does anyone here use a GPS tracker for there boxes? looking for recommendations...?

[GSully23]

Hey guys, I've been thinking about putting a GPS in my box's. I've been putting it off, but I'd like to be prepared for the worse in case it ever happens. I've had my garage broken into before I was fully moved in, luckily I didn't have any off my goodies in there yet. I also buy and sell a lot of tools, and recently I bought a loaded box and when I sold it I had to have the buyer come to my house, for I had no means of moving it for the sale. More than likely I'm being paranoid but if it helps me sleep at night, why not?

Anyways, has anyone else taken this approach? Is there a unit any of you would recommend? I was reading about the Dewalt mobile lock but saw some mixed reviews. I know I'll have to charge it regularly, but when I've got over $30,000 worth of tools in the boxes at my home garage, I'd feel much better with some type of alternative security.

 

[James-W]

If someone breaks into your garage and steals stuff, I am not sure how a GPS tracker would help you find your stuff. I am fairly certain a thief would look in the boxes to see what was there before he/she decided to steal the box. I mean, why bother to steal a bunch of worthless stuff? It stands to reason that a thief wants to steal stuff that has a sizable amount of value, can sold easily, ownership is not easily identified, and is an item that will not arouse suspicion that it might be stolen. Once the thief discovers the GPS, it will be turned off and/or thrown away somewhere along the side of the road.

I tend to think you would be much better off if you were to put in some sort of highly reliable security alarm system. That way you would have a better chance of not being robbed in the first place.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

A flaming moat with alligators, piranhas, sharks with lasers and a draw bridge is about the only semi-fool proof security system I can think of...

Tommy

 

[rburke65]

I got GPS tracker collars on my 2 dogs and they have been really helpful!

 

[Richard Cranium]

A tracker installed in the tool box behind the drawers would not be found.
A contractor got his high dollar trailer mounted air compress back because he had a tracker installed in it. It was found in another contractor's garage, who had a hand written receipt for it, where he paid about .10 on the dollar. You have to wonder about him.

 

[nehog]

For a GPS to work it requires a view of the sky. So said GPS tracker's antenna would have to be external. If external it will be quite visible, right? Said thief would see it. For said GPS tracker to work it would have to be linked (by cell phone) which implies a regular expense to do that.

That said, my Volvo has basically this built in. I can check the exact location of my car, from anywhere in the world, on my cell phone. It can be useful if you forgot where you parked. Or if your car is 'borrowed' (with or without permission).

For a tool box theft protector, I'm not sure this is practical.

 

[Lacota]

Velcro a phone above the top drawer possibly.

 

[GSully23]

The Dewalt mobile lock claims it can be seen indoors (I forget why they say, it uses cell data and GPS data or something like that). My point was to tuck it behind the drawers somewhere to keep it out of sight. The thing about it is it will send you a text if it moves outside a certain set perimeter and has a lot more functions. Maybe I'm the only one, but for 20 dollars a month for the service, I feel it's a fair exchange for the sense of security....that is as long as it works as its suppose to. If anyone has any experience with this system please chime in and give me some feedback

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

The metal of the box will block any and all radio waves, so at very least an external antenna would need to be mounted on the outside somewhere.

I would spend the money on upgrade the locks on the garage to keep people out. They can't steal the box if they can't get inside. Money better spent.

 

[PelicanPines]

Put a big label on the box. "This box lojack equipped"

 

[bodyguy16]

The times ive heard of garages being broken into the theives just empty the boxes and make way witht the tools, i dont know if id put a gps tracker on my box but i do have good surveillance system around the house and every door.

 

[matt_i]

I don't worry much about a person stealing an entire loaded box. It would take hours to get it out of the shop, due to all the stuff in the way, plus need multiple people and a truck or van to haul it. Much more likely is to grab handfuls of tools.

Do something easy like install a couple of chains to even bolts on the casters. Back to something solid. Use Loctite, etc. Who has the time to be searching for the right wrenches and diagnosing why something won't roll when trying to do a "speed job"?

 

[rayra]

Something like the above. Sink an eyebolt in the slab and chain the box to it.

And get some insurance. A rider on the home or renter insurance costs a whole lot less than a stolen pile of tools.

And frankly if my house was broken into before my move-in was even completed, I'd either not be moving in or going directly to a full-featured security camera system and start talking to the local police about the known thieves in your neighborhood. Someone saw you moving in. Someone within sight of your home. They will do it again.

 

[CKKurtz]

Maybe try a Trail Camera in your garage - You'd at least have photos of anyone who broke in. And it wouldn't be expensive or complicated. Remember, any dumb theif knows that red toolboxes are valuable.

CKKurtz

 

[MrWrencher823]

I don't have nearly $30,000 in tools. but I was able to add my toolbox and all of it's belongings onto my home owners insurance for an extra $50 a year.
Put the box on some sort of stilt system and remove the casters and continue to keep it locked. I don't think you'll have an issue.

 

[Jey]

For a GPS to work it requires a view of the sky. So said GPS tracker's antenna would have to be external. If external it will be quite visible, right? Said thief would see it. For said GPS tracker to work it would have to be linked (by cell phone) which implies a regular expense to do that.

That said, my Volvo has basically this built in. I can check the exact location of my car, from anywhere in the world, on my cell phone. It can be useful if you forgot where you parked. Or if your car is 'borrowed' (with or without permission).

For a tool box theft protector, I'm not sure this is practical.

Kind of. Most smart GPS units can record last known locations and report out. So it would be outside as moved, etc. the data plan required for location reporting is cheap. You can get 500kb plans that work fine. Are 5-7 a month. Or go to a text messaging based plan. Sends out texts of its location when in motion.

There's lots to it. The company I work at makes a lot of these types of units for OEMs.

 

[Jason280]

Interesting, didn't know these existed.

 

[rattlesnake436]

No I don't need it because all of my tools are in the garage and if you know me I am in the garage on a daily bases organizing and finding more tools that I could use to fix cars or to put into my other boxes

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[rattlesnake436]

And I work out of a plastic toolbox and a three drawer husky box

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[kbs2244]

I have not heard of this for units as small as tool boxes.
I know contractors that swear by them for equipment with wheels though.

I would go with the DeWalt system if you like the specs vs cost.
They are a company with a reputation to protect as far as what they sell.

There is well developed GPS like location technology that works inside buildings.
It has less that 2 foot accuracy.

 

[PeterT]

I got GPS tracker collars on my 2 dogs and they have been really helpful!

My dogs are as naked as they day they were born, they like it that way!