Caravan GPS locators

[WMRussell]

Guy

what about the question about mulit vehicle set up. As I said I would be looking for the option for two cars and one caravan. It would be nice if you offered this along with the option that is already available to transfer from one vehicle to another as you change cars/caravan.

I would be intrested in talking more off the forum and would be happy for the MODS to rlease my e mail address to you if intrested.

Russell.

 

[ProfAlGoogle]

What a shame that Guy and his company are receiving such negative feedback from a product that sounds to me to be very good, and this is without Guy disclosing it's full potential, + you can move it from vehicle to vehicle with very little cost, I for one would be very interested. At present we have a 2009 New caravan costing in the region of

 

[Guest]

Well I for one want to know where my belongings are at all times. Clap trap about not letting the owner access the co-ordinates of where the caravan is, is just a feeble excuse to make money as far as I'm concerned.

You never hear any industry figures about how many units get stolen with trackers, we just here odd snippets of the failures through caravannners and car industry contacts.

If I were to be paying to have a tracker on my goods, I want to know that I can track them at all times. That way I can track that the supplier is doing what they say they do.

 

[ProfAlGoogle]

Quite agree with you Euro on the fact that it is about time Tracker and other associated companies disclosed there success rates, or is there any one on these forums actually had there caravan returned courtesy of Tracker?

http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff307/cookieones/?action=view&current=23032008140.jpg

 

[Oldsalt49]

I'm agreeing with euro on his comments. The system featured on the Caravan Channel called METIS is the one for me. Fair enough there is a one off payment of

 

[David_374469051]

Guy,

I think yor device sounds very good and affordable. A one off payment option would be an option for people who wanted it. the advantage of your device in my opinion is the size, the changes built in to the manufacturing process. I have to say I'm very intrested and would like to find out more about it. I do understand why at this stage you need to play your cards close to your chest.

The point raised about the Police response i find dissappointing. As a serving police officer I can say my experience of a "tracker" activation leads to an immediate repsonse from all traffic vehicles in the area. The force helicopter is also used to help the traffic officers locate the vehicle. Good luck with device and please bring it to the market ASAP.

 

[RJC]

What a shame that Guy and his company are receiving such negative feedback from a product that sounds to me to be very good, and this is without Guy disclosing it's full potential, + you can move it from vehicle to vehicle with very little cost, I for one would be very interested. At present we have a 2009 New caravan costing in the region of

 

[pitchupcyril]

See my previous posts about my caravan being stolen from silver award CaSSOA storage site on 4th August. I had a Metis tracker fitted. The van was recovered in 6 hours at a travellers site with police assistance who were straight on the case and were very good. Wish I could say they've been great at following up but I've heard nought from them since.

Sorry Guy but I specifically chose Metis as it is synch to fit, I have full control, the unit does all the things you say yours does and I pay pennies for text messages. During the recovery outside the travellers site a polis asked if I could confirm the location. He accessed the website with my units my sim card number and pin and was able to see exactly where my van was there and then!

My only wish is that I'd had it activated at the time - familiarity and over confidence breeds contempt etc. etc. Needless to say its continuosly activated now.

 

[ChrisinSwansea]

Hi Guy,

A quick question for you - I'm very interested in GPS Trackers, and yours sounds just about perfect for my needs, but I wondered if you could let us know what you think about the GPS Jammers thieves are now supposed to be using to block the signal?

Many thanks

Chris

 

[Guy_374467328]

pitchupcyril

Glad you got your caravan back and 6 hours sounds quite good. As you say monitored systems are more expensive, but we would have told you the moment it moved more than 100metres or was put on a trailer and taken over 20mph even if this was 3:30 in the morning. The majority of people who by self monitor units, have the same problem that most of us do, you fit and forget, so when your sim in the unit runs out of top up time, most providers say unit has to be topped up at least once every 3 months and min

 

[ChrisinSwansea]

Thanks for the reply Guy, appreciate your honesty and glad you are working to beat the problem

Good luck with the launch and I look forward to reading about your product in more detail soon.

Chris

 

[Oldsalt49]

It has been reported recently that the US Military are no longer supporting the GPS satellite system, due to cost. Apparently, sometime in 2010 the satellites will fail, which will make Satnavs, GPS trackers etc. unreliable or indeed useless.

So Guy, my question is, why should anyone want to buy your product, if in less than a year it could be junk? I suppose you will tell us you have some satellites on standby to take over?

As a point of interest, the company called Tracker have already thought this one out and have systems that are VHF, they enable detectors to pick up the stolen car, caravan or whatever, even if it is in a metal shipping container or underground carpark. Their system is also supported by the police forces in Europe. They also have a successful recovery rate. For a caravan tracker system the annual subscription is only

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello David,

Is it April fools day? or are you simply trying to drum up unfounded suspicions to direct people to your company.

I can find no corroboration to your scaremongering tactic of calling into question the continued availability of the GPS.

At least GUY has been honest and told the readers he represents a company, but you have apparently decided to to use subterfuge.

Own up and and declare your interests.

 

[Oldsalt49]

John L,

No it is not April fools day, I do not represent any companies, I am just an average joe!

If you care to google "GPS to fail" you can read to your hearts content.

My interest is purely for me and other to be ripped off. My comments about Tracker are easily found on the internet, and all I was doing is making some of what I have read available to everyone considering buying a GPS tracker.

I have nothing to hide and I hope the originator of the post has not either?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Ok David,

Thank you for the link info.

Lets put the issue into some perspective.

The report stems from The U.S. Government Accountability Office (similar to our national audit office) that audits US government expenditure . As part of it's remit it reviews the effectiveness and expenditure on sponsored programmes, and the GPS is one of them.

Currently the USAF is the primary government agency that manages the GPS programme. They are responsible for developing, procuring and maintaining the system. The GAO has identified various areas of the GPS project that has not been managed as effectively as they might, and as a consequence the $2b budget for the current period may not allow the GPS system to be updated according to the optimum schedule. Basically this means that some replacement satellites are not ready for service yet.

I have found no report that states the US military is withdrawing from funding.

For best world coverage the system needs a minimum of 24 active satellites, Currently there are 28 and some were due to be taken out of service as replacements were launched, but due to delays in getting the replacements ready, there is an increased chance that some older satellites may cease to operate before their replacements are available.

The possible consequences might involve a reduction in the availability of high reliability positioning signals to the commercial market. This may result in poorer tracking at times and occasionally loss of signal.

This does not constitute nor predict a TOTAL FAILURE of the GPS. If this total failure was seen as probable outcome, there would be far more about it across all types of media. The absence of such wide spread alarm is telling.

The US government made a commitment to provide a free GPS system for the non-military market, and based on that assurance funding is made available. As a result of the GAO report, the USAF's management of the programme will be reviewed.

A multi-billion dollar world wide market for GPS based systems has grown up. This is not simply related to domestic users finding their way from a to b, but multiple other applications, which include security, road toll charging, and offender tagging as some of the national uses of GPS along with many other commercial uses.

There is too much at stake to forsee GPS being dropped. The US economy benefits from this so it is unlikely the plug will be pulled on the GPS by the US Govt.

I have found no report that states the US military is withdrawing from funding.

 

[Oldsalt49]

John L,

Thanks for that, I didn't read too deep into it I admit. You have in a short time found some good info. At least my Tomtom isn't to become a door wedge just yet?

 

[NickinFrance]

Ok David,

Thank you for the link info.

Lets put the issue into some perspective.

The report stems from The U.S. Government Accountability Office (similar to our national audit office) that audits US government expenditure . As part of it's remit it reviews the effectiveness and expenditure on sponsored programmes, and the GPS is one of them.

Currently the USAF is the primary government agency that manages the GPS programme. They are responsible for developing, procuring and maintaining the system. The GAO has identified various areas of the GPS project that has not been managed as effectively as they might, and as a consequence the $2b budget for the current period may not allow the GPS system to be updated according to the optimum schedule. Basically this means that some replacement satellites are not ready for service yet.

I have found no report that states the US military is withdrawing from funding.

For best world coverage the system needs a minimum of 24 active satellites, Currently there are 28 and some were due to be taken out of service as replacements were launched, but due to delays in getting the replacements ready, there is an increased chance that some older satellites may cease to operate before their replacements are available.

The possible consequences might involve a reduction in the availability of high reliability positioning signals to the commercial market. This may result in poorer tracking at times and occasionally loss of signal.

This does not constitute nor predict a TOTAL FAILURE of the GPS. If this total failure was seen as probable outcome, there would be far more about it across all types of media. The absence of such wide spread alarm is telling.

The US government made a commitment to provide a free GPS system for the non-military market, and based on that assurance funding is made available. As a result of the GAO report, the USAF's management of the programme will be reviewed.

A multi-billion dollar world wide market for GPS based systems has grown up. This is not simply related to domestic users finding their way from a to b, but multiple other applications, which include security, road toll charging, and offender tagging as some of the national uses of GPS along with many other commercial uses.

There is too much at stake to forsee GPS being dropped. The US economy benefits from this so it is unlikely the plug will be pulled on the GPS by the US Govt.

I have found no report that states the US military is withdrawing from funding.

Not forgetting the Russian Glonass & (if the EU ever do it) the Galileo systems which would just need a different receiver chip.

Like you I can find no mention of the US GPS system being taken out of service.

 

[Guy_374467328]

Thank you John L for a more balanced and logical view on GPS service provision, it only takes a few clicks to get the right facts.

David

Thank you for your comments, no we don't have any satellites of our own and I am not building one in my garage in preparation for the network to fail!!

We have however researched this in very great depth and wouldn't be investing tens of thousands of pounds bringing to market a product that is about to be redundant.

We haven't just decided to "Have a go" at selling trackers for a laugh. My background is from one of the largest, leading producers of equipment using GPS technology and not products for finding your way home.

Ref "Tracker", as a product was introduced in 1993 as a VHF location system for vehicle recovery. They rely on a series of transmissions from the unit guiding in suitably equipped vehicles. This was at the time the only option as in 1993 the GPS system was still not very accurate and the equipment needed to receive it was very large, any sailors amongst you will remember the first hand held sat navs from Magellan they were huge and often showed your position as half a mile inland. GPS has evolved due to the requirements of the military and has as a result become much more accurate, smaller and available.

Interestingly enough on "Tracker"s website they have a few documents about the fail of the GPS system and how bad this is, yet their newest product contains what, well blow me down , a GPS/GSM module to back up the VHF which only has a short range. That's not an accident.

I am not here to comment on any other companies products, all have their place, depending on your requirements.

With regard to accreditation, we are going through a number of processes at the moment; they take time and have a cost that has to be balanced against return.

In the case of Thatcham cat c can take 12 months and costs over

 

[Oldsalt49]

Guy,

One thing that is niggling me is this! You say you would not invest tens of thousands of pounds bringing a product to the market, agreed.

If as you said in an earlier reply are 4 weeks away from launch, why on the 17th August are you asking caravanners, quote "Hi, I am after a little bit of research and encouragement from enthusiastic dedicated caravan owners."

If I was to invest tens of thousands of pounds bringing a product to the market, I would make darn sure I actually had someone to sell to.

I again ask you to post your web site link to this forum, also what is your company called? Do you not have a pitch at the forthcoming Caravan and Motorhome show at the NEC in October? If not. why not, it would be swarming with potential customers, and after all it is 4 weeks after your alleged product launch date?

Surely the way to sell a product, is to advertise it, show it to the target customers at shows etc.

 

[Guy_374467328]

I will post a link to the web site as soon as we launch.

As my original post clearly states this product was and is originally aimed at our primary market, cars.

We realise that there are other applications such as caravans, boats, jet skis. I am sure you can understand that with many many more cars out there that would be the prime market and the one I have been concentrating my pre launch efforts on. We are talking with manufacturers, distributors, hire companies and leasing firms.

The take up from these large organisations will allow us to reduce the unit cost and therefore make it available to more people. I was interested to see how people on this site would react.

I am not a caravan owner and have never had a holiday in one, so have little idea of your exact requirements, that's why I asked. I have spoken to Caravan manufacturers, but wanted to know what the enthusiast had to say. I was interested to see how people on this site would react.

Boats I am comfortable in knowing the market as I have one and use one for my leisure.

Cars I also have a couple and have had various company vehicles stolen in the past, so understand the process and what is required.

Another member indicated his suspicion that you were a competitor and I now am inclined to agree as you have tried where possible to discredit my product with a number of unfounded comments. Like your first post about its manufacturing location and reliability, then on to the GPS issue, again aimed at my company specifically.

I haven't told anyone where or when we are advertising, or which shows we are attending. Just have to wait and see.

You will find out everything you want to know when we officially launch the product, I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

Unless of course you are a competitor in which case you won't.!!!

 

[Chris_374413356]

I will post a link to the web site as soon as we launch.

As my original post clearly states this product was and is originally aimed at our primary market, cars.

We realise that there are other applications such as caravans, boats, jet skis. I am sure you can understand that with many many more cars out there that would be the prime market and the one I have been concentrating my pre launch efforts on. We are talking with manufacturers, distributors, hire companies and leasing firms.

The take up from these large organisations will allow us to reduce the unit cost and therefore make it available to more people. I was interested to see how people on this site would react.

I am not a caravan owner and have never had a holiday in one, so have little idea of your exact requirements, that's why I asked. I have spoken to Caravan manufacturers, but wanted to know what the enthusiast had to say. I was interested to see how people on this site would react.

Boats I am comfortable in knowing the market as I have one and use one for my leisure.

Cars I also have a couple and have had various company vehicles stolen in the past, so understand the process and what is required.

Another member indicated his suspicion that you were a competitor and I now am inclined to agree as you have tried where possible to discredit my product with a number of unfounded comments. Like your first post about its manufacturing location and reliability, then on to the GPS issue, again aimed at my company specifically.

I haven't told anyone where or when we are advertising, or which shows we are attending. Just have to wait and see.

You will find out everything you want to know when we officially launch the product, I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

Unless of course you are a competitor in which case you won't.!!!

Hi All, I recently hitched on forgetting to cancel my tilt switch alarm, Phantom phoned me within 3 minutes on my mobile. Good service, or what?

 

[Oldsalt49]

Guy,

You are so wrong, I am not a competitor at all, just a sceptic to you and your so called dynamic product. I admit I did have my own securty business years ago, so am aware of some of the issues faced by homeowners, caravanners (been one since 1988).

When all is considered, I am a forum member who can rightly question your intentions, product etc. It was afterall you that approached this forum wanting feedback. We as a forum gave you our feedback and criticism, just because a forum member says things you don't like you can't complain, this forum is not free advertising for you or your products. Anyone can come on here and say they are a company who is about to launch a dynamic product, how do we know you are legit? For all we know, you will buying GPS trackers on Ebay and hoiking them on to us to make a fast buck. All I have done is point out to the other forum members that there are other caravan recovery products on the market and that yours will not be unique. Also if people want a GPS Tracker, there are some available that do not require a third party to monitor it.

I have nothing further to add on this subject, other than, launch your Caravan GPS Tracker, if it is what you say it is good luck to you. Can't wait!!!!!

 

[WMRussell]

Bump

 

[WMRussell]

Is there any news on the release date for this equipment.

 

[Oldsalt49]

Looks like you need to look elsewhere Russell. Tried to google Caravan GPS Trackers and there are no new unique ones on the market - YET!!!! Shipment may be stuck in a container at Tilbury???