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a1fa
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2011
Posts: 585
Location: Central Arkansas, United States
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Paulbeard
Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015
Posts: 2604
Location: Seattle
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 Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 4:57 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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| dobryan wrote: |
I 'think' the 103 is only 2G. Maybe you can go to the website and see if they list 2G and/or 3G. |
Mine (from Ting) works on T-Mobile and I don't know if they support 2G. $6/month for the line, plus messages and cell bandwidth.
_________________
Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
— dhaavers |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16505
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Jon_slider
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007
Posts: 5091
Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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| Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 6:02 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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nice, but
Vanagons don't have OBD2 compatible ports
and, that price only covers the OBD2 dongle. You have to add a line of service on top of that
overall, Imo, not an option for Vanagon theft detection.
_________________
My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco |
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Jake de Villiers
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5911
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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| Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 9:42 am Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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| Jon_slider wrote: |
nice, but
Vanagons don't have OBD2 compatible ports
and, that price only covers the OBD2 dongle. You have to add a line of service on top of that
overall, Imo, not an option for Vanagon theft detection. |
Mine sure does!
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Viva.Sabata
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013
Posts: 170
Location: Alaska
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| Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 11:55 am Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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Feeling lazy and didn’t read the whole 24-page thread - sorry!
But has anyone considered considered using an old iPhone permanently plugged into power and use the find my iPhone app?
I’m thinking that with ATT I could get coverage in Mexico, Central, and South America somewhat cost effectively compared to other options.
_________________
Sabata
1987 Westy Full Camper, Peloquin 5-Speed 2wd |
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Paulbeard
Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015
Posts: 2604
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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| Viva.Sabata wrote: |
But has anyone considered considered using an old iPhone permanently plugged into power and use the find my iPhone app?
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Yes.
_________________
Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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The batteries in my Spot Trace died again this week. They lasted just about the same as the first set, 8 months. Pretty darn good but my van just sits most of the time. Next time I may look for an aux hot wire somewhere to power it while driving which is when it consumes most of its power.
I got 2 emails that the battery was low and several days later (the next time I drove it) I didn't get any movement notices.
I use the Energizer Lithium Ultimate which cost about $2/each. I checked voltage on them and they read 1.46 to 1.48 volts. They were still plenty strong for my petzl headlamp --so don't just toss them, like I did the first set. |
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erste
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2013
Posts: 1110
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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| davevickery wrote: |
The batteries in my Spot Trace died again this week. They lasted just about the same as the first set, 8 months. ...
I use the Energizer Lithium Ultimate which cost about $2/each |
Good info! The original batteries in mine lasted probably about the same, but when I replaced them last time they only lasted about 3-4 (?) months before I got the low battery notification. I think they were regular duracells? It's not a huge hassle to replace batteries, but I'm definitely planning to hardwire it.
PRO Tip: If you replace the dying batteries before going out of town for a week, make sure you correctly power the unit on again and can locate it through the app before you leave.  I thought I turned it back on, but didn't check the app and it was still turned off... All I could think about was how ironic it would be if it got stolen / towed while I was out of town and the damn thing was turned off...  
I'm happy with the Spot Trace. It's awesome to be able to check on the location of the van, from my phone, from anywhere in the world. Might be something to check out if you just got REI dividends in the mail too. |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:30 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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Going over my security "things" and I got to thinking:
- if I have a device which services sends me an email/text message that the device has been activated...
- and my phone gets emails....
- and my phone was in the vehicle when it was stolen ...
- and now the curb sucking lowlife is able to read my emails ! Ouch!
So now thinking it would be smart to have an email address that is not setup to be on a smart phone or tablet devices that you can only access on a computer which you did not give to the thief.
Does that make sense to anyone else? 
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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tristessa
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2004
Posts: 3992
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 1:15 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
- if I have a device which services sends me an email/text message that the device has been activated...
- and my phone gets emails....
- and my phone was in the vehicle when it was stolen ... |
I follow the reasoning you've presented here and it seems sound. That said, the only reason my phone would be in the vehicle when it was stolen would be that I've been carjacked and they took my phone too.
It leaves the vehicle when I do, just like my wallet and my keys. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16505
Location: Brookeville, MD
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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9937
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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I have a friend who was traveling far away from home. Stopped at a store, showed the counter person what he wanted using images on his phone. Set phone down on counter. Sales person led him to something nearby in the store. He turned and went to it. Came right back, phone already gone. Important stuff on phone, he was willing to pay big reward to get it back, with no questions. Asked clerk to call his phone and relay reward offer. Phone just rang and rang, then voicemail. No way for 'thief' to answer it and accept offer, screen locked, needed password.
Mark |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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I bet he don't set the phone on the counter again..
like a wallet
passport
car keys
or anything else of real value.
and yes it is a shame we have to have such distrust in our fellow humanity.
_________________
| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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if you go with an electronic door lock you can cut that load by 33%
_________________
| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4351
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 8:44 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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Carry a purse, heh! I found a 'fanny pack' somewhat of a necessity when they were in fashion, and before the end of that era I got handed a list of 7 meds to take daily, and several as-needed, along with an Epi-pen. Yes, I carry it still, and I just call it my purse. Kuz, it IS.
Maybe, along with the Vanagon locator, I need an additional unit, a purse locator! (however, I am always within reach of my purse, except when in shower, and when camping, it is in shower stall with me.)
-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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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7477
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: GPS locator to find a stolen Vanagon |
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House key? Delete that with an electronic deadbolt. I can’t wait until my phone can unlock and start my car, then I’ll be free of keys. Next we’ll just need to chip ourselves and the phones, etc. can become dumb displays for our chips.
In the meantime, consider not leaving a phone in a van.
_________________
- 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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