I'd go for the latter, with new locks of course.

Of course if my car was badly damaged etc or it had actually been soiled, that's different.

A nasty man drove my car and I can't cope now.

[Mikesmith2939]

If you look at my link above they only charge £4 a month and it works in 172 countries and across different networks.