How will live tracking on the karoo 2 work if tethering data via bluetooth is not possible?

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David McAllister

• September 17, 2020 13:46

Hi guys, I have a question regarding this FAQ:

https://support.hammerhead.io/hc/en-us/articles/360052491774--Can-I-tether-data-via-Bluetooth-from-my-Cell-Phone-to-my-Karoo-2-

"The Karoo 2 is a stand-alone android bike computer. Similar to most current smartphones, you will not have the option to tether data via Bluetooth."

If this is the case, if i want to live track using a karoo 2, will I have to run a mobile hotspot for the feature to work if I dont add a dedicated SIM to the unit itself? 

Or will it be implemented so that the karoo unit sends location info to the smartphone via bluetooth which in turn uploads it to the internet?

Ideally I want to be able to have live tracking without a dedicated SIM or running a mobile hotspot, as is commonly done with wahoo/garmin units

 

Thanks 

Dave

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  Colin Vincent

  • September 17, 2020 15:41
  • Edited

  I think the live tracking needs an overhaul generally. The Garmin system of sending a link works well and people follow it. On the Karoo, having to have a dashboard account to view the track means most don’t bother. I used the Garmin setup all the time for friends to follow but no one followed my Karoo track so I stopped using it

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  Hari Krishnan

  • September 17, 2020 17:36

  Hi David, Live tracking works similarly on Karoo 2 as that of Karoo 1. Your Karoo 2 must have an active internet connection (cellular or tethered network connection). You can tether over mobile hotspot but currently there is no option tether data over Bluetooth. Otherwise, you can SIM on Karoo 2 for this to work.

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  David McAllister

  • September 17, 2020 22:30

  Hi Hari, thanks for the clear response. Its a little disappointing as this essentially makes the live tracking useless for me, as I expect it does for most people. Unless you add another SIM, which I would guess the vast majority of people never do, you cant use the feature without a complex battery draining tethering setup.

   

  Its making me think twice about the suitability of the Karoo 2 for my use cases which is a shame because I really like the package as a whole. 

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  Gerard van Rijn

  • September 19, 2020 05:38

  @David There is also a large group that does use a SIM card. Data usage is really minimal ... There are even providers that provide a so-called Sim 'data only' Card as a service. Free or for a small amount.

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  David McAllister

  • September 19, 2020 07:34

  Hi Gerard, yeah Im sure theres a number of users with a SIM in their Karoo, Id be interested if Hammerhead have metrics on the percentage. I guess I can try it with a PAYG SIM and see how I get on. Sounds like theres improvements that can be made as Colin has said, Ill try and keep an open mind until I try it.

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  Peer Q

  • September 19, 2020 11:42

  I’ve just done a check on my mobile phone account (02 in the UK) and noticed that I can share my data allowance from my mobile plan with a second sim, if all goes well then I should be able to add a sim into my Karoo2 and use that rather than pay for a new data plan. Will keep you updated 😁

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  David McAllister

  • September 19, 2020 12:49

  Interesting solution that @Peer Q. I'm with Giffgaff and the definitely don't support this but I'd be curious how you get on.

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  Richard Moulay

  • October 27, 2020 00:50

  Here in Australia, the phone carriers are the biggest shonks around, they either do not allow you to share data with other sims, or charge exorbitant fees to access it.
  Makes your tracking system a very battery draining, of pocket draining experience

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