Advice Needed - GPS Tracking Device for Tool Box
10-13-2010, 01:53 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Advice Needed - GPS Tracking Device for Tool Box
Hi,
I need your advice.
As some of you may know, my daughter is in an auto-tech program. She would like to wrench Porsches professionally one of these days.
She bought over $6k of Snap-On tools as part of the program requirement. The tool box alone was over $2.3k. She stored the tools at our place over the summer as she thought that might be more safe than the school's shop area.
We added/remodeled the house over the summer and we moved out for 2 months to avoid the dust etc. A few weeks ago, someone broke into our garage and stole her tools and some other tools. That happened 3 days before we moved back in. Long story short, for a myriad of reasons my home insurance policy rejected the claim. I am still working on that.
Now she will rebuy those tools as she needs them for school still. We are thinking about hiding a GPS tracking device somewhere in the tool box in case something untoward happens again. We looked on-line and haven't found anything good yet. Thus this thread.
Would you folks have good experience with device(s) that suits our needs? If so, we'd really appreciate your recommendations. Thanks for the education as always.
BTW, we are also talking to our agent about the best way to insure her tools. It is sad that we live in a society where nothing is safe anymore.
CP
I need your advice.
As some of you may know, my daughter is in an auto-tech program. She would like to wrench Porsches professionally one of these days.
She bought over $6k of Snap-On tools as part of the program requirement. The tool box alone was over $2.3k. She stored the tools at our place over the summer as she thought that might be more safe than the school's shop area.
We added/remodeled the house over the summer and we moved out for 2 months to avoid the dust etc. A few weeks ago, someone broke into our garage and stole her tools and some other tools. That happened 3 days before we moved back in. Long story short, for a myriad of reasons my home insurance policy rejected the claim. I am still working on that.
Now she will rebuy those tools as she needs them for school still. We are thinking about hiding a GPS tracking device somewhere in the tool box in case something untoward happens again. We looked on-line and haven't found anything good yet. Thus this thread.
Would you folks have good experience with device(s) that suits our needs? If so, we'd really appreciate your recommendations. Thanks for the education as always.
BTW, we are also talking to our agent about the best way to insure her tools. It is sad that we live in a society where nothing is safe anymore.
CP
Last edited by CP; 10-13-2010 at 02:31 PM.
10-13-2010, 01:58 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
That is terrible. When our house was robbed, you feel angry and violated. Instead of messing with GPS, just get tools that are less valuable. I asked a tradesman who was at my house why he was using Ryobi tools instead of "professional" tools. His answer was simple - they dont get stolen at the jobsite....
Hopefully someone will point you in the right direction with the GPS if thats the route you want to go.
Hopefully someone will point you in the right direction with the GPS if thats the route you want to go.
10-13-2010, 02:17 PM
#3
Drifting
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That's awful. Don't know about the GPS, but many insurance companies have "Personal Items" policies that can be bought to cover things like jewelry, firearms, collectibles, etc. Otherwise, the limit for personal items under the generic homeowners ("fire") policy is about $500, which is probably what your agent told you.
10-13-2010, 02:25 PM
#5
Race Director
Give these guys a call, they should be able to make a recommendation for you.
www.brickhousesecurity.com
I've bought from them before (nothing like what you're looking for though) and was very pleased with their service.
I second the Personal Property policy. I just got one for my firearms and the wife's jewelry a few mos. ago (even though we have a full size safe now too).
www.brickhousesecurity.com
I've bought from them before (nothing like what you're looking for though) and was very pleased with their service.
I second the Personal Property policy. I just got one for my firearms and the wife's jewelry a few mos. ago (even though we have a full size safe now too).
10-13-2010, 02:30 PM
#6
Racer
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If the OPs daughter is anything like me, this is not a viable solution.
Cheap tools break. Expensive tools break too, but not nearly as often.
The Snap-On rep will be visiting once or twice a week and will replace broken tools.
When you break a cheap tool, you have to go out and buy a new replacement.
Cheap tools are usually a liability.
There are insurance policies available for trade tools. They are worth the extra cost in situations such as this.
--Chuck--
Cheap tools break. Expensive tools break too, but not nearly as often.
The Snap-On rep will be visiting once or twice a week and will replace broken tools.
When you break a cheap tool, you have to go out and buy a new replacement.
Cheap tools are usually a liability.
There are insurance policies available for trade tools. They are worth the extra cost in situations such as this.
--Chuck--
10-13-2010, 02:41 PM
#7
Three Wheelin'
If the OPs daughter is anything like me, this is not a viable solution.
Cheap tools break. Expensive tools break too, but not nearly as often.
The Snap-On rep will be visiting once or twice a week and will replace broken tools.
When you break a cheap tool, you have to go out and buy a new replacement.
Cheap tools are usually a liability.
There are insurance policies available for trade tools. They are worth the extra cost in situations such as this.
--Chuck--
Cheap tools break. Expensive tools break too, but not nearly as often.
The Snap-On rep will be visiting once or twice a week and will replace broken tools.
When you break a cheap tool, you have to go out and buy a new replacement.
Cheap tools are usually a liability.
There are insurance policies available for trade tools. They are worth the extra cost in situations such as this.
--Chuck--
Maybe there are mediocre tools that will not break but wont break the bank either. Im thinking c-man or kobalt... these brands would be less tempting in a crime of opportunity.
You could also cosmetically alter the tools to reduce the chance of casual theft. Engrave, coat or paint the pieces so at least a classmate will not steal the items.
Last edited by tj90; 10-13-2010 at 03:01 PM.
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10-13-2010, 02:41 PM
#8
You need something like this. The only thing is having it powered some way.
http://www.enfotrace.com/market/index.html
http://www.enfotrace.com/market/index.html
10-13-2010, 02:49 PM
#9
I hear you. I just think any solution to "protect" valuable tools is not viable. Even with the best insurance, tracking or anything else - there will be down time getting replacements. Down time = lost $$.
Maybe there are mediocre tools that will not break but wont break the bank either. Im thinking c-man or kobalt... I doubt either of these brands would be less tempting in a crime of opportunity.
You could also cosmetically alter the tools to reduce the chance of casual theft. Engrave, coat or paint the pieces so at least a classmate will not steal the items.
Maybe there are mediocre tools that will not break but wont break the bank either. Im thinking c-man or kobalt... I doubt either of these brands would be less tempting in a crime of opportunity.
You could also cosmetically alter the tools to reduce the chance of casual theft. Engrave, coat or paint the pieces so at least a classmate will not steal the items.
I do have a box of broken snappy tools, I just never see the Snap-On guy ever.
I know when you are young and starting out it's hard to be in a shop with anything other than Snap-On but I say let the quality of your work speak for yourself and not your tool box or what is in it. Some of the best mechanics I know have what most would call junk for tool boxes and tool.
10-13-2010, 04:17 PM
#11
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Hmm, sorry to hear about the tools, its definitely gets me steamed. As a guy who has personally been through over 5 break-ins in my residence, I understand the feeling. My shop has only been broken into once, and they did not take anything, so I am lucky there.
There are three layers of protection between the outside world and my tools....the metal garage doors/entrance door, the inner folding metal door with lockable floor pins, and a custom welded steel door with a large padlock...and its all alarmed. Gets all locked up when I am not in the shop (including during the day, at night, etc.).
I guess what I am saying is perhaps you need to look at how well the tools are locked up, and making it harder to get at the tools. Most crooks will not try that hard, if the alarm is going, and they need to move, they will not bother.
I just want to catch of of these guys one of these days, hopefully with my baseball bat in my hands.....
Cheers,
Mike
There are three layers of protection between the outside world and my tools....the metal garage doors/entrance door, the inner folding metal door with lockable floor pins, and a custom welded steel door with a large padlock...and its all alarmed. Gets all locked up when I am not in the shop (including during the day, at night, etc.).
I guess what I am saying is perhaps you need to look at how well the tools are locked up, and making it harder to get at the tools. Most crooks will not try that hard, if the alarm is going, and they need to move, they will not bother.
I just want to catch of of these guys one of these days, hopefully with my baseball bat in my hands.....
Cheers,
Mike
10-13-2010, 09:31 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
That is terrible! Sorry to hear about it.
Take a look at this (Zoombak $99):
http://www.zoombak.com/
I considered getting one of these after our cat went missing for over a week (we found him alive and well under our neighbor's house). It will send you an email or call you if the device gets out of a set range or you can log on and see where it is at any time.
Only downside is a $12 monthly fee and figuring out how to attach it discreetly to the tool box. Also needs to be re-charged every now and then. Works for cars, people, anything...
Good Luck.
Take a look at this (Zoombak $99):
http://www.zoombak.com/
I considered getting one of these after our cat went missing for over a week (we found him alive and well under our neighbor's house). It will send you an email or call you if the device gets out of a set range or you can log on and see where it is at any time.
Only downside is a $12 monthly fee and figuring out how to attach it discreetly to the tool box. Also needs to be re-charged every now and then. Works for cars, people, anything...
Good Luck.
10-13-2010, 09:32 PM
#13
10-13-2010, 09:52 PM
#14
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http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-...376101648?mt=8
May be a way to tape it concealed inside the tool box.
May be a way to tape it concealed inside the tool box.
10-14-2010, 12:49 AM
#15
GT3 player par excellence
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If the OPs daughter is anything like me, this is not a viable solution.
Cheap tools break. Expensive tools break too, but not nearly as often.
The Snap-On rep will be visiting once or twice a week and will replace broken tools.
When you break a cheap tool, you have to go out and buy a new replacement.
Cheap tools are usually a liability.
There are insurance policies available for trade tools. They are worth the extra cost in situations such as this.
--Chuck--
Cheap tools break. Expensive tools break too, but not nearly as often.
The Snap-On rep will be visiting once or twice a week and will replace broken tools.
When you break a cheap tool, you have to go out and buy a new replacement.
Cheap tools are usually a liability.
There are insurance policies available for trade tools. They are worth the extra cost in situations such as this.
--Chuck--
i dont understand why snapon, facom, matco cost so much. i had other POS tools. then i bought a few snap on ratchets. soon after that, ALL my tools were replaced with snap on. it's NOT the same.