Gps-based Alarm Tracking Systems

[Lord Cyric]

Folks.

I've been closely watching the forums here of late, especially since my new T is only a few weeks away. B)

Does anyone here use or had experiences with GPS-based alarm tracking systems? Haven't seen any discussion on these particular trackers on the forums.

My leasing company is recommending the Thalestrak GPS Alarm System (www.thalestelematics.com), which they say is the only tracker in Australia that has coverage everywhere. They're a UK company that has a local base in Sydney.

Just want to know if it's worth spending the extra $2k to put one of these into my new baby.

As with everyone else, the long wait is murder on the mind.... :sook:

[3rdTurbo]

Not familiar with the Thalestrak GPS system.

I had a quiktrack system in a previous car (200SX) and found it to be very effective. Had 3 attempted break-ins over 2 years. No false callouts noted.

Had my T since Mar 03 and fo far have had no incidents. Not sure if the T is a big a theft risk at this point in time. But once word gets out - they may become a target!

[Lord Cyric]

My understanding is that most other tracking systems are radio-based. Hence they have limited coverage areas, mostly in the major capitals.

In the case of QuikTrak, it only covers the Sydney and Melbourne areas plus the Brisbane area from Burpengary down to Tweed Heads. Admittedly that would suit most people, but it does leave a large chunk of this "big, brown land" uncovered.

I dunno. My high personal state of paranoia comes naturally, but should I let it extend to my new T....

*aaarrrgghhh!* Everyone's out to get me!!!! :alien:

[plonky]

The QuikTrak system works on a grid or triangulation of mobilephone networks. Thus you don't get the coverage in places that it may be needed.

Saying that, it is a very good system and has been used very succesfully in Metro Sydney leading to vehicle recovery by disabling it.

A GPS style system is the same as what is used by large companies such as Rothmans, Armagard, Brambles etc. I wasn;t aware that it was available to car users but if that's the case it is very accurate amd the car can be picked up anywhere.

[Lord Cyric]

Agreed. That's why I almost instantly said yes to add it to my new T...

But I thought I'd be a good boy and ask around first.... B)

[CHIPS]

Hey Lord,

You ought to PM Turbo6man, he's got a thing called "The Genius". - Sounds like an amazing device. :idea:

[Lord Cyric]

Yeah, had a good think about that one. Looks pretty neat too.

The one thing that I like about the Thales system is that apparently you can track your car's position and travel history via a secure website. Sounds cool if some p***k steals your car, not only can you sick the cops on them but you can watch it in real time!!! (provided the naughty ones haven't found the system first)

I'm trying to get a demo account on their system to get a feel for what you can do.

[spadnium]

I hadn't heard of the Thales (pronounced ta-les, not thails) unit, but I can imagine it would be a very high quality, comercial grade unit designed for real time tracking of entire fleets of vehicles, as per plonky's examples. A wise choice indeed.

I sell the gear that they build these things out of (GPS/GSM/GPRS modules, microcontrollers, etc), and Thales in Sydney are one of our customers. I don't know if they make these here in Aus, but I do know Thales make some pretty trick milspec gear like towed sonar arrays and stuff, so I they're pretty switched on. I'd have faith in their products.

The thing you might want to check out is how it communicates with its software. A GPS signal is only one way, so it needs to talk back somehow, and it may use the mobile phone (GSM) network anyway. It might be more acurate than a GSM triangulation based system and may have more features, but it may have identical limitations.

[spadnium]

The website has a nice pdf brochure.

It uses GPRS to communicate. Basically GPRS is an "always on" mobile phone connection for which you pay per byte instead of per minute, so it can be cheaper to operate.

Only thing is, GPRS uses the existing GSM network, so it has the same range as a GSM based system. It would log its location when outside coverage, so you would know where it had been, but you would still have to wait for it to come back under mobile coverage to actually find it. :cussing:

[Lord Cyric]

Thanks spadnium.

I think my mind is now made up and I'm going to get it installed into my new T when it arrives in a couple of weeks. It will make me feel much less paranoid when I go places, knowing that if my baby gets pinched I can get the barstards real quick...

You are all welcome to come and have a gander at the system. Not only am I really looking forward to taking delivery, but my debut cruise is going to be so much fun!!!