Help - Want to buy a 4G GPS Tracker

[Honro]

Hi All,

I've just finished building an old school muscle car, and now im looking to purchase a GPS tracker.

So my question is, has anyone got any recommendations on any they have or have used? I can find a number of sites that sell them, but you read the fine print and they only work on the 2G network (which is being shut down soon).

Id prefer a tracker that has:
1 - A Iphone/android app or a FREE website with no monthly subscription.
2 - Compatible on the 4G network
3 - Simple to use!

Thanks in advance!

[You Yangs]

Use a charged up old iPhone with a cheap long expired sim plan hidden somewhere in the car then use Find my iPhone to track it

[Simple6]

One thing to know is that the sort of GPS trackers you're looking at simply send GPS coordinates via SMS. This is why they remain stuck on the 2G network as they don't need data. In terms of your requirement of 4G - if your going to only use a SMS based device then 4G is useless because SMS (and calls) are still on the 3G network (as of Sept '15 voice over 4G is being introduced on specific mobile phones) and 3G coverage still exceeds 4G as well.

I agree that a 2G one is not good enough given the short time frame left for 2G, but if you're wanting a device that does what the 2G one does, then 3G is more suitable.

However if you're looking for something to can visually track on a map via an app or webpage, it'll be expensive (for the device and the mobile plan depending on its requirements) and your 4G request is the right move. Although You Yangs suggestion is a pretty novel way around that. You could use an old iPhone and get a prepaid SIM with a long expiry and just reload it once it expires before the carrier disconnects the service. For example Telstra do a long life prepaid plan with $70 lasting 12mths (no data though) and then they auto disconnect prepaid services 6mths after the last credit expired, so you could get just under 18mths for $70 before needing a recharge. I'm not experienced with Apple's Find My Phone, so a bit of research there might confirm whether it'd work.

[MattSAU2XR8]

If you have a look around on the net you should be able to find a few threads on using a smart phone as a tracker. I don't think it needs to be an iphone, just a smart phone with proper GPS (not cell tower GPS) and the ability to run apps. I suspect a new unlocked ZTE mobile would probably work for about $150 on ebay.

Then once you have the phone, get a prepaid call/data SIM with a long expiry and load up the app and see if it works before installing it.

If it does work then all that is left is to find somewhere to mount it, with under the dash probably being ideal.

I've been looking into doing this for my bike, but its a bit harder with the bike (a newish GSXR) because there isn't much room to hide it :-(

[Simple6]

Aldi Mobile (uses the Telstra network) look to have $15/yr.

https://www.aldimobile.com.au/plans/15paygP

All depends though on the data requirement...