you need to hide one inside each machine.

this is NOT a GPS tracker

check the details

only work if a smartphone is in the same area

Problem with with these..they are really a tracker. I checked them out a couple months ago..and don't quite remember all the details.

I think how it works is order to get a GPS location..the tracker need to come in contact with another device (another tracker) that is connected to a Blue Tooth phone...to transmit the location.

The tracker itself doesn't have the ability to connect VIA GPS

I 'think' that's what I remember.

does it just tell you if you're getting closer to it? it seems like it doesn't actually pinpoint the item, and relies on other users to help locate your item?

Its not using GPS, it is using bluetooth..... In highly populated cities, it would be less of an issue than more rural areas. But yeah, without people being within 100ft of your machine (and using gps on their phone a sharing location), you are never going to see it.

From the website:

If an item goes missing, the TrackR app records its last known location on a map. When another user of the TrackR app comes within a 100ft range of your lost item, you will receive a GPS update of where your item is.

Yep, it relies on other users who have the app installed and need to be within range of the device (100ft, which isn't much).

It doesn't sound particularly useful for trying to track something.

Yeah..
Your keys..wallet...purse...backpack...etc.

If you leave your wallet at the bar...the app on your phone will notify you once the trackr is disconnected from your phones BT.

In the case of pinball machine stolen from location.

First you would need to know it gone. Then you would need the pinball machine to somehow get in the range of another trackr device. If that happens you'll get a ping on the last known location.

If the thief has the TrackR app running, this would work great.

I think the best way to prevent theft from location would be to make the game difficult to break down. You could put lock nuts on the inside cabinet side of all the leg bolts so that you have to get into the game in order to take the legs off. Also adding Head bolts if the game doesn't have them.... Simple stuff like that.