Tracker Type Pros & Cons
CITS – Theft Guide – After-Theft Recovery Systems
With many thefts of vehicles and equipment being carried out by organised crime gangs (OCG’s) it is advisable to fit a version of a tracking and recovery system that has been independently verified (i.e. Thatcham approved or Secured by Design) as fit for purpose, this should give maximum confidence that in the event of a theft the system will actually function.
Remote asset location devices to help locate stolen equipment and enable its recovery can be found in 3 types: A, B and C.
Type A
Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) multi-location technology
Type A
Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) multi-location technology
Type A can be further broken down into 3 differing versions A1, A2 and A3.
A wired in or battery location device (which is harder for thieves to find) with Independent credentials, ideally from Thatcham or Secured by Design and usually approved by an Insurer, designed primarily to recover stolen equipment, fitted by an OEM manufacturer, an aftermarket installation engineer or via a competent self-Install with manufactures or certificating body guidance to verify said installation. In all cases the fit should comply with manufactures’ guidelines, be verified and logged at the time of the install.
- A1
- GPS, GSM and RF location for indoor or outdoor recovery either with or without GPS signals. Recovery without GPS signals will mean the need to deploy a local RF signal finder*
- A2
- GSM and RF location for indoor or outdoor recovery without GPS; will always need to deploy an RF signal finder*
- A3
- GPS location only — must receive GPS signals and cannot be located if GPS jamming equipment is in use or if hidden from GPS satellite view.
Advantages
- A good variety of insurance or law enforcement tested and approved systems to choose from.
- The highest recovery performance can be expected, especially when the more covert sleeping battery units are fitted as these cannot be so easily scanned and removed by criminals.
- Version A1 and A2 will still enable recovery if GPS jammer equipment is used.
- A good level of law enforcement support depending on the country of operation. GPS GEO Fence area, pre-immobilisation or motion alarms can be possible.
- Professional monitoring service and 24/7 emergency support (can be level 1 police support for Type A).
- Battery unit versions give flexibility to easily transfer between machines or to be kept on the shelf and applied to temporary hired machines.
- Good GSM mobile communication connectivity with dedicated Data SIM cards that are GPRS and SMS enabled (usually with international roaming).
- Overview fleet position data online is possible.
Disadvantages
- Does not help prevent the theft.
- Limited or reduced machine information reports.
- Replaceable or re-chargeable battery units may require time and attention to follow up.
- Initial purchase and subscriptions cost.
Type B
Fleet Management Systems (FMS) machine telematics with GPS
Type B
Fleet Management Systems (FMS) machine telematics with GPS
* Automatrics OBD can be elevated to Fleet security level by using the Y connection cable to hide the device from view. Although it cannot be tracked and recovered without GPS signals, so will not function if a GPS jammer is in use or hidden from GPS satellite view.
Advantages
- GPS positioning enables logistical management of assets.
- GPS location of machine (if reported) could help locate the machine if stolen.
- GPS GEO Fence area, immobilisation (check safety rules) or motion alarms can be possible May record undue utilisation during rental suspension, weekends.
- May provide technical services for maintenance and diagnostics.
- Information can be sent to OEM for spare part planning.
- Fair GSM mobile communication connectivity with dedicated Data SIM cards that are GPRS enabled.
Disadvantages
- Theft recovery performance is generally lower than “Type A”.
- Systems are not normally covertly installed so can be easy for criminals to discover and disable.
- Systems not easily transferred without additional costs.
- OEM information can be sent to your manufacturer and used to reject warranty claims.
- May not help prevent the theft. Initial purchase and possible ongoing subscription costs.
- SIM may not have international roaming applied and be forced to GPRS (lower costs) with less mobile coverage than “Type A” systems that also use SMS System cannot be tracked without GPS signals, so will not function if GPS jammer is in use or hidden from GPS satellite view.
Type C
DIY Tracker
Type C
DIY Tracker
Advantages
- Competitive internet-based supply market which can provide low-cost initial purchase.
- Lots of devices to choose from.
Disadvantages
- Theft recovery performance unproven for professional market needs and generally lower than “Type B”.
- Law enforcement support generally will not be supplied.
- PAYGO SIMS requires routine management to prevent service cut off.
- PAYGO SIMS roaming capability may be limited.
- PAYGO VOICE SIM are not suitable for data reporting modems and generally have lower GSM connectivity.
- Additional costs may apply.
- Usually no professional support services.
- System cannot be tracked and recovered without GPS signals, so will not function if GPS jammer is in use or hidden from GPS satellite view.
- Poor guarantees or product warranty.
- Poor battery life can require a lot of maintenance.
- Poor or non-existent mapping experience.
Notes:
Local signal finder* investigators or law enforcement officers can use VHF or UHF radio direction signal finding equipment to help locate and recover “items hidden from satellites view” for those hidden inside lockups, vans, refrigeration trucks, shipping containers, underground carparks or anywhere else where GPS signals cannot penetrate.
All tracking systems should be monitored 24/7, have a contracted sim-card and be fit for purpose.
A good tracking company should be able to give you an (in-depth, if required) explanation of the different technologies out there and the relative benefits of different systems.