iOs tiles - possible anti-theft device?

[Ulf]

Just saw these smart little tiles that enables you to track lost items via your iOs device (iPhone, Mac, iPad etc.).
http://www.thetileapp.com

What's your opinion, would they be useful as a tracking device for a stolen Pagoda or waste of money (they are only USD 19.95 each…)?

Ulf

[jameshoward]

For a stolen pagoda, I think they'd be a waste of money. Funds would be better spent on a tracker that can utilise GSM and GPS.

There are some decent enough looking home-fit systems on ebay, amazon, etc for about 30-40 euros that use GSM and GPS, or go down the professionally fitted route using systems that either have an annual subscription or a life-time payment.

One of the chaps I work with has bought the system from Amazon and will shortly fit it to his VW Synchro bus (they seem to get nicked a lot, he thinks).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B003XDN58K?tag=ho01f-21

OR

http://www.hotukdeals.com/visit?m=1650&q=1800004

For less valuable things, though, the tiles do look interesting.

[Peter van Es]

The range of these tiles is 50-150ft. If you cannot find a Pagoda when it is that close, you have other, more serious problems ;-)

[Ulf]

The have a wider range than that, if you report your tile as missing, all other iOS devices will share the search and relay the coordinates to your device :-)

Ulf

[mdsalemi]

The arguable gold standard for automotive theft recovery is LoJack in the USA (also available in 30 countries, they say--but which ones I don't know)

http://www.autotheftblog.com/category/auto-theft-recovery-stories/classic-cars/

It has a proven track record, and works with the police. The link above is their blog about recovery stories with vintage cars. Certain to be more costly than other solutions, but the best usually is.
I think they offer a program for classic cars, and one you can track yourself too.

[Flyair]

the list of "Lojacked" countries is here

http://www.lojack.com/LoJack-International/Global-Presence