Cheap real time GPS tracking for your Z

[JimmyZ]

I've always agonized about how to keep the Z in my possesion. With our warehouse and vehicles being broken into several times I needed to buy some peace of mind.

It seems that car alarms are only deterents and buy a little time. The last time one of our vans was broken into I talked with a cop whose specialty was auto theft/burglary. He said real time GPS tracking was the best possible means of getting your car back. I mentioned LoJack but he went on to talk about how the number of police cars equipped with the detection system wasnt' so great. The best way to get a car ASAP was to be able to relay real time street info from GPS tracking such as On Star. Only problem is that the theives who are good can thwart On Star! The problem with aftermarket GPS tracking is that the cost has been prohibitive until recently.

Just thought I'd share what I've found and see if anyone has any experience with retreiving a stolen car with GPS.

This service is as close to free as you can get. The i425 w/Boost mobile runs .35cents a day. Tracking service is free.http://www.instamapper.com/diy.html

This service costs only slightly more but has better software. (= more bells and whistles) There are people offering hacked phones which are better suited for car locating requirements. For instance there is a phone which has a one month battery and resets when motion is detected. The "package" can be mounted anywhere on the car and does not need to be hard wired to the car.

http://www.accutracking.com/

Having an internet capable phone with a decent screen would allow one to call 911 from another phone while retreiving the map. It doesn't get much better.

I think the ultimate setup would be to have a cell phone paging alarm with motion, tilt, microwave, ignition kill and an alarm actuated hood pop. (Manual release hidden) The GPS would be there in case of a tow truck thief.

Jim

[240Adam]

Thanks for the info, Im gona put one in my Z. I think if my car got stolen I would go find it before I call the cops, then I could have my way with the theif.

I'm gona pass on the info.

Edited October 14, 2008 by 240Adam

[Carl Beck]

You just want to make sure that the car thieves aren't the people selling this service.

We've all heard about the Cops mailing lottery prize winning notices, to people that have outstanding warrants - - then arresting them when they show up to claim their prizes...

Nonetheless - neat solution - and it will only get better with time...

thanks for the info..

Carl B.

Edited October 14, 2008 by Carl Beck
spelling..

[JimmyZ]

You just want to make sure that the car thieves aren't the people selling this service.

Nonetheless - neat solution - and it will only get better with time...

Carl B.

I've given thought as to how such tracking could be turned against me. The Instamapper site is just a generic GPS service. It seems that the automotive application is just one of many.

I can't imagine how it could get better than .35 cents a day though!

The only down side is that the iden phone is "noisy" from an RF standpoint. It wouldn't take sophisticated equipment to detect its prescense once one was in the car.

Cya,

Jim

[JimmyZ]

Thanks for the info, Im gona put one in my Z. I think if my car got stolen I would go find it before I call the cops, then I could have my way with the theif.

I'm gona pass on the info.

Be careful how much info you pass on. As mentioned in the last post RE vehicle security it's best to keep the details/capabilities of your system secret.

I've given thought to catching the crooks myself but thought about the great GPS trail leading up to their door.:tapemouth It would be very hard to explain in court.