Author Topic: Magpie GPS tracker  (Read 2574 times)

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Offline latigid onTopic starter

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Magpie GPS tracker
« on: June 01, 2017, 05:52:46 am »
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1851162219/magpie-the-smartest-truly-global-gps-tracker-aroun

This one got a bit of press in NZ.

Interesting that the hardware is "free" but you pay a subscription to use it.
 

Offline Kean

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Re: Magpie GPS tracker
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2017, 06:23:39 am »
From the photos, it appears to include a ublox GPS and ublox SARA (I think) cellular module.
And they plan to sell it at $49 including 1 year subscription, or effectively give it away ($5 + shipping) with no guarantee of ongoing subscription.
Anyone else think that they've going to have problems staying afloat?
Also, it uses an ATmega328 - doesn't seem like the best choice.
(Disclosure - I design custom GPS trackers, and consult on related projects)
 

Offline MicroBlocks

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Re: Magpie GPS tracker
« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2017, 06:00:16 pm »
I have been selling and giving away GPS trackers for over 15 years. The business model only works with at least a 1 year contract because then you will have at least your initial investment back.
If they start out with giving them away for 5us$ per month without at least a year contract then they will have a huge shortage of cash in the beginning, taking at least a year or more to recoup.
The question is where is that money coming from? And if they have money available then why the need for kickstarter?
Also the availability in 185 countries is hard to believe. Getting it to work in Europe was an enormous challenge that took many years to function right. It is better organized now as the EU has regulated most of it, but worldwide there is no common carrier, so they would need to use roaming which comes at a cost, a huge cost in some cases.

It might be possible that they get a kickback from a provider, this is however only worthwhile when contracts are at least one year. Maybe they use that as a way to cover their costs. Probably hoping that most people who choose the 5US for one month will actually use it longer. Normally they would then have to sign for a year which opens them for even higher costs as the bill from the provider will not be adjusted.
« Last Edit: June 02, 2017, 06:03:17 pm by MicroBlocks »
 

Online PA0PBZ

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Re: Magpie GPS tracker
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2017, 07:04:32 pm »
So...

1 magpie  +  clip + cable +1 month = $5
2 magpies + clip + cable +1 month = $25

 :-//
Keyboard error: Press F1 to continue.
 

Offline JimRemington

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Re: Magpie GPS tracker
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2017, 03:36:22 pm »
Quote
1 magpie  +  clip + cable +1 month = $5
2 magpies + clip + cable +1 month = $25

Subscription cost = ($5)^(number of magpies)
 


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