Tracking device for tools.

[kwired]

Thanks for the link Jon. The cost is not a large factor for me for several reasons. First, I believe only one would be needed as likey all the tools would be stolen if the opportunity arose for a theif. The larger sizze woud not be an issue because it could be stashed in one of the many blow molded cases I have. Finally, as a matter of principle, I would like to catch the scumbags even if I paid more for the tracker than the tools were worth.

The longer said tools have been missing the more scattered they likely become. Most these thieves aren't stealing them because they want to keep them, they want to sell them for whatever they can get, often to help support whatever their addictions are.

 

[electrofelon]

The longer said tools have been missing the more scattered they likely become. Most these thieves aren't stealing them because they want to keep them, they want to sell them for whatever they can get, often to help support whatever their addictions are.

Sure, but I expect I would know rather quickly if they are missing and I'm sure alerts could be set up to let you know if they move

 

[kwired]

Sure, but I expect I would know rather quickly if they are missing and I'm sure alerts could be set up to let you know if they move

I guess I took what you suggested to be a tracking device in a tool box or job box with multiple tools in it. But reading again I guess you were suggesting to hide the tracking device in an individual case for a particular tool.

 

[electrofelon]

I guess I took what you suggested to be a tracking device in a tool box or job box with multiple tools in it. But reading again I guess you were suggesting to hide the tracking device in an individual case for a particular tool.

Yeah, like my Milwaukee punch kit. I think that would be the first thing they would grab anyway.

 

[tortuga]

I'll add my vote for airtags they do a limited support to work with android although I have not tried it yet. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212227#trackerdetect

 

[Fred B]

Had a contractor friend that had a tracker on some tools that were stolen. Located the GPS coordinates and address where the tools were but the police unwilling to even investigate beyond taking a report. They were located to a very bad neighborhood that even the police unwilling to go for just about ten thousands dollars of tools. So unless you want to engage the thief yourself its really pointless.
Had some yellow tools stolen once that had the disabling technology that was advertised to allow tracking as well. Cops didn't do anything in that case either.

 

[brantmacga]

I'll add my vote for airtags they do a limited support to work with android although I have not tried it yet. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212227#trackerdetect

I think I'm going to try some AirTags. I found this Packout AirTag holder.... https://www.etsy.com/listing/115804...rlicAr8AZTEd2nba4TMrAVq593elna1AaAnCjEALw_wcB

We have a bunch of OneKey stuff, but its terrible for finding a lost tool. Everyone has to have the app installed and open, and be within 100' of it. It won't find a stolen tool.

 

[electrofelon]

Based on some quick googling, the problem with airtags is I think they will trigger an alert to an I phone that there is an airtags nearby
Tile trackers can do the same thing but I guess Android users have to be more proactive and enable the notification feature.

 

[kwired]

Based on some quick googling, the problem with airtags is I think they will trigger an alert to an I phone that there is an airtags nearby
Tile trackers can do the same thing but I guess Android users have to be more proactive and enable the notification feature.

my understanding is they originally did not do that, but then it was found they were being used to track people, basically illegally stalking them, and they changed it so they do tell you when they have sensed a tag nearby. But the location and probably a time have also been entered into the tracking system I would guess.

 

[electrofelon]

my understanding is they originally did not do that, but then it was found they were being used to track people, basically illegally stalking them, and they changed it so they do tell you when they have sensed a tag nearby. But the location and probably a time have also been entered into the tracking system I would guess.

Yeah that is what I heard - for the airtags, but the tile trackers do not automatically notify, without some leg work.

 

[brantmacga]

Yeah that is what I heard - for the airtags, but the tile trackers do not automatically notify, without some leg work.

Unless something has changed, Tile is just like OneKey; someone has to be nearby with the app running on their phone for it to work.


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[brantmacga]

Based on some quick googling, the problem with airtags is I think they will trigger an alert to an I phone that there is an airtags nearby
Tile trackers can do the same thing but I guess Android users have to be more proactive and enable the notification feature.

It only triggers if they are moving with someone else.

You can at least disable the speaker but it requires you to open up the AirTag and physically disable it.

Also, something else I forgot about, if the owner of the AirTag isn’t around it for maybe 3-4 days it will also sound an alarm. My wife left something at work with an AirTag on it and then took a few days off and it started going off at her office.


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[petersonra]

what is it you plan to do if your tool is stolen and you are able to locate it by whatever means? The time involved in getting the cops interested in going after the crooks and then the time you will lose in court is not worth it. Better to replace it and move on.

 

[kwired]

what is it you plan to do if your tool is stolen and you are able to locate it by whatever means? The time involved in getting the cops interested in going after the crooks and then the time you will lose in court is not worth it. Better to replace it and move on.

maybe you steal it back?

Remember the episode of MASH when either Hawkeye or BJ got a Polaroid camera and it was stolen? Klinger buys the same camera back from black market, but gets arrested for stealing the camera when they find it in his possession on the way back from buying it.

 

[electrofelon]

what is it you plan to do if your tool is stolen and you are able to locate it by whatever means? The time involved in getting the cops interested in going after the crooks and then the time you will lose in court is not worth it. Better to replace it and move on.

Oh any number of things. If the cops deal with it then it is the people of the state that pursues the criminals, I don't have to be involved. If they don't deal with it then I go and scout out the place, decide whether to steal them back, slash their tires, throw some bricks thru the window, cut their power, show up with a bunch of friends with baseball bats...... understand this isn't a strict financial analysis of time vs tool value.

 

[kwired]

Oh any number of things. If the cops deal with it then it is the people of the state that pursues the criminals, I don't have to be involved. If they don't deal with it then I go and scout out the place, decide whether to steal them back, slash their tires, throw some bricks thru the window, cut their power, show up with a bunch of friends with baseball bats...... understand this isn't a strict financial analysis of time vs tool value.

Seems to be a lot of non concrete value involved in the decision there.

 

[ActionDave]

I had someone steal tools out of my truck twenty some years ago. I'm not over it yet.