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Post by banjo on Sept 20, 2021 20:30:18 GMT
I need to put a tracker inside an asset case for a weekend trip so I can go down for breakfast with some of that ephemeral peace of mind. Can any drinker recommend free software for Android that enables tracking a GPRS tracker? SMS tracking is OK so far as it goes, but it's not real time tracking and PAYG texts decimate credit quickly. I would consider enabling an old 'phone with a PAYG SIM and some credit instead of a stand alone tracking device, and that may turn out to be the best option for such a one-off requirement.
I'm guessing that unless you have a fixed IP address and the nous to configure your set up, you are forced to go via a web based solution that you can monitor from your (eg Android) 'phone. Sadly that requires a subscription which could better be spent on ale!
From Google Play app reviews, I am aware that so-called "ethical" hackers provide "solutions"- typically for cheating spouses, but I fail to see how anything like that is morally OK if not straight up illegal, and anyway would imply allowing someone somewhere hacking a SIM account. Hmmm. Any ideas gratefully considered.
e&oe ...
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Post by nob on Sept 21, 2021 5:58:50 GMT
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Post by banjo on Sept 21, 2021 9:00:02 GMT
Cheers nob. I note that you have to be vigilant to zoom in on "Free" app that turns out to be associated with a subscription service. I don't mind a subscription for a 24-7, but this is for just one weekend so who wants to be tied to a regular ongoing payment for that?
Google maps seems an obvious choice but I'll have to look again and closer because I had already thought of that and couldn't find so much as a menu button to begin configuring it. I got a non-expiring sim card through the post yesterday (two actually- they sent me a GiffGaff as well as the ordered Vodafone one.) Since you cannot install an Android app on a standalone tracker, it looks like an old 'phone is the way to go. Thanks Mate, I should have looked a bit further than Google Play Store.
e&oe ...
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Post by nob on Sept 21, 2021 13:28:27 GMT
Let us know how you go on, It could help others.
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Post by banjo on Sept 21, 2021 17:08:57 GMT
I've figured out that you have to tap on the user's Google image roundel in Maps in lieu of a normal menu symbol. From there you can readily configure tracking using the location setting and sending an invite. Of course you cannot do that with a standalone tracking device because there's no way to configure a Google account on it. First step is to validate one of those SIMs and put it in an old 'phone. I have an old Samsung S3 which I never liked but it's been super reliable. I would prefer to buy one of the iTrack devices, but I haven't yet worked out how to get around the subscription requirement. My trip to Pocklington will be during November, so I'll fill in the details as and when.
e&oe ...
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Post by banjo on Dec 20, 2021 15:59:58 GMT
Update;
I purchased a standalone tracking device on eBay advertised as accepting 4G SIM cards. This apparently justified a price at least ten squid more than I really needed to pay for an otherwise identical item, but I thought it might "future proof" it. With predictable regularity this turned out to be obfuscation on the part of a Chinese seller. The fact is that it is just the same old 2G item, and the less costly items require a SIM card capable of a 2G network anyway. Moreover, to add insult to injury, the identical less expensive ones come with a spare lithium battery pack and an additional magnetic battery case cover, neither of which were in my package. Add to that the fact that its command set differed from the two principal visually identical items on the market which prevented subset identification, and this no doubt contributed to my failure (after many hours) to persuade the live tracking function to work. In short, you have a recipe for discontent. Bl00dy Chinese. If the cap fits wear it Mr. Wu. Your time is coming my old china.
Instead, I deployed my fallback plan "B" of using my old Samsung S3 with the Google tracking software. It worked, and the 'phone's battery lasted a good deal longer than the Chinese junk's did.
でつ e&oe ...
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Post by jal on Mar 24, 2022 21:35:12 GMT
Hi Steve
Doesn't Prey do tracking, I think you can put Prey on 3 devices for nothing & let's you know the whereabouts of the device if it goes missing.
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Post by banjo on Mar 25, 2022 8:41:18 GMT
I've not heard of that John. I'll investigate. The need for it was primarily last November when I went to Pocklington, but any time we go away I take my guitar, and I hate leaving it in The Bus when we stop for lunch. You don't want to know how much it cost (the guitar, not the lunch!)
でつ e&oe ...
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Post by jal on Apr 12, 2022 19:19:28 GMT
Hi Steve I posted about Prey then forgot all about the post.
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Post by banjo on Apr 14, 2022 8:15:48 GMT
Hi John, I've tried Prey and it seems to tick all the boxes for my basic needs and I don't need to tear what's left of my hair out with that Chinese junk tracking box. I have no pressing need for its function unless or until I go away on another one of those guitar school weekends, but it's there and ready now. Also, I note that it's open source which is always a good sign in my view. Curiously, even if you search for it specifically instead of say- "tracking apps" on Google Play, it rocks up about 10-15 down the list of results. That old scoundrel Google yet again! Cheers for the heads-up.
でつ e&oe ...
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