New Bicycle GPS on the market.

[Jermaine468]

What you guys think about this?

Snik GPS Device

Designed to keep your bike safe. Snik is a first-of-its kind technology that uses hardware & software to combat bike security. Snik GPS device pairs with a mobile application that notifies you if your bike ever is stolen! Bulk Order Discounts Buy 3 get XX% off Buy 10 get XX% off

snik.bike

 

[fooferdoggie]

not a lot of info.

 

[JedidiahStolzfus]

I have a GPS tracker on my bike that I bought last year, it uses a combination of hardware and software to function. I take their claim of the first of it's kind lightly. Plus, I don't think I want it to "combat" bike security, I want it to enhance it. There's no mention about what a "groundbreaking" device this is though.

 

[rtp]

Not terrible. There are plenty of 'emergency tracker' type devices out there for various scenarios, e.g. some with satellite connectivity for 'rescue' functions for 'adventurers.'
Things to note:
1. Startup who hasn't shipped any product as of yet best I can tell. Doesn't mean they won't but does tie into #2.
2. It's 'proprietary hardware' requiring a subscription service for it to be useful. As a startup company, it could go out of business, leaving you and your app/device stranded. On the plus side, the device looks to be a minimal embedded style single board computer with a media card slot and bluetooth - unsure if it has a real GPS or if it uses cell-based location. Undoubtedly it could be made to run a variant of embedded Linux and someone 'could' make use of it if the company goes under. Similarly, it's a good idea on their side to include 1 year subscription up front, but that pricing could change in the future - which applies everywhere, but could be more likely with a startup company that for example, may be expecting 500K purchasers/subscribers but only reaches 50K, etc.

Interested in seeing how it develops.

 

[TomD]

Easily removed by thief and ongoing monitoring cost makes it expensive longer term. Better to secure a GPS tracker in frame, hardwire to ebike battery, and buy your own sim. My tracker was under $100 shipped and monitoring cost is less than $1 / month.

Anti theft GPS

Doesn’t appear to be a USA seller? EELINK TK115 No, TK419-B (battery backup version). You can buy direct from eelink. $50 for the tracker. $4 for external backup battery. $50 expedited shipping (required if buy the battery). Easy breezy...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Csubi]

Easily removed by thief and ongoing monitoring cost makes it expensive longer term. Better to secure a GPS tracker in frame, hardwire to ebike battery, and buy your own sim. My tracker was under $100 shipped and monitoring cost is less than $1 / month.

Anti theft GPS

Doesn’t appear to be a USA seller? EELINK TK115 No, TK419-B (battery backup version). You can buy direct from eelink. $50 for the tracker. $4 for external backup battery. $50 expedited shipping (required if buy the battery). Easy breezy...

electricbikereview.com

What do you use? Will it work in Canada?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

If a GPS tracker locates a stolen bike, what then? Will the police go after it for you? If not, are you prepared to confront the thief yourself? Are you willing to go armed to take it back?

Seems to me that the answers to these questions will generally all be NO. And since many bike thieves probably know that, not much deterrence value, either.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Myself I just want notification if my bike is disturbed but that takes cell service so a monthly fee.

 

[JedidiahStolzfus]

Myself I just want notification if my bike is disturbed but that takes cell service so a monthly fee.

I got mine so my wife knows where my body is lying.

 

[TomD]

What do you use? Will it work in Canada?

Link to info is in the post you quoted. I use a keepgo SIM with worldwide coverage.

 

[TomD]

If a GPS tracker locates a stolen bike, what then? Will the police go after it for you? If not, are you prepared to confront the thief yourself? Are you willing to go armed to take it back?

Seems to me that the answers to these questions will generally all be NO. And since many bike thieves probably know that, not much deterrence value, either.

I'd rather have options, than none. YMMV. Worst case the $100 I invested gives me the satisfaction of making a thief pedal away without power. Best case you go home and type NO again on the internet.

There are also side benefits. My route is automatically tracked turn by turn. If I'm running late my wife can see where I am and doesn't have to worry. Remote kill switch as noted above. Since it's hardwired to the ebike battery I set it up to give me charging alerts to unplug when it reaches 80% charge to prolong battery life. I can also monitor the ebike battery / voltage on my phone. As an additional measure of theft protection the motion sensor alerts me if someone is messing with the bike while locked up. If I'm shopping I have adequate time to react if a thief is cutting the lock.