Suitable SIM card for GPS tracker?

[Anonymous]

I have a classic car. I have been given a GPS tracker for Christmas disguised as a USB cigar 'lighter' in case the car is stolen. Inside the 'lighter' I need to fit a SIM card which should enable me to locate the car using my mobile phone and GPS. I am with O2 all I want to know is which SIM card do I buy, preferably a one off cost not a monthly payment as I may never (hopefully!) have to use the tracking facility. Any suggestions or experience please?

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

You need a classic PAYG sim but you will have to remove it from the car and make a chargeable call once every 6 months to keep it connected to the network.
It will also need a top up every 999 days.
https://www.o2.co.uk/shop/sim-cards/pay-as-you-go

[Anonymous]

Thanks MI5 that was exactly what I needed to know!

[MI5]

My pleasure

[jrcsheffield]

In answer to 'You need a classic PAYG sim but you will have to remove it from the car and make a chargeable call once every 6 months to keep it connected to the network.'

I am advised by a number of 02 staff that only a 'chargeable event' is required and a "data session" will suffice - presumably this is normal tracker interaction with it's server?

Also:

I have recently set up a GPS Tracker with an 02 Classic PAYG sim - in a single day 20p has come of of my account - even though the tracker was static and I only connected the power to the tracker and triggered the vibration alarm six or seven times...one I start using this in earnest on an electric pushbike alarm I assume every time I switch the alarm on which in turn may trigger the GPS this could get expensive? I was told GPRS is used for messaging so shouldn't incur high data usage?

Any thought anyone PLEASE?

[MI5]

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@jrcsheffield wrote:
In answer to 'You need a classic PAYG sim but you will have to remove it from the car and make a chargeable call once every 6 months to keep it connected to the network.'

I am advised by a number of 02 staff that only a 'chargeable event' is required and a "data session" will suffice - presumably this is normal tracker interaction with it's server?

Also:

I have recently set up a GPS Tracker with an 02 Classic PAYG sim - in a single day 20p has come of of my account - even though the tracker was static and I only connected the power to the tracker and triggered the vibration alarm six or seven times...one I start using this in earnest on an electric pushbike alarm I assume every time I switch the alarm on which in turn may trigger the GPS this could get expensive? I was told GPRS is used for messaging so shouldn't incur high data usage?

Any thought anyone PLEASE?

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You mention GPS and GPRS which are two different things?

The reason why I suggested previously that a chargeable event was required is because GPS along does not use data, but will depend on the device and how it is configured to work.

[SylWalsh]

I have just got a Pay As you go sim from 02 for a Tracker. Problem: When I try to activate to Sim, it wants to send the code to the Tracker, and that I can not see! I need to have the code sent to my Mobile, to activate the Tracker Sim. Cant see a way to do this?

[MI5]

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@SylWalsh wrote:

I have just got a Pay As you go sim from 02 for a Tracker. Problem: When I try to activate to Sim, it wants to send the code to the Tracker, and that I can not see! I need to have the code sent to my Mobile, to activate the Tracker Sim. Cant see a way to do this?

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As I replied on your other post, you need to put the tracker sim in your phone to register it.

Once done, it can can go back in the tracker.