SmarTrack Protector +

[gizard]

Does anyone have any experience of this product / recomendations?

Thanks

[Mr_annie_vxr]

Not directly. What are you wanting it for? Fleet management or security?

[gizard]

Mr_annie_vxr said:

Not directly. What are you wanting it for? Fleet management or security?

Security - the company I am importing a new car through are suggesting fitting one of these - I am going to ring up my insurance company to see if they approve of it.

[Mr_annie_vxr]

gizard said:

Mr_annie_vxr said:

Not directly. What are you wanting it for? Fleet management or security?

Security - the company I am importing a new car through are suggesting fitting one of these - I am going to ring up my insurance company to see if they approve of it.

Reading the website link I found it seem more of a fleet management tool. You need to make sure what you get is thatcham approved. Police have 'Tracker' systems in many cars and that who we mainly deal with, although there are better systems out there. Depends on car value etc. Also depends if you would really want it back after its stolen.

GPS is the way to go but can be done in by concealement. Although most systems can do historic routes etc. The ones I mainly come accross are TRackstar from the RAC I think and Tracker/Tracker horizon.

[Mr_annie_vxr]

Please ignore spelling/punctuation and grammar of the above post.. Currently nights and up a little early.

[gizard]

Thanks for the response - this is the product site:
http://www.smartrack.uk.net/pricing.shtml

The device is actually listed here:

http://www.thatcham.org/quality/pdfs/all_systems.p...

as approved - however they are charging me £985 which is what the porsche device costs (I lead to beleive the Porsche VTS system is a cobra rebadge)

However I can't help but think that it might be better and easier to the the Porsche system instead....

edited to add - porsche system mentioned here:
http://www.thatcham.org/security/pdfs/categories/C...

Edited by gizard on Thursday 26th July 13:52

[Mr_annie_vxr]

What sort of car are you geting and roughly where do you live. Just county/borough? I only ask as at the moment there is a team from the London/ Eltham area who are spanking houses for cars. They have been in and out for this but team got bigger recently. Some have been caught but we get these spates every now and then. They are taking 2-3 'nice' cars a night but from different areas.

I would look at a pro-active system though. Only as in many cases people do not notice for 3-4 hours that the car is gone and this can be enough to get it to a storage area where many GPS systems do not work.

[gizard]

South West London - is where I am. car is 911 997 GT3. So understandibly the insurance company will not insure it without a tracker style device fitted.

[Mr_annie_vxr]

gizard said:

South West London - is where I am. car is 911 997 GT3. So understandibly the insurance company will not insure it without a tracker style device fitted.

Get a pro-active system. One that wanrs you when car is moved. Also what sort of front door do you have? Do you have a place to keep your keys out of sight or even better a 'fake' set should someone access your place?

[gizard]

Found this:

'Like all Porsche 911 models from Model Year 2006 production, the Targa also features the Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) as standard. Designed to comply with Thatcham Category 5 requirements, the highest in the UK, the system features a discreet pocket-sized card, which should be carried when the car is in motion. If the car is moved without the card, or should the car sense itself being lifted or towed, the tracking system is instantly alerted and, using the latest GPS technology, is able to track and locate the car. The Porsche VTS is tailored to fit every car in the Porsche range and is the only system tested and approved by Porsche engineers at our research and development centre in Weissach, Germany. Initial preparation is carried out at the factory with final fitting completed by Porsche Centres.'

[Mr_annie_vxr]

gizard said:

Found this:

'Like all Porsche 911 models from Model Year 2006 production, the Targa also features the Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) as standard. Designed to comply with Thatcham Category 5 requirements, the highest in the UK, the system features a discreet pocket-sized card, which should be carried when the car is in motion. If the car is moved without the card, or should the car sense itself being lifted or towed, the tracking system is instantly alerted and, using the latest GPS technology, is able to track and locate the car. The Porsche VTS is tailored to fit every car in the Porsche range and is the only system tested and approved by Porsche engineers at our research and development centre in Weissach, Germany. Initial preparation is carried out at the factory with final fitting completed by Porsche Centres.'

Thats what I would look at.. However that of course means they don't find your card as well. There are systems that notify your mobile etc.

Ensure if you have double glazed upvc door that you always lock it full and do not leave the keys in it. May be worth putting a guard on your letter box so that mail drops into a sealed box. They use that letter box to acces and unhook doors. I would also consider a post in front of the car if you have a drive. Its about making your porsche harder to take than the one up the road. If they really really want it they get it but the current team are easily disuaded.

[gizard]

Were I live (it's a private estate) there has been only 2-3 breakins in the last seven years (and they only occured because windows were left open at the back (flats)). As far as I know there has never been a car stolen (there is always a first time though!).

found some more info on the porsche VTS system:
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/printable.asp?m=...

seems tha it is based on the cobra Trak 5 system
http://www.cobravehiclesecurity.co.uk/contact/defa...

Thanks for your advice.

[Mr_annie_vxr]

gizard said:

Were I live (it's a private estate) there has been only 2-3 breakins in the last seven years (and they only occured because windows were left open at the back (flats)). As far as I know there has never been a car stolen (there is always a first time though!).

found some more info on the porsche VTS system:
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/printable.asp?m=...

seems tha it is based on the cobra Trak 5 system
http://www.cobravehiclesecurity.co.uk/contact/defa...

Thanks for your advice.

No worries. Just be aware there is a spate at the moment. I would go for something that notifies you.