S5 or S7 Tracker?

[interbear]

Looking at a tracker to comply with insurance needs and it seems that both S5 or S7 Thatcham-certified trackers qualify.

The main difference I can see is that S5 includes driver recognition via a key fob or card that has to be carried separately to the van keys. This presumably allows the tracking company to immediately see if the van is moving without the driver present. Whereas S7 means that the owner ie me, has to notify the tracking company if the van is stolen. Have I got this correct?

I'm thinking that the combination of a decent alarm with a cheaper S7 tracker is probably sufficient in terms of security and qualifying for the same insurance discounts as a more expensive S5 tracker.

Any thoughts? Should I just find the extra cash for the S5?

 

[drinfinity]

Some S7 trackers need you to set a ‘do not notify’ status on the app if you want to drive it. For Scorpion Track (don’t know if it’s all) this is for a maximum of 7 days, so you have to reset it every week. Otherwise they ring you up to ask if you are stealing your own van which is just a bit annoying.

With the S5 presumably the token replaces this need. Obviously you have to make sure your token is secure, and not kept with your wallet or keys or in that top drawer in the kitchen.

It’s always a compromise between security and convenience.

 

[interbear]

Some S7 trackers need you to set a ‘do not notify’ status on the app if you want to drive it. For Scorpion Track (don’t know if it’s all) this is for a maximum of 7 days, so you have to reset it every week. Otherwise they ring you up to ask if you are stealing your own van which is just a bit annoying.

With the S5 presumably the token replaces this need. Obviously you have to make sure your token is secure, and not kept with your wallet or keys or in that top drawer in the kitchen.

It’s always a compromise between security and convenience.

The one I’m looking at is Moving Intelligence (formerly Phantom). Approx a £300 difference between the S7 and S5 options bundled with alarm (Sentinel).

Will check out the notification / reset thing. That could get annoying quickly but so is having to carry around extra key fobs.

 

[interbear]

Some S7 trackers need you to set a ‘do not notify’ status on the app if you want to drive it

No need for this on Moving Intelligence.

Their Sentinel S7 includes an alarm and a S7 tracker. If the alarm is triggered it initiates a response from the control centre. If the van moves normally they track it 24/7 and will only respond if the owner calls them to notify them of a theft. So no need to notify them in usual driving.

Their Sentinel S5 is as above but has a driver recognition fob. If the van moves and fob is not present, that triggers an automatic response from them. Presumably this is to protect against key theft. Have to carry a fob separately to keys of course which is a small inconvenience.

I’m still unsure whether to go for the S7 or pay the extra £300 for the S5 version.

 

[Smileysmile]

Did you manage to get your tracker? My insurance company tell me I need a Thatcham approved S5 tracking device to go forward with increased value of my T6.1.

 

[Nigpd]

Did you manage to get your tracker? My insurance company tell me I need a Thatcham approved S5 tracking device to go forward with increased value of my T6.1.

Get yourself a Meta Trak S5 Deadlock and Tracker

 

[manicism]

Interestingly I did look into this when got my S5 alarm. And couldn’t find anything that says the keys and fob has to be separate, kind of backed to up with the fact the fobs are on key rings.

I think the S5 alarms are designed more for cars and vans with push button start that could become victims of keyless theft. When devices that are designed to fool a vehicle that the key is present to start open and start the car.


But please do your own research before trusting my findings

 

[Wayne01]

The one I’m looking at is Moving Intelligence (formerly Phantom). Approx a £300 difference between the S7 and S5 options bundled with alarm (Sentinel).

Will check out the notification / reset thing. That could get annoying quickly but so is having to carry around extra key fobs.

Hi, did you go ahead with moving intelligence as my camper convertor company recommended them to me

Thanks

 

[Sasquatch]

Make sure whatever you get tracks directly in real time like the original TRACKER, or the data can at least be accessed in real time by the user. Nothing more infuriating than trying to intercept a stolen vehicle with 10-15 minute old location data because it has to come via a human being at some central control room run by the tracking company who only have one guy on duty overnight to cover the whole UK. Don't scoff - I've been there more than once and its ranges from annoying through to utterly futile.

 

[interbear]

Hi, did you go ahead with moving intelligence as my camper convertor company recommended them to me

Thanks

Hi - yes I did. We have a Moving Intelligence Sentinel S7 alarm/tracker combination. Impressed so far, for 3 reasons:

1. I've accidentally set off the alarm a couple of times and they called my mobile within 45 seconds of doing so to check that all is OK. Not an automated call but a real person.
2. Decent mobile app via which you can arm/disarm the alarm and also put it into service mode to stop notifications - all good for ferry travel for example.
3. Can also arm the exterior alarm but not the interior, they call it pet/night mode - good if you want security overnight when sleeping and / or if you've left a dog in the van.

 

[Wayne01]

Hi - yes I did. We have a Moving Intelligence Sentinel S7 alarm/tracker combination. Impressed so far, for 3 reasons:

1. I've accidentally set off the alarm a couple of times and they called my mobile within 45 seconds of doing so to check that all is OK. Not an automated call but a real person.
2. Decent mobile app via which you can arm/disarm the alarm and also put it into service mode to stop notifications - all good for ferry travel for example.
3. Can also arm the exterior alarm but not the interior, they call it pet/night mode - good if you want security overnight when sleeping and / or if you've left a dog in the van.

Thanks for the update

Item 3 looks good, if the kids get too much, lock them in the van - movie night with the wife

I guess they are much the same - MI, Meta and other

My only concern is how long are these alarm monitoring companies around. I guess a bit like Google - you purchase, invest in something from Google - cameras, alarms then 3 years later they
stop supporting it - a bit like Hive and cameras.

The world we live in now I guess

Thanks again

 

[T6_Dan]

Smartrak S5 with Shadow immobiliser or Metatrak S5 Deadlock. Both have immobilisation so IF someone gains entry to the van they cannot start it and drive away unless the immobiliser fobs are present in the van. S7 is a little pointless and relies on you realising the van has been taken in order for the companies to actively start tracking it. I work in the high value insurance industry and S7 is never used.