GPS Bicycle Trackers for Theft Protection

[g7jhp]

Does anyone use a GPS Bike Tracker on their bike in case of theft?

What are you thoughts on them and which ones are worth it?

Some examples below:
Sherlock Trackers
SpyBike

Edited by g7jhp on Friday 13th April 11:09

[g7jhp]

So has anyone considered using one?

[Scabutz]

I looked at them, it isn't going to stop your bike being nicked. Might make it easier to get back. But I suspect if you are considering one, you have a high value bike. Its likely that you already have a decent lock and if you bike is nicked by a proper bike thief, rather than some scrote then they will look for those sorts of things and bin them pretty quickly.

My expensive race bike lives in the house, is insured and never leaves my sight (other than at triathlon when in transition and even then the insurance covers it).

[S100HP]

I've got one for my dog. Does that help?

[yellowjack]

Scabutz said:

I looked at them, it isn't going to stop your bike being nicked. Might make it easier to get back. But I suspect if you are considering one, you have a high value bike. Its likely that you already have a decent lock and if you bike is nicked by a proper bike thief, rather than some scrote then they will look for those sorts of things and bin them pretty quickly.

My expensive race bike lives in the house, is insured and never leaves my sight (other than at triathlon when in transition and even then the insurance covers it).

'Proper' bike thieves lock their stolen bikes up in the street, to avoid getting caught out by trackers. Can't remember where I read it but they nick high value bikes, lock them up (eg: outside a police station) for a couple of days, then go back to collect them to sell on. The worst that then happens is the owner (or another bike thief) have taken the bike. They never get caught with stolen bikes at their home or a lock-up registered to them. So a GPS tracker might well get you your bike back.

[The Rookie]

Both of those get dreadful reviews.....

Its not theft prevention, if you advertise it has a tracker they can/will look for it and find it, if you don't its no prevention at all, just helpful (if it works) at getting it back.

Better spent on decent locks.

[g7jhp]

There are some which are 'overt' and some are 'covert'. I 'm not sure I see the point as my bike is insured and locked.

Plus I use an older bike for the station run, when required.