by David Weston
A new caravan security service has hit the market in the last few weeks which will give owners peace of mind about their beloved caravans.
The Camtrack MT1 system uses GPS tracking and a smartphone app to secure your caravan and also aid your caravanning experience.
The system has only been available in the UK since the end of January 2014, but is proving popular in Europe with 2,500 units currently active on the continent.
With GPS technology becoming cheaper and more advanced, caravans are now able to benefit from the development to help secure their properties.
At the heart of the MT 1 system is an encapsulated GPS device that is 100% waterproof and shockproof. It consists of just three wires, of which two are for the 12-volt power supply, while the third is for a 3A output that can be used for a siren or a range of accessories.
Using a free smartphone app, owners can set a security alarm. The alarm is set off if the caravan moves when it isn’t supposed to or if one of the accessories detects an intruder.
If the alarm is triggered, the user is sent an alert to the app with the caravan’s GPS location. An optional extra will allow the owner to track the location of the caravan in real time.
The system can also be used to monitor your caravan’s temperature, detect a water leak, monitor your voltage or notify you if the power has been cut.
When asked what makes this piece of tech different from the rest of the market, Camtrack’s Paul Wilson said simply, “Price”.
“Costs start at £299.99 plus an annual registration charge of EUR59.00 (£48.50) for the unlimited data on the service.
“But what you get for the service makes it more than value for money.”
“We have 2,500 units across Europe, it was originally designed for boats. But we saw that caravan users could also benefit from it.
“Anyone can install it. It has a simple two-wire connection into your caravan. It comes with at GPS Alarm and a range of wireless accessories.
The MT1 has a built-in back-up battery and with the wireless remote can be programmed to standby for up to six months whilst disconnected from any external power source. The MT1 is rated as “dust tight” and protected against complete, continuous submersion in water.
For tech-minded caravanners it seems like an extremely attractive package, with a lot of potential.
