CycloTrac GPS Bike Security Alarm Tracker Review - $25, Text & Email Alerts, Location Recovery

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Hey guys! I've still got this older Electra Townie bicycle that I'd love to donate to someone in the Glendale Arizona area who could use it. If you or a friend is in need of a bicycle, and can give it a good home (and you can pick it up), please reply here :)

[@TECH_GEEK10]

I'm surprised there is nobody desperately responding here.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

@@TECH_GEEK10 Me too! I think the constraints on location make it difficult. I'd love to get this extra bike to someone who can really use it, but my time and resources for shipping are a bit limited. If someone really needs a bike, perhaps they don't have a car and aren't watching a video about ebike accessories like this? Maybe a friend of a friend will help, I'll donate it to Goodwill or something as a last resort and my hope is to have more new ebikes to donate in the future as well that could be shipped :)

[@TECH_GEEK10]

@ElectricBikeReview.com Is there a way to me to contact you privately? Like an email or something? I would like to discuss this with you but am to shy to talk here.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

@@TECH_GEEK10 Sure, just reach out to me by visiting the contact page electricbikereview.com/contact/ my phone number is on the right and you can call and leave a message. We can go from there!

[@96akd]

I would love to I live in Tucson az! I could go pick it up if still available excellent vids btw!

[@karlfonner7589]

Ever since I use shotgun shells as end caps for my handlebars and left shotgun shells lying around my bicycle nobody seems to want to mess with it .I don’t know why ?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Sounds like people are getting the message, lol. I hope it never comes to violence, for you or anyone else who might be struggling or have compromised values.

[@karlfonner7589]

ElectricBikeReview.com nope won’t happen

[@niteshades_promise]

Karl Fonner 👏😂🍻

[@laurieclark2456]

I’m going to do that. I’ve got boys

[@trippmiller6199]

@@ElectricBikeReview people who steal bikes deserve to be beaten to a bloody pulp.

[@FancyaBevMate]

Hi court I'm an ex locksmith here in the UK and one thing this should have was non return screws, now I appreciate it would require a real pain to get the bolts out (not if you know how to do it hint hint ;)) but casual theives would make a hell of a racket doing so meaning this has to be the way forward for this device. Now considering how long you would own the bike it's a no brainer! Cheers

[@davidg.johnson7208]

I wonder if a small solar panel (the kind used to charge cell phones) could be mounted somewhere on the bike and an long USB cord be routed to the Cyclo Trac, so people would not have to worry about it going low on battery power. Also some electric bike's lithium batteries have a USB port where the Cyclo Trac could be connected to the battery.

[@davidg.johnson7208]

I think it would be great if Boomerang made a Cyclo Trac that had the horn separated from the unit, and maybe mounted on the handlebar and turned on wirelessly. That way the Cyclo Trac could be concealed. The crook(s) would most likely disable the horn, and drive away with the bike with the Cyclo Trac still reporting its location. The words, "Anti-Theft Device" could still be printed on the horn..

[@the_1drummajor]

Now we're talking

[@JB-ns3xo]

When there cutting your locks could they just cut the tracker in a few pieces then ride off into the sunset??

[@0MrGray0]

Youd get an alert while it was being destroyed, and eventually that its stopped working as well. If you're not at your bike by then I guess you're sol.

[@TECH_GEEK10]

@ElectricBikeReview.com You got a few critical pieces of information wrong. The 10 hour battery life applies ONLY to when the bike is in motion. So if the bike is parked or locked up for a month starting at full charge you will only need to charge it once during that time, and it will still have at least half charge at the end. The Price of $25 is for the v1 only and not the v2. Also it is a limited to the first 50 people who order it. (as of this writing 46 are left at $25)

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Thanks for the clarifications! I spent a bunch of time on the phone with one of the leads at Boomerang Bike and got the 8 hours from him, but what you're saying makes sense, I should have dug into their notes more closely, do you have a link to that info? I thought that the V1 $25 was pretty clear? you get a free V1 immediately if you order the V2 for $98 and I was told that people who already have V1 can pay $25 to upgrade to V2 next year. Does that sound right? My goal is to get the most accurate info out there and I really appreciate the time you took to add your note. Thanks!

[@TECH_GEEK10]

@@ElectricBikeReview No worries! Yeah, what you are saying here is clear. I guess I was just wondering if you knew you were making a 2nd video review of the v1. Link to info: www.indiegogo.com/projects/boomerang-v2-bike-anti-theft-safety-system?secret_perk_token=5fb2f2d3&WIMM#/ Just "ctrl+F", and type "advanced motion". I would just put one of those text boxes on screen in this video (around 5:55 ) to clarify

[@TECH_GEEK10]

​@@ElectricBikeReview Where did you hear that you get a free v1 with a v2 preorder?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

@@TECH_GEEK10 Thanks for the timestamp and tips! I was told all of these details about pricing and getting the free V1 unit by the president of Boomerang Bike, Kevin Farhner. He's the one I was working with to prepare and he took my feedback on the unit too, pretty nice guy :)

[@TECH_GEEK10]

@@ElectricBikeReview Thanks for being so kind and polite! I wish more people were like you. Ohh, and by the way, I've made a pledge for the Boomerang v2 thanks to you. ;)

[@CarlosGarcia-ij4yg]

Did u smash it and see if it still works? Also, where did you get $25 from? Site says $125

[@Derpster2493]

Did you try to wrap aluminum foil around it and see how well it still works?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

That's a great idea, I think they have designed the network so that if the device is armed and then it stops checking in, you'd get a notification. Since it checks in every 15 seconds or so, you'd see where it was last and then be able to go check on the bike.

[@robertalexander6271]

This is a great device for my 2018 Rad wagon. A perfect place for concealment is under the step-side cargo panels.

[@derp195]

What I don't understand is why they only put a 1400 mAh battery in it. Even if it meant there was a little bit of a bump, it would be so much better with something closer to 3000. Then change the updates to every 45-60 seconds to extend the life in alarm mode, this would be a great product.

[@davidg.johnson7208]

I just perchasef a Cyclo Trac 2. I would like to move the Cyclo Trac horn out of the Cyclo Trac case and put the horn away from the unit and run the two horn wires through the bike's tubing. That way when the alarm does go off, crook(s) would destroy the horn, but the Cyclo Trac's GPS locator would still be working. Can the Cyclo Trac case be opened!? Or is it glued permanently shut. What would be a great addition, if Boomerang installed a port on the Cyclo Trac case to plug in an "external horn" and the sell an external horn with a roll of wiring.

[@e2U]

can you use this on a surfboard? out in the water?

[@opalthebest]

Wait aside from paying the 3.90 USD per month, will I still need a data plan from my carrier? (Like a Sim card with a data plan for the actual lock)

[@KoScosss]

No point in secure screws if you can just savage whole thing off since its made of plastic.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

That would trigger the text and email alerts, so you could go investigate. The accelerometer motion sensor is designed so that it would send an alert if someone was trying to unscrew the device too, so it would just make the process slower and harder vs. regular screws. I think the idea is to make your bike less of a target than others nearby.

[@chikolai3711]

@@ElectricBikeReview how long does it take for text notification after alarm goes off?

[@midnightmtb]

wonder if it works in canada

[@gordonskillen5924]

I live in Langley, BC and they tell me it does work here and that they have a lot of customers in BC

[@richardrace237]

It would be fun to do a bait bike with this

[@NeilCrouse99]

Why don't they make it so you can hook it up to your bike battery?? Keep the one it has now just in case the "Thieves" pull the battery out of the bike, but I personally am going to figure out how to hook up whatever model of GPS tracker I eventually buy to my main battery.

[@ahmedk6207]

GPS must be frame integrated

[@fightfannerd2078]

ikr

[@MaNameizJeff]

Just a heads up, you can buy 15 inch cables from monoprice fairly cheap.

[@jamieeast4974]

what about 0 cell sites in range ??

[@vincenzopiscioneri8135]

Doesn't work in Scotland. The network is really poor and without connectivity the alarm will not arm or disarm

[@crociati17]

Where do you find the v2?

[@michaelkleinberg269]

Will the cyclotrac work if I kept it charged off my ebikes battery

[@MichaelMoore-bx6st]

I ordered a V1 and a quick clamp after seeing this review. I've been eyeing up products like this for some time. I'm really hoping they honor the upgrade price when Verizon retires 2G.

[@austincommuter]

Curious if your service got disconnected. Evidently, Boomerang cut ties with Verizon sooner than expected and making V1 customers wait 90 days until they can ship the new V2.

[@MilesBellas]

It could go in the seat or tubing?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

I've heard about some other security devices that are designed to be more hidden like this, but CycloTrac is meant to be external to maximize GPS signal and be more of a theft prevention "awareness" alarm. It's easier and safer to prevent theft vs. try to recover and retrieve.

[@emilnygaard1901]

Does this work in europe???

[@DutchmanOverland]

It does (UK here). Check the Boomerang website

[@kokilananda]

If my wife and I share the use of a bike with this CycloTrac GPS alarm on the bike, can we both use the app on each of our phone to arm/disarm without problem ?

[@jawg2392]

Verizon isnt a uk operator and has no Uk regulations. How would it work with a Uk telecoms company ?

[@bernardodiossa9940]

Is this worth I have an e bike to commute would you recommend to protect it from thieves

[@jackschuwan3175]

where can I get it for $25? I found it for $100-$125

[@dlmurray55]

they jacked up the price since they saw people were buying it. they arent pricey to make but they want that extra money

[@lspears3]

Fantastic!

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Pretty neat gadget ;) thanks for the enthusiasm Leon :D

[@jamieeast4974]

swisstrack ?

[@DennisGilmoreHomeLoans]

I wonder if it can be compromised by zapping it with high voltage through the USB?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Interesting suggestion! My guess is that this sort of tampering would lead to tracking being disabled, which would sound the alarm when it didn't ping back, but I'm not exactly sure how their software is setup :)

[@AWriterWandering]

Is it possible to use the device as just a motion activated alarm? (ie without the subscription service?)

[@viper2530]

here a question why this need verizon or at&t if it for the gps purpose then why cant they use the pure gps?, and why just at&t and verizon why not other cell company's?

[@ghz24]

Gps is one way it lets the reciever calculate where its at but the satellites don't "track" anything. The device needs cellular access to text you its location.

[@carinafeldman]

What about GPS signal jammers most thieves seem to carry these days? Wouldn't they render this device useless?

[@Excaliburt]

Since the device checks in every fifteen seconds the fact that a check in was missed would trigger an alarm. You would only get the last reported location though. A GPS signal jammer is harder to obtain than a bolt cutter and also using it a higher level crime and can put you in line for more serious jail time. One of the advantages of being a bike thief is that the crime isn’t considered to be very serious. Jamming a cell or GPS signal that first responders depend on is more of an issue.

[@banksmoney1]

where can I buy one. I don't see it on amazon or ebay can you help, brother.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Yeah, there's an Indiegogo in place with the special $25 version at the top of the page here: www.indiegogo.com/projects/boomerang-v2-bike-anti-theft-safety-system?secret_perk_token=5fb2f2d3&WIMM#/ this is not an affiliate link, I don't get paid if you or anyone else buys one. They also have the V2 on sale, but it won't launch for another few months. Upgrading is $25 if you want to later.

[@tx2sturgis]

The links for the $25 deal take you to Indiegogo. Then the fine print mentions they are under no obligation to deliver a product after you pay for it. This should have been mentioned in the video And Verizon 2G service ends in 2020. Hmmm.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Yeah, the Verizon 2G coverage ends in June 2020 and they are offering a $25 upgrade to V2 at that time. I didn't mean to have this be misleading, but the guys at Boomerang Bike have demonstrated trustworthiness to me over the past couple of years. I don't think they are the type of company to not honor an Indiegogo perk. I've listed more complete details and a link from the full writeup and welcome any other corrections or feedback here :)

[@TheNature101]

Can you use it as just an alarm for your bike WITHOUT paying the monthly fee for Verizon access??? Or do you have to pay that Verizon fee for life???

[@ElectricBikeReview]

I'm not sure on this, my guess is that the accelerometer would still work but the alarm might not sound if it's not connected to the server. I think you are required to pay the fee.

[@mobgma]

wow this could be used on motorcycles and dirt bikes!

[@rivercityrambler7751]

Kinda big to mount on a motorcycle discreetly.

[@JulioHernandez-rs1tg]

That's cool

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Right?! I really thought so too, it's easy to get excited about at this lower price. I know the alarm seemed delayed a bit in my video test with the bike, but it's actually very sensitive once you've left it alone for a while. They've made a bunch of improvements and I like the concept a lot :)

[@JulioHernandez-rs1tg]

@@ElectricBikeReview where can I buy one of theses ? A bike shop ?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

@@JulioHernandez-rs1tg Hi Julio, you can get the special $25 deal on their Indiegogo page, it sounds like they have a limited quantity and are pushing them as the V2 gets ready to launch in March next year. Here's the link: www.indiegogo.com/projects/boomerang-v2-bike-anti-theft-safety-system?secret_perk_token=5fb2f2d3&WIMM#/ please note, this is not a referral link, I do not get paid if you buy one of these units and am not associated with the company beyond doing my standard review :)

[@nemezote]

So...this is going to set itself off ALL the time if you lock your bike in a communal rack where people are going to be bumping into it all the time...

[@KevinP32270]

THANKS.

[@greatwolf.]

What if you try loading the bike onto a van or something and drive off? Try to simulate a real bike theft. Can it still transmit gps coordinates in that scenario? Also does this allow you to supply your own sim card if you want to use a different carrier like ATT or T-Mobile instead of Verizon?

[@kfekadu55]

Not for me the battery situation threw me off

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Like, having to charge it and the limited runtime? The length of the cable making it difficult to position for charging? Or was there some other detail that you didn't like?

[@helpaholic]

There seems to be some discrepancies in the cost it’s something you probably want to make sure before going online of the cost also it’s not hidden very well even for the small one someone could break it off quite easily as well your review seems to be a little bit more on the company side and not the customer side

[@jarltoshiro5106]

I have been doing some digging, looked at comments on the app. Section for android people have been saying the app dosent work right. They also mentioned how they couldn't even register the device. To be able to use the product has anyone (if anyone still is looking up this review) tried the product and can say if this is true or if it's just a few internet trolls. I am looking for a gps tracking set up for my ebike. Thanks for any feed back.

[@mustbenice3829]

have you found this out yet? Im wondering the same thing. On paper it seems really good, but the reviews seem pretty mixed, but I cant find anything recent.

[@rueben44]

Thanks for the information but geez the close ups.

[@PaulLadendorf]

Looks like it took a lot more than a second for the alarm to go off. Doesn't make sense. I would want it to go off as soon as the bike is moved. It also doesn't sound very loud and doesn't even sound like an alarm. Should sound more like a siren.

[@fzrnut1]

All this device needs to be perfect is a 180deg fisheye camera to take stills/video, triggered by a near field infrared motion detector and possibly two way audio/scream. The app should capture photos/video and be able to crop in and “de-fisheye” the cropped portion to better identify the thief. Probably would raise the price considerably but ebikes are many thousands of dollars, and Moore’s law should eventually bring prices back down for the device.

[@marshallartsncards4890]

U got a e bike why not charge it off that ..I can charge my phone off my ebike

[@mancsmowhann3219]

kudos to your dads clean kerbside

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Ha! It's funny you mention that. I'm always walking around the block on phone calls, kicking rocks and dirt back into the different areas. He lives in a nice neighborhood with a bunch of old folks who keep things very clean ;)

[@mustbenice3829]

Anybody use this in 2020? If so what is your opinion on it and its effectiveness?

[@MegaProtius]

Would anybody leave a 5k bike with this device plus ulocks and chains etc. anywhere on its own ?I wouldn't end of story.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Hi Christopher! I've had a few ~$3k ebikes over the years, and I've used them to get to work and replace my car (I actually sold my car at one point). In order to really use a bike for commuting, you have to leave it out... I didn't have a CycloTrac device, but I did use a u-lock and thick cable. My bike was never stolen, but I always brought it in at night and locked to secure public locks. I think I was lucky in part, but also took the extra steps to keep it safe. I also bought bicycle insurance, just in case electricbikereview.com/forum/threads/insurance-for-electric-bikes.22759/ the insurance is cool because it also covers property that you might damage and I think there's a health coverage option too

[@ihearnoevil]

Just roll the rubber piece with your thumb and pow! back into place. it's very simple to put back in. place.

[@lazul6611]

I wouldnt use this as a bike alarm, just as a tracker. I have a regular bike alarm that goes off. I will get this just for tracking so it’s more stealth.

[@Luthiart]

Uh... that thing costs $125, not $25. Not that you made it easy to find out where to buy it.

[@vickidawson93]

Wow, they cost $125 now.

[@NicolaMs007]

One thing this guy is doing wrong, is that he literally breaking the law, by NOT having both hands or one hand on the handlebars, he's actually filming and using his phone at the same time, doesn't this guy know the road rules. Apart from that though, this device does sound good idea, but NOT sure if it's worth at the moment...need to have some more research into the device itself, and the other thing would it work outside the US?

[@sting1111]

All living things offset carbon. That is what is called life. Love your videos though.

[@Erafune]

Yeah =) Problem is many of us offset 2-10 times as much carbon as what is reasonable for a living being. So it's still great to know how much of that excess carbon you're saving. A little motivation to try to reach your own 1:1 ratio to sustain the planet we love.

[@johnlynch4990]

I think it's to big they have smaller ones

[@cherylnewell9912]

There is a USB port on the battery,which would work on my bike.

[@carlof4768]

Hide it in your car, a poor mans car tracker.

[@Erafune]

Ooh and with a USB port in the back seat you could have it charging from the car battery at all times!

[@juanjosellanos9742]

This is not 30 dollars this cost 99 dollars

[@3rdlegbrigade258]

That security screw he’s talking about looks like an ordinary Allen key set up..

[@DiDie43]

a thief can just break that off...come on

[@cleverestx]

Not as easy as you might think, they have a video of them smashing it with a hammer...it still goes off and keeps going off and stays on the bike...

[@DiDie43]

@@cleverestx where's the video, u have a link?

[@_skud]

i am very skeptical on GPS tagging products as I don't believe the cops will do anything even if you go to them and report it stolen with a map of where it is and where it has been. Cops are effing useless when it comes to petty crimes and theft. I prefer a loud a** alarm so my 300lb butt can storm out there with a taser and some pepper spray. But, this product seems okay. It's got the deterrence of being visible and saying its an alarm/tracker and that's half the game when it comes to security, that's why homeowners have been putting the alarm stickers and signs on their house even if they don't have one.

[@RescueDogTreats]

Wow...this is not $25 any more! More like $125...

[@gladheateher4now]

Ebay has WAY cheaper trackers.Thats expensive.

[@TroyArn]

too big, not hidden, easily destroyed, you never stop paying for it... pointless.

[@TroyArn]

it could use a redesign if it's going to be that size and visible. don't screw it to the frame. LOCK it to the frame. and make it out of a well armored reinforced metal shell that can't be smashed. the electronics inside will need to be protected from shocks in case someone tries. have it share a data plan with your cell phone. it can send a text every 5 minutes with it's gps location.

[@kevindarkstar]

It's huge, wouldn't it be obvious to the criminal and couldn't they rip it off or smash it?

[@ghz24]

Or just wrap it in aluminum foil and wait for the battery to die.

[@MeriMorMick]

It’s huge. Looks like a thief could give that a good whack and disable it.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Totally possible, we need to torture test ebike locks on a video! -Mike

[@Yolo-kb6hu]

A cycle theif would remove that in seconds. A crow bar would get that off.

[@KevinP-i4k]

so easy for a thief to just take off the tracker...

[@Rick-bx1fb]

It needs to be hidden!

[@ElectricBikeReview]

I've heard about other units that go into the stem or seat tube, but they don't get reception as easily. By making the CycloTrac obvious, the idea is to completely prevent theft and make people think twice about tampering because someone will get notified and come out angry before they have a chance to steal or damage the bike. Prevention is safer and easier than trying to recover a bike and going into unknown areas where thieves have the advantage.

[@Excaliburt]

I would have to agree that having it out is better. Bike thievery is a non-violent crime where you never see the victim. Penalties are low. A widget sitting on a bike that will possibly summon a furious owner before the lock can be defeated would be a pretty powerful deterrent.

[@evaldomoreira957]

Kkkkkkk

[@viper2530]

i find it funny for youtubers say like subscribe and leave a comment and y'all never answer my questions, like the question i ask 2 days ago if y'all dont want to answer question then why don't y'all keep "leave a comment" out of y'all videos

[@jmerlo4119]

Crazy large. Not good. Just saying.

[@Marco-717]

With that pale skin I can tell you're not from arizona lol

[@thecades1]

We did enjoy your reviews over the past months but now you're a paid reviewer looking for your next free lunch by bike sellers. All your reviews are so clinical with no substance anymore. This maybe hard to read and I'm not a troll just laying out the truth.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Thanks for the feedback, I was paid through ads on the site before so things feel pretty much the same to me. I like to cover products that have changed and present new perspectives on how they can be used. I though this thing was neat and have been impressed with their updates, it's nice to mix things up... what about the video felt cynical to you? I'm open to input :)

[@movingnaturefilms]

I agree, Dean. Downhill we go.

[@cresshead]

i disagree i've been watching his vids for a couple of years now...he's VERY fair and honest and that's not changed over time in my opinion

[@circleofsorrow4583]

@@ElectricBikeReview Please don't take all feedback on board. There are always going to be a small percentage of lunatics in your audience that don't have a good grasp of reality.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Thanks for the supportive words, I try to leave some critical feedback up and reflect on it. I've put myself out there with this job and am doing my best to grow and improve based in part on what the community shares :)

[@thelockpickinglebowski633]

This is a horrible product.