GPS Trackers - an android app (Beta updated 30/01/2013)

13/02/2013: OK well it took a little longer than I thought but the third beta is available: Download Link. I haven't tested this on the CGMart trackers yet but I think it should work, please let me know if not.

Implemented commands:

• Locate (once, set period, continuous and cancel)
• Arm/Disarm
• Movement Alarm (Quick set, custom distance and cancel)
  
  Alarms:
• Power cut
• Accessory
• Door

I have also implemented a feedback option found under the menu. There is an option on this to report unrecognised messages, this will send the anonymised messages back to me so I can check the formats and add support for the various tracker variants. It will NOT send back the location of your tracker unit. Sending these messages would be greatly appreciated, please try and include information about your tracker unit and if possible an email address (optional) in case I need more detail!


30/01/2013: I've uploaded a second beta version that also supports the arm disarm command Download Link. If already installed this should update the existing application, screen shots are also included below

I now have a CG mart manual and have been testing these commands so th CG Mart trackers should work as well now. If anyone is having trouble receiving the location updates it is likely to be because of an invalid number format for the authorised devices. If any of the authorised devices weren't entered in the format +4477123456 then tracking updates will fail silently but alarms such as power etc will work.

To fix this remove all numbers in turn using the command noadmin123456 077123456 (replacing password and mobile number with correct details) and then readd using the +44 format i.e. admin123456 +4477123456 if you have any other problems please get in touch!






Hello late bayers! I normally hang around on earlybay (don't shoot me yet!) but I thought I would pop this up over here as I know a few of you have the GPS tracking units and I found some good reviews on here when I was looking into buying one.

I now have one and I have decided to write an android app for it. After I started I discovered there were already apps for this but I've decided to crack on anyway and I intend to make it freely available once it's complete. I have now hit a point where I am ready to release a beta version which has limited functionality, currently only the locate commands. Below is my post from the earlybay topic with further details. I hope someone finds it useful and any feedback is greatly received!
=======================================================================

Well I have a version that I'd like put out for people to try. This version supports the locate command so you can set the tracker to give you a single location update, track for a set period of time and cancel a tracking command. The assumption is that the basic tracker configuration has already been completed, setup functions will come at a later point.

First you need to go into the phone settings menu and allow installation of non-market apps. This is usually found under "Applications" or "Security". Once this has been done you need to download the apk file using the link below (probably easiest to do this via your phone), find the downloaded APK file (GPSTrackerControl.apk) and click it. This will install the app. Eventually the app will be available on the market so these steps wont be necessary.

Once the app has loaded the first step is to go into the menu and configure a device. Enter the required details ensuring that the phone number is in the international format (e.g. +447712345678). The passcode is optional and you will be prompted before each message is sent if you don't enter it here.

After that you should be ready to send the location commands. Go back into the menu, select the options you require and click ok. Hopefully update data should come back to you The map will show the last 10 locations received from the tracker and will refresh with each new location update.

I'm interested to hear any feedback, good or bad, obviously this is minimal functionality at the moment but new commands should come quickly now. The commands come from the manual for my tracker which is the zhyichina version. They are probably similar for most variants but if you find the commands don't work for you please get in touch and I can add support for different models.

I would be particularly interested in feedback on the adverts in the app. I wanted to include them to get some metrics on advert performance in apps, they may or may not remain.

Download Link

 

Here is my planned feature list if anyone is interested

• Automatically detect location SMS from tracker and display location and location history on google map in app
• Support following commands
  • Initialisation
  • Change Password
  • Manage authorised numbers
  • Single location
  • Auto track
  • Drift Suppression
  • SMS forward
  • Balance check
  • Geo fencing (bounding box drawn on map)Movement alarm and cancelOver speed alarmAccident alarmACC working alarmRemote "oil" cut off and resumeArm & DisarmSilent/Loud modesStatus CheckHardware resetTime setting
  For later versions
• GPRS modes
• Support multiple trackers
• Multi area management

 

Just a quick bump for this and a request for help. I've had a report that the locate command doesn't work with the trackers sold by CGMart. If anyone has a CGMart tracker and has the manual handy would it be possible to get a list of the instructions and responses?

I have a second version ready that also supports arm/disarm but I'd like to get the CGMart version working before making it available.

Cheers

 

Quick bump for the new version, see the first post for details!

 

A bump for another new version, hopefully some of you late bayers are finding it useful!

 

I have a tk201-2 tracker made by xexun (not a clone) this app is for tk103, most of the commands are the same except the tk201-2 does not have any external interfaces so it cannot interface to the vehicle electrics.
Also the Autotrack command format is different on tk201-2 it is t030s005n+password to track 5 times at 30s intervals
I assume it might not work in that case?

 

Hi Scote,

If the message formats are different this version probably wont work (there may be some overlap). I am keen to support as many trackers as I can though so if you can get me a copy of the manual (a link to a PDF maybe?) and you are willing to do some testing for me I would be more than happy to add support. It shouldn't take too long and there is built in functionality to let you send the response formats to me.

Adam

 

@vanorak @Niall

 

What tracker works with this app then @67westy ? Something available on Amazon?

 

screenshots look great. I've added that gps tracker to my christmas list

 

The app was designed for the TK103a/b type trackers: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0...rds=tk103b&dpPl=1&dpID=51BUMyUI2lL&ref=plSrch

All the SMS based trackers are pretty similar though so it's designed so I can add support to other models once i get hold of manuals and willing testers. Even the mini ones should be supportable like: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0...qid=1448575371&sr=8-1-spell&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

 

I'll have to get it finished then. Beta should work for the basic functions still

 

There a lot of wires and antennas to attach. Do the antennas need to be on the window or can they be hidden and still get a good enough signal?

 

You don't have to attach everything. Basic is +12v earth and two antennas. I think they can be hidden to some degree but I need to play around and see what reception is like. Will try and dig it out at the weekend and try a few locations to get an idea of how well it works.

To get test data I drove around with it in the footwell of a fiat 500 so I imagine some degree of hiding will be ok

 

You are a star! I'm looking into tracker options at the moment. Re antennae, I'll see what stealth options are available/suitable for bus application as this is the weakest link IMO...

Thanks for putting this up

 

For those thinking of getting this type of tracker I have just been looking into PAYG sims. I have decided to go with three, they offer 2p text messages and the topup doesn't expire so a tenner should keep you going for a long time. The only downside is the network coverage isnt quite as good as some of the other operators although I do have them as my mobile provider and have never struggled too much with signal.

https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Free_SIM/Order

 

I'm in Ireland. I'm sure the tracker will work here. I'm a long way off testing it yet. bus isn't even welded yet
looking forward to trying it out though. Do the different colour markers in the image depict a timeline of movement?

 

Yup spot on, green is latest and then the shade turns to orange/red as they get older