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What sim card/plan for a tracker?

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  • 15-04-2024 11:55am
    #1
    Donald Trump
    Registered Users Posts: 19,069 ✭✭✭✭


    I was looking at getting a cheap GPS tracker from aliexpress. I don't want to actually track it day-to-day, but rather be able to locate it if it is stolen. It will be placed into something which won't be moved under normal circumstance. I will include a battery, and the battery will be kept charged as long as the item is in place.

    What would be my best approach as regards a sim card? There appears to be 2G and 4G trackers available but I gather I might be better off getting the 4G one. Google tells me there are companies that specialise in sim cards for similar uses.

    Would it be an option to use a regular pay-as-you go sim card, and just top it up with a minimum amount every 6 months, and if it were stolen, then add credit to communicate with it to get the location? Rather than get a special sim-card advertised as being for IoT.



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    #2
    ted1
    Registered Users Posts: 23,271 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    an apple AirTag might be the best solution


    What’s the item? How easily can a tracker be removed ? Hue often would you need to charge the battery?



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    #3
    Donald Trump
    Registered Users Posts: 19,069 ✭✭✭✭Donald Trump


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122021812#Comment_122021812

    The item itself is powered via an inbuilt solar panel. So power should not be an issue. I would put the tracker internally and have a small battery with it which would be recharged by the panel. I have an MPPT controller. If someone stole it and the battery ran down before being located, it would recharge when the item is put out for use again. If they thought to look for a tracker, they would find it. If they didn't, they probably wouldn't notice it. I reckon the average thief would just think it is a component of the overall item.

    My understanding is that the issues with an air tag are:

    1. Someone with an app would later have to come close enough to detect it to report its location
    2. If someone did steal it, and they had that app themselves, they would be warned that there is a tag traveling with them.

    Or am I overthinking it? Would I just be better off with the air-tag in reality?



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    #4
    ted1
    Registered Users Posts: 23,271 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    air tags do give a warning but they can be a pain in the as to find.
    Someone hid one in my car before and it took a good while to find it.



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