Don't get your scooter or bike stolen! My GPS-tracker for cheapskates solution.

iridiumblue · 11-23-2020, 11:59 AM

As someone who's experienced the heartbreak of getting my scooter stolen four times over the course of my (admittedly longish life), I finally got a GPS tracker. I didn't want to spend a lot - especially not a big monthly fee. I did a lot of shopping around, and found what I'm pretty sure is the cheapest reliable way to do it. Thought I'd share out the info here (I have no business interest in any of these products.)

First, this GPS tracker, the SinoTrak despite its low price, has performed flawlessly for me for a couple of months:

You can get it on ebay for about $25. Installation is easy, connect it directly to your battery (ignore the orange wire), and mount it somewhere non obvious. The tracker also has its own small battery in case thieves remove the battery right away or simply power is lost.

Next you need a SIM card to put in it. Speedtalk mobile has a plan just for GPS trackers for just $5 a month, no contract, pay-as-you-go. https://www.speedtalkmobile.com/gps-sim-card . Just make sure your area is covered (sorry, Nebraska) : https://www.speedtalkmobile.com/coverage-map .

Here's a key point where other trackers squeeze you for money : You don't need a special app or website - which can cost $20/mo or more - to use the tracker. It's all best done by text-message, at no cost beyond the 5 bucks/mo for the SIM card.. Even though SinoTrak allegedly provides such a mobile/web service for free, you have to contact them and I found it a bear to set up. I found it's much simpler to skip all that and just use text.

When you put $5 on your SIM card, you'll get a phone number for your tracker. You control your tracker via text message from your mobile phone. You can send one code to ask for your current location. In a minute or so you get a text back with a google-maps link to location. It works the same for all the functionality. (Do you really want to rely on a data-signal anyway?)

The biggest feature is geo-fencing. You park the bike, and send a text turning on the geo-fence. Then, if somebody removes the bike from that location, the tracker starts ringing your phone over and over again. When you're ready for a ride, another text turns the tracker off.

That's it, Hope this helps someone. Really hope it helps get some b&&&&rd thief busted

Ride safe.

Essayons · 11-23-2020, 12:31 PM

Great post iridiumblue. As you stated, it is a great low priced option. Going to check youtube for reviews. Thanks for posting.

iridiumblue · 11-23-2020, 10:44 PM

Thanks.

Nice friendly and welcoming community you guys got going here, glad I came.

Essayons · 11-24-2020, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iridiumblue

Thanks.

Nice friendly and welcoming community you guys got going here, glad I came.

I couldn't agree more. The community here is very knowledgeable and experienced. Some are even friendly!

**JerryHawk250** · 11-24-2020, 07:45 AM

I was looking at GPS trackers over the weekend. I'll have to check that one out. BTW Welcome aboard!

Musictrek · 11-24-2020, 09:32 AM

I use the speed talk 5 dollar plan in my gps for my Ebike. I guess I could take the SIM card out and use it in the 12 volt one you use on your scooter as well

duck9191 · 11-27-2020, 01:45 PM

Is this a 3g device? Down side to them is the carriers are moving to decommission their 3g networks between 2020 and 2022. Ive been looking for lte based trackers but they are far and few between and much more expensive.

iridiumblue · 11-28-2020, 09:25 AM

I didn't know about the decommissioning of 3G coming up. Just checked, and this tracker is 2G (and they have a 3G version I tk for the same price). I'm guessing 2G and 3G will go down together as they upgrade the network.

Since it's just $25, maybe the best way to save money is to use one of these as long as possible and wait for the prices to drop for LTE/4G trackers.

I just looked up that the 2G/3G 'sunset date' is 12/2021 for ATT and Sprint. This will be kind of a mass extinction event for trackers and similar devices, knocking millions of them out of service. (Shame because these things don't need anywhere near 4G bandwidth.)

It seems a good bet that manufacturers are going to go into overdrive to meet the surge in demand.

duck9191 · 11-28-2020, 01:31 PM

2g only is mostly dead, t-mobile is supposed to sundown it end of this year. All these devices run on GSM, so either att/t mobile, Verizon/sprint was CDMA which is going to be dead soon too as they have moved to mostly VoLTE. I'm hoping to see the lte devices soon, as I would like to pick up a few of these.

I'm sure all the tracking services are taxing the Chinese manufacturers, there are huge fleets that use similar devices that will need to be replaced soon.

JRad · 11-28-2020, 05:28 PM

Does anyone have experience with a disc alarm? Wondering if they may be a hassle with false alarms if they are too sensitive to wind gusts.

ChopperCharles · 12-02-2020, 10:42 AM

Most of the carriers in my area aren't activating 3G devices anymore. If you find one that does 4G but doesn't have an expensive monthly fee, I'd be interested.

Charles.

iridiumblue · 12-05-2020, 11:54 AM

This looks like the LTE version of the same thing : https://m.alibaba.com/amp/product/62591220495.html

(model ST 902L )

11-23-2020, 11:59 AM	#1
iridiumblue Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 15	Don't get your scooter or bike stolen! My GPS-tracker for cheapskates solution. As someone who's experienced the heartbreak of getting my scooter stolen four times over the course of my (admittedly longish life), I finally got a GPS tracker. I didn't want to spend a lot - especially not a big monthly fee. I did a lot of shopping around, and found what I'm pretty sure is the cheapest reliable way to do it. Thought I'd share out the info here (I have no business interest in any of these products.) First, this GPS tracker, the SinoTrak despite its low price, has performed flawlessly for me for a couple of months: You can get it on ebay for about $25. Installation is easy, connect it directly to your battery (ignore the orange wire), and mount it somewhere non obvious. The tracker also has its own small battery in case thieves remove the battery right away or simply power is lost. Next you need a SIM card to put in it. Speedtalk mobile has a plan just for GPS trackers for just $5 a month, no contract, pay-as-you-go. https://www.speedtalkmobile.com/gps-sim-card . Just make sure your area is covered (sorry, Nebraska) : https://www.speedtalkmobile.com/coverage-map . Here's a key point where other trackers squeeze you for money : You don't need a special app or website - which can cost $20/mo or more - to use the tracker. It's all best done by text-message, at no cost beyond the 5 bucks/mo for the SIM card.. Even though SinoTrak allegedly provides such a mobile/web service for free, you have to contact them and I found it a bear to set up. I found it's much simpler to skip all that and just use text. When you put $5 on your SIM card, you'll get a phone number for your tracker. You control your tracker via text message from your mobile phone. You can send one code to ask for your current location. In a minute or so you get a text back with a google-maps link to location. It works the same for all the functionality. (Do you really want to rely on a data-signal anyway?) The biggest feature is geo-fencing. You park the bike, and send a text turning on the geo-fence. Then, if somebody removes the bike from that location, the tracker starts ringing your phone over and over again. When you're ready for a ride, another text turns the tracker off. That's it, Hope this helps someone. Really hope it helps get some b&&&&rd thief busted Ride safe. Last edited by iridiumblue; 11-24-2020 at 05:01 AM.
	7

11-23-2020, 12:31 PM	#2
Essayons Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: fontana, california Posts: 333	Great post iridiumblue. As you stated, it is a great low priced option. Going to check youtube for reviews. Thanks for posting. __________________ 2018 TT 250 2016 RX3 1979 CB750K
	1

11-24-2020, 07:45 AM	#5
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,554	I was looking at GPS trackers over the weekend. I'll have to check that one out. BTW Welcome aboard! __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

11-27-2020, 01:45 PM	#7
duck9191 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Port Huron, Michigan Posts: 637	Is this a 3g device? Down side to them is the carriers are moving to decommission their 3g networks between 2020 and 2022. Ive been looking for lte based trackers but they are far and few between and much more expensive. __________________ 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 rally. 2018 Bashan Storm 250. pz30b, digital cluster + gear indicator, unifilter and car customs full exhaust. 2019 Taotao 110b boulder atv. The "arm breaker" lol 2007 Honda VTX 1300R. 1974 Suzuki tm125, work in progress 2001 Suzuki Drz 400s.
	1

11-28-2020, 01:31 PM	#9
duck9191 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Port Huron, Michigan Posts: 637	2g only is mostly dead, t-mobile is supposed to sundown it end of this year. All these devices run on GSM, so either att/t mobile, Verizon/sprint was CDMA which is going to be dead soon too as they have moved to mostly VoLTE. I'm hoping to see the lte devices soon, as I would like to pick up a few of these. I'm sure all the tracking services are taxing the Chinese manufacturers, there are huge fleets that use similar devices that will need to be replaced soon. __________________ 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 rally. 2018 Bashan Storm 250. pz30b, digital cluster + gear indicator, unifilter and car customs full exhaust. 2019 Taotao 110b boulder atv. The "arm breaker" lol 2007 Honda VTX 1300R. 1974 Suzuki tm125, work in progress 2001 Suzuki Drz 400s.
	0

11-23-2020, 10:44 PM	#3
iridiumblue Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 15	Thanks. Nice friendly and welcoming community you guys got going here, glad I came.
	1

11-24-2020, 09:32 AM	#6
Musictrek Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Arizona Posts: 463	I use the speed talk 5 dollar plan in my gps for my Ebike. I guess I could take the SIM card out and use it in the 12 volt one you use on your scooter as well
	1

11-28-2020, 09:25 AM	#8
iridiumblue Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 15	I didn't know about the decommissioning of 3G coming up. Just checked, and this tracker is 2G (and they have a 3G version I tk for the same price). I'm guessing 2G and 3G will go down together as they upgrade the network. Since it's just $25, maybe the best way to save money is to use one of these as long as possible and wait for the prices to drop for LTE/4G trackers. I just looked up that the 2G/3G 'sunset date' is 12/2021 for ATT and Sprint. This will be kind of a mass extinction event for trackers and similar devices, knocking millions of them out of service. (Shame because these things don't need anywhere near 4G bandwidth.) It seems a good bet that manufacturers are going to go into overdrive to meet the surge in demand.
	0

11-28-2020, 05:28 PM	#10
JRad Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: AZ Posts: 13	Does anyone have experience with a disc alarm? Wondering if they may be a hassle with false alarms if they are too sensitive to wind gusts. __________________ Jared --------------- Lifan KP Mini 150 (PZ26, 38pilot 110main, Uni Pod Filter, Integrated Blinkers, Fender Eliminator, LED Headlight)
	0

12-02-2020, 10:42 AM	#11
ChopperCharles Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: RDU, NC Posts: 677	Most of the carriers in my area aren't activating 3G devices anymore. If you find one that does 4G but doesn't have an expensive monthly fee, I'd be interested. Charles.
	1

12-05-2020, 11:54 AM	#12
iridiumblue Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 15	This looks like the LTE version of the same thing : https://m.alibaba.com/amp/product/62591220495.html (model ST 902L )
	0