Tracker Active

[fanievb]

I know this has been discussed ad nauseam 

I'm looking at getting a tracking device, spot is great but a bit expensive

does anyone have first hand experience with the Tracker Active from tracker?

 

http://cyclelab.com/tracker-active/

 

[dave303e]

SPOT for the win...

[fanievb]

SPOT for the win...

 

if you say so

 

I can't justify R 2500 annual sub fees 

[dave303e]

if you say so

 

I can't justify R 2500 annual sub fees 

 

just a few considerations- 

 

Tracker active is not a satellite based communication system. So yes it picks up GPS signals from satellites and calculates your position, it then communicates your position via cellphone network. There are massive holes in signal and if there is no signal then it doesn't matter if it knows where you are, no one else will and you can't call for help.

 

SPOT is an all satellite based system, uses a satellite communication system so anywhere on the planet it can track you and can convey your message. This is why it is more expensive, ask anyone who has ever used a satellite phone.

 

So yes satellite communication is expensive, but really how much time do you spend riding where there is full cell signal, if you are a road rider you will probably be ok, in which case you may as well share active location via whatsapp and just carrry your phone- same solution at almost no extra cost to you. If you are riding in more under developed places go for a spot tracker.

[fanievb]

I thought the tracker unit was satellite based as well and not dependent on cell networks   

there goes that idea

thanks for the feedback Dave   


 

[dave303e]

I thought the tracker unit was satellite based as well and not dependent on cell networks   

 

there goes that idea

 

thanks for the feedback Dave   

 

 

 

 

I would check with them, but no where on their website could I find them stating where it is Satellite or Cell/GSM, which usually means cell/GSM because there are very few satellite based solutions and all of them cost a lot more- Spot, Yellow Brick etc.

[fanievb]

I've emailed tracker and cyclelab 

first year is free thereafter annual fees are R750.

email from cyclelab below, which doesn't really make sense

 

 

 

The Tracker will not work if there is no cell coverage as it uses satellite signal, the battery can be charged while in use, as the Agent as informed us

[Twaatie]

I use my wahoo bolt, for live tracking . Gives the wife my live tracking when I'm out and about riding

[fanievb]

I use my wahoo bolt, for live tracking . Gives the wife my live tracking when I'm out and about riding

 

i know there are options available,

 

I can use garmin live track, but that only works where there is cell signal.

 

I'm looking for something that tracks without the need for cell signal.

 

and live track EATS phone batteries 

[Grebel]

*Snip - you may as well share active location via whatsapp and just carrry your phone- same solution at almost no extra cost to you. If you are riding in more under developed places go for a spot tracker.

 

Learnt something new. Thanks

[Reme Le Hane]

i know there are options available,

 

I can use garmin live track, but that only works where there is cell signal.

 

I'm looking for something that tracks without the need for cell signal.

 

and live track EATS phone batteries

Strange, I've just gotten a garmin 2 weeks ago and I have noticed near zero impact on battery from live track. Phones not draining any faster than without it. WhatsApp live location ya, that eats your batter faster than a hippo can empty out an all you can eat buffet.

 

Have not yet found ridding spots that have no cell signal though, yet...

 

Scott Scale 960 (2017)

 

MTB Vids: ltstyt.be/@remelehane

[fanievb]

Strange, I've just gotten a garmin 2 weeks ago and I have noticed near zero impact on battery from live track. Phones not draining any faster than without it. WhatsApp live location ya, that eats your batter faster than a hippo can empty out an all you can eat buffet.

 

Have not yet found ridding spots that have no cell signal though, yet...

 

Scott Scale 960 (2017)

 

MTB Vids: ltstyt.be/@remelehane

No problem on short rides

 

Anything over 4hours where cell signal is iffy phone battery does not last

[Reme Le Hane]

No problem on short rides

 

Anything over 4hours where cell signal is iffy phone battery does not last

Ya, did about 3 hours last weak, but the mountain also has like 9 cell towers on it, there is on dead zone in the valley off 2 of the down routes, otherwise its all LTE all the time.

 

Maybe try switching to 2g,may help on those longer rides, I keep meaning to do that as LTE is generally a battery suck anyway, and not like I need it on a ride...

 

Scott Scale 960 (2017)

 

MTB Vids: ltstyt.be/@remelehane