desmoderek
MotoDruid
Ever since I got my new R1200GS with Keyless Ride I've been concerned about losing my fob.
These things cost a fortune to replace and they only give you one when you buy a new bike. Yes I know the little indicator on the instrumentation on the bike illuminates if the bike is running and the fob isn't in range but other than that - you are on your own - so what can you do to protect them?
Well you could get one of these. And let me say, I have no connection to this company or the product.
The TrackR Bravo - LINK
... is a very cool little tracking device (similar to the Tile - LINK) but I like this one a little more, with the main advantage being it has a replaceable battery.
It let's you locate your key/fob (or anything, even the dog) if you misplace them using your smart-phone, or for that matter your phone via the device, and it also let's you know if you are moving more than a certain distance away from the item using "separation alerts".
You can even attach one to your bike and locate the bike - BUT - this uses the "crowd GPS" network which may not be as developed or as wide spread as it needs to be to find a device outside of your network range.
Very cool little bit of tech.
I supported this startup over a year ago, if I recall. I have four of five of these and ran into issues with battery life and pairing issues, but the biggest drawback is they are dependant on the crowd network to locate any lost devices, as you point out.
I had one attached to a Ducati Keyless Keyfob and accidentally left the key in the lock under the Diavel tail unit (that is used to remove the seat), and rode off. Twenty minutes later I arrive home and see the key icon is lit, and recall I didn't take the key out of the lock, then see the hole in the rear hugger the key must have made when it dropped out of the lock onto the Diavel's fat rear tyre and got dragged into the gap, ripping a hole in the hugger.
The iPhone app didn't track the TrackR despite being paired, and so the key and fob plus the $458 to replace the fob and get the special laser cut key made were all gone forever! Now I just keep the fobs in my jacket pocket on an elasticated leash....