Mongoose VT404 User manual

VT404
GPS VEHICLE TRACKER
User Manual
The VT404 GPS Vehicle Tracker is a compact vehicle remote positioning device with
built-in GPS positioning and GSM/GPRS data and limited 1 or 2 way voice
communication.
This product can be used with all mobile phones but best performance is when used
with phones that can display photographic images or preferably those which utilise
Google maps with built-in GPS.
The tracker is also capable of sending its GPS location data via a data GPRS
connection to our M-TRAK web-server, allowing real-time monitoring, tracking and
historical play-back and reporting.
Examples shown in this manual are taken from an iPhone 4.
Please read this manual carefully before using this product.
Mongoose Australia PTY Limited
www.mongoose.com.au
Mongoose (New Zealand) Limited
www.mongoose.co.nz
Revised November 2014

2
Contents
Quick & Easy start-up / Signal Strength--------------- 3
Pairing your mobile / Password-------------------------- 4
Requesting location------------------------------------------ 5/6/7
Automatic tracking-------------------------------------------- 8
SOS--------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Geo-Fence / Telephone alert----------------------------- 9
2 way communication –surveillance------------------- 9
Car alarm alert------------------------------------------------- 10
Tow alarm------------------------------------------------------- 10
Engine start alert---------------------------------------------- 10
Immobilise the engine--------------------------------------- 11
Adjusting the time--------------------------------------------- 12
Power saver ---------------------------------------------------- 12
Vibration sensor------------------------------------------------ 12
Power cut /low battery / back-up battery--------------- 13
SMS/GPRS modes------------------------------------------- 13
Mileage recording---------------------------------------------- 14
GPRS-------------------------------------------------------------- 15
Cautions / LED meanings---------------------------------- 16
Installation--------------------------------------------------------- 17/18
Specifications----------------------------------------------------- 19
NOTES:
Use of this product or certain features may infringe the rights or invade the privacy of
others. Please be aware of civil law.
The use of mobile GSM transmitting/receiving devices, such as this GPS tracker, may
be restricted in certain locations, especially aircraft or hospitals. It is your responsibility
to ensure correct and permitted usage.
Mongoose is not responsible for the non-operation of this product should GPS or GSM
signals not be available.

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3QUICK & EASY START-UP STEPS (after installation and outdoors)
1. To pair your mobile phone number to the tracker send the following text command
from your mobile phone to the SIM number of the tracker;
Text must bein this format:-
* your mobile number * password * user number **
(default password is 0000 –include the stars)
eg: * yourmobilenumber * 0000 * 1 **
Tracker replies with ‘SET USER NUMBER 1 OK’
2. To confirm SMS text operation send thistextcommand 7000000
Tracker replies with ‘SET MODE OK.CURRENT MODE: SMS P2P’
3. To confirm GPS operation, send the text command 6660000(location request)
The tracker will reply by text message with the information shown in the text
message below to confirm correctoperation.
SIGNAL STRENGTH –GSM & GPS
This GPS tracker should only be used outdoors to enable it to receive GPS transmissions
from multiple space satellites.
Operation inside warehouses, workshops, garages, parking buildings, etc, or
any other shielded location will result in non-operation or inaccurate information.
Heavy overcast weather will affect GPS signals and accuracy.
This tracker requires connection to the GSM network to enable 2 way
communication with your mobile phone.

4
PAIRING THE USER PHONE NUMBERS (maximum 3)
Up to 3‘users’can be ‘paired’ to this GPS tracker.
The ‘user number’ sets priority. ‘1’ is the main user.
The other 2 ‘users’ are programmed by the main user.
If the SOS / car alarm function is used, the priority of contact is 1, 2 then 3 – so set the
‘users’ carefully in the order you require.
IMPORTANT: Do not hide the ‘identity’ of the mobile phones as the tracker
needs to identify the caller
If ID is hidden, calls will automatically divert to the cellular answering service.
The format is:- *phone number*password* user number**
Omit country code. Do not uses spaces or letters.
USER
Example
Reply
1 *0211234567*0000*1** CONFIG OK
2 *0279994321*0000*2** CHANGE OK
3 *0212223322*0000*3** CHANGE OK
To change one of the users, simply re-send the command for the user being
changed.
PASSWORD
A password is used in all text commands and is composed of 4 numbers.
The factory default password is “
0000 ”.
The password may be changed to prevent others from using the tracker.
Feature
Format of text command
Example
Reply
Change
password
777 + New Password +
Old Password 77712340000 CHANGE OK
The old password is now replaced –recordit, especially in your mobile phone.
All text commands now use your password, not‘0000’.
DO NOT CHANGE THE PASSWORD IF THE GPRS MODE IS USED.
MAPS
No mapping software is supplied or required as maps are freely available on the
internet on websites such as Google Maps.

5
REQUESTING LOCATION
There are 4 ways to find the trackers location from your mobile phone depending on
what information you want and the type of mobile phone you are using.
a. Phone call
b. Basic SMS
c. Screenshot SMS
d. Google maps SMS
a. Phone call –‘Users’ only –Do not hide your phones identity
Any‘user’can make a normal phone callto the tracker torequest its location.
Dialthe phone number of the tracker –hang up after 3~4 rings (nolonger).
The tracker will reply by text message with its location details as shown below ’A’.
b. Basic SMS –any person
Any person can request the trackers location via SMS providing they know the SIM
card numbertogether with the trackers command code and your password.
For security, only submit these details to persons of your choice or those of the
emergency servicesif summoning assistance.
Format oftext command
Actual text
Reply
666 + Password
6660000
See below‘B’
‘A’ phone call request ‘B’ Text request
By using Google maps on any computer, smartphone or similar devices, simply type in
the latitude andlongitude in this format; It is important to include the ‘
S ’ and the ‘ E ’ –
leave a space between co-ordinates.
36.831546S 174.745789E The GPS location is then displayed

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‘STATE’ is always thereason for the text message
c. Screenshot SMS (mobile phone type and ability dependant)
The text information received contains location data similar to a normal SMS request,
but if you tap the message (on compatible phones), a screen opens on your phone
displaying a map screen-shot of where the tracker is located.
This is not a live map, just a still image, so scrolling or trying to view outside the
displayed map area is not possible..
Format oftext command
Actual text
Reply
668 + Password 6680000
See photos
Displayed map size:
The default size of the map can be adjusted for your preference and your
mobile phones display by adding size parameters to your location request. We
suggest you experiment with different map sizes to suit the map detail required.
For instance, too wide and street names disappear.
6680000,www,hhh ( www = width of map, hhh = height of map )
Values must be less than 999.
Example shown in photo above : 6680000,850,850
This parameter gives a good wide view without losing detail but with a global
view of location.

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d. Google Maps SMS (mobile phone type and ability dependant)
This is the ultimate in portable GPS tracking –live on your phones maps.
Tap the reply message and your mobile phone should open your phones maps and
display the trackers location highlighting the nearest street address*.
If you mobile phone has its own GPS map application, the map may also show your
location in relation to the tracker.
Depending on the capabilities and software of your mobile phone, you may have the
options of;
• Map, satellite or hybrid views
• The location of your mobile phone in relation to thetracker
• Directions to get from your phonelocation to the trackers location
• Copy and paste data etc
Note: Please be aware that internet usage by a mobile phone may incur charges
depending on the type of account you have with your mobile provider.
Format oftext command
Actual text
Reply
669 + Password 6690000
See photos
Due to software variances, some models may not show the street address, so send
the following SMS to update the software in your VT404;
6690000,1,1,http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=%s,%s&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1
Street address may not be displayedin rural areas.

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AUTOMATIC TRACKING
LOCATION REPORTING AT PROGRAMMED TIME INTERVALS
You can programme the tracker to automatically report its position attime intervals of
your choice. Reporting timeis in minutes.
Automatic tracking is only possible via the basic SMS data reply and not available for
Screen-shot or Google Maps.
If live tracking is required, please see the GPRS section of this manual.
Minutetime range is 01-99 (00 = OFF)
To Cancel Automatic Tracking
Automatic tracking will continue until thetracker receives the ‘cancel’ command.
Please be awarethat text messages from the trackerincur SIM card costs.
Format oftext command
Example
Reply
400 + Password
4000000 TIMER STOP
SOS –HELP -from the tracker to the ‘users’
• Press the SOS button for more than 10 seconds.
(This timing is to prevent accidental operation of the SOS button)
• The tracker will make a telephone call alert* to the first user telephone
number –this is an audible alert only, no voice communication is
possible.
• The tracker will then send itslocation via SMS stating ‘SOS’, to all users.
Note:
If the ‘telephone call alert’ is off, it will not make a telephone call and only send
text alert messages.
* The tracker cannot be used as a telephone asit does not contain a microphone
or speaker. The telephone ring is an alert only.
Format of text command
Example
Reply
4xx + Password
(xx = time in minutes)
4300000
(every 30 mins)
4010000
(every 1 minute)
TIMER START,
REPEAT
INTERVAL:
XX MINUTES

9
GEO-FENCE –restricting area of travel
You can restrict travel to within a certain area by setting a ‘geo-fence’.
A geo-fence is defined bya base-point (where it currently is) with a permitted radius of travel
from thatlocation.This can be from 1 kilometreto 1000 kilometres (999.9).
If the tracker moves outside this permitted area, it makesa telephone call as an alert to the
mobile phone that set the geo-fence. It will also send a text alert with its location and
includes ‘STATE: OS’ to show the geo-fence area has been exceeded.
The tracker will also alert you when it re-enters the geo-fenced area with
“STATE: RS”.
To use geo-fence;
Set the geo-fence area –then turn the geo-fence ON or OFF
Feature
Format of text command
Example
Reply
Set
Geo-fence 005+Password+Radius 0050000R20.0
(20km)
Contains co-
ordinates of
centre point
Turn
ON
211 + Password 2110000
GEO-FENCE
ON
Turn
OFF
210 + Password 2100000
GEO-FENCE
OFF
(Radius is from the minimum of 1.0km [R1.0} to 999.9km)
TELEPHONE ALERTS
Telephone call alerts referred to in this manual can be programmed off but SMS text
alerts will still be sent.
Feature
Format of text command
Example
Reply
OFF 150+Password 1500000
SETVOICE
CALL:OFF
ON(default) 151+Password 1510000
SETVOICE
CALL:ON
CAR ALARM ACTIVATION ALERT ( OPTIONAL )
The tracker can be connected to a vehicles car security systems siren to provide a
warning if the alarm is activated.
Any sounding of the alarms siren longer than 10 seconds will activate the SOS
function -the alert message is the same as SOS.
Normal chirps for the alarms arm, disarm and pre-intrusion should not cause an alert
unless longer than 10 seconds.
NOTE:
Please advise all‘users’ the meaning of the SOS alert as it may be an alarm activation
or a call for help.

10
TELEPHONE THE TRACKER –2 way communication or surveillance
If you wish to utilise this feature, the supplied corded microphone and earphones plugs
into the tracker module. An extension cord may be required depending on where the
tracker is located in relationto the driver.
2 way conversation:
Calling the tracker:
Only paired ‘users’can make a telephone voice call to the tracker.
This does require the driver to wear the earphones whilst driving as the ringing sound
is only produced by the earphones.
The driver can answer by pressing the mic’ button and then carry out a normal
conversation.
The tracker calling a‘user’:
The driver presses the ‘SOS button for 10 seconds. The tracker rings the first paired
‘user’. If not answered, itthen rings the other paired ‘users’.
Surveillance:
If the mic’ button is not pressed, or the earphones are not being worn, the tracker will
automatically answer after 10 rings. The ‘user’ can then listen to the microphone.
Note: Privacy laws must be obeyed.
TOW ALARM
This feature can be programmed on and left on and monitors if the vehicle is moved
without the engine being started. No need to keep programing it as 5minutes after the
engine is turned off, the tracker records its current location. The command below sets
the limit of travel, say 1.0km which is the minimum.
“STATE: ACCOS”
This message is received If the vehicle is moved more than set
distance.
“STATE: ACCRS” This message is received if the vehicle returns to the parked
location.
NOTE: 1km is the minimum which allows for satellite variances in accuracy – usually
caused by heavy weather or obstructions from buildings which may result in false
alerts.Lesser distances will cause false alerts.
Feature
Format of text command
Example
Reply
Turn on 008 + Password + Radius
0080000R1.0
(1km)
SET MOVE RADIUS OK
Turn off 009+ Password 0090000 MOVE
DEFENCE OFF