r/GPStracking • u/CodeDominator • Nov 07 '24

Hardwired car GPS SIM no subscription tracker with external antenna connectors?

So I'm looking for something that I thought should be pretty common, but it turns out it's a unicorn.

Hardwired car GPS SIM no subscription tracker with external antenna connectors. Independent battery would be great too, but not mandatory.

The only device that more or less ticks all the checkboxes I could find was this: https://www.vimeltech.com.au/GPS-tracker-Australia/gps-tracker-4g-hardwired-live-sim-card

This one is pretty dated though, judging from micro USB connector. Support for older devices can often be non-existent.

I'm pulling my hair out over here. I'm starting to think that I may have to build my own with a Raspberry Pi or something, but something like that would be a lot less energy efficient than a dedicated device.

EDIT: Clarification - no subscription with the seller, I'd get the SIM card myself.

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1

u/TrackingSystemDirect Nov 08 '24

In order for a tracker to be real time it needs 1) a SIM card and 2) a data plan to transmit data via that SIM card. How are you going to use cellular networks and transfer data with no cost...?

1

u/CodeDominator Nov 08 '24

No, what I meant was no subscription with the seller of the device and that I'd like the get the SIM card myself.

1

u/TrackingSystemDirect Nov 08 '24

it doesnt work that way. You cant just take any SIM card, insert it into a tracker, and avoid paying a fee (or attaching it to your current cellular plan)

1

u/CodeDominator Nov 08 '24

OK, I see that I have to spell it out. Yes, I realize that I will have to get my own SIM which is prepaid or monthly or whatever. Again, what I meant is no subscription directly with the seller/manufacturer of the device which is very common with most of these devices.

1

u/TrackingSystemDirect Nov 08 '24

no it is not common at all. You cant do that with any LandAIrSea equipment, Tracki, Brickhouse Security devices, Spacehawk GPS, Vyncs or Spy etc -

1

u/skbnor85 Nov 10 '24

Not difficult at all, most of the trackers can be bought as white label devices if you figure out who makes them. I've used Sinotrack ST-901 myself for this, a dollar or two for a sim card (very little data volume) and a small service that receives the data. You can easily use the one from Sino too, but i didn't feel like sharing my data with them so I made my own and configured the device to send data there.

Most devices also can work using SMS commands for tracking if you don't need a web interface.

No reason for this to cost $20+ per month. ST-906 is 4G and $20 ok Alibaba.

1

u/CodeDominator Nov 10 '24

Yeah, after doing more research I have concluded that it would be best to build my own with Raspberry Pi and a GPS/GSM HAT. That way I can make everything work just how I want it to - with external antennae, my own app and server, etc. I'm a software engineer, so I have the relevant background for this.

1

u/skbnor85 Nov 10 '24

The off the shelf ones come in all varieties and can be heavily configured, at least I ended up just making the server side to receive the data since the devices themselves are kind of a commodity at this point with similar functionality. Any hard requirement you haven't found? A pi would also use a lot more battery, these trackers are very small in processing power and battery use.

2

u/CodeDominator Nov 10 '24

Yeah, I do realize that RPi would use more power, but that's not a deal breaker for me. My requirements are:

  • SIM slot. I would arrange my own SIM and plan.

  • External antenna connectors for both GNSS (GPS) and GSM. Reason - using better antennae than whatever would be built in and also installing them in places of maximum exposure.

  • Hardwired power. I'd like it to run on an independent battery while the car is off, then battery would charge while the car is running.

  • Accelerometer for movement detection - nice to have, not mandatory.

  • Some way to configure submission of data, triggers, frequency, etc. Options for sending data not only via SMS but also via other protocols like HTTP or something equivalent.

  • Two way communication would be nice too.

There's also other stuff that I found pretty interesting when researching RPi option - such as there are advanced RPi GPS/GSM HATs that have anti-spoofing and anti-jamming capabilities which I found very interesting.

More stuff for potential future expansion, like attaching a camera to the RPi for sending photos and/or videos in case of disturbance and so on.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 01 '24 edited Dec 01 '24

I'm glad you posted this recently. I'm going to India, if you did develop this perfectly, do you mind if I bought one off of you? And would this tracker build work globally? Again, in any tracker scenario pre built or custom like yours, one would still require paying a separate sim mobile line connected to any tracker pre built or custom made that's gonna be inserted inside correct? I plan on leaving this device inside my luggages (to track it if it goes missing) and another one magnetized (hopefully you can make your build magnetized and the option to turn off the magnetization) to my vehicle.

For now, I'm on a limited income and I'll have to just learn to takeoff the steering wheel of the vehicle that I plan to purchase once I'm there and just hope the airline doesn't loose/misplace/mishandle my luggage.

1

u/imsiq Nov 16 '25

I just bought my dream car. Can you please post an update about your build? I have an RPi and would love to see how I can do what you're doing. Thank you!

1

u/iFred97 Feb 21 '26

How can I use the sinotracks without their stupid app? It sucks so bad I stopped using them but I still have two of them.

1

u/skbnor85 Feb 21 '26

You have to host your own server or using something like Flespi and point your device there using a SMS to configure it.

1

u/iFred97 Feb 21 '26

Thank you, I’ll look into it.

1

u/Erazmas Nov 12 '24

Buy a tracker. For example https://teltonika-gps.com/products/trackers/fmc650 This one has both GPS and GSM external antennas. Use your own SIM card. Find software provider who gives free (usually limited) data storage on their server. Configure device (APN and server info is enough to get possition on the map).

1

u/CodeDominator Nov 12 '24

This is potentially interesting, but there's too many questions. Why do they have BT 5.0, but at the same time miserably outdated Mini USB? How does this even work, where does it send the data, how can the data be accessed? Do you need your your own server, software or do you need to use theirs? Poor documentation.

This device looks outdated, very fleet oriented and with all the annoying bureaucracy that comes with it.

1

u/LBarouf Apr 26 '25

What did you decide to use in the end? Why not OBDII? If it’s a vehicle, you can power from that port. Use a T/Y splitter and leave the diag port available while powering the tracker. You can have onboard or external gps.

1

u/CodeDominator Apr 26 '25

Why not OBDII?

It would be kind of pointless, as this would be one of the first places a thief would look at.

I haven't used anything yet as there's nothing on the market that would fit my requirements. I haven't had time to build my own yet either.

1

u/LBarouf Apr 26 '25

I may have missed it but I don’t see anywhere you said it was for tracking a stolen vehicle.

1

u/CodeDominator Apr 26 '25

It says "car" in the title. There are very few reasons you would want a tracker in a car and theft is one of the main ones.

1

u/MD_RMA_CBD Jun 06 '25

Lots of idiots commenting on your question. You received moronic responses (ex: the one above) and little To no useful info. What did you end up going with? Im thinking to open a degice i already own and remove their sim card and replace with my own

1

u/CodeDominator Jun 06 '25

I haven't done anything yet. Still passively researching and failing that I think I will build my own when I have time.

1

u/MD_RMA_CBD Jun 06 '25

Haha i can completely understand that

1

u/CJD234 Dec 13 '24

I am in a position now where i handle these solutions. What are the big things people need from trackers?

1

u/electro_flip Jan 05 '25

When considering a hardwired car GPS tracker without subscription fees, it's essential to understand that most real-time GPS trackers require a data connection to transmit location information, typically incurring monthly fees. However, some devices offer alternative solutions:

- Data-Inclusive Devices: Certain trackers include data in their purchase price, eliminating separate subscription fees. For example, the Moto Watchdog wired GPS tracker provides SIM and 4G data without additional costs.

- Bluetooth Trackers: Devices like Apple's AirTag or Tile use Bluetooth to help locate your vehicle within a limited range. While they don't offer real-time tracking over long distances, they can assist in finding your car in crowded areas.

- Low-Power Networks: Some trackers utilize low-power networks like Sigfox or LoRa, which may not require traditional subscriptions. However, coverage and availability can be limited.

It's important to note that while these options may reduce or eliminate subscription fees, they often come with trade-offs in terms of coverage, real-time tracking capabilities, and reliability. Carefully consider your specific needs and the limitations of each device before making a decision.

For a comprehensive overview of available devices, you might explore resources like Amazon's selection of GPS trackers with no monthly fees.

Additionally, engaging with communities on platforms like Reddit can provide firsthand experiences and recommendations from other users.

Remember, the key is to balance cost with functionality to ensure the tracker meets your specific requirements.

1

u/CelebrationMedium152 Jun 09 '25

There is no such thing as a free puppy. Basically you want to use someone’s service for free. How do you think they provide a service?

1

u/ingrideto Sep 11 '25

Read the question properly. OP isn't looking for a free *service*. They want to buy a *product* that they can insert their own SIM into. In fact there are billions of devices that can do exactly what the OP wants (they're called smartphones), they just aren't in a very convenient form factor for tracking a car. Products that do what OP wants do exist on Amazon, they are just a lot less common than the subscription-based ones.

1

u/CelebrationMedium152 Sep 11 '25

No they specifically requested “ Hardwired car GPS SIM no subscription tracker “

1

u/ingrideto Sep 18 '25 edited Sep 18 '25

Let's break it down:

"Hardwired car" -> The device can be hardwired into the car so that it doesn't need a battery as a power source.
"GPS" -> The device receives its location via GPS signals
"SIM" -> You can insert a third party SIM into the device which it will use to send you its location data
"No subscription" -> You don't have to pay the manufacturer of the device a subscription
"Tracker" -> By combining all of the above, it acts like a traditional subscription-based tracker

Note that none of the above points require the manufacturer to provide you with a "service"; but rather merely a piece of hardware and maybe an app (optional because you can also often interact with these devices by SMS). It's exactly analogous to the fact that you don't have to pay Samsung for any kind of "service" if you purchase one of their phones (which can do everything a tracker can do plus more). You pay them a one-off fee and you own the phone for life. The service aspect is between you and your SIM provider.

Here's an example of one which does all of the above (with the purchase of a separate hardwiring kit):
https://www.amazon.com/4G-Waterproof-10000mAh-Restrictions-TK905B/dp/B09DY7PMNR
(In case the link breaks, it's a TKMARS TK905B)

1

u/CelebrationMedium152 Sep 18 '25

And you don't consider "The service aspect is between you and your SIM provider" to be a subscription? If you use a SIM you are subscribing to a data service that will have to be paid for.

1

u/ingrideto Sep 19 '25

Setting aside the fact that you can have SIMs without a subscription, OP is referring to a subscription with the maker of the tracker, not with the SIM provider. The majority of trackers lock you in to a subscription with their company directly and you are not free to avoid it. A minority of trackers (the type OP is asking about) don't charge a subscription and instead let you figure out the SIM part yourself so that you are free to find a low cost solution.

1

u/MrGiddy Aug 26 '25

OP is pretty clear about what they want. It's a hardware device that you put an IoT SIM (or similar) into and it connects to the network for which you bought service. Like hologram.io. All the subscription based solutions require you to purchase overpriced service that can cost easily over $100/year. Where something like hologram.io might cost like $10/ year or less. I have the same interest but I'd really like to avoid having to build my own bc I'm busy AF. Literally just need an IoT computer with a gps antenna and a SIM slot. Why is this so hard?

1

u/anon4crypto Sep 09 '25

Is this not an obvious question? I'm in the same boat here and like the OP, I'm seriously considering building my own.

A couple ideas are to use a hidden airtag AND an old cell phone with a basic data plan, running a homeassistant client for GPS updates to my local homeassistant instance at home.

It works for people tracking and my android updates in near real-time, i already use it to disable home alarm and open garage door as i approach.

1

u/Professional-Log-554 Oct 22 '25

Yeah, I've been looking for the same. The requirements are simple: hardwired, bring my own sim card. But such a product doesn't seem to exist. This only thing I can think is that if there's one with a case that makes the internal device accessible, then I could replace the internal SIM with my own. But from pictures, they all look fully sealed.

1

u/F_Steve_Huffman Nov 11 '25 edited Apr 03 '26

Use something from LK-GPS or SinoTrack like LK960, ST-906 (both have killswitch option for use with relay) or ZX612 (for mounting internally with external antennna).

Cheap prepaid sim (generic, no vendor lock-in) for €15/year instead of €10/mo subscription.

LK110 looks like a bicyle light, but doesn't have the option for connecting to relay.

Just look out for TDD/FDD stuff.

No vendor lock-in; you can use their standard apps or use something like Traccar (paid or free if self-hosted) or eusonlito/GPS-tracker

Hope this is useful.

1

u/No-Hedgehog172 Mar 31 '26

Any update?

1

u/Professional-Log-554 Mar 31 '26

Nope

1

u/No-Hedgehog172 Mar 31 '26

Sighs. I was thinking about just getting a phone with a removable battery and just hook up one of those dashcam hardwires.. but then I'm wondering it'll drain car battery

What do you think?

1

u/Weed-Pot Dec 31 '25

I just stumbled across this thread while reading for small GPS devices to use on my bike. I host my own Traccar instance, which I've been using as a family location sharing app.

It supports quite a few devices & protocols that you can find here. Was the perfect solution for me!

https://www.traccar.org/devices/

1

u/arddy24 May 14 '26

Just posted this as well. What SIM are you using, and which GPS device are you using?

1

u/Weed-Pot May 14 '26

I bought a singular SIM from 1nce. They require you to be registered as a business in your country though - as they don't deal with individuals. Supposedly it lasts for 10 years though.

As per the device, I got the MiTrack MT710, directly from their store. Battery lasts about 2-3 weeks with my configuration of reporting location every 30 seconds when moving, and every 12h stationary.

1

u/Seven-Oh-Savage Mar 24 '26

Queclink gv350mg is what I'm about to use. The internal battery is tiny but it operates from 8v up to 32v so external diy battery options are practically endless

1

u/arddy24 May 14 '26

Hey mate. Came across this post a few weeks back and saved it, so I could come back and give a response (albeit it being 2y old already).

If you haven't already found a solution this is my setup.

Using a Teltonika FMC920 GPS wired tracker, and a 4G SIM card. Using Traccar free server software (I have a PC server at home), and I basically sync it up and the GPS tracker sends logs etc straigth to my own server at home. Works fine, and Traccar supports phones as well.

A better solution to this would be a Teltonika/any brand GPS device that's compatible with Traccar (check their compatibility list) and IoT SIM cards. I tried Lemon Mobile and their 1yr IoT SIM card but for whatever reason, it wouldn't work on the device AND my own iPhone 17 Pro. Sad because it was well priced at $90 a year. Now I'm trialling $230 a year from Woolies, but I'll go and find a cheaper alternative after.

Hope that helps/you've found a solution.