Trackting Smart - Frequently Asked Questions
Our chat answers your questions and supports you with every need related to your GPS anti-theft device.
Here you can find the answers to the most common questions about Trackting Smart.
How was Trackting SMART born?
The creator of Trackting SMART is Claudio Carnevali, CEO of Trackting.
Rome, 8 April 2016: Claudio goes out on his beloved Hornet and skids. Nothing serious, it happens! Back home, he parks the bike outside his house and, two hours later, discovers it's gone.
The disappointment, the dismay and the awareness that these criminals would likely go unpunished drove him to fight back as best he could: he decided to create the best anti-theft device possible, one that could at least give him the peace of mind to buy another bike and enjoy it without the anguish of that dramatic experience.
Today, that anti-theft device is Trackting SMART.
What are the differences with Apple's AirTag?
The main differences are these:
1) THE AirTag DOES NOT ALERT YOU IN CASE OF THEFT
Trackting Smart is a true anti-theft device for vehicles (motorcycles, cars, scooters, vans, campers…) that calls you in case of theft.
AirTags, on the other hand, do not alert you in case of theft: they are simply anti-loss devices for objects (keys, wallets, backpacks, luggage…) that communicate via Bluetooth at a maximum distance of 30 meters.
2) Trackting Smart IS ALWAYS CONNECTED
Smart has a built-in SIM that connects to the GSM cellular network, so it always works, no matter how far you are from your vehicle, and it works even in isolated places. For example, if you are in Milan and your vehicle is parked in Palermo, you will easily receive the alarm and tracking signal. AirTag, on the other hand, relies on the proximity communication of Apple devices (the “Find My” network), so it works exclusively when it passes near an iPhone.
3) REAL SATELLITE LOCATION
Trackting Smart uses an active GPS antenna that leverages as many as three satellite systems (GPS, Galileo and Glonass) and tracks the moving vehicle in real time, also indicating its direction and speed. AirTag, on the other hand, derives its position from the nearest Apple device. So it can only know its position when near another Apple device.
4) AirTag CAN BE DETECTED BY ANYONE
AirTag is ineffective in case of theft because if a thief moves on a vehicle equipped with an AirTag, they get notified about it on their smartphone!
How is a SIM without subscription or top-up possible?
No miracle — we simply made an agreement with an international telecom operator.
The Tracker contains a special SIM with a pool of included internet traffic. It automatically connects to the best operator available at that location.
Trackting SMART only uses data when it sends parking positions (standard use, not in alarm mode), using a negligible amount of data.
Please note: it is not possible to deliberately use SMART in alarm mode, for example by not carrying the Tag with you. Continuous position tracking is not allowed because it could potentially be used for unlawful purposes and the battery would drain quickly. The internal SIM may be suspended or deactivated if the system detects potential unlawful use.
How long does the battery last? How do you recharge it?
The battery lasts 6 months in standby conditions.
With standard use (a home-to-work commute, i.e. 2 parking stops a day), the average life is between 2 and 3 months.
We verified this by testing Trackting Smart on a motorcycle in central Rome (GSM cellular signal always above level 4/5), which was always parked on the street.
The factors that can negatively affect battery life are:
- an increase in parking events (if you park 10 times a day, the battery drains proportionally)
- areas where the GSM cellular signal is on average low (on average below 3 on the signal indicator in the App)
- stops in garages where the GSM or GPS signal is poor or absent (Smart tries to connect multiple times, therefore using more energy)
- Alarm events, because in that case the Tracker sends the thief's position while moving
To recharge the battery, use the supplied USB cable and connect it to a smartphone charger or to a PC.
You can also use a power bank, which is particularly convenient for recharging the Tracker without having to remove it from your vehicle.
How many alarm calls can I receive?
When the alarm goes off, Trackting Smart places a phone call to the number you saved in your account information in the App (and it always also sends a notification to your smartphone).
IMPORTANT: you must always reject the call without answering (the red button on your phone).
Save all the alarm numbers below in your contacts: +1 830 444 4666 - +39 0721 176 0423 - +31 970 102 40666 - +44 7418 372710 and save them in your smartphone as favourite contacts so that they ring even in "Silent" or "Do Not Disturb" mode.
It is not a control room: there are no operators who answer, so you must never call these numbers.
The alarm calls are unlimited if you do not answer or if you reject the call. If, however, you answer or your voicemail picks up, you would have a maximum of 5 calls per month. Should you use up your monthly calls, don't worry: you will always still receive the notifications.
NOTE: With some phone operators, voicemail picks up automatically even if you reject the call or do not answer. In this case, one of the 5 monthly calls would be used up. To disable voicemail, you can follow the guide here.
How many additional Tags can I link to my Tracker?
You can pair up to 3 Tags in total with the same Tracker
Can I associate the same Tag with multiple Trackers and use it for several vehicles?
No, this is not possible; the Tag V3 can be paired with only one Tracker at a time.
Does it work for cars too?
Yes! Although SMART was created for motorcycles and scooters, it also works perfectly in cars, vans, trucks and motorhomes.
What is the margin of error of the GPS position?
To achieve a battery life on the order of months, we have also optimized the management of the internal GPS receiver.
In Parking mode we have a standard error ranging between 5 metres and 30 metres, while in Alarm mode (while the thief is fleeing) the system switches to high precision with an error of less than 5 metres.
The error varies because it depends on several factors, such as the level of GPS signal (satellite) coverage.
For example, if the vehicle is parked where there is no view of the sky, the GPS coverage may be subject to greater approximation. The same happens if SMART is covered with a metal object or shielding material (for example, the chain used to lock the motorcycle).
Another factor that can compromise the accuracy of the location is the incorrect orientation of the Tracker: it is important to position the locator with the top part (the one without the labels) facing the sky so that the antenna can best receive the signal from the satellites.
We invite you to carry out the following test in order to check the correct installation:
- Check that the Tracker is positioned correctly in the vehicle
- Make sure it is not covered by metal objects or shielding material
- Take a ride of a couple of minutes out in the open air
- Park in an open-air location and move away with the Tag by at least 30 metres
- Wait for the parking confirmation notification to arrive
- Check that the position on the map is correct.
If there is no cellular signal (GSM) in my garage, is the vehicle protected?
Yes, Trackting SMART will activate in the event of theft and will send you the location and notification immediately as soon as it manages to connect to the cellular network.
What happens if there is no satellite signal (GPS) coverage in my garage?
If you park in an underground garage or one with a particularly heavy ceiling, GPS coverage (satellites) may not be available, so you will not be able to view the position on the map.
But no problem: your vehicle will be safe all the same.
In fact, in case the vehicle is stolen, Trackting Smart will immediately register the alarm, sending the notification, and will provide the updated position as soon as it picks up the signal again when it is taken outside.
Can I keep Trackting Smart always powered via USB?
No, the charging cable must be plugged in only during the battery charging phase and removed once charging is complete.
Furthermore, by connecting it, it would become more easily identifiable by thieves: we made it with a black, anonymous case precisely so that it does not get noticed. Moreover, while it is connected to the power supply, the Tracker does not record events and does not send notifications. In the event of a theft attempt with the Tracker powered, the device will not be able to send the notification, the alarm call, or the tracking.
Warning: do not leave the charging cable connected to the Tracker even if it is not powered by the energy source! It could cause malfunctions and void the warranty, as vibrations while riding could damage the charging connector.
Can I use it on boats or dinghies?
Unfortunately not, because Trackting Smart works on vehicles that can only be in these 2 states: in motion or parked.
A boat, when anchored, moves constantly because of the waves, so the system would always go into alarm (a use that is not permitted, and also detrimental to the battery, which would drain very quickly).
Can I use it on a vintage motorcycle?
Yes, provided that the Tracker is not installed in a compartment entirely enclosed in metal: it wouldn't work.
In which countries, besides Italy, does the International version work?
The Europe version of Trackting SMART works in all the countries on the following list – click here
The World version of Trackting SMART works in the more than 100 countries on the following list – click here
Can I use a SIM card other than the built-in one?
No, for two reasons:
- because the SIM of Trackting SMART is free: you don't have to pay any monthly subscription!
- because it is a special SIM, meaning it automatically connects to the best operator available in that location, and this guarantees the lowest chance of finding yourself in an area without coverage.
I need to load my vehicle onto a ferry or ship. What should I do?
During transport on a ferry, the device will almost certainly go into alarm mode due to the constant movement caused by the waves.
At that point Trackting SMART will try to connect to the network to report the alarm event, but as you move away from the coast there will be no cellular network. This will almost certainly cause the battery to fully drain.
To avoid this problem, we suggest keeping the Tag close to the Tracker during the boat trip so that Alarm mode is not triggered.
Will I receive the alarm phone call if I have an international dialing code?
The phone call in case of an alarm is available exclusively for mobile numbers from the following countries:
Austria (+43), Belgium (+32), Bulgaria (+359), Cyprus (+357), Croatia (+385), Denmark (+45), Estonia (+372), Finland (+358), France (+33), Germany (+49), Gibraltar (+350), Greece (+30), Guernsey (+44), Ireland (+353), Iceland (+354), Jersey (+44), Isle of Man (+44),Italy (+39), Latvia (+371), Lithuania (+370), Luxembourg (+352), Malta (+356), Monaco (+377), Norway (+47), Netherlands (+31), Poland (+48), Portugal (+351), United Kingdom – UK (+44), Czech Republic (+420), Slovak Republic (+421), Romania (+40), Slovenia (+386), Spain (+34), Sweden (+46), Switzerland (+41), Hungary (+36)
I have two phones, can I manage Trackting SMART from both at the same time?
Yes, it's possible, bearing in mind that the Trackting App is for exclusive and personal use. To do so, you just need to install the Trackting App on both smartphones, entering the same username and password.
Even though the Tracker can be monitored on several smartphones, the phone call instead remains exclusive to just 1 phone number: the one linked to the account.
NB. Since the app contains sensitive data, do not share your credentials with other people!
Can I manage multiple Trackting Smart devices from a single phone?
Yes. You can pair as many SMART as you want with the Trackting app on your phone. This way you can monitor your vehicles at the same time: motorcycle, scooter, car, camper, etc.
Who knows my vehicle's location? And what about privacy?
On this point we are particularly “fanatical”! No one can know the location of your vehicle. Not even us, your privacy is respected because the location data is encrypted.
SMART in Parking mode saves only the last parking position (it does not record a history).
SMART in Alarm mode stores and displays the last position of the vehicle, allowing you to recover it.
WARNING: Trackting SMART is not to be considered a fleet or vehicle tracker. It is an alarm, and therefore tracks the vehicle only in the event of theft.
Made in Italy?
Yes, 100%. To be precise, we produce and ship it from the Marche region, while product development takes place in Rome.
