Why do you want a tracker? I had one on my M5 but only because they wouldn't insure me without it. It was a Trackstar Trafficmaster but was no help in preventing me writing off the car.
cinek
MB Enthusiast
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If it's just an insurance requirement then go for the one with the cheapest installation and subs. If you want to get your car back, should it be stolen, get the most expensive.
AFAIK none offer crash protection
AFAIK none offer crash protection
OP
OP
Lee C63
MB Enthusiast
Only reduces the insurance by 40 pounds so its more for a deterrant than anything else.
Does it put would be thieves off????
Which tracker to fit?
What am I missing here?
I don't see any benefit of installing a tracker.
cinek
MB Enthusiast
I was talking about relation between OP question and you writing off you car
Anyway, had trackers on some of my cars. It was because I either bought a car with it already installed or, it was an insurance requirement.
Luckily I never had a car stolen from me, to see the real benefit of trackers.
But I do believe I'd want one if that ever changed.
cinek
MB Enthusiast
Most of them wouldn't know its there.
Those who would, well, I don think there is a deterrent for those
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Ignoring, for now, the "it doesn't work in a concrete bunker etc" view, I understand that thieves park the car up somewhere for a few days to see if it has a tracker fitted.
During that period, there's a strong possibility it will be found/returned.
Lots of variables, for example, you may not want it back after some toe rag has nicked it etc. but, on balance, I think they are a good idea.
I have trackers fitted on all my cars...
I can recommend Smarttrack as they have an excellent product at a decent price and offer decent service.
I have a couple with "tracker" too and whilst they are good, they are a pain to deal with. Had a couple of problems and its just a hassle to get them to sort it out. Much bigger company hence more red tape.
Also "Tracker" ones have a battery in them, if your car battery is dead or disconnected for more than a couple of days, this battery goes dead and does not recharge... Then they want £100 to replace it!
The bottom line is if your car gets stolen do you want it back or do you want the insurance money? Thats the choice...
If you have a highly individualised car (which you do) then a tracker is a sensible investment as your insurance will never cover the full cost of replacing the car like for like...
In my case, many of my cars are simply irreplaceable and thats why I have them.
I can recommend Smarttrack as they have an excellent product at a decent price and offer decent service.
I have a couple with "tracker" too and whilst they are good, they are a pain to deal with. Had a couple of problems and its just a hassle to get them to sort it out. Much bigger company hence more red tape.
Also "Tracker" ones have a battery in them, if your car battery is dead or disconnected for more than a couple of days, this battery goes dead and does not recharge... Then they want £100 to replace it!
The bottom line is if your car gets stolen do you want it back or do you want the insurance money? Thats the choice...
If you have a highly individualised car (which you do) then a tracker is a sensible investment as your insurance will never cover the full cost of replacing the car like for like...
In my case, many of my cars are simply irreplaceable and thats why I have them.
Ok, some info to help Lee:
Trackstar Trafficmaster cost about £400 to fit (by BMW) and around £100 in annual membership.
And it was so good they called me within 1 minute of me disconnecting the battery. I was impressed with that and was in an underground car park at the time.
But I wouldn't want a stolen car returned. I also didn't display any 'tracker installed' stickers to deter any thieves as the objective is stealth.
Trackstar Trafficmaster cost about £400 to fit (by BMW) and around £100 in annual membership.
And it was so good they called me within 1 minute of me disconnecting the battery. I was impressed with that and was in an underground car park at the time.
But I wouldn't want a stolen car returned. I also didn't display any 'tracker installed' stickers to deter any thieves as the objective is stealth.
flango
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
None they are all useless I can disable any tracker on the market in under 2 mins , so if I can do it its not a problem for the professional thief who steals high end cars to order. Might give good protection and detection against a joy rider or casual thief though, question is if its been nicked do you want it back????
OP
OP
Lee C63
MB Enthusiast
I thought if they were thatcham approved then they lasted longer than 2 minutes.
If a thief wants your car bad enough then they break in the house and demand the keys.
Would be nice to think there is something on the market that would deter them though.....
flango
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
I used to fit them and they really are so easy to disable, I'm not sure what the Thatcham criteria is for a tracker or even if there is one I know some are Thatcham approved but I think that is more down to reliability and a tracker system that wont fail under normal operation.
I stopped wasting my money on them some years ago, roundabout the same time we started fitting them
Surely it takes more than 2 min to even locate it? Aren't they fitted 'differently' even for same make?
flango
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Fitted differently in different places on different cars but theres also a locator device these are copied and sold on the black market once you know where the tracker is the rest takes seconds.
Also for GPS trackers you can disable the GPS instantly so it can't be tracked, use the locator to find the unit, then it's history.
Pro car thieves really operate on a different level
Darrell
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Where does Thatcham and the insurance companies stand on this ?
They must know that certain trackers can be disabled in a matter of minutes but still insist on having them fitted.
Do some insurance firms own tracker manufacturers.
They must know that certain trackers can be disabled in a matter of minutes but still insist on having them fitted.
Do some insurance firms own tracker manufacturers.
PhilT
Active Member
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Had this same problem choosing with mine when I got it, got told to avoid the brand tracker. I used Stolen Vehicle Trackers - Tracker Fit came out to my home to fit while I watched, great value too!
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OP
Lee C63
MB Enthusiast
Thinking of the smartrack one and like the idea of having it fitted at home.
Just a bit more peace of mind and if they did break into the garage and got past the japanese akita then they must really want it!!!
My car had a Tracker Tracker fitted when i purchased car, it cost £20 to have it transfered to my name. Anyhow 4 years ago we were burgled whilst on holiday and they found keys to mine and wifes car a stole both. When we were notified on holiday by the children next day the tracker located my car and wifes car parked behind mine less than 1/2 mile away from our house all locked up probally waiting to see if they had trackers fitted. So the £20 paid for itself and there is no annual charge either so real value for money.
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