Anti Theft GPS Tracker

[Lexington]

Hi All

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for an inexpensive anti-theft GPS tracker.

My first thought was to use a poor man’s version, the Apple AirTag. The pros are it’s cheap and easy to hide. Also because so many people have iPhones, if it is stolen the chances of finding it are pretty high. The cons, you would have to activate the lost mode every time you leave the car. Also, if the thief has a iPhone he will get an alert that a AirTag is following him. So before you stick one in your car you will need to remove your speaker from the AirTag. There are plenty of videos on YouTube that shows you how to do this. The battery life is about a year but if you activate it frequently it may reduce the battery life.

T-Mobile also has a plan that cost $10 a month. However, it requires you plugging the tracking device into your car’s computer diagnostics port. I’m not keen on this for several reasons, I don’t want outside software interacting with my computer. Also if a thief is competent, that will be one of the first places he may check for trackers.

There are also many personal tracking devices but most have to be recharged every few day.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

 

[cheeser]

I use the Vyncs device in a few of my cars. Purchase for around $75 and service is renewed annually. My insurance dropped by same amount so is essentially free.

It plugs into to the OBDII port for ease of install, which can be a negative. I’m not concerned with its “interaction” with the vehicle. I know there are other hardwire units you can obtain that are harder to find that are standalone.

I have hidden an AirTag device in the vehicle after pulling out the internal speaker as a secondary device.

Best Hidden Car GPS Trackers For 2023 – Forbes Home

 

[Ripper238]

Cheap is relative, 40k vehicle, $600 is nothing in comparison.

Compustar makes a few alarms with GPS trackers. Probably the best way to go since the deterrent of the alarm and notification is key.

My Compustar T13 can notify and track directly through my phone anywhere in the country. Plus the key fob has 3mi range by its self. Also has a remote start.

 

[message]

On a related note a friend of mine had their car stolen recently. When the car was recovered they found the thieves had cut all the wires going into the overhead console and rear view mirror and also removed the car insurance OBDII module. The thieves clearly knew what to cut regardless of whether it could phone home or not. A third party solution hidden elsewhere in the vehicle may be the best option.

 

[Humble Leader]

buying comprehensive car insurance is probably the most efficient method. If my rig gets stolen which is unlikely I don't want it back. who knows what the vehicle was used for: drugs, crime, etc. probably will be hacked to pieces when it comes to wiring

by the time you realize your vehicle is stolen and contact the police, find the airtag location, either get to it yourself if you can or if it's far away in another city get another PD to do something - you're one step behind at that point. sure some people have found their vehicles this way but it's uncommon. this is part of the risk of owning an expensive vehicle that is a theft target. you're going to be paying more in annual subscription fees and the initial product set up than your increase in rates if the vehicle is stolen

 

[epjfsa]

buying comprehensive car insurance is probably the most efficient method. If my rig gets stolen which is unlikely I don't want it back. who knows what the vehicle was used for: drugs, crime, etc. probably will be hacked to pieces when it comes to wiring

by the time you realize your vehicle is stolen and contact the police, find the airtag location, either get to it yourself if you can or if it's far away in another city get another PD to do something - you're one step behind at that point. sure some people have found their vehicles this way but it's uncommon. this is part of the risk of owning an expensive vehicle that is a theft target. you're going to be paying more in annual subscription fees and the initial product set up than your increase in rates if the vehicle is stolen

Not just this, but who wants their stolen and likely beat to shit car back?

 

[Wtycackle]

I’ve tried a few options, and for an inexpensive anti-theft vehicle GPS tracker, I’d recommend the Pocketfinder GPS Tracker. It costs around $99 and has a monthly fee of $14. It plugs into the OBD2 port, which is super easy to install and doesn’t interfere with the car’s systems.

 

[flyrv9]

Another option is to disable the starting / ignition circuit by installing a hidden switch. This would prevent someone from starting the vehicle and driving it away. Doesn't help if it's towed. Searching for a switch would maybe take time thieves wouldn't want to spend.

 

[cbaty08]

I use a TRAK-4 device.

Trak-4 - GPS Tracker and Location Monitoring

 

[MZ2215]

Another option is to disable the starting / ignition circuit by installing a hidden switch. This would prevent someone from starting the vehicle and driving it away. Doesn't help if it's towed. Searching for a switch would maybe take time thieves wouldn't want to spend.

IF I was that concerned I think this is a route I'd rather take. Have heard of people adding a hidden switch to cut the fuel pump so the vehicle can't even be started. Love my 4Runner, but after it's been stolen it's not my problem anymore, I'm not tracking it down and attempting to get it back. At that point it's between the police and my insurance company.

 

[weberlukas74]

I’ve had success with devices from Tracki and LandAirSea. They’re small enough to hide easily and provide real-time tracking. One of my favorites is the LandAirSea 54 – it’s magnetic, waterproof, and the battery can last for weeks. Plus, it’s easy to hide under the car or in a discreet spot inside.

Also, I once installed a hidden GPS tracker inside the dashboard of my wife’s car. Brands like SpyTec offer such hidden units, and they’re quite effective.

 

[sitamehra]

GPS tracking device

A few months ago, a friend of mine had his car stolen, and that got me thinking about how easy it is to lose a vehicle without any way to track it. That’s when I came across Aditi Tracking and decided to install a GPS tracking device in my car.

Honestly, it gives me peace of mind. I can track my car in real-time, get alerts if it moves unexpectedly, and even remotely immobilize it if needed. If theft ever happens, I know I have a way to recover my vehicle quickly. you can give it a try.

 

[19794Runner]

I just bought a CanAm ATV and they gave me a GPS tracker for it. It also has an app for iPhone and Android that you use to track it. It's super accurate! I took it off the CanAm and put it on my 4Runner. I'll post a pic of the box when I get off work tonight.

It's called AL3rt GPS. I think every CanAm purchaser gets one, unless they decline. It's $80 a year for the service.

 

[fkheath]

I just bought a CanAm ATV and they gave me a GPS tracker for it. It also has an app for iPhone and Android that you use to track it. It's super accurate! I took it off the CanAm and put it on my 4Runner. I'll post a pic of the box when I get off work tonight.

It's called AL3rt GPS. I think every CanAm purchaser gets one, unless they decline. It's $80 a year for the service.

How much power does it consume? Is it likely to run the battery down?

I just purchased a CanAm Outlander ATV and did not get one of those. Perhaps it is something that your dealer gives out, not CanAm.

 

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Apple Air Tag is cheap and no Subscription

 

[fkheath]

Apple Air Tag is cheap and no Subscription

Apple air tags have a very limited range, only a few feet (they run on Blue Tooth, not Wi-Fi or cellular). Certainly not miles away. The only way that an Apple Air Tag would be found miles away is if it was "discovered" by another Apple device, and the owner of that device "reported" it as being "found". (I also believe that the Apple device that discovers it must have the Air Tag app on their device which further limits the possibility of being discovered.)

I have Apple Air Tags on my keys and they are good if you happen to leave the keys behind. Then your own device (iPhone in my case) reports "last known location".

 

[4runrs]

Solutions, solutions

Looks like one of these would do the trick - range is 20+ meters, they also have one to cover the airtags.....


https://www.phonejammer.co/product/...d-gps-jammer-blocker-privacy-shield-l1-l2-l5/

 

[CutthroatSlam]

The most simplest solution is to move from a high crime area.

 

[jp.vegas]

Apple air tags have a very limited range, only a few feet (they run on Blue Tooth, not Wi-Fi or cellular). Certainly not miles away. The only way that an Apple Air Tag would be found miles away is if it was "discovered" by another Apple device, and the owner of that device "reported" it as being "found". (I also believe that the Apple device that discovers it must have the Air Tag app on their device which further limits the possibility of being discovered.)

I have Apple Air Tags on my keys and they are good if you happen to leave the keys behind. Then your own device (iPhone in my case) reports "last known location".

Airtags report back through any nearby Apple device, the airtag doesn't need to be registered to any passing device for it to "phone home." I have one on my truck and it's constantly updating the last location with a timestamp during the day as anyone with an iPhone passes by it. Bluetooth range is variable of course, but you don't have to be right up on it for it to register its presence.

The "FindMy" app has been on every iPhone since IOS 13, so any phone made since 2019. I'd say that's the majority of iPhones in circulation these days.

 

[6439Flouride]

The biggest hassle with AirTags is the coin cell batteries expire after a year, maybe less.

One company makes AirTag vaults that allow the AirTag to be powered by a couple 1.5V lithium batteries, which last about ten years.

I use their stuff in my cars and on my bikes.

They have two variants... one with adhesive and one without. I'm not an expert but allegedly the AirTags work better in concert, meaning if you put two in one vehicle-- maybe one inside and one in the undercarriage-- you have a better chance of the crowdsourcing working to capture a signal.