Fit a GPS Tracking Device
So you've got your pride and joy, now lets try and keep it YOUR pride and joy.
Ok its already got a Cat 1 alarm factory fitted, but what's to stop the thieves from trailering your MINI away, nothing some may come in recovery trucks and look genuine, then just take it without batting an eye.
So lets take the next line of defence, have a Tracker fitted, but they cost so much and you cant quite afford it yet, but you can do it on a budget, they can be found on ebay from about £100. Ok there not as good as the main companies out there selling these devices, as the Police cant track it for you, but you can tell the Police exactly where your pride is with the coordinates that the GPS tracker sends to your mobile phone, you can even locate it yourself using Google Maps
This is my GPS tracker which I picked up on a local carboot for £20. A device similar to mine can be found on eBay, ok its not the best but it works and is accurate enough, works with any network sim excluding 3, the one I use is the O2 one with the free texts and has not let me down with a signal you can even listen in on this device and also set up a geo fence, so that as soon as it leaves this perimeter fence it will send a text automatically to any phone you have set up with the device
So how easy is it to use? Simple is the only answer, its just a matter of sending a few texts to the device first to set it up and also the mobile phone numbers you want it to text back, then all you do is store the number from the sim card you have chosen,(O2 in my case) into your mobile and name it say "GPS Tracker" or anything you like.
The next thing to do is choose a location to fit the device,(sorry no pics on my location as its secret) this is also easy as the size is no bigger than box of matches as can be seen in the above pic, once your happy with the location, call the tracker, mine automatically hangs up after two rings it will then send a text back to your phone, to give you its geographic location lat & long also the speed date and time, mine also gives info on the signal strength and battery state, when your happy with the location fit power cable and secure, then just simply forget about it, apart from topping up say every two or three months with £10 you can even use the credit if you have any left in your own mobile.
As a rule I usually send a text once a week just to make sure its still working, but there is no need as it always replies.
As you can see with the pics below you have all information you could need, although I'm using the iPhone you get exactly the same information on any other phone, then just type in the coordinates followed by the letter, there is no need to type in lat or long in google maps, and there you have it a exact location of your MINI
But it doesn't end there, think of it as a safety device also, as we know most Hot Orange Owners are of the fairer sex, so lets just imagine the scenario your wife/girlfriend has popped out, lets just say to meet a long lost school friend but she gets lost (sat nav still at home) she calls you but doesn't know what road she's on and its in the middle of nowhere and its also getting dark, easy just text the GPS Tracker for location and direct her home using Google Maps
Please note I'm not an expert in these systems its just from personal experience only, please use at your own risk, care should always be taken if removing trim from your MINI to hide the tracking device, when connecting to the power supply I did not splice into any of the cars wiring loom, no liability will be taken if you choose to cut wires, do so at your own risk
Hope you have found this useful, any feedback can be left on the forum
Thanks Andy (BU51 BEZ)
