Other GPS unit/tracker for skis

[The Penguin]

in the stolen superfreak thread ( http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/88632-need-some-help.-missing-ski-( )Matt E recommended the Quantum MiniQ for a tracking device.

I spent a considerable amount of time chatting on-line with a couple of their reps about their products.

The miniQ is very small, about the size of a keyless remote entry for your car. According to them, you could buy the unit, place it in the hull somewhere and not activate it until you needed to locate it. They have a minimum $20 per month monitoring fee. Provided you make sure to keep fresh batteries in the unit - this is a fairly viable GPS tacking solution for our skis.

There was another unit they have (this one, I think): http://www.quantum-wireless.com/store/index.php/landairsea-gps-tracking-system-3100-ext.html - that would hook up to the ski battery and you then skip the need for internal batteries. This one is larger, about 3x5x2.

discuss...

 

[Mark44]

Can you get them in carbon I know that will be asked?

Mark44

 

[tipafew]

So you would just have the initial cost and then if it ever got stolen you start the activation for $20 a month?? Interesting idea since these custom skis are hard to insure. I am nervous as heck every time my spends the night on a open trailer in a hotel parking lot even if it is locked down.

 

[The Penguin]

that's basically what they said tipafew.

battery life would be a concern, but if you're only going to put the tracker in the ski while it's on an open trailer, that would be easy to keep fresh batteries in it.

 

[Buckwild12]

the one my buddy said to get is called Tracknet. you can view details on www.crimestopper .com.
about the size of a pack of cards. attaches to the battery and has battery backup. no mothly subscription fee, but there is a 50 dollar a year service fee starting at year 2, year one's is included in the price. comes with 500 tracking updates that are good for the first 2 years, after that they can be purchased for 40 cents per track. you do not need to purchase them until you need them. This is probably going to be the cheapest part of my superfreak, but it will be well worth it.

 

[Matt_E]

It would be a good idea to actually try a couple of test tracks, though.
A lot of reviews I read on different units were complaining about tracking not working.

 

[The Penguin]

the one my buddy said to get is called Tracknet. you can view details on www.crimestopper .com.
about the size of a pack of cards. to the battery with battery backup. no mothly subscription fee, but there is a 50 dollar a year service fee starting at year 2, year ones is included in the price. comes with 500 tracking updates the good for the first 2 years, after that they can be purchased for 40cents per track. you do not need to purchase them until you need them. This is probably going to be the cheapest part of my superfreak, but it will be well worth it.

sounds interesting - I'll look into that one when I have a few minutes.

 

[OCD Solutions]

That silly TV show, "Royal Pains", featured a Garmin Rhino looking device with personal tracking devices. One of the characters had the Garmin unit and handed small individual tracking devices to his two friends before a storm. That show is heavily funded by electronic gadgets so I don't know if that was Hollywood trickery or actual product placement. I did some digging but didn't find anything other than a dog tracking device but I think it would be ideal if one could track the ski without involving anyone else. Plus I already own a Garmoin Rhino.

I've dealt with thieves before and not involving the police sends a message loud and clear as to what is about to happen.

 

[Buckwild12]

I believe the statement " I have a 45 and a shovel, I doubt you'll be missed!" comes to mind.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I believe the statement " I have a 45 and a shovel, I doubt you'll be missed!" comes to mind.

lol, would you believe I caught a guy in my shop once and he fell down my stairs 3 times before he made it off the property? What a clumsy MF. :biggrin: In Seven years I was the only one in the neighborhood to not get broken into that after that incident.

 

[superwetbrett]

i am going to seal one in my tray

 

[orangefinger]

i still think storage inside, a locked garage door , and if shady neighborhood locked skis to trailer or otherwise is the way the go...gosh i even lock the skis on the trailer when we are camping and i only sleep 3 feet away ( super light sleeper )...i think im just to paranoid ...if the battery is disconnected on some tracking systems is there any back up ? can u locate it even if it is in an enclosed storage ?

 

[OCD Solutions]

If I buy anything, there will be a transponder in each ski, as well as the trailer.

We love our enclosed trailer and it offers a much safer alternative to just storing them in the garage. The trailer is behind a locked fence, the hitch is locked, a stainless braided cable is run thru the rims and around the axle, the doors to the trailer are locked and each ski is locked to the trailer with a stainless braided cable as well. The best part is, our garage space is open and clear and we can have our door open without advertising to the world what we have.

 

[madscientist]

why does it take another ski being stolen to strike up interest in gps tracker like the ones i was pitching almost 3yrs ago on this very site?

that market just failed to support it and i lost interest in providing something that would not sell. i will have an answer and a new product for you guys in 24hrs or less if there is interest( real interest and commitment)

sorry to hear about the ski, mine gets left out all the time here and i would be pissed if i lost it.

 

[WILKEY]

damn you guys must really live in the ghetto if you wanna put gps on your ski hahahahahahahhahaha im sorry but that is just hillarious

 

[Matt_E]

I'm not worried about it at home. I worry when I go to rides - staying at motels along the way, etc.

 

[The Penguin]

i am going to seal one in my tray

good luck changing the battery.

 

[WILKEY]

a cable lock works great as long as you dont get the pencil thin ones. Hitch is locked to the truck. Trailer is locked to the hitch. skis are locked to the trailer. dont get what so hard about that?

 

[The Penguin]

why does it take another ski being stolen to strike up interest in gps tracker like the ones i was pitching almost 3yrs ago on this very site?

that market just failed to support it and i lost interest in providing something that would not sell. i will have an answer and a new product for you guys in 24hrs or less if there is interest( real interest and commitment)

sorry to hear about the ski, mine gets left out all the time here and i would be pissed if i lost it.

sour grapes? bitter?

:biggrin:

 

[Kny21]

a cable lock works great as long as you dont get the pencil thin ones. Hitch is locked to the truck. Trailer is locked to the hitch. skis are locked to the trailer. dont get what so hard about that?

You've heard the expression "locks only deter honest people" before, correct? :smashfreakB: :wall:

A thief with the proper tools wouldn't take all but 2 minutes to get what they want.

As for the GPS's, I wouldn't waste my time with a device solely operated by internal batteries. After the first couple times messing with them it'll get old and most will stop changing/charging and that's when it's going to happen.