****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
This Spy Spot GPS vehicle tracker is a decent, low-cost tracking solution, and the system can be relatively simple to install. If you simply want vehicle tracking- without the starter kill function, this tracker can be installed by anyone with basic tools, using only three wires. Adding the starter kill function adds complexity, but it can be accomplished by most "do-it-yourselfers"- and certainly by any shop that performs car stereo and alarm system installs. A nice feature of this system is its non-reliance on cellular networks- and their potential for "spotty" coverage areas. This system utilizes direct satellite GPS tracking- so mobile phone coverage isn't needed. Of course, if you've ever used your car's (or phone's) satellite-assisted GPS navigation system, then you know what happens when you go deep into one of those underground parking structures. It's also worth mentioning that the manufacturer keeps mentioning this is a "hardwired" system. What that means is: After installing this tracker, disconnect the car's battery, and it won't track anything. Although, if someone should reconnect the battery (to start the car), it'll "check in" again. Also, a word about the starter "kill"... it is exactly that- a starter kill. If activated, this tracker will disconnect your starter- so the car cannot be started, from "off"... but it will not allow you to "kill" a running engine. This system is not as sophisticated as something like "On Star"... but it's a LOT less expensive, too. Of course, nothing is free. Although there is no long-term contract for this tracker, you DO have to purchase a monthly service, in order to access the information from those satellites tracking your vehicle. Spy Spot offers a "Low Cost" plan, and a "Premium" plan, and there is a difference. The basic "low cost" plan will allow you to track your vehicle- but only gives you the most recent location "ping" once per hour. It'll tell you the speed the vehicle was traveling at that exact moment (if it was moving), but that's about all. That basic plan won't tell you when your vehicle's been started- although you will be able to activate the starter kill from the website or app. On the other hand, there is the premium plan. This plan will allow you to get near real-time location and speed updates, as it will "ping' the satellites once every minute. And it can alert you, when someone starts your car. Again, there's no contract- so you can purchase coverage from month to month... and cancel anytime you want. Of course, there are discounts for purchasing coverage plans in multi-month blocks, or yearly. But there's also a small activation fee, every time there's a non-renewing establishment of service. Basically, if you activate, then pay for a couple of months, then skip a month- you'll have to pay the activation fee again, to re-establish service. While this may not be the perfect vehicle tracking solution, what it IS, is affordable, practical, and pretty reliable. I cannot definitively say that if you use this system, your stolen vehicle will be recovered; Thankfully, mine hasn't been stolen- so I haven't had to put it to the test. But I do feel a little piece of mind, having "hedged my bets" about getting my car back. And there is an advantage to having a stereo shop install this little gem... presented with a receipt for the installation, my insurance company gave me a break on my rate for "installed anti-theft/vehicle tracking system".
