Thanks for the great responses. Preliminary study time is over and I've decided to buy this tracker. So we'll see..

Update.

The TK319-L GPS tracker arrived. I was pleasantly surprised how small it actually is. It came with a 5-wire loom and a tiny part-page user guide. There was an initial period of confusion as typical with new stuff.

I signed up with Spark for a 3 month trial starter kit. They sent 5 SIM. Cost nil. Eventually, using the Chinese tracker website Sky200, I got a result. Initially it put me 6km away, then it would go down for like 7hr. It might track live for half an hour then gradually each response would take longer. Then it might die altogether. Persisting, it seemed to improve with use. Then I took a drive with the tracker. I reviewed the route to and from. It followed it well.

Ok so I live in a marginal cellphone reception area. This might account for some of the initial reluctance to track however I thought this CAT M1 had a better reception and range? Next I want to test the device inside my tin shed. Normally any cellphone is all but dead in there..

Making progress..

How are you going with this? I'm looking for a tracker (ending with multiple) and this looks an interesting option.

phrozenpenguin:

 

How are you going with this? I'm looking for a tracker (ending with multiple) and this looks an interesting option.

 

Thanks for requesting an update.

The tracker is working well and the website seems good too. Currently it is attached to the back of the passenger headrest of my van. Earlier I tried putting it inside the battery compartment and although it worked when the signal was strong, moving to a marginal area had it dropping off, unfound by the system.

Hope this helps.

Anyone familiarly with smartthings gps tracker (US version), will it work in NZ? I cant find any info how activate it here.

@davidcole what 3g tracker do you recommend and how did you source it?

phrozenpenguin:

@davidcole what 3g tracker do you recommend and how did you source it?

davidcole: What are you feeding it with?

01EG:

davidcole: What are you feeding it with?

I dont have one, just the thoughts. I researched a similar one to yours and I got a full list of phone commands and I think you can setup your server too.

Yeah if same protocol as mine the command is something like *setip*123*123*123*123*5002* where teh 123*123*123*123 is the ip address and 5002 the exposed port.

davidcole:

 

Yeah if same protocol as mine the command is something like *setip*123*123*123*123*5002* where teh 123*123*123*123 is the ip address and 5002 the exposed port.

 

Looks like it is different protocol as command is different, the "mine" has 8045555 123.123.123.123 5002, where 804 + 4 digit pin code

Update:

These particular catm1 trackers have gone up on Aliexpress with cheapest $75 +$8 and dearest $135 +$8. It's a big variation too.

The service from Spark stopped which I believe was the end of the trial. Funny thing is there's no apparent way to continue on any paid plan. I'll dig a bit deeper when I get time, perhaps hunt out the original email.

The sky200.com tracking site is perhaps a bit limited with only 3 days history kept.

Following your update I have ordered the one linked by @davidcole - is there anything specific I should know if I want to set this up with Traccar (which I already have running and working)?

I will be using a 2Degrees SIM (PAYG) with data sharing from my main contract. I suspect I might need some credit in order to use SMS to setup?

phrozenpenguin:

 

Following your update I have ordered the one linked by @davidcole - is there anything specific I should know if I want to set this up with Traccar (which I already have running and working)?

 

I will be using a 2Degrees SIM (PAYG) with data sharing from my main contract. I suspect I might need some credit in order to use SMS to setup?

 

This is the port I use: <entry key='tk103.port'>5002</entry>

So that's the protocol it uses.  Yes you will need sms credit, just so it can respond with ok.

davidcole:

 

phrozenpenguin:

 

Following your update I have ordered the one linked by @davidcole - is there anything specific I should know if I want to set this up with Traccar (which I already have running and working)?

 

I will be using a 2Degrees SIM (PAYG) with data sharing from my main contract. I suspect I might need some credit in order to use SMS to setup?

 

 

This is the port I use: <entry key='tk103.port'>5002</entry>

 

So that's the protocol it uses.  Yes you will need sms credit, just so it can respond with ok.

 

Great thanks. Will endeavour to update this when I have got and tested it.