DIY GPS tracking for theft recovery

Discussion in 'Interior/Electronics' started by Chip Morton, Jan 2, 2011.

  1. Chip Morton

    Chip Morton Member

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    Hey gang,

    I've heard of people doing this with certain cell phones. They mount them
    so that in the event their truck is stolen, they can activate the phone, get the location and relay the info to police.

    Has anyone here tried this?

    Thanks!
    Chip
     
  2. V8_TITAN

    V8_TITAN Toyotaholic

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    havent heard of it but im sure there are such ways to do that.
     
  3. oahu grown

    oahu grown Toyotaholic

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    Guys down here in Hawaii use the collars they put on there hunting dogs. Works just the same i suppose.
     
  4. Chip Morton

    Chip Morton Member

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    Oh man, that's a good idea. I'm going to look into that.
     
  5. Dogfather

    Dogfather Veteran

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    Hummmm interesting,... GPS tracking a cell... hummmm
     
  6. oldschool64bus

    oldschool64bus Veteran

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    there are android apps like that for when you lose your phone or it gets jacked, you can send a text to it and it starts the gps
     
  7. Chip Morton

    Chip Morton Member

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  8. oahu grown

    oahu grown Toyotaholic

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    The collars are probably expensive. Not to sure but just a idea you could look into. I know people put a lot into there dogs and whatnot so its a minor investment for them.
     
  9. IronNam

    IronNam Grand Toyotaholic

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    very interesting.. getting it to activate when stolen is tricky
     
  10. RningOnFumes

    RningOnFumes Newbie

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    I saw this on an episode of 2 guys garage aka (updated) Shadetree Mechanics on Speed. It's an interesting idea, cheap insurance too. Question is what company or type of cell, because how much of a hassle will it take to get the tracking info?
     
  11. DannyBoy

    DannyBoy Enthusiast

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    why not just buy lojack? probably easier cheaper and more reliable.
     
  12. 85Toyota

    85Toyota Addict

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    Lojack is def the way to go ... Got it in all of my vehicles ... 'Bout $300.00 installed and cut my insurance in half so it ends up paying for itself ... Not saying the phone idea is'nt a good way to try and protect yer $h!t, having Lojack just gives me really good peace of mind ... :cool:
     
  13. kzunell

    kzunell Newbie

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    Any I phone with GPS that has find my I phone on it can be found by you with any other I phone, or I pad or apple computer with find my I phone on it. Find my Iphone is a free app. So the way to do it would be to take your old Iphone and place it somewhere in your truck and wire in a iphone charger. When your truck gets stolen you can find it at anytime yourself, and if the disconnect the battery in the truck you have about 4 days of battery life in the phone. You can also set the phone remotely to Email you its location if for some reason it is out of cell service for a period, it will contact you when it comes back into cell service. Accuracy is about 25 feet or so. Of course the police can't track it unless the phone company allows them access, but you can so that might be a bad thing if you want to settle up with someone that steals your truck...
     
  14. toyoseata

    toyoseata Newbie

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    The phone idea is really not a good way, its only useful until the battery runs out.
     
  15. 390armstrong

    390armstrong Member

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    Phone idea is better then lojack...make sure phone is on silent and hard wired also get a family plan so its cheaper...lojack isnt great because #1 lojack can only be intercepted by a squad car that has the program on it...meaning out of 60 cop cars only one is equipped to find the signal ur lojack gives..#2 if it does find it, its only worth **** on american soil..so if you live near a border u r screwed. Yes it sounds ghetto but truth be told lojack is the same system but triangulates based on sound beeps
     

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