[JonW]

I'm contemplating buying a GPS based vehicle locator / tracking system. Does anyone have any experience with aftermarket ones?

I'm not as interested in the tracking capability (except if it is stolen), as I am in the notification ability when the alarm is triggered or the vehicle is towed. I also like the ability to to remotely disable the vehicle or lock/unlock the doors.

I currently have Onstar in my Yukon XL and it is a waste of money. Sure they could track it if it's stolen but not until I call them. That could be many, many hours later and the thieves would be long gone. Most of the aftermarket ones can send you immediate alerts to a voice phone #, e-mail or SMS.

I carpool with someone and leave my car parked on a residential street every other day. I have a very regular schedule of when the car is there and I'm not. It would be no problem for someone to come tow it away.

I've looked at the following units:
InterTrak at http://www.trackmenow.com
Mobile Guardian at http://www.mymobileguardian.com
GPS 2000 at http://www.gps2000online.com

Anyone have experience with these or others?

 

[HiMiHemiMD]

Had the PageTrackII on a 2002 Lincoln LSE...THUMBS DOWN on the tracking, but if you disregard the installation manual's advice I can tell you that the fuel pump can be shut off remotely....

 

[joey]

I heard that LoJack is a good system. It can apparently notify you when the car is moved. You then have to call police.
http://www.lojack.com/products-services/auto-security-system/index.cfm


The LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System is the only system operated by police to track and recover stolen vehicles quickly. When you report the theft and file a stolen vehicle report, the Police activate the LoJack transmitter hidden in your vehicle. The LoJack unit sends out a unique code allowing specially-equipped police vehicles to track it find it, and return it to you often within a few hours.

LoJack Products
LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System
A small, silent transmitter hidden in your vehicle allows the police to track and recover it.

LoJack Early Warning Recovery System
For an added layer of protection to your LoJack System, LoJack Early Warning alerts you by phone, e-mail or alpha pager if your vehicle has been moved without authorization.

 

[JonW]

LoJack doesn't provide any of the added benefits of remotely unlocking your vehicle, disabling it or tracking it at will. The only way to track with them is to call the police and have them locate it. I think they were a good option when they first came out, but now the capabilities of tracking have made their way directly to the consumer. In addition, the consumer-direct models have many more features like geo-fencing, over speed indicator, route tracking, etc.

 

[JonW]

Bump.... Still looking for feedback on locator devices...

 

[XCITsNU]

This thead has been dead for a while, but I wanted to see if anyone has installed any vehicle tracking systems in their cars or has done additional research that could benefit us all.

So for those in the know, help educate us...

 

[catchMEifUcan]

Has anyone heard of a "C" being stolen?

 

[glhs837]

vehiclelocate.net

Dale Seeley, of Lake Effect Racing is using one in his One Lap SRT-4 this year. Seems like a cool system, I have'nt dug into it, but might when my SRT-8 gets closer.

 

[azraq27]

Viper

Anybody looked into Viper's GPS system? I'm thinking about getting a Viper remote start (2-way LED; 571XV), and their GPS system looks pretty nice. You can remotely control your car (unlock doors, start the car), and track it mapquest-style on their website real-time.

I got a quote from a pretty good looking place around me for $600 for the remote start installed, and $700 more for the GPS system. The price seemed a little steep, but they said installing it would be pretty complicated.