Tracking devices

jmodge

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Location
Greenville, MI
TDI
2001 alh Jetta, RC2 w/.205's 5speed daily summer commuter and 2000 alh Jetta 5spd swap, 2" lift, hitch, stage 3 TDtuning w/.216's winter cruiser, 1996 Tacoma ALh
In light of a members unfortunate experience of having his TDI Jeep stolen, can we get some ideas and experiences regarding tracking devices that can be used for recovery purposes when something like this happens?
 

Lightflyer1

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Location
Round Rock, Texas
TDI
2015 Beetle tdi dsg
The cheapest method would be an old cell phone hard wired and hid in the car somewhere with tracking enabled. There are other commercial ways to do it but will incur additional charges.
 

ToddA1

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Location
NJ 08002
TDI
'96 B4V, '97 B4 (sold), '97 Jetta (scrapped)
Wouldn’t you need to have an active phone plan, for that to work?

-Todd
 

Lightflyer1

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Location
Round Rock, Texas
TDI
2015 Beetle tdi dsg
Maybe, but a lot of people are on a family plan and adding another phone especially one that isn't used, costs little to nothing. Or one of the plans that charge by use only, again with no use, would cost little to nothing.
 

jmodge

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Location
Greenville, MI
TDI
2001 alh Jetta, RC2 w/.205's 5speed daily summer commuter and 2000 alh Jetta 5spd swap, 2" lift, hitch, stage 3 TDtuning w/.216's winter cruiser, 1996 Tacoma ALh
Would it need to stay charged, I've heard car chargers never stop charging and can damage batteries?
 

turbobrick240

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 18, 2014
Location
maine
TDI
2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
Yeah, it would have to powered by its battery or the car battery. There are all kinds of dedicated GPS trackers available from $20 and up. A hidden kill switch isn't a bad idea on vehicles without security systems either.
 

jmodge

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Location
Greenville, MI
TDI
2001 alh Jetta, RC2 w/.205's 5speed daily summer commuter and 2000 alh Jetta 5spd swap, 2" lift, hitch, stage 3 TDtuning w/.216's winter cruiser, 1996 Tacoma ALh
I see their are gps tracking devices with their own power source. Good idea about disconnect. multiple hidden disconnects for fuel, ecu power, or cranking power come to mind.losing a vehicle, especially a customized one really sucks. Somebody knew it was there.
 
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