Data tag and iTrack

The data tag and data tool have been around in the motorcycle industry for many years and have successfully returned hundreds of machines to their rightful owners. But just because it’s advertised in the motorcycle sector doesn’t mean the system won’t work on quads or ATVs. Any item of value can be tagged with data, which means even Buggies and Minibikes can be tagged as well.

Datatag was started in the 1990s with the idea of ​​reducing theft and putting bias back in the hands of owners. The system was designed with a small transmitter that would be buried in a machine and could then be picked up if someone with a receiver scanned it. These receivers were only available to police forces. So, if the police had reason to scan a vehicle such as a motorcycle or farm machinery, even if the identification of the machine had been removed, the transmitter/transponder would send the correct signal to the receiver to confirm the identity of the item.

Recently, a piece of plant and machinery was rented from an A-Plant rental center in the UK. The skid steer was stolen from the Midlands and rushed from the UK to Gibraltar and then transported across the Mediterranean Sea and through the Suez Canal to Oman, where it was unloaded and trucked to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

UK Police worked tirelessly with international authorities to ensure the vehicle was kept under surveillance until its arrival. The men who were caught in possession of the vehicle were quickly arrested and charged with tampering with stolen property. The data tag system was used to make it clear to the police that the item was in fact the one stolen from the UK.

The data label system can be fitted to any expensive item and is recommended by most of the UK’s leading insurance companies for Plant and Machinery as well as Motorcycles and Quads. There is a substantial discount package available to people who have Datatag installed on their machines and then it is transferred to a new owner should the vehicle ever be sold.

Unfortunately, these systems are not like some of the conventional tracking devices that can be moved from vehicle to vehicle and have complete permanent attachment to the vehicle once installed.

i-Track is a PGS based system which is again installed by Datatool UK. The system, like any other in its class, will display a screen if you ever need to find your machine if it has been stolen. In addition, it uses the Global GSM Mobile Network through the mast system. This allows iTrack to constantly confirm the whereabouts of the machine as a secondary confirmation.

Below are some of the key areas that Datatag has insisted are big selling points with their system and, knowing the GPS market, I’d agree that everything seems to be covered.

• Probably the smallest and most compact commercial tracking system available, increasing covert installation options.
• Internal rechargeable backup battery in case the main power source, i.e. the vehicle battery, is disconnected.
• iTrack will alert you if the vehicle battery or internal battery level is running low, keeping your vehicle covered at all times.
• The most advanced motion detection system immediately alerts Datatag in the event of unauthorized movement.
• Automatically sets a “Geo Fence” or “Invisible Security Fence” around the vehicle and triggers an alarm if the vehicle or property leaves this secure area without consent or permission.
• Lower battery consumption than any other system currently on the market.
• Mud & Waterproof – Able to perform in the harshest conditions means it’s ideal for Quads, Agri’s, MX Bikes, ATV’s and Buggies.
• iTrack is future proof – it can be upgraded to the latest UK Thatcham Category 5 status using the Keyless ‘Smartcard’ operating system.

And looking at all those unique selling points, I’m sure you’ll feel pretty confident that if your ATV or ATV ever goes missing, it’ll be paired up again very soon.