GPS vehicle locators

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dukeboy440

dukeboy440

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Needing recommendations for a GPS locator/tracking device. Something that runs off a self contained battery with long life.
 
Try to steer away from the kind that plugs into the OBD2 port, and pulls data from the vehicle's ECM. They put them in our company trucks, and the nanny box burnt the ECM up in my company truck in about a month. The area I work in is mountainous and very curvy roads. The GPS tracker thing was pulling so much data at a time from my truck......the ECM committed sideways! GM said they would not warranty the replacement and labor if the tracker was hooked back up. I still haven't stolen the truck because they can't see me....lol. Good luck in your search.
 
Let me clarify. This will be installed in farm equipment. No OBD ports of any kind, equipment pre-dates that.
 
So. It depends on how simple you need. Assumption is very rural so satellite based

Most of what you're going to find that's inexpensive will be LTE network based.

Number of installs as well

Do you want LE connectivity?
Smartphone access?
Movement alert capability?
 
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WV64Signet said:
So. It depends on how simple you need. Assumption is very rural so satellite based

Most of what you're going to find that's inexpensive will be LTE network based.

Number of installs as well

Do you want LE connectivity?
Smartphone access?
Movement alert capability?
Click to expand...
Yeah. LTE is very good out here, but the items are stored in a steel roof building, so not sure how well a gps will function.
 
I have heard of guys installing those in class 8 over the road trucks. Might search a heavy truck forum.
 
dukeboy_318 said:
Yeah. LTE is very good out here, but the items are stored in a steel roof building, so not sure how well a gps will function.
Click to expand...

So it can be network (terrestrial) based, space based (GPS) or a combination.

Yes, steel buildings will impede gps based systems but if it's in your building it doesn't matter

Battery life is the biggest challenge. Systems like the one Ray pointed out will serve well but have cost.

Then there are dog/ child trackers that are work arounds to fleet systems
 
WV64Signet said:
So it can be network (terrestrial) based, space based (GPS) or a combination.

Yes, steel buildings will impede gps based systems but if it's in your building it doesn't matter

Battery life is the biggest challenge. Systems like the one Ray pointed out will serve well but have cost.

Then there are dog/ child trackers that are work arounds to fleet systems
Click to expand...
Hmm something small would be good
 
I'm looking too, but for my Dart for long distance road trips. When you stop for the night you really don't know what the risk is.
 
I have a bunch of Gps units currently in service on all of my vehicles at work. I use GPSTrackIt for the service and the units themselves. Easily wired to the vehicle 12v system and have a small internal battery for use if the power to the vehicle battery is disconnected.
Live GPS Fleet Tracking Software Solutions | GPS TrackIt
 
A stupid question, but what about a chip like they put in pets?

I didn't mean microchip....I meant gps tracker like a collar or tag.
 
A new grader was stolen,taken somewhere and stashed inside a metal building. A year or something later the grader exits building. The machine was flagged,and when it re-appeared on the network the cops were all over it.

point i was making is it disappears in a metal building if its a satellite based service.
 
RustyRatRod said:
A stupid question, but what about a chip like they put in pets?

I didn't mean microchip....I meant gps tracker like a collar or tag.
Click to expand...

there ya go, toss a dead dog in the trunk and use that to track it
(or, if you got the time, a live dog and wait a week)
 
Tooljunkie said:
A new grader was stolen,taken somewhere and stashed inside a metal building. A year or something later the grader exits building. The machine was flagged,and when it re-appeared on the network the cops were all over it.

point i was making is it disappears in a metal building if its a satellite based service.
Click to expand...


Yes. LoJack is pretty cool if you're in a coverage area. Operates in the VHF band so good in-building coverage and alert on movement
 
You just have to love this forum, where else can you go from a technology question, to a tractor, to a road grader, to a dead dog in the trunk. You guys rock. Keep in mind it is Chris, so the collar needs to be fire proof. Hehehehehe
 
WV64Signet said:
if you're in a coverage area
Click to expand...
I would want to know if I dropped out of coverage. I guess you could check your tracker before you park and see if you show up? but if you are close to going out of coverage and the vehicle drops off the radar, its kind of mute. I bought some of those plastic jobbies once that have a battery (six sided colored plastic, I cant remember name) and they rely on others using the same system. Not good when you pull off into small town motel that doesnt have coverage. Satellite has coverage, but no metal buildings. which is the one stop shop? You spend 30K and countless hours, Id spend $500 for a good system that is pinpoint and has bells and whistles, like an alarm that notifies you when the vehicle moves, not just after you step outside and find it gone.
 
Sublime one said:
You just have to love this forum, where else can you go from a technology question, to a tractor, to a road grader, to a dead dog in the trunk. You guys rock. Keep in mind it is Chris, so the collar needs to be fire proof. Hehehehehe
Click to expand...
you should have seen it a few days ago
someone started a thread about politics and before we knew it we were talking about cars

i was absolutely flabbergasted
 
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