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After seeing an IG post today for a muc-off tag holder(torn on the tag holder though, seems counterproductive to advertise a tags presence), it got me thinking about an added layer of security for my bike to aid recovery.
Does anyone currently use them? I'd get a Samsung tag as that's what phone i have, but pros/cons for Apple gratefully appreciated as well.
The AirTag has by far and away the greatest number of ‘detetectors’ out there, somewhere north of a billion or so, as I understand it, and the nature of the technology involved, ie not just Bluetooth, but near-field radio ( I think that’s what it’s called), is more accurate. As far as holders are concerned, there’s three sorts I know of for bikes; one by Elevation Labs fits underneath a bottle-cage, like a spacer, with titanium screws, then I’ve heard of stem top-cap holders, and a rear reflector that attaches to the seatpost with the AirTag inside, so very discreet. A Tile, being square, doesn’t lend itself to such fitting, plus they’re inherently not as accurate as a tracker.
Here’s the Elevation Labs site:
I have a couple of their keyring holders, and they’re really well made, very sturdy construction, the AirTag is completely enclosed with a silicon O-ring stainless Torq screws with brass inserts, I’ve got one on my car keys, the other on my wallet, which is a hard plastic Pelican jobbie, rather slippery and prone to slipping out of my pocket…
Here’s a seatpost reflector holder, there’s loads of those around:
Bicycle Taillight Reflector Holder Bike Mount Stand For AirTag Tracker Anti-lost
Hmm, I can’t find a steerer top-cap holder, but I’ve found these, one sits up under the saddle, another is very similar to the Elevation Labs one:
Brilliant that CZ, I have a macbook so can still use an Airtag and I suppose use 'find my' via icloud in browser on my mobile.
Done deal, thanks so much for that info and the links.
pretty sure you can't, AFAIK you need an iOS device to "activate" it. This then becomes the parent device, and it's when the AirTag is separated from said device for too long that it starts sending out the audible warning signal - so it's not viable to get someone else to activate it for you (plus it wouldn't be associated with your iCloud account either).I have a macbook so can still use an Airtag
There are a couple of recent-ish threads on here discussing it (at great length 🤣).
i can see the benefit in finding things you may misplace, ie keys etc. but surely as an anti-theft device the fundamental flaw is that any self respecting bike thief is going to be removing any tracking devices attached to a bike pretty sharpish.
Ah bugger. Ah well, it'll have to wait until phone upgrade time then, it's only a few months away so i'll sort it then. Cheers for the heads up.
maybe yes, maybe no. It's been discussed at length in various threads! But they can be hidden to some extent, plus a lot of crims are thick, and the devices are relatively cheap. I have heard anecdotally of a friend-of-a-friend using one successfully for vehicle retrieval (car not bike though!)but surely as an anti-theft device the fundamental flaw is that any self respecting bike thief is going to be removing any tracking devices attached to a bike pretty sharpish.
Indeed, but I have some good cavities (fnar) that such a device could fit in, secured between some MX foam.
i can see the benefit in finding things you may misplace, ie keys etc. but surely as an anti-theft device the fundamental flaw is that any self respecting bike thief is going to be removing any tracking devices attached to a bike pretty sharpish.