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Andymon
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 314
Location: Medford, OR
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 Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:33 am Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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This looks promising. $119 for two years then $25/year after that.
https://gpsandtrack.com/car_tracker/
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"Blanch" '85 Westy
"Too many freaks and not enough circuses". |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22668
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:13 am Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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FYI Van tracker not accepting orders for units at present. Still supporting existing customers. This probably needs to be at a $500 price point to survive
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.ssS! |
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bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4351
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2024 9:35 am Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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I got fed up with my previous 5$/month company. Each month I would log on, make a $5 payment with my debit card, and be served poorly since they were on T-Mobile network, which is poor in my area. Adding to that, a day or two later, Shazam would call me and ask about suspicious charges, cancel my card and issue me a new one. I grew suspicious to the point where I specifically got a new card and only used it for the single time with that $5 payment. Sure enough, same thing, fraudulent charges, and canceled card.
I can confirm that the TK-419 I have works with the RedPocket SIM, and it works with many different Cell companies signals, so not tied to one provider like the old one was.
So, $60 per year, once a year payment, works well. Good to go.
The only complication I had was that the SIM came in a full sized format which I did need for the TK-419, but the setup requires the initial setup done on a device with WiFi and the ability to place a phone call. I had to break the nano chip out of the full size SIM, set it up on a regular cell phone and then fit it back into the full size bezel. I had ordered a size adapter, but fortunately I was able to break the nano out cleanly and it held together well enough to then place it into my tracker.
-bobby
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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kourt
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2013
Posts: 1947
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 6:30 am Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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That's the one thing I miss from the TK series tracker... the door alarm.
I suppose I could use the ACC alarm like a door alarm in the SinoTrack. For all the same reasons, I find the door alarm to be more valuable.
kourt |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 3099
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 4:33 am Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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I'm still loving my van tracker made by VW dude. https://www.thevantracker.com/
It has the typical kill switch stuff and tracking and geofencing and the feature I use the most - the door alert. It sends text each time I open the door. This is valuable for me went on a trip with my toys because I want to make sure that if someone just goes inside I don't lose the things that allows me to play on my trip. The tour alert also gives me advance notice of one of the van might be leaving its location without me in it.
I have a separate kill switch so will be using the text activated kill switch input for an auxiliary activation to be used in the future, likely furnace activation.
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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kourt
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2013
Posts: 1947
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2024 3:54 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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Updating my GPS tracker setup info:
I sold the Vanagon and bought a Eurovan, and wanted a tracker.
Retirement of old cell networks is a thing, so some discrimination is needed in your purchase.
I found the SinoTrack ST-901L to be a good deal so far.
I put a Ting SIM card in this ($6 per month, and then any additional fees are part of my consolidated Ting bill) and installed it in the van about a year ago.
The tracker is functionally the same as the prior TK series tracker I posted about in 2013, but it lacks any sort of relay to control the fuel supply. I don't really care about that--I just want tracking.
The old TK series tracker also had a "call in and listen" feature that allowed you to call the tracker and listen to cab audio. What an interesting feature, just waiting to be abused. This new tracker does not have that feature, and I'm fine with that.
I was also pleased that this tracker is essentially self contained. The old TK series tracker had separate antennas for GPS and cell service. The SinoTrack has all that built in, and you just need to locate it in a spot that allows for its internal GPS tracker to see satellites. That is easy to accomplish--even though some solid plastics. The SinoTrack is essentially waterproof and about the size of a Bic lighter.
In a nutshell, I can call the van tracker's phone number, or send it a specially formatted SMS message, and it will reply with its GPS coordinates, its internal battery state, and its ACC reading. If you have it connected to an ignition-hot wire, you can then see if the engine is running. I didn't bother with that on this install.
I keep a contact record on my phone for the van's tracker, and have a list of its syntax in the record as well, so I can have access to all the capabilities it offers.
Of course, SinoTrack has a complete independent web service, which you can register for with an account, that uses cell data to independently track the van, and a website where you can login and follow the van, configure geofences, alerts, and all sorts of features. I don't care about any of that, and I've turned off cell data for the tracker's SIM card in the Ting control panel. I just want the SMS or phone call interaction.
In real world use, this tracker has been nice to have, and cheap to operate. My wife took the van to a skating meet a few hours away and I was able to better plan when dinner came out of the oven based on occasional pings I made to the tracker.
kourt
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7472
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2024 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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FWIW, SPOT price increase:
I think the price has been something like $125 per year for the last 5 years so this isn't too much of a surprise.
Valued SPOT Customer,
We are adjusting the price of our Trace Service plan along with rising operational costs. Beginning February 12, 2024, there will be a price increase; annual plans will cost $143.40/year for the annual up front plan or $11.95/month for the SPOT monthly payment option.
Have questions? We're happy to help. Visit our Support Center for more information.
Happy Adventuring!
The SPOT Team
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4351
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2023 1:07 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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Anyone tried RedPocket $5/month SIM card in their locator yet?
https://www.redpocket.com/plans/gsma/E50MRP
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7472
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2022 6:39 am Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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The reappearance of this thread prompted me to check my van locator pings and I saw it was pinging much less frequently than spec'd. It turns out the transponder had migrated to a place where the signal wasn't being transmitted well. The point: monitor your locator for effectiveness. Better yet, mount the transponder for success.
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16504
Location: Brookeville, MD
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metalforever
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2022
Posts: 11
Location: Bay Area
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 7:12 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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| Oh boy, this is scary/ a wake up call. I keep mine parked in Oakland and I did not take this many security measures. I guess I should take it to the shop and get a better security install. |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16504
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22668
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 6:59 am Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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Noodling this
Open up two apple AirTags, pull the speakers out.
Epoxy them into a hard to find place on your van Bus
Name them (local police jurisdiction anti theft device plate)
Now the wanker who steals your car gets an apple tag warning that s/he is getting tracked by the Police but can’t sound it off to find it.
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.ssS! |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7472
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 6:46 am Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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^^^ Oy. Do you know the general location of that theft?
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16504
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 5:14 am Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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Excerpt from a facebook post. Not my van.
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Our van was stolen last night. I had a steering wheel club and clutch lock in place. They simply bent them and broke them both. We luckily hid two apple AirTags and they only found one so we were able to recover the van this morning. I had to force the key in able to start it cuz they messed up the ignition cylinder. Van is home now.
Lesson was; steering wheel and clutch locks aren’t enough. Apple AirTags and kill switch are a must maybe plus alarm.
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Great to see that a tracker recovered the stolen bus. 
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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VicVan
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2015
Posts: 1845
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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| Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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Isn't 3G obsolete anyway?
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH) |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16504
Location: Brookeville, MD
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16504
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2022 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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Posting this here from another topic since it is very relevant.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/posting.php?mode=quote&p=9799986
| djacksonsf wrote: |
Well, the good news is that I embedded an Apple AirTag in the upper bunk and it worked like a charm.
The bad news is I know this because crack heads stole the camper sometime early this morning. The AirTag led me to a nearby Home Depot parking lot, where I met the police.
Other than reeking of smoke the camper was in great condition, but I'll have my mechanic check it out. The thieves had drawn the curtains, and had just been seen by local security exiting the van. They clearly didn't expect to be caught because they had left all their belongings inside.
I didn't have time to install the kill switch. Among the belongings left inside was a saw to cut through boots, pedal locks, etc. I feel lucky to have found it so quickly...now for the insurance morass that will ensue  |
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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Klister
Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2018
Posts: 191
Location: Washington
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 9:05 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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| Corwyn wrote: |
Without posting a bunch of pictures or statistics, I just wanted to say I'm really happy with the Vyncs GPS tracker I bought.
Simple install, no battery, 4G coverage and annual renewal for around $110/year. It doesn't open the garage door, or kill the engine but so far it's worry-free.
I'm in Olympia, WA if anyone wants to see it working. |
Did you use one that requires an OBD port or a free-standing battery powered one? |
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