Would you buy this?

[Eric]

I probably shouldn't be asking this on this forum, but I will anyway. I am about to make an important decision in my life and I need all the help I can get. I am considering giving up the day job for this product and I am wondering whether this is something that would interest you. I am not trying to sell you anything, it is just a bit of informal research.

A friend of mine and myself have been able to get our hands on a device that could be used as a security device for boats, similar to tracker for cars, but more sophisticated. It doesn't need a provider in the middle, therefore no recurring fees. If your boat moves outside a certain area, it will send you an SMS message to your mobile phone. Other alerts can be set-up as well, such as bilge pump, gas alarm and fire alarm. You can also phone it and get a reading of your instruments, so you can see what the weather is like before you go.

We are thinking of pricing it somewhere between £500 - £1,000. Let me know here or via e-mail what you think, yes, maybe or not interested.

thx
Eric van den Born

e-mail: eric@ericvandenborn.com

 

[chrisc]

interesting idea, is this the same system that was used on
on a specialized english car ?
could be a winner -hardly anything I put on a boat seems to
cost less than 1000.

 

[Mirelle]

I would be careful, here.

The device you have outlined is similar to devices currently being developed for tracking and monitoring shipping containers; in fact it is just about the same. Since the container business will not pay anything near £500-£1,000 per unit, you risk being swamped by products developed for that market, which will migrate into leisure boating.

Of course, you might like to reverse your business plan and look at that market....or apply cheap container units to boating and rake in the better margin.

I have no axe to grind; my employers are active in developing commercial shipping e-systems as one of their activities but we have passed over the container tracking and monitoring business as being probably too cut throat for us.

 

[HaraldS]

I think fundamentally that's a good idea. I checked out two manufacturers of such devices. One you can find at www.guardline.de (also in English), the other one I forgot the link. The prices seem in the ranges you named.
I personally decided to build my own so that it does exactly what I want it to do and like many people was sitting on some older cell phones anyway.
I think there should be a market for such devices that could feed a few suppliers. I for example just wanted to make sure my boat is happy in winter storage and I would phone the yard if it looses power or if it gets too cold or if the burglar alarm goes off.

 

[Bergman]

Re: Thoughts before you jump

I understand that the tracker for cars actually sends its location to the police who can then (presumably) find it and the thief.

It sounds as if there is a need to keep instruments and the cellphone permanantly powered on which may be a problem for the battery.

Will there be charges for connection to cellular network?

Will there be siren / flashing light on the boat as well as SMS message?

It may be worthwhile trying to talk to the insurance boys to see if you can get some sort of recognition from them.

I like the idea of remote access to boats instruments, it may be good to include a thermometer.

Sounds a good project I hope you are successful.

 

[zefender]

I've just read some details of a (Possibly) similar system. I'll hunt out the details if I can find them.

If I remember correctly, it used mobile phone technology and could be linked to a webcam - enabling you to check the boat is OK remotely. It too could attach to other instruments and send SMS messages. The cost was about £700. I think it's a great idea and I'm surprised it hasn't been done before.

As I'm sure you know though - being first in technology is rarely the lowest risk - to be second is usually better. All the best with it.

 

[Guest]

Great stuff. I'm trying to market a similar product for a range of IBM computers, except they don't send an SMS when they move!

However, in my line, the computers are in a very safe, climatically controlled environment, and the technology relies onTCP/IP connection. In your case the mobile phone network may be OK, but what about the systems onboard the boat?

If its anything like house alarms that go off to insect movement, or dramatic changes in temperature, then how confident can you be in the itegrity of the alarm. All you need is a few false alarms to destroy any confidence in the system.

If I could be convinced in the stability of the product, I would definately buy it. I only bought the house alarm AFTER I got burgled!

 

[webcraft]

Have a look at

http://www.security.st/

and

http://www.cls.fr/html/argos/voile/welcome_en.html

(To pick just a couple) and make sure you are not re-inventing the wheel . . .

- Nick
BlueMoment.Com
http://www.bluemoment.com/