Tracking Devices

East30 · Jan 17, 2020

Seems the more I read about tracking devices, the more the marketers confuse me. I've thought of adding a device to a toy or two. My stuff sits in a pole barn 2 2/12 hours north of me all week long, wheel house for ice fishing, UTV, Decoy trailer, tractor, boats. Safe area for the last 22 years, but I'm finding myself thinking more and more about potential theft. Seems there are trackers both GPS and Cellular. Many of the GPS trackers I read about also seem to have short battery life. Looks like there are cellular ones as well with re-chargeable cards that can ping or be pinged a couple times a day for tracking.

A geo-fencing feature would be nice, to know if a device were to leave the barn. Is connection to the 12 volt on-board systems better than internal small batteries to the system?

Does anyone have real life experience using any type of these devices? Thanks.

Industrial Toys · Jan 17, 2020

No. But just being in the security industry for thirty or so years. To me, it always boils down to the last chain of events. WHO is going to respond? Most people don't have their own security force with powerful jurisdiction. So you could have all manner of security technology, cameras, alarms, GPS, tracking. But at the end of the day, who really cares about your stuff?

Make it difficult or undesireable to steal in the first place. That's all I can suggest.

Roadworthy · Jan 18, 2020

Take pictures of your stuff, record the serial numbers, have a good theft insurance policy. If you want to go whole hog have a couple of video cameras with an off site recording saved. Perhaps that way you can be reimbursed for whatever was stolen. Based on experience don't look for a lot of support from law enforcement.

East30 · Jan 18, 2020

I have everything documented. Things are insured, more than anything else, part of me just wants to to point to a screen and a local sheriff and say "Here's where is showed up last" the thought of it just disappearing bugs me. Had a good friend have their boat and motor just disappear from their boat lift years ago, probably $20,000. Just gone. Everyone just shakes their head and says "oh well".

I was just hoping there's an inexpensive solution out there that's all. Thanks.

PILOON · Jan 18, 2020

Bit off topic but===
On New Year , night there was a 'home invasion' here.
Lady is 90 lives alone but had an emergency call device that she activated and that brought a neighbor to the scene.

LEO's were called but it took them 2 hours to respond!
The event took place at 2:00 AM.
The perp kicked in her door and she shouted at him to leave which he did.

Thinking is it was rather a thief thinking her house an easy pick.

The response delay is the worrisome factor.
Fortunately it turned out OK other than a scare for her.

Jstpssng · Jan 18, 2020

^^^^
I've offered to tape my dog barking for my 83 YO mother, but so far she's declined. I think it would be a great sound for a doorbell ringer.

Industrial Toys · Jan 18, 2020

I have offered my lady friend a starters pistol. I think few perps will stick around when the old girl gets to shootin!

thepumpguysc · Jan 19, 2020

I had my single AND double trailer jet ski's taken from my property.. {stolen}
I "thought" I was smart.. I took off a wheel & took the lug nuts w/ me when I left for the week..
Not wanting to carry wheels around w/ me, I put them in the shed.. who cares.. I got the lug nuts..right.?
WRONG.. they broke in the shop, destroyed the door, found the wheel/tires & took 1 lug nut off the remaining trailers/truck..
& off they went.. never to be seen again..