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MG MGA - Vehicle tracking

Had a friend who had his car stolen the other day (not MGA) and I started to think about vehicle tracking.
Has anyone ever fitted a tracking system to their car and what's involved? Prices seem to range greatly so I guess there's a big difference between various suppliers.
J H Cole

Contact Colin Manley, often on this site. He does one. Now that my car is in regular use, I was thinking about this again, too.
Shane
Shanerj

I bought and fitted the GPS tracker device from Colin Manley a couple of years ago for my MGA - I now need another as I have bought a 2nd classic vehicle (not an MG). But I noticed on ebay that the same device is now available for a fraction of the price that I paid - ebay number 300942751311 - available directly from China unfortunately - as everything seems to be these days.
Cam Cunningham

Hi

Used these on all my cars, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320861754618?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648 includes hard wired PSU.

alarm, geo-fence, tracking etc. Just need a pay as you go sim. Less than £21 posted.

Barry
B Bridgens

I fitted Colin's device but have not been that happy with it. It fairly regularly seems to think it has moved and sends a stream of texts with the same GPS coordinates. That is annoying at one in the morning. The sim card seems to need topping up more regularly than I expected too - well before 200 texts have been sent.

I was just today looking for another pay as you go SIM card that does need to be topped up every month. Does anyone have any suggestions? Most phone companies want to sell monthly top ups on pay as you go which seems strange.


John
John Francis

John

I'm with Giffgaff.

You can either have a monthly 'goody bag' or just top up when needed.

http://giffgaff.com
Dave O'Neill 2

Hello John,
It seems that the unit is going in and out of mobile signal reception and is sending a text each time it does so. You could be on the border of intermittent signal/cell reception. This can happen many times especially with nighttime atmospherics playing a part in disrupting signal. I think it is a combination of mobile network coverage causing signal on/off reception which, whilst annoying for you, is not a failing of the unit.
The SIM supplied with your unit should not need a monthly top up (unless the credit is used up); it does though, need to be used every two months to stay active on the network. I suggest you talk with the O2 SIM network provider.

Hello Cam,
The unit you mention is not configured and has no SIM card or credit. You will have to get a SIM and load some credit, set it up correctly and then configure the unit to the SIM. It should also be charged import duty & VAT at customs which will be collected by the Post Office from you before they deliver it.

regards
Colin
Colin Manley

Cam, I tried the ebay number and it didn't work for me. The process seems more complicated than I thought. What's involved in fitting it yourself - just a permanent supply or more? My old mobile phone doesn't have GPS so it would have to go on my wife's phone! If a car is laid in a garage being renovated are there any issues there?
J H Cole

JH, The one I have - supplied by Colin Manley - is easy to connect up - just link it direct to the battery , or a live feed at the fuse box ( it has its own rechargeable battery but is not designed to last more than a few days ( in case thieves disconnect the main battery) . There are numerous sensors which you can use or disconnect if you don't need them ( e.g a microphone so you can hear the thieves driving your pride and joy!). It works via any phone -it just sends you a text message with its location coordinates ( these can be put into a sat nav or computer or of course a smart phone. Colin's comes all set up, as he explained earlier - the one on ebay is identical but needs setting up - you pay your money and take your choice! It is supposed to work in a garage but if your car is being restored it will need a charged battery to work.
Cam Cunningham

Thanks Cam for info, Colin can you give me a contact email?
J H Cole

Hello JH,
address is;
manley.colin@talk21.com

regards
Colin
Colin Manley

This thread was discussed between 17/06/2014 and 20/06/2014

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