GPS tracker/anti theft device

[dwilliams62]

Wondering if any of you guys have GPS tracker devices or the like on your bikes? Looking for opinions on the matter.

 

[steveindenmark]

There is one being touted heavily on the internet at the moment. It has been discussed recently on here somewhere. But the device depends on lots of people in the same area to make up a network.

I could see the point in one that worked properly. But once your bike is in a block of flats, you would not be able to locate it. Those devices are also subject to battery life. So if it is stolen and hidden for a few days, you will not locate it with a tracker.

 

[classic33]

Had an active, one I could track on a computer. Most now rely on others to pass that information along.

There's thetile at around £20, with a one year battery life. Or you could consider a pet tracking collar. Active, and with some small enough to fit within the frame.

Whichever you use, if it's for location after it's been stolen, you've the problem of getting it back, and the police involved. I was able to watch mine being moved across the country, know where it was, but unable to get the police to be bothered enough to do something.

 

[vickster]

No, I have insurance

I'll perhaps get the bikes police tagged at some point

 

[Vegan1]

Just a really good lock and some nous about where to lock the bike up. During the day when I'm on the commuter I lock the bike up all day in a car park of a well known department store which has cameras everywhere. If I need to go into town during the evening I'll usually take the hack bike with a lock if I'm locking it up on the street.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Regarding the thread title: how exactly does a GPS tracker prevent bicycle theft?

Welcome to the CC forum, by the way, @dwilliams62 .

 

[steveindenmark]

Regarding the thread title: how exactly does a GPS tracker prevent bicycle theft?

Welcome to the CC forum, by the way, @dwilliams62 .

It does not prevent it. But it can help to find it if it is stolen. I would have thought that was obvious though.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

It does not prevent it. But it can help to find it if it is stolen. I would have thought that was obvious though.

My previous post was intended to be humorous. There's no need for you to be rude.

 

[steveindenmark]

My previous post was intended to be humorous. There's no need for you to be rude.

I'm not being rude, but did not realise that you were trying to be humerous.

 

[ufkacbln]

The main issue of recovering bikes is identifying the owner. Most Police forces have pounds full of bikes recovered, but unable to find the owners to return

So identifying your bike is a good step, whether that be post coding, or a more complex frame fitting device that can be scanned - most forces have that equipment

When they first came out the GPS Trackers were disguised as lights or similar and often removed when the bike was stripped, invalidating the use.

As we have progressed, they are now more devious and hidden within handlebars etc.

What you need to do is lookout the options and decide for yourself

 

[wahoofish]

Track it, find the culprit, educate the culprit, go home. Simple

 

[classic33]

Track it, find the culprit, educate the culprit, go home. Simple

See third post.

Entering onto private property puts you at a disadvantage. Even if you know for certain it's there.

 

[Globalti]

I'm willing to bet that within a couple of hours of being stolen your bike will have been sold on to fund the next fix. A day or two after that it will be in a 20' sea container on its way to Russia or Albania. Do trackers work from inside containers?

 

[wahoofish]

See third post.

Entering onto private property puts you at a disadvantage. Even if you know for certain it's there.

Forgive me, I wasn't looking to involve the authorities in any of this. They, in my mind, have far more important things to worry about at the moment than my bike. I was suggesting a personal visit to quietly discuss the error of the bicycle thief's ways, perhaps over a cup of tea.

 

[classic33]

I'm willing to bet that within a couple of hours of being stolen your bike will have been sold on to fund the next fix. A day or two after that it will be in a 20' sea container on its way to Russia or Albania. Do trackers work from inside containers?

The bluetooth ones can work. But you have to get close enough.
I lost the signal when the doors were closed on the metal prefab, just outside the fence at Holyhead(Last known location). Last seen, on private property a two hour ride away. Made clear what I could do.