iPhone as tracking device?

[kiwicelt]

I recently upgraded the phone so have an old iPhone 3G sitting around.
I'm tempted to use it in the car as a tracking device given the fact you can use the iPhones "Find my iPhone" http://www.apple.com/mobileme/features/ ... phone.html feature to pinpoint it's location in realtime.

Anyone tried something similar? Not unduly paranoid but it means my music player/GPS tracker can be constantly powered by the ipod cable and can be tucked away out of sight.

[bianco]

If You want to track Your significant other, then it works fine.

If You want to be able to get Your significant car back when stolen, then forget about it.
The first thing the bad guy does, is check the glove-box for a bonus - Yes, an iPhone! I can sell that at the pub for cash!
No more tracker.

For around 100 euro You can buy a tracker, that is basicly a cheap mobile phone with GPS. You can then SMS it, and it replies with google coordinates. And You can mount it somewhere hidden

[kiwicelt]

Fair point about the bonus iPhone for the scrote, but it's €100 quid less than a new tracker and it could be useful for the first few hours which can be the best time for recovery. The Irish spec doesn't include an alarm as standard.

[ZephyR]

There are lots of apps like that but as bianco says you risk loosing your iphone as well as your car. And if they find your iphone and stop the app - you've had it.
Also consider, so while your iphone is in the car every time you park up, what are using as a mobile phone ?

[kiwicelt]

I upgraded to a new phone so this is a spare phone that is knocking around. This functionality is built into the OS so can only be turned off who knows the submenu setting. It's more about finding a use for the phone rather than relying on it as an end all tracking device.

[ZephyR]

Well in that case it could be a reasonable solution. But bear in mind that the battery life in your old phone will be limited especaily if its using GPS a lot so it will need to be hard wired in to a permanent live supply, not the cigar lighter.

[Gronk]

Or....sell the phone on eBay you should get at least £200 and get a proper tracker as suggested and pocket the difference?

But all said thats quite a good idea!

[kiwicelt]

Selling it is the other option but it was going to be used as the music source from the iPod cable anyway. Might as well double the use.
Will test it out when I get the car to see if it's practical

Someone tried to steal to order my brothers TVR so let's hope it doesn't run in the family.