Vehicle theft is a persistent issue worldwide, prompting continuous advancements in security measures. It’s been a game of cat-and-mouse for decades now. Security devices get more advanced, thieves find a way to counter-act those advances prompting manufacturers to get further still. Repeat ad infinitum.
Understanding Thatcham Research’s Vehicle Tracker Categories
Thatcham Research, a renowned UK-based organisation, plays a critical role in setting industry standards for vehicle security.
One of their key contributions is the categorisation of vehicle tracking systems. Among these categories, the S5 and S7 trackers are often discussed due to their specific functionalities and security levels. You’ll see these on our website because they offer a different feature set for consumers, but what do they mean? What is a Category S5 tracker anyway?
With this blog, we wanted to explore what constitutes a Category S5 tracker, how it differs from an S7 category, and why these distinctions matter to us as a supplier and to you, as a consumer.
Before we get into that, let’s take a quick look at Thatcham themselves.
Thatcham Research and Its Role
Thatcham Research, established in 1969, is an authoritative body in automotive security and safety. It works closely with insurers, vehicle manufacturers, and law enforcement agencies to improve vehicle security standards.
Thatcham’s classification of vehicle tracking systems is designed to help consumers and insurers understand the security level provided by various products. The devices with the most advanced, sophisticated and elaborate preventative measures built in get the highest standard, or, in other words, S5.
S5 Trackers
S5 Trackers offer a range of features that other, less sophisticated systems do not, they include:
- Driver Identification: One of the primary features of an S5 tracker is driver identification. These systems typically include a separate driver identification tag or card, which must be present when the vehicle is started. If the vehicle is started without the tag being present, an alert is sent to the monitoring centre.
- Real-Time Tracking: S5 trackers offer real-time location tracking, allowing for immediate response in case of theft. This is crucial for recovering stolen vehicles quickly and safely.
- Automatic Immobilisation: Some S5 systems can also remotely immobilise the vehicle if unauthorised use is detected. This feature helps prevent the vehicle from being moved far from its location once it is identified as stolen.
- 24/7 Monitoring: These systems are linked to a 24/7 monitoring centre that can immediately respond to theft alerts, including contacting the vehicle owner and, in some cases, the police.
- Advanced Alert System: S5 trackers can provide various alerts such as tampering, battery disconnection, and unauthorised movement, ensuring comprehensive protection.
- Insurance Benefits: Vehicles equipped with S5 trackers often qualify for insurance discounts due to the high level of security they provide. Insurers recognise the effectiveness of these systems in preventing and responding to theft.
- Geofencing: Finally, whilst not exclusive to S5 trackers, this feature allows the owner to set virtual boundaries for the vehicle. If the vehicle crosses these boundaries, an alert is triggered.
S7 Trackers
Of course, S5 trackers aren’t the only ones you can buy in the current market. There are also the S7-rated trackers which offer a little less in terms of features but then they are often cheaper. Their key attributes include:
- Basic Tracking: S7 trackers provide basic tracking capabilities, including real-time location updates. While they do not have all the advanced features of S5 trackers, they are still effective for monitoring vehicle location.
- Theft Alerts: These systems can send alerts if the vehicle is moved without authorisation. However, the alert system might not be as comprehensive as S5 trackers.
- 24/7 Monitoring: Similar to S5, S7 trackers are connected to a monitoring centre that operates round the clock. This ensures that any theft alerts are promptly addressed but won’t have the real-time tracking abilities that S5 trackers do.
- Lower Cost: S7 trackers are generally more affordable compared to S5 trackers, making them accessible for a wider range of consumers. This cost-effectiveness is achieved by offering fewer advanced features.
- Insurance Considerations: While S7 trackers can still lead to insurance discounts, the savings might not be as substantial as those provided for S5-equipped vehicles. This is due to the lower level of security and fewer anti-theft features.
Comparing S5 and S7 Trackers
If you’re still wavering between buying an S5 and an S7, then it may be helpful to compare and contrast what they offer to help you decide. Understanding the differences between S5 and S7 trackers is crucial for vehicle owners and insurers alike.
Don’t forget, we have a huge range of both S5 and S7 trackers available in our store and our dedicated team is on hand to help you decide (more on that at the end).
| FEATURE | S5 | S7 |
| Driver Identification | Requires a Driver ID tag (or card), adding an extra layer of security by ensuring that only authorised individuals can start the vehicle. | Typically does not include driver identification, relying instead on basic tracking and alert features. |
| Real-Time Tracking & Monitoring | Both provide real-time tracking and 24/7 monitoring, ensuring that vehicle location can be monitored at all times and any alerts can be promptly addressed. | |
| Automatic Immobilisation | Often includes the capability for remote immobilisation, allowing the vehicle to be disabled if unauthorised use is detected. | Usually does not offer remote immobilisation, focusing more on location tracking and theft alerts. |
| Advanced Alert System | Includes a comprehensive alert system with features like tampering alerts, battery disconnection alerts, and geofencing. | Offers basic alert features, which may include movement alerts but generally lacks the advanced alert capabilities of S5 trackers. |
| Cost | Higher cost due to advanced features and enhanced security measures. | Lower cost, making it a more budget-friendly option while still providing essential tracking capabilities. |
| Insurance Discounts | More likely to result in significant insurance discounts due to the high level of security. | May still offer insurance discounts, but these are typically lower compared to those for S5-equipped vehicles. |
Whilst it can be confusing, at least at first, Thatcham Research’s categorisation of vehicle tracking systems into S5 and S7 provides everyone with a clear framework for understanding the levels of security offered by different products.
It makes it easier for companies like us to give customers the best options and helps you make the best decisions based on your circumstances.
S5 trackers, with their advanced features like driver identification, automatic immobilisation, and comprehensive alert systems, represent the pinnacle of vehicle security. On the other hand, S7 trackers offer essential tracking and alert capabilities at a more affordable price point.
For vehicle owners, the choice between S5 and S7 trackers will depend on their specific security needs, budget and insurance considerations. By understanding the distinctions between these categories, consumers can make informed decisions that enhance their vehicle’s security and potentially reduce their insurance costs.
Insurers, in turn, can more accurately assess the risk associated with insuring vehicles equipped with these different levels of tracking technology, leading to more tailored and fair premiums, something we can all benefit from.
We hope that blogs helped you understand what an S5 tracker is and how it can help you keep your vehicle secure. As we touched on earlier, if you need any help in finding the best S5 or S7 tracker, or anything in between, please get in touch with our team who can help. They’re available Monday to Friday from 9am and 6pm on 0330 043 3993. Look forward to hearing from you.
It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner, or at least it is at the time of writing this!
The weather’s getting colder, the budgets, just like Santa’s trousers, are getting tighter and you’ve got the annual stress of trying to buy that special someone something they’ll actually like and use! What do you give to the man or woman who has everything?
We think we’ve found the answer, well 3 answers in fact!
THE GIFT OF GIVING (NOT TAKING)
Vehicle trackers, like dogs, are for life, not just for Christmas. Socks and chocolates are all well and good, but when you give a gift, you want the recipient to have value in it long after the tinsel has come down. That’s where vehicle trackers really come into their own.
No matter what vehicle they have, whether it’s a car, motorbike, motorhome or van, trackers can give them peace of mind that lasts a lot longer than even the most hard-wearing socks!
They all have the added bonus of keeping your vehicle safe and secure, so it’s a win-win! Another reason to spread more festive cheer!
THE PERFECT PRESENTS
With the economy dropping faster than needles on an unwatered Christmas tree, we’ve recognise that people are looking to make their money go even further this year.
We’ve checked the nice list and taken a look in our Infiniti sack to find three products that would make fantastic gifts to give loved ones this holiday season, and they’re all under £200! Starting with..
One of the latest products from the SmarTrack stable of trackers is their RECO S7 model. It’s a fantastic tracker for the money and is aimed squarely at the hot-hatch market, although it works just as well for anyone looking to protect their own sleigh. If you have a caravan, then it’s perfect for that too.
Giving this as a gift is fantastic as it comes with a one year monitoring subscription included, so your (or their) vehicle is fully protected the second our team installs it for you.
As you would expect, the RECO S7 comes with all the alerts and notifications you would expect, including battery disconnection and low battery warnings. It’s also fully transferable from one vehicle to another.
Another brilliant tracker for under £200 is the Monitor from leading security firm Tracker. Thanks to its military-grade patented UHF (Ultra High Frequency) technology you get protection from signal jammers, a feature often only found on much more expensive models.
The technology within the Monitor also gives you peace of mind that your vehicle can be quickly recovered, even if it’s stored in shipping containers, underground car parks or lock-ups.
Tracker have been manufacturing car security systems for over 25 years, so you can be assured that any product they put their name to is going to be high quality at a relatively low cost.
Not a tracker but just as useful for the petrol head in your life, especially with the dangerous road conditions that winter can bring (and the idiots you get all year round).
This fantastic dashboard camera (or dash cam as they’re known) from Thinkware sits against your windscreen and can record the road ahead, whether that’s the traffic, pedestrians or other road users. It records in full HD at 1080p, even when you’re parking, and comes with CMOS image sensors that give you a constant video recording that looks great, even at night.
It also comes with a 140-degree viewing angle to minimise blind spots. You can easily watch any incidents by downloading them to your computer using the intuitive software through its viewing interface.
UK WIDE INSTALLATION
⚬ We don’t cover Lapland or the North Pole but if you’re in the UK you can get your device, regardless of how much you spend, installed at your home or work within days of purchase.
⚬ Give the gift of security this holiday season.
⚬ Spread the cost of your device into 3 equal payments by using PayPal at checkout.
Christmas comes but once a year, but theft can happen anytime. Get your vehicle secured and make sure you have a happy, healthy and safe Yuletide. In the run up to Christmas, our team of helpful elves is available from 9 am – 6 pm, Monday to Friday on 0330 043 3993 to help you stay on the nice list.
With the cold weather looming, Christmas on its way (we know!) and the cost of heating going through the sunroof, it’s time to turn your attention to securing your vehicle over the winter.
With the new year approaching, the peak months for many car thefts, making sure your car, motorhome, motorbike or sleigh is secure is going to be vital in having a peaceful, stress-free festive period.
With that in mind, we thought it would be useful to give you some fantastic tips to help you secure your vehicle this winter.
WINTER IS COMING
One of the most common ways thieves can steal your car isn’t through a technically advanced technique involving gadgets or trickery, it’s by getting in and driving away with your own key!
Frost-jacking, as it’s known, occurs when you leave your car unattended to warm up.
As you try to get yourself and the family ready for school or work, many people will go out and start their car, then leave it alone.
They will allow it to idle, either to warm up the interior or defrost the windscreens after a snow shower or frosty morning (often both). This obviously involves leaving your key in the ignition and vehicle unattended, but that’s the problem.
Thieves, often opportunists, will walk around neighbourhoods looking for this exact pattern. When they see an unattended vehicle ticking over, they simply get in and drive away.
The easiest way to stop yourself becoming a victim to frost-jacking is obviously not to do it. Do not leave your car unattended with the engine running!
Most modern cars warm up very quickly and many come with heated windscreens, so there’s often no real need to anyway. If you can cover it overnight to protect it from snow and frost, then there will be even less reason to, and less opportunity for thieves to steal your vehicle.
A KEY DOESN’T HAVE TO BE KEY TO CAR THEFT
Just a couple of years ago, 92% of the cars that were stolen from homes were done so without the use of a key. Whilst that figures sounds staggering, and it is, remember many modern cars don’t come with a traditional key anyway, but that hasn’t stopped thieves from exploiting the technology to their own gains.
To steal your keyless entry car, many car thieves use a technique called a Relay Attack.
This involves a team of thieves, one of which stands near your door (they’ll rely on the fact you’ll store your car keys near your front door) and by using a device to scan for the signal omitted by your key fob, transmit the signal to their accomplice who’s next to you car with a receiver.
Once the signal is received, your car will open and off they’ll drive. To combat this, there are trackers that can help.
SCORPION HAS A WINTER STING
The ScorpionTrack S5 VTS and its big brother the S5+ with immobilisation are both designed and manufactured to the Police’s preferred specification.
Not only that, they both will help protect your vehicle from Relay Attack in addition to key cloning and On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) hacking.
⚬ Stay warm with a collection of incredible trackers to keep you moving this winter.
⚬ Benefit from UK-wide installation from our team of accredited engineers.
⚬ Don’t fall victim to winter car crime.
20 winters have come and gone since we started Infiniti Tracking. so we can be confident that you will get the best products at the best prices, with installation available throughout the UK. Don’t be left out in the cold, our team is available from 9 am – 6 pm, Monday to Friday on 0330 043 3993 to help you get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing your car is secured this winter, and for years to come.
In these difficult economic times, we’re all looking for ways to make our money stretch further. With rising costs for almost everything, making the most of what money you do have is vital.
When it comes to vehicle security, it would be easy to think it’s the perfect place to disregard to save money, but that would be a false economy.
Choosing not to buy a car tracker might solve a short-term issue, but will only cost you in the long run. If you’re looking for the cheapest car trackers without sacrificing security, then you’re in the right place.
QUALITY IS PRICELESS
Vehicle trackers, like anything in life, come in a range of prices to suit every budget, but it’s important to think about the costs of what it’s protecting.
If your vehicle is at the heart of your family, its value will be worth so much more than how much you paid for it.
You’ll use it to take the kids to school, commute to work, days out with the family and weekly shopping trips to name a few, so losing it to a car thief will be devastating.
CHEAP DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A COMPROMISE
Whether you’re looking for a tracker that’s top of the range that comes with all the bells and whistles you can imagine or, like many of us, you’re wanting one that doesn’t break the bank, choosing a cheaper option doesn’t have to mean compromising on features and options to keep your vehicle secure.
At Infiniti Tracking, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with a range of products that suit everyone.
If you’re looking for a cheaper vehicle tracker, we believe we have 3 incredible products, all from leading manufacturers and all under £200 that are perfect for anyone looking to tighten their belt without risking their vehicle, starting with….
An incredible tracker from ScorpionTrack that gives you many of the features you would expect even with the most expensive options, including journey history, geo-fence alerts and even driver behaviour analysis; perfect if you share the driving of your car with members of your family.
Like all of these on the list, you get a dedicated smartphone app to help you manage and control a range of notifications and alerts to keep your vehicle safe.
SmarTrack Protector Pro Global
The SmarTrack Protector Pro Global is both an insurance- and Thatcham-approved tracker from one of the leading manufacturers in the world.
The best-selling Protector Pro also gives you access to a 24/7 Control Centre to help you monitor and track your vehicle anywhere in the world, all from its dedicated smartphone app.
Like the previous system, you also have the option to transfer it to a different vehicle if, or when, you change your car.
The Monitor from Tracker gives you a lot of security all for less than £200. Thanks to its patented VHF (Very High Frequency) technology, you can track your vehicle no matter where it’s hidden as it’s resilient to signal jammers that thieves often use.
We love it, we know you’ll love it and the ‘boys in blue’ love it too, as it’s supported by Police forces up and down the UK.
PROTECTION IS VITAL
⚬ All our trackers can be installed within 3 days of purchase by our accredited engineers anywhere in the UK.
⚬ Even the least expensive trackers have a suite of fantastic features you’ll love.
⚬ Being cost-effective doesn’t mean compromising on quality.
No matter which product you’re looking at buying, our team is available from 9 am – 6 pm, Monday to Friday on 0330 043 3993 to help you decide on the best tracker for you. With over 20 years of experience in selling and installing trackers up and down the UK, you can be assured that Infiniti Tracking will always provide you with exemplary service and incredible products, regardless of the device you’re buying.
We hope that, once you’ve browsed our huge range of tracking and security devices in our store you’ve found the one for you, but that begs another question. With all the options available, what’s the best tracker for you???
It’s easy to fire up Google, or any other search engine, and type “what’s the best vehicle tracker?”. The algorithm will go away and find you hundreds, if not thousands, of results all promising to answer that question for you.
In reality, there’s no way for lines of computer code to know the best one for you specifically. Sure it can look for articles that promise the answer, but the question is much more nuanced than that.
Most people associate ‘the best’ with the tracker that has the most features, or is the most expensive product, but those are rarely the same thing. When it comes to finding the best tracker, you really need to ask what’s the best tracker FOR YOU and YOUR circumstances and you won’t get that from any search term.
EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. EVERY CAR IS DIFFERENT.
What might be the best tracker for you, might not be the best tracker for me. Whilst they are incredible pieces of technology designed to keep your car, van, motorhome or motorbike safe and secure, to find the one that will offer you the most benefits, you need to be clear about what you want from it. Not least the vehicle you have and how much you have to spend.
Because of that, it’s vital you do your research and understand your budget. Car trackers, like anything you can buy, range in terms of pricing and features.
Trackers come in all shapes and sizes and range from very reasonable to very expensive, so it’s important you understand the costs associated with them and not just the initial price that comes with buying the product in the beginning.
Many come with monthly or yearly subscription fees to enhance your device which you need to be aware of and, as such, may affect your budget.
RESEARCH THE MODELS
Not all trackers are created equally. Whilst many share similar features, there are often some key differences.
Whichever one you ultimately choose, it’s important you buy one that comes from a reputable manufacturer. As you would expect, all of the trackers we sell here at Infiniti come from some of the best manufacturers available.
When looking at the various options, take time to research the trackers you’re interested in. Does it include features that, whilst powerful or interesting, and might seem cool to have, do you actually really need them? Do they support how you use your vehicle or are you just paying for something you just don’t need?
It’s also useful to look into the manufacturer themselves. In many cases, they may produce systems that are or have been, specifically approved for use by various car manufacturers. Whilst not necessarily a reason to buy, knowing that a company that makes your car approves a particular device from a certain manufacturer might go some way to helping you choose.
In many cases, the price for the tracker is just the start. Vehicle trackers often come with monthly or yearly (or sometimes lifetime) subscriptions which means you’ll have to factor that into the cost.
WILL IT DO WHAT YOU NEED, WHEN YOU NEED IT
Let’s not lose sight of the reason why you need a tracking device in the first place.
Should the worst case happen and your vehicle is stolen, will it be able to be tracked and recovered quickly and easily? When you really start to drill down into the features, think about the process to report it stolen.
Some trackers, for example, might need you to report it to the Police BEFORE it can be activated, whilst others can just be done from the app.
In addition, if your insurance policy requires a tracker to be fitted, does it need to be installed BEFORE the policy becomes valid? If you drive regularly into mainland Europe, or even further afield, are you covered geographically?
We don’t say any of these things to put you off, simply to arm you with all the facts and to be as transparent as possible when it comes to buying a tracker from us.
⚬ Our store stocks only the very best systems from leading manufacturers.
⚬ Get your device installed anywhere in the UK at a time and place to suit you.
⚬ Decades of experience in this fast-moving sector.
Our team is available from 9 am – 6 pm, Monday to Friday on 0330 043 3993 to answer any questions you might have. We will be more than happy to help you choose the right tracker for you. Don’t be swayed by fancy marketing or grandiose-sounding terminology, get the facts from the team with over 20 years of experience in selling and installing trackers up and down the UK.
For all of you who have been following our blogs for many years, you’ll already know that we offer installation across the UK. We have many happy and satisfied customers stretching the lengths and breadths of the UK. We’ve showcased our range of products to suit every type of vehicle, every make, model and manufacturer but one thing we rarely touch on is what happens once you buy from us.
For anyone new to us and our products, we thought it might be useful to help you understand what happens when it comes to installation and how your new vehicle tracker will be set up by our team. Let’s change that right now!
DON’T FIT IT YOURSELF
Once you’ve found the car tracking system that you want from our wide range, one that suits your vehicle, budget or feature-set, and made the purchase, the next step will be installation.
Our dedicated customer service team will be in touch with you soon after to arrange a suitable date and time.
Car trackers, unlike many other parts or accessories you can add to your vehicle, aren’t easily fitted by untrained personnel. There’s much more to them than changing the oil or replacing a windscreen wiper.
LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS
Trackers vary from those that are relatively simple to install to ones that are really quite complex. Depending on the features, they may need to be hard-wired to the engine and its electronic core. For the untrained, it would be easy to connect the wrong wire to the wrong terminal and it could create lasting damage or worse, invalidate your insurance should you need to make a claim.
As such, and to make sure your insurance remains valid, they have to be installed by our team of fully trained, Thatcham-approved and highly-qualified personnel, but that’s exactly where we come in!
UK-WIDE INSTALLATION
The installation method our engineers use will vary depending on the tracker you’ve bought. Some are more geared towards the ‘plug-n-play’ variety, whilst others rely on battery power and some need to be hard-wired into the car’s electrical system.
Trackers also need to be secured to the vehicle in a variety of places. You can’t put the same tracker in the same place on the same make of vehicle as it would very quickly become common knowledge amongst thieves. Thankfully our engineers know the best places to secure the vehicles.
A device that’s easily installed will be easily found by thieves and removed twice as quickly!
It’s also important to install the device in a position where its signal won’t be blocked by other devices or parts of the vehicle. The signals utilised by trackers include GPS, VHF, GSM, GLONASS, MESH and more (or sometimes a combination of them) which operate on different frequencies.
Should the worst happen and your vehicle is stolen, it’s vital these signals are strong to help the Police track and recover the vehicle. Without expert knowledge, it could be installed in a place that blocks or impedes these signals rendering it useless.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR SERVICE
We hope that, whichever tracker you’ve bought from us, you’re going to be happy with it and it keeps your vehicle safe and secure for years to come, but that’s only the start of our relationship.
As we mentioned, once purchased, our team will be in touch to find the most convenient date and time to come out to you and install the device on your vehicle, whether that’s a car, motorhome, motorbike or truck.
We’re happy to come to your home, your office, your caravan site or anywhere you are to ensure you get the device installed to our exacting standards.
If you’re still unsure, please take a look at our TrustPilot profile to see our 249 reviews (at the time of writing)…. 248 of them are rated as ‘Excellent’ (the other 1 is rated ‘Great’). We are so proud to have such an incredibly high rating from our customers.
Whether you have a Fiat or a Ferrari, Mini or Maserati, we will have a tracker to suit you and your needs:
⚬ Buy with confidence from a company with over 20 years of experience at the top of this ever-changing industry.
⚬ Transfer your tracker from one vehicle to the next easily.
⚬ Installation is available anywhere in the UK.
When you’re ready to take vehicle security seriously, call our team who are available from 9 am – 6 pm, Monday to Friday on 0330 043 3993 and we will be more than happy to answer any queries you might have. We’ll also help you navigate the range of options available and provide you with top-class service from beginning to end!