Vehicle security, GPS trackers.. Any other security tips?

[mr rusty]

I looked into getting some sort of gps tracker but gave up on the idea when i discovered how cheap and easy it is to buy gps blockers..........for around £30 or less in fact! The average joyrider probably won't have one but you can be assured a pro thief will have one.

[TerryG]

They don't work. All modern trackers use both GPS and the mobile phone network so you can still track the car even if it isn't getting a GPS signal to where it had mobile reception last. If you go for a "Tracker" then they use GPS, mobile phone and radio. Cars that have been stored in shipping containers have been located using them.

[Topaz]

Cars that have been stored in shipping containers have been located using them.

Friend had a top of the range new Merc taken off his drive in Derby and recovered a day later already in a container in Felixstowe.

Mike

[TerryG]

There is no way I would have a car with a significant value without having a tracker fitted. Skytags (although they do not have radio) are superb as if you want to, you can pay an extra couple of pounds each month and you can have a track for your vehicle on a map. Handy if you think your other half is having an affair

[tornewtsam]

I recently bought a Chip N Trac device from RBS Ltd (stan@rbslimited.fsnet.co.uk). These come with some security stickers (leave a mark that cannot be removed even if the label is removed) a transponder chip (this contains a unique number that the police can trace with their equipment and you can prove it's yours) and of course the tracker. This uses mobile phone and GPS and is simple and cheap to operate, needing only a SIM card for a mobile phone (I bought the most basic contract one). Once set up you phone it and then hang up after 2 rings, the tracker then sends a text back with its location. Enter this into Google Maps (not Google Earth - that uses different LAT and LONG) and it tells you exactly where the vehicle is. I think they retail at around £150 although I got mine cheaper through a car club offer. Well worth a look and it only took me an hour or so to fit (half of that was dismantling the car down to hide it away!)

[3xpendable]

Can someone then suggest a decent tracker or my MGB? I didn't think of one as I thought they cost a fortune but according to this thread, apparently not.

I was originally planning to get an old smartphone, keep the circuitry I need and the battery and wire it into the car but if this is more hassle than buying one that's reasonable I might go that route.

Whats the deal if someone pulls the battery? Does the tracker still work? I was lead to believe not hence why I was going with the battery and phone gubbins idea, that way if the car gets its battery disconnected it still will work for a few days.

[TerryG]

http://www.skytag.co.uk/
You get 3-5 days with the car battery disconnected. They will even give you a ring and let you know if your battery gets low. (you must call them if you are going to disconnect it as they register it as a theft attempt if you don't)

[3xpendable]

Looks good Terry, I don't fancy writing letters on the roof of the MG though :p

[TerryG]

Well you asked for a security tip