Tracker recommendations, please

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R

Resonator

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Worcestershire
I live in rural Worcestershire and lately a couple of Defenders have been stolen from my village. One had a tracker fitted and was found a few miles away,

I understand that scumbags nick the vehicle then park it up and wait. If it's got a tracker then the owner will find and recover it. If it hasn't then the scumbags go back to the vehicle and take it away.

My 2004 90 CSW is parked out of sight of the road, behind an electric gate, and with a steering lock on it, so it's reasonably secure.

That said, I would still like to install a tracker (maybe with a remote demobiliser function).

Does anyone have any recommendations or experiences they could share please?

Many thanks
 
The Thatcham rated trackers come in two flavours, S7 and S5. S5 being the more advanced.

I recently had a 'SmarTrack' S7 tracker installed, no complaints from me though I haven't, and hopefully will never have to use it in anger. You can use the app to set up geofence and ignition notifications, and it also alerts you if the car moves without the ignition (so if some scrote throws it onto the back of a flatbed without your knowledge!). You can also immobilise the engine remotely so if someone manages to nick/clone your keys/hotwire (is this a thing outside Hollywood?) your engine you can cut it remotely.

The S5 trackers are a bit more advanced and come with a driver ID tag (a little smart card or keyring fob) so even if someone clones your key and stock immobiliser fob, the car will still know it's being nicked as your tag isn't in the car, and it will alert you / the tracker monitoring company / the rozzers.

All the S5 & S7 Thatcham rated trackers do a very similar thing I think. SmarTrack and Vodafone seem to be the most popular.

There are other non-Thatcham rated ones out there too but I didn't really look into these and I wanted something more trusted/"official".
 
re-volt said:
I would place an AirTag and remove the sound part of it, also you may install a kill switch hidden under the seat.
Click to expand...
AirTag is a great backup option - I’ve got one hidden in mine too - but not really a replacement for a proper tracker.

Given how cheap they are though you’d be daft not to stash one away somewhere!

Metal kills their range though so it’s a good idea to be creative about where you hide an AirTag.
 
lynall said:
I would not be mentioning what security people use to any new unknowns?
Click to expand...
Excellent point!

All I can say is it that I genuinely own a 2004 TD5 Defender 90 CSW, which I've had since 2008.

I don't use this forum very much but have been registered on here for a few years now. I joined because my Defender kept going into Limp Mode for no apparent reason and so I looked to forums to try and fix it - which I did... eventually.

If anyone wants to message me to make sure I am who I say I am then I will gladly reply.
 
johnnymarrsbarres said:
The Thatcham rated trackers come in two flavours, S7 and S5. S5 being the more advanced.

I recently had a 'SmarTrack' S7 tracker installed, no complaints from me though I haven't, and hopefully will never have to use it in anger. You can use the app to set up geofence and ignition notifications, and it also alerts you if the car moves without the ignition (so if some scrote throws it onto the back of a flatbed without your knowledge!). You can also immobilise the engine remotely so if someone manages to nick/clone your keys/hotwire (is this a thing outside Hollywood?) your engine you can cut it remotely.

The S5 trackers are a bit more advanced and come with a driver ID tag (a little smart card or keyring fob) so even if someone clones your key and stock immobiliser fob, the car will still know it's being nicked as your tag isn't in the car, and it will alert you / the tracker monitoring company / the rozzers.

All the S5 & S7 Thatcham rated trackers do a very similar thing I think. SmarTrack and Vodafone seem to be the most popular.

There are other non-Thatcham rated ones out there too but I didn't really look into these and I wanted something more trusted/"official".
Click to expand...
This is good information, thank you!
 
How much do these trackers cost to buy, and is their ongoing maintenance costs ?
On my 300 TDI pick-up I have the huge disclock steering lock and an X lock which locks the truck in third gear.
But I would fit a tracker to work with android ifit was cheap and a one off cost.
When out and about there's a couple of dogs able to get into the cab and Ifor William's pick-up cover.
PXL_20240114_163429241.jpg

They can be very protective of Peggy the Farmy pick-up
 
Wagon Loon said:
How much do these trackers cost to buy, and is their ongoing maintenance costs ?
On my 300 TDI pick-up I have the huge disclock steering lock and an X lock which locks the truck in third gear.
But I would fit a tracker to work with android ifit was cheap and a one off cost.
When out and about there's a couple of dogs able to get into the cab and Ifor William's pick-up cover. View attachment 329212
They can be very protective of Peggy the Farmy pick-up
Click to expand...
I've just found this one. Thatcham S5. £199 + Subscription (£200 for 1 year, £375 for 2 years).

crystalball.tv

Thatcham S5 Tracker - Insurance-Approved - Crystal Ball

Keep your vehicles safe and secure with the Thatcham category S5 tracker from Crystal Ball, a vehicle tracking system designed for your peace of mind.
crystalball.tv crystalball.tv
 
landowner said:
Sounds too good to be true, are they really that cheap?
Click to expand...
Well, they score 4/5 on TrustPilot, but there are also a few negatives on other sites.

I've just found this, which gives a more consistent comparison:
www.trackershop-uk.com

S5 Trackers | Insurance Approved | Free UK Installation

Choose the most trusted S5 Trackers. Free UK-wide expert installation. Thatcham-accredited, 24/7 monitoring, and 96% recovery rate for advanced vehicle security.
www.trackershop-uk.com www.trackershop-uk.com
 
😱. I just bought a 2011 Honda civic 18 si-ivtec for £300, for a friend and it's a good car.
That's more than my insurance costs.
Is there not a more reasonably priced option ?
 
Resonator said:
I live in rural Worcestershire and lately a couple of Defenders have been stolen from my village. One had a tracker fitted and was found a few miles away,

I understand that scumbags nick the vehicle then park it up and wait. If it's got a tracker then the owner will find and recover it. If it hasn't then the scumbags go back to the vehicle and take it away.

My 2004 90 CSW is parked out of sight of the road, behind an electric gate, and with a steering lock on it, so it's reasonably secure.

That said, I would still like to install a tracker (maybe with a remote demobiliser function) improve vehicle tracking.

Does anyone have any recommendations or experiences they could share please?

Many thanks
Click to expand...
to obtain adequate coverage my insurer needs the car to have a Thatcham-approved tracker and subscription added within 30 days. My current car has an OEM so looking here for recommendations or thoughts from anyone who’s already arranged or planning to go with a particular after market brand and package.
 
Hmm, a neighbour says his insurer requires him to keep his in his garage!
I have a Second hand X- lock on the gears and hand brake, which makes towing her difficult for a would be thief, since she's locked I third gear.
But my insurance don't ask anything of me, maybe the rusty wheels and knackered dull paint helps dissuade too !
So many defenders seem to have more shiny bits than Kim K's ass! I keep a cheap composting camping loo, in clear view in the covered pickup back as Peggy's used for woodland maintenance. This is a good deterrent too lol. Helps avoid ticks getting on me also.
But if yours looks like lots of globally sellable pristine parts, I suppose the risk of theft rises exponentially.
I would be interested to know if you do find a reasonably priced solution. And I'm sure it would Bea bugger to fit also.
PXL_20250130_080849043.jpg
 
Wagon Loon said:
Hmm, a neighbour says his insurer requires him to keep his in his garage!
I have a Second hand X- lock on the gears and hand brake, which makes towing her difficult for a would be thief, since she's locked I third gear.
But my insurance don't ask anything of me, maybe the rusty wheels and knackered dull paint helps dissuade too !
So many defenders seem to have more shiny bits than Kim K's ass! I keep a cheap composting camping loo, in clear view in the covered pickup back as Peggy's used for woodland maintenance. This is a good deterrent too lol. Helps avoid ticks getting on me also.
But if yours looks like lots of globally sellable pristine parts, I suppose the risk of theft rises exponentially.
I would be interested to know if you do find a reasonably priced solution. And I'm sure it would Bea bugger to fit also.View attachment 339026
Click to expand...
Insurance doesn't ask anything from us either.
 
My 74 built 88" Station Wagon Gigi is classed as car, but the 300Tdi is classed as a van so has commercial van insurance, but it's quite cheap.
Maybe it depends on where you live, and how loaded with plushness the Landy is !
 
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