One great benefit of technology has been global positioning systems or GPS. These systems use satellites to track the whereabouts of people anywhere on planet Earth. They are small units that can be installed many places such as watches, backpacks, cars and even cell phones. Because GPS units are so small they can be used very effectively to as GPS kids tracking devices.
Parents use GPS tracking to keep tabs on the location of their children. Children can be tracked with GPS using their cell phones, watches, backpacks and even attached to their clothing or shoes. No matter where a child is they can be located with a GPS device. Children’s GPS devices are like an insurance policy to help keep your kids safe.
Currently there are a number of satellites orbiting the Earth that were placed by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS tracking technology makes use of these satellites for both navigation and tracking purposes. The satellites send out an encoded signal that are received by the tracking units and then decoded. The satellites are always sending this signal and the GPS devices can use this signal to locate anything or anyone and their exact position on the Earth within several yards.
GPS tracking services can be purchased from several different companies. Tracking children with GPS is very simple to get started with. All you need to do is purchase a GPS tracking device, have it programmed for your service and attach it to the child in some way. Each GPS tracking company does charge a fee for their service and it varies for each one so do some research first to find out which company can provide the features you want at the lowest cost.
You can subscribe to different tracking plans from several trackings per month to unlimited real time tracking. The only difference between the different plans is the cost with the unlimited and real time versions being the most expensive.
There are also several ways to retrieve your tracking information. Some companies will provide the information via cell phone while others have websites that you can go to to do the tracking or even software that needs to be installed on your PC. In addition, you can receive tracking reports to get all the details of where your child has been. This can be a good addition for teens who are driving.
The biggest negative to tracking kids with GPS is the cost. The GPS devices start around $150 each and the tracking services will run you anywhere from $25 to $100 per month depending on the features you desire.
Children’s GPS tracking systems are a great way to give you added peace of mind knowing that your children can be located at anytime and anywhere they might be. While older children may have some reservations at being tracked, younger children often do not even need to know about the tracking device. GPS kids tracking is not a substitute for parental supervision, but it is a great tool to help us keep tabs on our children and provided added security in our dangerous world.
By: Steven Walters
Posts Tagged ‘Tracking Technology’
Keeping Track of Your Kids With GPS
December 3rd, 2009Using Vehicle Tracking GPS Technology
December 2nd, 2009
Managing your vehicle resources is a lot easier these days with vehicle tracking GPS technology. Whether you are a fleet manager who manages a hundred vehicles or an individual who has a nspecial car, GPS tracking technology will help you keep track of your vehicle assets.
Basically there are two types of GPS tracking technology used to track and manage vehicles. The cheapest and also the one that has been around for the longest period is called “GPS Logging”. GPS logging units are generally placed in a vehicle for a set amount of time and then are retrieved. The unit is normally attached to a computer where the logging software up loads the data into a data base. The information is displayed in map and table form for analysis and use. Logging GPS units are useful due to the fact that they are generally small and inexpensive. They also are very reliable. The major drawback to these vehicle tracking GPS units is that the information is old. Never the less you can make management decisions based on the information loggers provide.
The second and newest type of vehicle tracking GPS technology is called “Real Time” GPS tracking. Just as the name implies real time GPS tracking provides relatively current tracking information on each vehicle being tracked. These tracking units are generally larger and more costly than logger units. They are comprised of a GPS unit and a communication unit. In addition you will have to use a GPS tracking Service Company to access your tracking information. Tracking information is uploaded using standard cell phone or satellite phone technology to the tracking service company which in turn makes it available to its customers.
The service company normally charges a monthly fee for this service. Many service companies provide the tracking equipment and do the vehicle installations. However you can purchase the vehicle tracking GPS equipment and do the installation yourself. If you choose this route you will have to do maintenance and repair work yourself as well.
The real time tracking information is uploaded at different intervals specified by the customer depending on their need. Cross country trucking firms normally have tracking information uploaded every 30 minutes where as a delivery service may need uploads as frequently as every 5 minutes so as to respond to customer pickup orders. As a general rule the more often you require an upload the more the GPS tracking Service Company will charge.
The service company will provide a number of mapping and data base services to the customer including the standard mapping with speed, direction, time stopped and time en route. Advanced vehicle tracking GPS systems provide information on the fuel use, engine performance and fluid levels. Other services such as geo fencing which sends an alarm when a vehicle leaves its assigned area or is being used outside of normal working hours are also available.
Again whether you are a business with a large fleet of vehicles or private citizen, vehicle tracking GPS technology will help you keep track of and manage your vehicle resources.
By: Jim Kesel
How To Detect GPS Tracking Units
November 1st, 2009
The new GPS auto tracker technology allows just about anyone to track anyone else. In addition almost all new cell phones have GPS tracking capabilities built in to them. Some even have the ability to transmit location information even with the battery removed. All of which make you wonder what happened to personal privacy. The answer is that there really is no privacy. Granted there are legal restrictions as to how and when you can use the new tracking technology however detecting GPS tracking units can sometimes be difficult.
There are basically two types of GPS tracking device technology available to the public. The simplest is called a passive or logger tracking device. This device is also the most difficult to detect and defend against. These devices can be as small as a matchbook and can be hidden just about anywhere. They are attached to a vehicle or individual and after a specific amount of time they must be retrieved. After retrieval the device is usually attached to a personal computer and the information is downloaded into a data base that is provided by the device manufacture.
Probably the best defense against passive/logger tracking devices comes in the form of a GPS blocker. These small units normally plug into your automobiles cigarette lighter port and provide protection for about 30 feet in any direction. Small handheld units are also available that run on batteries that also provide short range blocking. These units can range in price from $200 to $850.
The second type of GPS auto tracker or personal GPS tracking units are called real time tracking devices. These units do just as the name implies, provide current real time location information on the individual or vehicle that is being tracked. This accomplished through the use of cell phone technology. Recent technology improvements have greatly reduced the size and reliability of these tracking devices. You can purchase a battery operated unit the size of a small cell phone that will provide tracking information for up to a week before the battery requires charging. More commonly these units are attached to a vehicle and use the vehicles power supply to provide power to the tracking unit.
Real time tracking devices generally require the user to contract with a GPS tracking service company. These companies frequently provide the tracking devices and the software necessary to track the device on your personal computer. Depending on the contract the information is uploaded to you at time specific intervals. The most common information uploads range from 5 to 10 minutes.
Defending against this type of tracking device is relatively easy with a combination cell phone/GPS blocking device. These units range in cost from $300 to more than $1000. Of course either a cell phone or a GPS blocking device may accomplish the same affect. In addition if you feel that you are being tracked illegally you can contact your local law enforcement agency and let them do a scan of the vehicle or personal effects in question. Many small law enforcement agencies do not have this capability and in that case you have the option to purchase a scanning unit and do the scan yourself.
A word to the wise if you are involved in a criminal enterprise. Much of what we have outlined here will not prevent US government agencies from tracking you and your vehicles.
In most cases it is illegal to track just about anyone without their permission. However given the fact that is so hard to detect many tracking devices it is likely that illegal GPS auto tracker and personal tracking device technology will continue to be used.
By: Jim Kesel
