MickyFinn

I've just bought myself a tracker called the TrackM8 it costs £399 incl VAT & Pay as you go Sim.

Then all you pay for are the text message charges (5 free per day on orange PAYG. With this system you can text it and it can do the following:

-Where are you? -Exact GPS coordinates.
-Automatic journey reports -Get your best time to work
-Invisible security shield -If your vehicle is moved 100m you get texted.
-Are you nearly there?
-Has your car left it’s permitted area?
-Tells you if your car is speeding
-Report maximum speed attained
-Tells you if your car is being abused
- Report fastest 0-62 acceleration time
-Report best round trip details
-Tells you if your car alarm is sounding
-Curfew your car or van
-‘Blackbox flight recorder'
-’In car Internet access
-Follow car real time on street level maps

Its being sent to Thatcham for testing and it is being upgraded next month to alert you of speed cameras - I bought it now because I'm guessing that the price will go up when the Thatcham testing is done.

The Carbug was £799+VAT (£1000) which I could not afford. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this price!!

Tested it this weekend - It's great.

You can switch on an Immobiliser (smoke grenade, CS Gas, Thunderflash, Stun Gun (not that you would :-P) after you get the alert saying that your car has broken the security shield) by sending it a text (could be from anywhere in the world!!)

I do not work for any tracking company and I don't even have a Scooby ...yet :-(

If you do decide to buy one please tell them that you were recommended by me, Thank you.

Phil Wheeler

Here's the website, they're very helpful.
http://www.trakm8.com/

Harry_Boy

Amazing, but didn't you just copy & paste the features and benefits straight from their web site? Are you on commission, Mate?

MickyFinn

No just Lazy ;-)

Phil

Harry_Boy

Cheerz Mate - Ain't Ctrl V wonderful....

Alpine

Had a look at this.. loads of interesting features.. but no really good pictures of the unit.. I'd also be a bit interested in how it would track my car when it's chucked straight out the window 100yds up the road.. or even more simply with the SIM removed... Most trackers make a big deal about being secretly installed.. Couldn't find any info on the site about how they think they've tackled this issue.. Anyone know?

cheers

MickyFinn

Had a look at this.. loads of interesting features.. but no really good pictures of the unit..

I thought that when I bought it.

I'd also be a bit interested in how it would track my car when it's chucked straight out the window 100yds up the road.. or even more simply with the SIM removed... Most trackers make a big deal about being secretly installed.. Couldn't find any info on the site about how they think they've tackled this issue.. Anyone know?

The best method of ensuring that your tracker is not removed is not suggesting where to put it. I don't have a Scooby so they wouldn't expect a tracker and the unit is very small so you can use your own ingenuity.

P

Alpine

Does that mean that the unit you see is removeable and there's a bit that stays hidden in the vehicle? What about the aerial, surely this gives the game away?

cheers

Have you got any pictures?

MickyFinn

Unfortunately no pics at the moment but I can get some next weekend.

The aerial can be hidden behind stickers etc/in tax disc holder. The unit is small but I would suggest a permanent installation. I suggest inside the roof lining, a door panel, boot lid etc..

You can remove the unit yourself to connect it to your PC (work out best lap times etc) or for the black box recorder to prove you weren't reversing when someone drove into the back of your car.

You could also connect the serial port to your handheld PC for in car navigation.

P

Alpine

Micky sorry for all the questions.. this does look like a neat bit of kit and I'd really like one.. I thought there was a part of this thing that told you when you were approaching speed cameras.. Do you have this bit? and if so how does it connect to the main unit without giving away its position? Thanks again

boomer

Just spotted this little gadget in this months T3 magazine!!

mb

nib

This looks quite good.

If there is enough interest we could approach then for a group buy perhaps??

If so please let me know & I'll drop them a line.

MickyFinn

Alpine, no I don't have that bit - I bought it before it came out. Apparently I get the upgrade free but I imagine that it is a software upgrade only not the unit. No I'm not going to get it, I use the my Bel 990 and will use Trafcam for my IPAQ when it comes out, to work alongside my Compaq navigation System. It would give out the location of the unit, there are ways of doing it so it wouldn't but it probably isn't worth the hassle.

Take a look at these links. Lot cheaper than Geodesy/Origin Blue i.
http://www.trafcam.com/
http://www.compaq.co.uk/navigation/

And what I want next...

http://www.priva-plate.com


Phil

I thought there was a part of this thing that told you when you were approaching speed cameras.. Do you have this bit? and if so how does it connect to the main unit without giving away its position? Thanks again

MickyFinn

Pictures are here

http://www.gpsw.co.uk/acatalog/P_TRAKM8.htm

Alpine

I mailed trakm8 and apparently the speed camera bit is in a seperate pod which is the size of a large key fob and can be dash mounted... Not sure if it connects with a hard wire to the main unit.. waiting for the answer...

How easy was it to install and what were the instructions like?

MickyFinn

It is very easy to install, depending on the functionality you want.

Basic = Ignition switched on alert
Your alarm is sounding alert.

Advanced = Above plus doors warning and option to remotely trigger an immobiliser, and user selectable input etc.

Hardest thing I found was finding a good place to locate it.

Phil

boomer

I must admit, this thing is growing on me!!!

I am still a bit unsure about the GPS/GSM antenna, and how easy it is to hook into your car's electrics, but in principle it seems to do exactly what it says in the tin.

mb

MickyFinn

The antenna is the size of a tax disc and almost 1cm thick. It connects to the unit with a BNC connector for the GSM and a screw connector for the GPS. Not hard to connect, the hardest job is concealing it cleverly. BTW mine is inside a cuddly toy!

Phil

boomer

Phil,

without giving too much away (e-mail me if it might be sensitive), how long is the GPS/GSM lead? Also, can you separate the GPS antenna from the GSM one?

I would guess that the GPS needs "line of sight" to the satellites, thus can't be hidden behind metal, whereas the GSM will be a lot more tolerant. What i am thinking is that the GPS bit can be hidden, say, under the dashboard (and under the windscreen) yet the GSM bit can go pretty much anywhere.

mb

boomer

Wow!!!

Just to say that i have just downloaded the 52 page "User Manual" from http://www.trakm8.com/, and first impressions are very good. It looks a very comprehensive bit of kit

mb

MickyFinn

Not sensitive

Here's a picture http://www.trakm8.com/Shop/shopimages/antenna.jpg

It's an all in one unit with about 6m of cable, however that is not to say you can't buy the seperate GSM /GPS cables as there are two seperate connectors on the trakm8. Your idea would work.

Phil