Tracker - expensive and ineffective?

[Diesel]

A friend with a Merc needs to decide on a Tracker subscription issue on his new 'used' car. Tracker want £325.00 to take over the subscription for life (or £30 + £109 pa). In as much that it is a stinging rip-off to make any previous life subscription non-transferrable I also doubt their effectiveness these days. Thieves are just so aware of them, assume they are fitted if they are Pro's & can easily disable them [I know several cars with Tracker that just disappeared...]. I also doubt the sanity and effectiveness of fitting any visible GPS receiver... [I also understand his 'top of the range' one may not be CAT 5 compliant which any interested insurance companies may want...]

Any thoughts as I think a shotgun would be a better investment for him than chucking more money at Tracker who dont even care if the unit works or not (as many have found out to their chagrin...).

D
(not a fan unless advised otherwise!)

[DavidT]

I accept the points you have made, but what matters in reality is the insurance company's view of the device. If they say they will insure with one fitted, then they will pay up if the vehicle is stolen.