Vehicle Tracking Systems ???

looks cool, also there is a cheaper option. at the grocery store or petsmart you can buy a pet collar pendant with a gps chip in it (very small about the size of a nickel)to locate lost pets for under $10 bucks. just throw it in your glove box and boom! instant lojack!!! also i dont believe there is even a monthly cost

 

now that is something I am interested in. more info please

 

far as I know its that simple, not sure if you have to pay to use it when you need it like an activation fee or something but it wouldnt be much if so. I saw them in the pet section at the grocery store by the collars and stuff.

 

When I looked the tracking device for pets it was a couple hundred and some change up front for the hardware and then $15 or so a month.

The cost broke down to:

Total = Hardware + Monthly Fee For A Year:
Pet Device = $250 + (12x$15) = $430 -- Re-occurring = $180
GATR = $5 + (12 x $10) = $125 -- Re-occurring = $120

It is also was reliant upon the Tmobile network, which is spotty in a lot of areas. Boost mobile phones for GATR use the Nextel network, which has much better coverage. The Pet device does not retain any history, but only allows for on-demand reads. So when you want to know where you car is located, you have to ask for it. You can only ask like five times an hour. Speed is not sent, so there is no way to get speed alerts. There was a lot of negative reviews from people who had purchased it.

With GATR Systems the location is periodically sent, so that it can be reviewed later. GATR provides up to the minute (30 seconds if vehicle is moving) real-time tracking.

The boost mobile phone with GATR is a cheaper way to go, has better coverage, retains history, and has more features on the web applicaton like geofencing, speed, and battery alerts.

 

plan on inserting this in my future girlfriends

 

wow, i am going to try this. great idea

 

Just giving this a well-deserved bump from the depths of the cheap mods archive
I love it!

 

I was trying to find a way to do this without paying a monthly fee. I asked some questions of the folks at GATR, and got this response:

"To be honest I'm not real familiar with all the different units out on the market and what features they provide. We have supported Enfora modems, which are widely available. They are basically a blackbox with an internal or external antenna and are hard-wired to the car. For communication most of these dedicated GPS receivers require a SIM card to operate, similar to a cell phone. A Boost Mobile phone running tracking software will pretty much do the same thing as these dedicated GPS transmitters at a less expensive price.
At the moment, there are no monthly fees for using GATR Systems. In around three months we're planning to begin using commercial maps, and at that time we will need to charge a minimal monthly fee to cover expenses. The website will also be updated with many additional features. Hope I answered some of your questions."

 

How is the GPS signal reliability while inside the dash? Can you post screenshots of the tracking software?

 

CC

 

haha. I hope Jen doesn't see this.

 

FML

 

I use trackers in my work all the time. Mostly slap and dash types. They work good so do the phones work good as trackers and so does the ability to log onto a phone and utilize the gps within.

 

I have a 800mhz nmo mount Antenex antenna on the roof of my truck. Boost mobile operates on this frequency. All I need to do is find a phone that has an external antenna port. I'll install the phone in the roof liner so the GPS line of sight is always clear. Can't wait


(800 mhz is the small one up front)

 

You can also do this with the insignia little buddy.

 

Hey Man,

Thanks for the tidbits on this money saving idea. I'll see what I can do to duplicate what you've done where I live... Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Drickster

 

Hello everyone. Well i just want to say one thing that gps tracking system is very important for everyone to keep alert yourself about your vehicle. It is good for every type of vehicle. We are offering gpstracking software devices so if someone is interested then can contact with me.

 

Dead thread bump.

I'm sure by now there are improvements on this idea. Any new suggestions out there? I have two teenagers that I'd like to be able to track without them feeling like I'm invading their privacy.

 

I know the thread has been dead for a bit, but given what I just went through... this is a huge thing for me.

Did GATR close down? Website doesnt seem to work and nothing about them in google? I just had my Tacoma stolen and luckily 3weeks later we recovered it in DC... (im in FL) So I am looking at cheap/easy mods for this.

Thanks!