GPS Tracking for Stolen Bikes

bluetooth tracking: http://pocketnow.com/tech-news/ty-bluetooth-discs-app-pair-your-phone-with-keys-wallet

limited range (obviously due to bluetooth) but perhaps good for having your phone alert you if your bike is being moved when you are in a pub/shop etc?

Hmm, it would depend what class bluetooth the devices are. Most are class 2 which is 10m, but if it was a class 1 (100m), now that could be useful

hmm - 50ft range according to this: http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1935312/bluetooth-tracking-device-tips

Looks like another possible option: http://road.cc/content/news/34174-gps-tracking-your-bike
No news as to whether its actually in production and I am not sure how robust it is - but good to see the idea being run with

looks interesting dan, could have done with a couple of those yesterday!
just did a bit of googling for spylamp, seems you can buy them, very very tempted to testdrive one.

http://www.integratedtrackers.com/GPSTrack/

I'm going to see if we can get one or two for LFGSS to review.

I remember about 6 years ago, When I was a copper in London, we did an experiment with a system from Tracker which fitted inside the seat post. We set the bike up at Victoria Station. I then rode the bike into Underground stations and all over the West End and I wasn't lost once.

Some shitbag stole the bike and we tracked him to South London in a garage and recovered hundreds of parts and around 25 bikes. Guess what his sentence was?……..2 months with a record of 24 convictions for theft prior. Bull shit. There is no deterrent from the courts.

I'm a copper in Canada now and here the shear fear of violence that would be laid on you if caught stealing a bike plus the greater respect here literally keeps bike theft to a very low level.

Bike thieves need to be crushed!

Almost completed testing on a prototype thats just 22mm x 100mm x 5mm - not sure if it will fit down the frame though. Will need some further development on an 'outside' GPS antenna. Should be able to power it from a high capacity cylinder type battery. Anyone interested in helping with funding?

has anyone tried one of these: http://www.integratedtrackers.com/GPSTrack/

Sounds good and is fairly reasonable price

See four posts up.

I'm in the lengthy process of getting one to review for LFGSS, so watch this space.

Massively interested in this concept due to sentimental value of my old Holdsworth. Are there any good ones out there?

would any of you be interested in a GPS tracker that looks like a reflector (not a lamp) only about 15mm thick including reflector?

Go on...

came across something today called a 'GSM' switch.
It was really old (nearly 10yrs so smaller versions much be available by now). but essentially...
a switch that can be set to control a function or carry out a process upon sending it a text message.

It uses a tiny amount of power (like that of an old simple mobile phone) to sit on standby, then when texted, it can run something, like a GPS tracker that then texts you back its co-ordinates.

Went to the bikeshow @ NEC yesterday. Some company has at last come up with device that's integrated into a carbon seat post. Works just as you'd expect with live tracking facility, motion-sensor and more. I'll post a link to their site later when I've dug out their leaflet. ...

Thanks for your great work Peterc! Although I can't offer to fund you, I have just ordered one of your pet trackers for my bike now, I hope that helps to fund your R&D.

My biggest issue with your product is the short battery life because I'm cycle touring so I can't always charge it. But no discredit, it's a very small device so the battery must be small.

My other issue is that I would like to have the backup of a rough location using network mast triangulation if GPS fails (ie. when the extremely selfish theif takes the bike in his house!) Knowing which area of town your stolen bike is in is a thousand times better than the powerless feeling of being completely clueless!

I'll try to use this pet tracker on my new bicycle, because I can't find anything better that is currently in stock. I'll have it on standby and only request location when I need it, hopefully the battery will last longer.

Thanks,
Richard

OK, so here's the website for the bike-specific GPS tracker;http://www.eaglehound.com/

Track to within 30m still leaves a lot of doors to knock on if it's near a block of flats. 5m with RF but you'd have to get in the flat.

True, although perhaps Plod would be willing to get involved if they had knowledge of a known felon living in the specific area.

True. It has battery life of up to 90 days but that will mean if you haven't charged it for a month you don't get a lot of time. Also, you need to remove the post to charge it, no? Basically I can see it being too much of a PITA to bother with and when the bike does finally get stolen the battery will be flat before tracking can be complete or cops show.

I did see a trial version of it but can't remember if you can get to the battery without taking the post out, but I guess at the very least you'd have to remove the seat to get to it. You'd have to keep well up on the charging side, so it's a question of how bothered someone would be to keep it charged. Also, for the prices I was told, it'd only make sense on a rare unreplaceable bike. Still, the initiative's there...

Clefty, any progress with getting your hands on a unit?

I have to say, that looks likes a much better solution.

I'm not sure what happened with reviewing, but whilst it's in the manufacturers interest to supply one for review, I'd be happy to pay for one providing an in-depth review is posted on the site afterwards and the poster is willing to answer any questions that might arise from it (including spending time testing it further if needed).

I'll steal your bike.. you're about my size..