Is the STi Tracker Thatcham Approved...Maybe not...
23 April 2008, 03:48 PM
#1
Is the STi Tracker Thatcham Approved...Maybe not...
Hi All,
Thought some people may be interested in a email conversation i've been having with TrafficMaster regarding my renewal of the TrackStar Plus tracking on my 06 STi (Spec D).
It all started because the options screen on the TrafficMaster site lists my current subscription as "TrackStar Plus", but the renewal called it just "Tracking".
When I've been questioning why the renewal has a different name they have said that the tracker fitted to the car is *NOT* Thatcham approved - hence why the renewal is called Tracking rather than TrackStar Plus. So ... if your insurance requires a Thatcham Approved tracker and you have one of these then you may not be covered....
I'm unsure whether all of this model year (dont know about others either) are in the same boat, or just those with the SmartNav unit as fitted to the Spec.Ds - although my conversation with Subaru technical would make me believe that it is all cars. The difference seems to be having a battery and alternate aeriel fitted rather than having anything to do with the SatNav screen.
Anyway, this is not what I expected as I believed when I bought the car that it was all approved etc. Luckily for me I've confirmed that my current insurance does not have this has a requirement. Even so I'm going to check the brochures etc when I get home to see if it said whether it was approved or not.
You all probably knew this already and .. as usual .. i'm jsut behind the times!
Nick
Thought some people may be interested in a email conversation i've been having with TrafficMaster regarding my renewal of the TrackStar Plus tracking on my 06 STi (Spec D).
It all started because the options screen on the TrafficMaster site lists my current subscription as "TrackStar Plus", but the renewal called it just "Tracking".
When I've been questioning why the renewal has a different name they have said that the tracker fitted to the car is *NOT* Thatcham approved - hence why the renewal is called Tracking rather than TrackStar Plus. So ... if your insurance requires a Thatcham Approved tracker and you have one of these then you may not be covered....
I'm unsure whether all of this model year (dont know about others either) are in the same boat, or just those with the SmartNav unit as fitted to the Spec.Ds - although my conversation with Subaru technical would make me believe that it is all cars. The difference seems to be having a battery and alternate aeriel fitted rather than having anything to do with the SatNav screen.
Anyway, this is not what I expected as I believed when I bought the car that it was all approved etc. Luckily for me I've confirmed that my current insurance does not have this has a requirement. Even so I'm going to check the brochures etc when I get home to see if it said whether it was approved or not.
You all probably knew this already and .. as usual .. i'm jsut behind the times!
Nick
23 April 2008, 06:30 PM
#2
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They are all relatively expensive and unsecure systems.IMHO
I like to see what percentage of Stolen Subaru's and EVO's that have Tracking devices, that are recovered form using the Device and how many have "Lost" signal
In the years I've had Scoobies, out of 10 Subaru's stolen with Tracking devices, I only know one that was Hi-Jacked, recovered through the use of the device. the others all had "Lost Signal "
Tony
I like to see what percentage of Stolen Subaru's and EVO's that have Tracking devices, that are recovered form using the Device and how many have "Lost" signal
In the years I've had Scoobies, out of 10 Subaru's stolen with Tracking devices, I only know one that was Hi-Jacked, recovered through the use of the device. the others all had "Lost Signal "
Tony
23 April 2008, 06:49 PM
#4
Oops - and I've just renewed Tracker on my Smartnav just this week.
I've just read through the Thatcham and smartnav/trafficmaster/Trackstar sites and got horribly confused.
Smartnav was in the old Q class, but this class was removed on 1/1/7 although Smartnav are still advertising the fact.
The Q list was replaced by the TQA list on which the Trackstar TM100 is listed, formerly known as Trackstar Plus.
It appears that the Q and TQA product lists are not "approved" devices, but are recognised by "leading" insurers. Which insurers those are isn't mentioned and may not be your particular one.
The only Trackstar device with full approval is Trackstar 5. It has some sort of driver recognition device, so that even if your keys are stolen, it is meant to alert the police.
To add to the confusion, the Spec D and STi brochures mention that they both have RAC Trackstar. Which model isn't mentioned, but I presume it is the TM100.
I think it comes down to checking with your insurers and making sure that they are given the details as far as you know.
BTW, I only kept the tracker part of Smartnav as I didn't really rate the satnav/speed warning part very highly and it cost another £200 per year to renew
I've just read through the Thatcham and smartnav/trafficmaster/Trackstar sites and got horribly confused.
Smartnav was in the old Q class, but this class was removed on 1/1/7 although Smartnav are still advertising the fact.
The Q list was replaced by the TQA list on which the Trackstar TM100 is listed, formerly known as Trackstar Plus.
It appears that the Q and TQA product lists are not "approved" devices, but are recognised by "leading" insurers. Which insurers those are isn't mentioned and may not be your particular one.
The only Trackstar device with full approval is Trackstar 5. It has some sort of driver recognition device, so that even if your keys are stolen, it is meant to alert the police.
To add to the confusion, the Spec D and STi brochures mention that they both have RAC Trackstar. Which model isn't mentioned, but I presume it is the TM100.
I think it comes down to checking with your insurers and making sure that they are given the details as far as you know.
BTW, I only kept the tracker part of Smartnav as I didn't really rate the satnav/speed warning part very highly and it cost another £200 per year to renew
23 April 2008, 07:09 PM
#5
They are all relatively expensive and unsecure systems.IMHO
I like to see what percentage of Stolen Subaru's and EVO's that have Tracking devices, that are recovered form using the Device and how many have "Lost" signal
In the years I've had Scoobies, out of 10 Subaru's stolen with Tracking devices, I only know one that was Hi-Jacked, recovered through the use of the device. the others all had "Lost Signal "
Tony
I like to see what percentage of Stolen Subaru's and EVO's that have Tracking devices, that are recovered form using the Device and how many have "Lost" signal
In the years I've had Scoobies, out of 10 Subaru's stolen with Tracking devices, I only know one that was Hi-Jacked, recovered through the use of the device. the others all had "Lost Signal "
Tony
23 April 2008, 10:31 PM
#6
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Thats very good 
As said 9 that were nicked from scooby friends and around my area were not recovered through thier tracking Devices. The tracking devices were usually disposed of and found at the scene or close by
Although some were retrieve by standard policing measures
Only one I know was found through tracking Device was My mates from Brum. He was Hi-Jacked and had his wrist broken when thrown from car ar speed using the Tracking device the Chap was caught getting 5 years in Jail 
And in this situtation it does have value.
Sadly for less than your monthly Subs, a totally legal Electronic device can be bought completely Blinds the communications/feedback back to headquarters = "Signal Lost"
This allows time for the Aerial connection/sim or main unit to be found tracking Device has now become a chocolate fire Guard
IMHO IIRC AFFAICR
Tony
As said 9 that were nicked from scooby friends and around my area were not recovered through thier tracking Devices. The tracking devices were usually disposed of and found at the scene or close by
Although some were retrieve by standard policing measures Only one I know was found through tracking Device was My mates from Brum. He was Hi-Jacked and had his wrist broken when thrown from car ar speed
using the Tracking device the Chap was caught getting 5 years in Jail And in this situtation it does have value.Sadly for less than your monthly Subs, a totally legal Electronic device can be bought completely Blinds the communications/feedback back to headquarters = "Signal Lost"
This allows time for the Aerial connection/sim or main unit to be found tracking Device has now become a chocolate fire Guard
IMHO IIRC AFFAICR
Tony
23 April 2008, 10:37 PM
#7
Oops - and I've just renewed Tracker on my Smartnav just this week.
I've just read through the Thatcham and smartnav/trafficmaster/Trackstar sites and got horribly confused.
Smartnav was in the old Q class, but this class was removed on 1/1/7 although Smartnav are still advertising the fact.
The Q list was replaced by the TQA list on which the Trackstar TM100 is listed, formerly known as Trackstar Plus.
It appears that the Q and TQA product lists are not "approved" devices, but are recognised by "leading" insurers. Which insurers those are isn't mentioned and may not be your particular one.
The only Trackstar device with full approval is Trackstar 5. It has some sort of driver recognition device, so that even if your keys are stolen, it is meant to alert the police.
To add to the confusion, the Spec D and STi brochures mention that they both have RAC Trackstar. Which model isn't mentioned, but I presume it is the TM100.
I think it comes down to checking with your insurers and making sure that they are given the details as far as you know.
BTW, I only kept the tracker part of Smartnav as I didn't really rate the satnav/speed warning part very highly and it cost another £200 per year to renew
I've just read through the Thatcham and smartnav/trafficmaster/Trackstar sites and got horribly confused.
Smartnav was in the old Q class, but this class was removed on 1/1/7 although Smartnav are still advertising the fact.
The Q list was replaced by the TQA list on which the Trackstar TM100 is listed, formerly known as Trackstar Plus.
It appears that the Q and TQA product lists are not "approved" devices, but are recognised by "leading" insurers. Which insurers those are isn't mentioned and may not be your particular one.
The only Trackstar device with full approval is Trackstar 5. It has some sort of driver recognition device, so that even if your keys are stolen, it is meant to alert the police.
To add to the confusion, the Spec D and STi brochures mention that they both have RAC Trackstar. Which model isn't mentioned, but I presume it is the TM100.
I think it comes down to checking with your insurers and making sure that they are given the details as far as you know.
BTW, I only kept the tracker part of Smartnav as I didn't really rate the satnav/speed warning part very highly and it cost another £200 per year to renew
Shhh, mines still working and the car is 2 years old now
Never paid a penny
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23 April 2008, 10:43 PM
#8
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Some insurances now don't require or even discount for Tracking devices. I wonder why that is??? More to do with Nicks Post or just they cannot see the Value in them??
So not a big fan, considering the buying/installation cost and then yearly Subscription. Also these that can never be transfered .
Life time subs is as long as you stop with the same Car, good if you keep the car 10 years very bad if 4 months for whatever reason .
The Subs must be for the Car!!
So you try to pass account on to new owner of your Car = NO Sorry pay Subs again
So Subs are not for the Car, must be for the Device!!
So you Tranfer your unit to your next Car = NO Sorry pay Subs again
So Subs are not for the Car or the Device , must be for the Person !!
You buy another car with device and try transfer your account to that device = NO pay Subs again
Represents VERY poor Value for money IMHO
IMHO IIRC AFFAICR
Tony
So not a big fan, considering the buying/installation cost and then yearly Subscription. Also these that can never be transfered .
Life time subs is as long as you stop with the same Car, good if you keep the car 10 years very bad if 4 months for whatever reason .
The Subs must be for the Car!!
So you try to pass account on to new owner of your Car = NO Sorry pay Subs again
So Subs are not for the Car, must be for the Device!!
So you Tranfer your unit to your next Car = NO Sorry pay Subs again
So Subs are not for the Car or the Device , must be for the Person !!
You buy another car with device and try transfer your account to that device = NO pay Subs again
Represents VERY poor Value for money IMHO
IMHO IIRC AFFAICR
Tony
24 April 2008, 08:11 AM
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I must admit I've not bothered subscribing to the tracker on my current Scoob. I did on my previous one, but my insurance now does not offer any discount, nor does it require a tracker to be fitted. I'm sure I might regret it if the car were ever to be stolen, but it's quite expensive for something that seems to be not terribly reliable and rather easy to remove/block. One would think that something better would have come along by now...
