Wired trackers recommendations

[doobin]

I already run quite a few Automatrics trackers on the expensive gear so aware of those particular benefits. However, I'm seeking recommendations for:

 

1. Wired trackers that I can self fit and self manage. Something with backup and ongoing availability rather than a Chinese special. I don't want anything with ongoing management/tracking fees- they only use a white label version of the same tracking platform I can use anyhow.

 

2. A sim provider for those trackers. Someone was telling me about a roaming sim for £5 a month but I can't find anything.

[allseasons]

Abax

[Stihl123]

Vehicle Tracking & GPS Tracking Solutions | TruTrak | UK

WWW.TRUTRAK.CO.UK

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TruTrak was founded by professionals with more than 17 years of experience in the Vehicle Tracking & GPS Tracking industry, we put everything you need in one solution for monitoring your...

i use these and a few mates do too

 

[doobin]

Both of those above are just rebranded Chinese shit and a white label tracking platform. I'm not buying a dozen of them only to have them hike the monthly cost or simply go bust.

 

Anyone used Teltonika trackers? Seem to be about the only EU made ones.

[Stihl123]

1 hour ago, doobin said:

Both of those above are just rebranded Chinese shit and a white label tracking platform. I'm not buying a dozen of them only to have them hike the monthly cost or simply go bust.

 

Anyone used Teltonika trackers? Seem to be about the only EU made ones.

calm it lad 😅 

 

used them for a few yrs and been fine, their aftersales has been brilliant too. the yearly cost hasn't changed once since i started with them. one of they trackers won a tracker of the year award in 2022 🙃

[donnk]

if its valuable enough to put a tracker on it use a proper one, automatrics.

[Dan Maynard]

10 hours ago, doobin said:

Both of those above are just rebranded Chinese shit and a white label tracking platform. I'm not buying a dozen of them only to have them hike the monthly cost or simply go bust.

 

Anyone used Teltonika trackers? Seem to be about the only EU made ones.

I use Trutrak too, the ones I have are Teltonika, think FMT100 and on a 3 year it is about 6 quid a month. Seem fine, reception is the game as they are mounted in metal boxes (ie the vehicle).

 

Don't know prices now but you could  get SIM cards for a bit less, when I was looking there is a market selling cards for taxis and other vehicles. Thing is to find one with really low data allowance.

 

The other thing I've found out is several networks are turning off 3G so if I was buying new probably be looking at 4G.

[doobin]

On 10/03/2023 at 18:28, Dan Maynard said:

I use Trutrak too, the ones I have are Teltonika, think FMT100 and on a 3 year it is about 6 quid a month. Seem fine, reception is the game as they are mounted in metal boxes (ie the vehicle).

 

Don't know prices now but you could  get SIM cards for a bit less, when I was looking there is a market selling cards for taxis and other vehicles. Thing is to find one with really low data allowance.

 

The other thing I've found out is several networks are turning off 3G so if I was buying new probably be looking at 4G.

That aligns with my research. What I've done is this- I've ordered a Teltonica FMC920 at £52 inc VAT. That appears to be the most basic one that is also 4g, therefore futureproof. A GiffGaff sim on PAYG should run that at minimal cost for the data. For tracking services, gps-server.net is what provides white label tracking services to most of the companies out there. Tracking for ten objects for a year is £110, or 5 objects for £60.

 

Basically, all the little tracking companies out there are just buying a cheap tracker, programming it to their white label tracking platform, adding a cheap data card and then adding profit. Maybe OK for one machine, I'm not doing it for a dozen. And who knows how long their trackers will last?

 

This way I have control of the whole process.

 

 

[doobin]

On 10/03/2023 at 11:26, donnk said:

if its valuable enough to put a tracker on it use a proper one, automatrics.

I want a real time tracker in everything. The automatrics are the insurance on the most expensive ones, plus can be moved between machines if one is to be left overnight away from the yard.

[Dan Maynard]

I can see why you're doing it yourself, makes a lot of sense. I would like to be able to choose a network that's strong where I live, or get a multi network data SIM if I want.

 

The other people I found apart from Teltonika who make trackers which look good and rugged are 

About Digital Matter | GPS and IoT Device Manufacturers

WWW.DIGITALMATTER.COM

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Digital Matter is the leading global developer of low-power GPS and IoT hardware for asset...

They are inside Nortrak branded trackers in the UK but you're stuck with their choice of SIM and £10 a month.

 

Be good if someone else would just sell you the digitalmatter device, haven't investigated that to be honest.