Saw an update from the local PD about the rash of local bike thefts lately. Broader problem than I had thought.
Some stolen bikes were locked (how well, I don't know), so locks are being cut. Some bikes were inside secured homes, so houses/apts/garages/sheds are being broken into. Some have been unsecured, also.
Honestly not sure how useful any sort of GPS tracker would be for the majority of them. I know from past experience that professional bike thieves tend to be mobile, moving from city to city, so they're gone before they get caught. I'm sure this allows them to also sell stolen bikes in places where people are unlikely to be looking for them.
In one sense, it makes you think that a GPS tracker would be valuable to assist with recovery. But then you run into limitations with the tech. How long will the battery last before needing to be recharged? How long can it sit in a warehouse or storage unit with no signal before it might grab one (and transmit that location) when it gets moved again? Is it transmitting its location frequently enough for you to be able to pinpoint its exact location before it's put somewhere that it can't get a signal? If it's an obvious tracker, how long will it take the thieves to remove it or otherwise disable it for good?
Also - how much of a head start do the thieves have on you? Will your chosen tracker alert you as soon as the bike is moved? Are you able to respond to that alert immediately?
In the grand scheme, a GPS tracker is another tool that might be helpful in some cases. But realize it's not foolproof. Like a lock isn't foolproof. Like the doors to your house aren't foolproof. Behavioral modifications are also a tool, but can't necessarily help in all cases, either. At some point, you'll HAVE to leave your bike unattended somewhere. Should also make sure that your bike is well-covered against loss with a good insurance policy. Record your serial number(s). Take pictures of your bike(s) - I know that's a real hardship for us here at mtbr. Of all the things you can do, I think a good GPS tracker is going to be the most expensive thing you can do. For me, the price of the things just isn't going to cut it. I have 6 bikes. At $150 ea, that's about $900 initial purchase price, plus service fees for 6 devices. Plus monitoring the batteries on 6 devices. IMO, the value proposition just isn't there.