Gear: Solid GPS wireless tracker

The brainchild of two young Melbourne-based entrepreneurs, brothers Trent and Nathan Torkar, the Solid GPS system includes a compact, portable, and wireless GPS tracker that can be fitted to a boat or jet ski with a minimum of fuss, thereby allowing you to see exactly where the vessel is at any moment via an Apple or Android smartphone app.

Had we used it a couple of years ago, tracking down the stolen boatsales.com.au project boat would have been much faster and less stressful.

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The tracker unit measures 90mm x 55mm x 22mm and its rechargeable battery lasts for between three and six months, depending on usage. A longer-life battery, able to last up to 12 months, is available at extra cost, while charging takes between six to 12 hours.

The package comprises the Solid GPS tracker, a 4G SIM card with an unlimited data plan, a charging cord, and a SIM retrieval pin. It’s compatible in Australia with any mobile phone network.

The Solid GPS package costs $147 ($180 with the longer-life battery) and comes with a 31-day free trial, after which you'll have to choose one of two available subscription plans: $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year.

So how does it work? Simply select ‘Watchdog’ mode within the app to automatically set up a virtual boundary around your boat wherever it is parked. If the boat moves out of this geofenced area, you’ll then be alerted while the Solid GPS system switches to ‘Emergency’ mode.

In Emergency mode, the boat's location is transmitted every two to five minutes, before reverting to 'Watchdog' mode again after six hours to preserve battery life.

Because it is independent of the boat's battery, it does not stop transmitting if thieves rip out the boat's wiring – usually the first thing the thieves will do to disable any hardwired tracking systems

What happens if thieves actually make off with your boat? Via the app’s settings tab, you can share your Solid GPS account with the authorities (or friends or family), giving them access to your dashboard and allowing them to see the real-time location of the boat.

Solid GPS was established in 2020 and has already surpassed 5000 customers, its product being used to track all manner of vehicles: motorcycles, cars, caravans, boats – you name it.

Headquartered in Melbourne, the company is also backed by local telephone support, available weekdays from 9am to 5pm (AEST). Solid GPS offers free shipping and returns, while the Solid GPS tracker system comes with a 12-month warranty.

For more information visit www.solidgps.com.