SPOT Trace review | Satellite tracker that can work ANYWHERE

Date reviewed: July 2024 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: €129.99 + €11.95/month | www.findmespot.com

SPOT has a reputation for being able to find and help anyone, anywhere with its satellite communication devices. The SPOT Trace on review here is the company’s asset tracker that can – in many circumstances – locate what it’s attached to in even the most remote parts of the world… or even in the middle of the ocean.

But this tech comes at a hefty price, and does have its disadvantages, so it’s important to understand the limitations before investing…

Pros & Cons

SPOT Trace features and price

SPOT Trace is a compact device designed to allow tracking anywhere in the world. Whereas motorcycle trackers typically use satellites for their location, it’s cellular phone networks that are used to communicate with the base and the customer – in remote locations, this could mean tracking isn’t possible. SPOT uses satellite communications that have no such limitations.

• Compact 68mm x 51mm x 24mm

• Weighs 90g

• IPX7 rated, designed for use in -30°C to 60°C

• Satellite communication allows tracking anywhere on land or sea

• Powered by four AAA Energiser Lithium batteries (supplied)

• Option to hard-wire (8-22V supply) for additional €39.00 ($29.99 in USA)

SPOT Trace costs €129.99 ($79.99 in the USA at the time of writing), then €143.40 / year (paid monthly), plus a €29.95 activation fee.

This includes tracking at 5, 10, 30 at 60-minute intervals, but if you want the option of more frequent 2.5 minute tracking, it costs an additional €5.95 / month or €71.40 / year, taking the annual price up to €214.80 (exc VAT – €257.76 inc VAT).

There’s also the option of a flex contract, that can be turned on and off a month at a time. This costs €14.50 / month, with the 2.5 minute ‘Extreme Tracking’ option costing €7.25, and a €34.95 flex charge that’s payable every year, regardless of whether the tracker is used, meaning a total yearly cost of up to €295.95 (exc VAT – €355.14 inc VAT).

If you use more than 200 SMS messages in a billing period, you’ll need to buy 200 more for €20.00, or pay €0.15 per message

These are the SPOT prices, so keep in mind that they don’t include VAT, tax and duties for those outside the EU (like the UK). Some UK retailers do stock the SPOT Trace device (like GTC.co.uk for £126), but you’ll still need to buy the subscription from SPOT.

Note that as a self-fit, unmonitored tracker, SPOT Trace is not Thatcham-approved, so won’t show up on motorcycle insurance security lists. However, it could be declared as an ‘other tracking device’.

Fitting

The SPOT Trace includes three 3M self-adhesive pads, a pair of hook and loop pads, and a mounting bracket with four self-tapping screws. It’s a shame there are no specific zip-tie mounting points, but the indentations on the body can help if you want to strap it to anything. Otherwise the adhesive pads will be your best bet, though I’d recommend using the mounting bracket to be able to get at the batteries if you don’t have the optional 3m hard-wire kit.

Fitting the batteries requires a PH1 screwdriver (not supplied) to remove the bottom of the case.

As with any self-fit tracker, always ensure that it’s well out of sight and NOT installed under the seat, as this is usually ripped off by thieves to check for any devices. However, you must also make sure that it’s not under the tank, or hidden from the ‘view’ of the satellites.

The USB port and batteries are accessed using a PH1 screwdriver

Day-to-day use

SPOT says that, with 5-minute tracking intervals set, and one hour of movement each day, the batteries will last between two and 4.5 months. With the interval set to every 2.5 minutes, this drops to between 1.3 and 2.7 months. If you ride regularly, you may well see the batteries (which aren’t too expensive at £7.95 for four, or £13.95 for 10 from Battery Station) need changing very frequently, and should perhaps consider the hard-wire kit.

You’ll only receive a movement alert once when the bike starts moving after your choice of 30 minutes or 12 hours of being stationary (note that this comes with a risk to theft location, see below). Location updates will still be sent to the app at your choice of tracking interval, but your phone won’t be pinging away all the time you’re out riding.

It is possible to turn off messages from the SPOT app, which is available on iOS and on Android, but this will only affect the in-app messages, not the emails or SMS.

The web browser and PC or Mac updating software with the supplied microUSB cable are required to change some of the SPOT Trace settings

Setting up the SPOT Trace, or making any changes requires a connection to a PC or Mac via USB, using the SPOT updater, which is downloaded here.

All of the key settings are accessed from your account in the web portal, with most also requiring a manual update by plugging the device into your computer using the supplied microUSB to USB-A cable (the port is under a cover held on with two PH1 screws).

Here are the settings that can be adjusted in the web portal…

• Device name

• Tracking intervals: 5, 10, 30, 60 mins standard – 2.5 mins optional extra.

• Movement alert: Enable / Disable movement alerts sent via email and/or SMS, and set the minimum time the device must be stationary before movement alerts become active again (30 mins or 12 hours).

• Dock mode: When enabled, alerts are only sent out if the Trace moves more than 200 meters, with the device checking its location constantly, rather than for a location change when it detects vibration. More power is used in this mode, so the hard-wire kit is essential.

• Status message: Enable or disable a daily message sent via email and/or SMS that confirms the device is operating correctly.

• Power off message: Enable or disable messages sent via email and/or SMS that alerts if the device is turned off.

• Low battery message: Enable or disable message sent via email and/or SMS that alerts if the batteries are getting low.

• Third party GPS forwarding: This allows someone else to be able to track your location.

In use, without the SPOT Trace knowing when you’re with the bike (for instance by using a rider-present fob) or when it’s running (through a connection to a switched feed), it can be frustrating to receive an alert every time you ride, though as it’s just a single email, or an SMS, it’s not too intrusive. Unfortunately, despite checking my settings I haven’t been able to receive SMS alerts during my testing, and it is a surprise that the app doesn’t give the option of push notifications.

And of course, if your motorcycle is being stolen, the more intrusive the alert the better.

Status alerts give a reassurance that the Trace is working correctly, though they don’t seem to always come through. I also had false alerts, where the bike was knocked, triggering the vibration sensor that then did a location check and thought that it wasn’t in my garage, and was in fact in a field 30 metres away.

Once set up, it’s unlikely you’ll need to change the settings again, so the clunky updating system – brought about by a lack of Bluetooth or cellular data connection – shouldn’t be an issue.

Theft test

All our tracker tests are conducted in the same way – we don’t tell the manufacturer when we intend to perform a mock theft, and while we won’t waste police time to raise a crime number (if necessary for monitored systems), we expect the device (if it’s self-monitored) or operations centre to demonstrate the full service.

In an open area, SPOT Trace generally gives a pretty accurate location

Level one: Pushed away and left in street: Notification of movement came through within less than two minutes of the bike being moved. From this point, while I have the optional 2.5-minute tracking enabled, it wasn’t quite as regular as I’d expected.

A large proportion of motorcycles – especially in city centres – are stolen by a thief pushing their mate along on it with a scooter then left quite close to the theft location (and often locked and covered). In this scenario, the SPOT Trace proved fairly effective, usually showing an accurate location on the map in the smartphone app that should make it easy to find the bike, though in testing, even in an open field, the location can be 20 or more metres out, and close proximity to buildings can cause an issue. In dense city-centres, especially if the bike’s tucked under some stairs like one we found in this video with Stolen Motorcycle Recovery London, the location could be less accurate, and it might take a bit of searching.

It’s a shame that there’s no option to get directions to the location, and while I had to rely on emails or having the smartphone app open, I’m hopeful that other users will be able to receive the SMS alerts (see update in support section).

Once the SPOT Trace has registered a 'stop' notification, it won't alert of movement - or start tracking – for a period of 30 minutes or 12 hours, depending on the settings you choose. The problem with this is that, if the bike's stolen during that period, it could be a long time before it's located. For instance, I stopped for some shopping about half a mile from home and the device registered a stop. So, ten minutes later (more than enough time of the bike to be stolen), the trip home wasn't notified or recorded. In fact, it was five and a half hours later that the SPOT Trace registered a movement, then nine minutes after that a new 'stop' was registered...

It's entirely plausible that a bike could be stolen and moved within even the 30 minute window (my recommendation would be to never use the 12 hour option), then its location wouldn't be updated from where you left it until the bike was moved again. Arguably, this could help find the gang as they'll often leave a bike for a while to see if it has a tracker – as you might not be able to find it, they might get confident and take it, the updated movement hopefully leading the police to their home/workshop.

Level two: Pushed away and hidden in a building: Notification of movement while outside was again fast, and the location data indoors is generally fairly good in my testing, though in some locations it did struggle, putting itself 30 to 40 meters away, while in a few it lost location altogether.

The police will respond to any live tracking theft (as long as there’s resource available), but SPOT’s lack of a secure operating centre working with officers on your behalf could, with the reduced accuracy in some interior locations, make gaining access more tricky. Anecdotally, police knowledge of previous activity in the area can help in some circumstances, so while the SPOT Trace isn’t the most accurate tracker I’ve tested indoors, it’s generally acceptable.

The issue with delays in notifications mentioned in the level one theft test above can be compounded when the bike's stored undercover. In that test, not only was the location not updated for over five hours, when it was, the SPOT Trace showed its position as being in a field 79m from where the bike actually was. With many houses to choose from, this would make recovery of the bike practically impossible.

In the van test, the device only showed its location once the bike was unloaded

Level three: Stolen in a van: A movement alert was generated as the bike was moved out of the garage, but once in the van there was no other communication at all. It was only when I took the bike out of the van at the drop-off location that an alert was generated.

As long as the motorcycle isn’t stripped while being transported, it should ping its location again when it’s taken out of the van, but the lack of live tracking in this situation is very disappointing.

If the bike was stolen on the back of a flat-bed or trailer, tracking would still work, but even the optional 2.5 minute interval is quite long in this scenario. Only if it’s on an obvious route like a motorway might the police have a fair chance of intercepting it.

It is important to point out that our van theft test is always carried out in one with a steel bulkhead. Interestingly, when the SPOT Trace was returned after testing, it was possible to track its progress through the Royal Mail network, which was likely in smaller vans and large truck trailers.

Bike jacking

As the SPOT Trace is always active, if your bike was stolen with the keys, you’d still be able to track it.

Alert messages can be displayed in the smartphone app as a list

Support

Unlike the most popular motorcycle trackers from the likes of BikeTrac and Datatool, SPOT Trace does not have a support team that notifies you of any theft event, or who will liaise with the police.

I did call the SPOT helpline hoping to get my SMS alerts fixed – I’ve received them for device status and power off alerts – but never for movement, however the person I spoke to was unable to find a solution during the 40 minute call. A ticket was raised, and I had contact from SPOT in the USA later that evening, but the last advice was that the texts are going out, so are likely being blocked by my phone provider. My messaging app has a spam folder, but there’s nothing from SPOT in there. Still, I’m sure this is an isolated incident that will be remedied.

UPDATE: Two days later, I had another email from the company saying that my lack of alerts was due to the device not previously going into a 'stop' mode. This doesn't seem to be correct as I was getting the stop messages, and the movement alerts that followed generated emails, as well as a notification in the app.

I've since had a call from the States (I hadn't said that I was reviewing it, so am still being treated as a customer), and they're now raising a ticket with my phone's network provider, as SPOT is sure that the SMSs are being sent and received, so may be blocked before they reach my phone.

Four alternatives to the Spot Trace

There’s a good range of devices available, and you can find our guide to the best motorcycle trackers here, but these are some you should consider…

• Datatool Stealth, £119/year | The Stealth works across Europe and costs £359.00 including professional fitting, though many dealers offer to supply and fit it for free on new (and in some cases used) bikes, then you just pay the subscription. You get full 24/7 monitored support that calls you if the bike appears to be stolen, and the Stealth – which is Thatcham approved – includes a rider-present fob to reduce false alarms. Read the full review of the Datatool Stealth tracker here.

• BikeTrac, £99/year | BikeTrac works across Europe and costs £299 plus installation, and also offers full 24/7 monitored support in a Thatcham-approved device. It doesn’t have a rider-present fob, but this doesn’t make it any less of an extremely capable tracking device – you just need to remember to turn your bike’s ignition on before moving it, or you’ll get a call from the operating centre (I can confirm that they don’t mind if you keep forgetting). BikeTrac has the advantage of RF detection, which means that if the bike’s in a block of flats, or the GPS location isn’t very clear, it can be pinpointed with incredible accuracy. You also get the support of a Securitas team to secure your bike if the police aren’t available. Read the full review of BikeTrac here.

• BikeTrac Lite, £60/year | BikeTrac Lite is designed for UK use only, and costs just £199 plus installation, and has many of the same features as the full-fat BikeTrac, but in the event that your bike’s moved you’ll receive a text alert. If it’s being stolen, you then call the operating centre and they’ll take over. You don’t get access to the Securitas team, but BikeTrac will still work with the police in just the same way as they would with the full version. Read the full review of BikeTrac Lite here.

• Monimoto 9, £36/year | Monimoto works across Europe and is a self-fit tracker that doesn’t have any operating centre to liase with the police, but if it detects movement it still calls you, using an automated message. It comes with a rider-present tag, so doesn’t bother you when you’re riding and keeps its power draw to a minimum, but unlike the top-of-the-range monitored trackers above, it won’t keep calling if you don’t answer. It costs just £149, and in our testing proved to be very accurate, and a good choice for those on a tight budget. Read the full review of Monimoto here.

These are just four of many alternatives – you can find all the motorcycle trackers we’ve tested here and be sure to regularly check for the discounts available through Bikesocial membership.

SPOT Trace review: Verdict

The expense of a SPOT Trace subscription is high because it uses satellite communication, but the fact that it’s so much more pricey than some trackers that give the full backup of a 24/7 monitoring centre with direct links to the police makes it a harder sell for UK motorcycle owners.

SPOT says that its system is less prone to dead-zones in the cellular network, but I haven’t seen any significant problems with this in the UK at least, which is of course helped by the fact that Datatool and Biketrac both use multi-network SIMs that aren’t just restricted to one carrier. Even Monimoto has a SIM that works with at least two GSM operators in each country, and up to six in some, so it’s less of a concern for many riders.

Satellite communications require a different jammer to cellular, but this tech isn’t proving to be a major issue in motorcycle theft, and the fact that loading the SPOT Trace into a van blocked it puts the device at a significant disadvantage.

It’s also disappointing that SPOT restricts you to SMS and email alerts, when for a lower subscription a real person could call you should your bike show unauthorised movement. Even the unmonitored Monimoto generates a phone call that’s a lot harder to miss than an SMS. Using push notifications in the SPOT app could provide some additional benefit, but there’s no option for any notifications.

If you’re travelling into remote areas like large parts of Australia, the USA, Canada, the Sahara etc, SPOT Trace should be able to track your bike where others can’t, which is a major benefit to the device and could make it the perfect choice for you. Equally, for tracking a boat out in the ocean, I can’t think of anything better.

But for the average UK motorcyclist, even when touring into Europe, other systems could be a better option.

For more information on tracking systems, click here.

If you have this device and want to share your review, or you have any questions about this or other trackers, visit bikeclub.bennetts.co.uk.

TESTED: The best motorcycle security