Tracking Teens With GPS — Worth Every Penny

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. Your teen is driving. You panic. Suddenly, everything you ever thought you believed about providing a child with independence and responsibility goes out the window. You think of the strictest rules possible. No driving after five. No driving by yourself except with explicit permission. If you do end up driving by yourself, check in every ten minutes. But do these types of rules do your child good? And are the really helpful to your relationship with your teen and to his or her own growth and development? If not, what alternatives does a parent have for keeping a teen driver safe? GPS tracking may be the answer to keeping teens safe.

With teen driver fatality rates rising, a solution is needed. Alabama, for example, is currently trying to solve the problem through increasingly strict laws regarding drivers under 18. However, what if these laws fail? Or what if your teenager doesn’t follow them and ends up in an accident? What can you, the parent, do to ensure their safety and well-being?

Consider GPS tracking devices. These devices allow parents to monitor where their teen is, what stops he may have made, and what traffic laws he may be breaking. Notifications can be sent to the parents cell phone or email. Also, some of these devices have voice recordings which warn teen drivers when they’ve broken a traffic law.

Of course, no electronic device can replace your parental care and attention. Yes, they can help, but teens need you, not GPS tracking devices, to teach them good driving skills. However, the devices can assist your teen in situations where you can’t go. In addition, they provide your teen with added accountability. What teen will consistently break the speed limit if mom gets a text message on her cell phone every time? And, in the end, although teens may initially rebel against restrictions, the devices can open up communication and encourage deeper trust between parent and child.

For those parents with teen drivers, don’t hesitate to consider GPS technology. Sure, you may be afraid of upsetting a teen. Or the expense of the devices may not seem worth it. However, all that hassle, fear of disapproval, and expense will seem worth it when a GPS tracking device saves your child’s life.

Go Green and Save Some Green With GPS Tracking

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

Times are tough in the business world. Companies continually look for ways to save money while at the same time reducing environmental impact. With gas prices swelling and the cost of doing business increasing, environmental efforts are not always as easy as they seem. Fleet managers especially need a way to evaluate how they use resources and how they can save money and incorporate green management practices at the same time. One of the best ways to accomplish both goals is to incorporate GPS Tracking devices for each vehicle in the fleet.

By equipping each vehicle in a fleet with a GPS tracking device, fleet managers can monitor driver habits and vehicle efficiency accurately. They can determine fuel efficiency, idle time, speed and routes taken. With this information in hand, they can map out a plan to reduce costs by taking shorter routes, reducing idle time, maintaining the speed limit, and using each vehicle to its greatest potential. While GPS tracking systems do require an initial expenditure that can seem daunting, most estimates reveal that companies can recoup their expenses in nine months or less. As savings continue to increase over the life of the system, most companies find that incorporating a tracking system for fleet vehicles is well worth the investment.

In addition to the direct savings garnered by monitoring drivers and vehicles with GPS tracking devices, companies can also realize greater productivity and savings by taking advantage of tracking data. If every driver in a fleet can make one extra stop every day by taking shorter routes, both the company as a whole and the drivers individually will enjoy increased earnings. If vehicles can be used more efficiently, managers can forego additional purchases, resulting in thousands saved each year.

All these cost saving measures also result in greener companies. Reducing idle time and driving fewer miles results in fewer emissions, giving fleet managers an even greater reason for incorporating GPS tracking into their vehicles. As responsible care for the environment becomes more urgent every day, companies looking to go green can take huge steps in the right direction simply by equipping themselves with knowledge. Once they have specific information in hand, it’s only a matter of incorporating new habits and practices into their employees’ training in order to create an environmentally friendly business that operates at its full potential while saving money at the same time.

A Tragedy is Avoided. Don’t Rely on Luck – take GPS!

Geocachers expect to find hidden treasures while scouring the earth for various hidden delights. What these modern treasure hunters don’t expect to find is an abandoned mini-van in the middle of the dessert! This is exactly what happened when Paul Fox and Roy Joseph were geocaching along the Colorado-Utah border.

Upon investigating a, seemingly, abandoned mini-van, the two found a woman and her elderly mother inside of the van. The two women had become stranded in the middle of the desert without food or water when the van that they were driving became stuck in the desert sand. Incapable of pushing the van out of the sand, the two women did their best to survive the stifling desert heat for two days. It is not known if they had cellular phones with them or if cellular signals could be used in that location. As soon as Fox and Joseph approached the van, the two women exited, and were given food and water. This story could have had a more tragic ending.

The two geocachers then pulled the van out of the sand using a tow strap. According to Joseph, the situation could have been a lot more serious, since “…just down ravine, the creek dropped down into a bigger canyon.” Joseph and Fox were well-equipped to face the desert heat, and both geocachers have off-road experience. However, the two rescuers recently stated that anyone exploring desert areas should “go prepared, take extra water, food and blankets.”

If Fox and Joseph did not happen upon the stranded van, the two women might not have survived another day in the desert. When exploring any area, it’s not only a good idea to bring the things that Fox and Joseph noted, but it’s also a good idea to invest in a GPS tracking device. A GPS device could have led authorities directly to the stranded van as soon as the two women disappeared.

Geocaching has become a popular activity that allows those with an adventurous spirit to seek and find hidden treasures all over the world. While geocaching is a fun activity, it is not a good idea to hunt for any treasure in a remote area without first notifying someone of your whereabouts. Many geocached objects are hidden in out of the way places in order to make this activity adventurous for participants. It is never a good idea to investigate remote areas without being properly prepared. With the low cost of a GPS tracking device it is one of the first things you should pack for your trip!

(Article written by Harriette Halepis for Rocky Mountain Tracking. Source acquired via The Denver Channel, August 30, 2010, Colorado.)

Court Systems Order GPS Tracking on Parolees

Probationers and parolees pose a unique problem for those charged with monitoring them due to the fact that they frequently change locations and fail to notify their parole or probation officers. A GPS tracker in the form of an ankle bracelet gives the officers the information they need to keep track of their charges. The officer will receive a phone call or other notification if the device is more than a certain distance from a specified location and they are able to monitor the whereabouts of the wearer via computer with internet-based maps.

Recently, a California man was arrested after a woman reported someone trying to break into her apartment. He was recognized by neighbors and was wearing a GPS tracker, allowing police to track and arrest him a short time later. Not only was he arrested for this incident, but he may possibly be responsible for other burglaries in the area. Because he was wearing an ankle bracelet with GPS, he was brought in quickly.

Other uses of GPS devices are to keep offenders away from their particular problem areas such as schools, day care centers or areas of high crime. There are units that are “smart,” knowing the rules for where the offender is to be all of the time, and where he is not to be, and sending a warning if those rules are violated; immediate correction of the offense is required or authorities are notified. A mapping module allows officers to see each of their clients’ locations and the supervision they require because they are coded by color. This allows them to be more efficient in the jobs, spending the bulk of their time on those who need the most supervision.

The GPS tracker is a powerful tool in the tracking of probationers and parolees because it allows officers to know where their charges are at all times. While there is some cost involved, it will pay for itself quickly by reducing the manpower needed to monitor at-risk individuals and to quickly pinpoint their location. This very effective investment will prevent crimes and should be routinely used by law enforcement to give them an edge they need. Encourage your city and state officials to implement a gps tracking system and let technology keep accurate tabs on people that need to be in check at all times. Do it for the safety of your community.

Stealing a Security Vehicle? Really? Really?!

Vehicles are stolen every day across the United States. Often, there is little police can do to find these vehicles, especially if the thief cannot be identified. No one sees the vehicle stolen, or if they do, they are unable to follow it and quickly lose sight of it. Before long, the car or truck or farm equipment is gone, sold on the black market, and forever lost to the owner. But vehicles that are part of a GPS fleet tracking system can be recovered, often within hours.

A GPS fleet tracking system keeps tabs on a number of vehicles at once. Each vehicle is equipped with a GPS tracking unit; this unit communicates with satellites to determine the vehicle’s exact location, coordinating latitude and longitude with maps of the area’s terrain and roads. This location is relayed to a software system that shows the fleet managers where each vehicle is at any given moment. The software also records information such as speed, idle time, and route so that it can later be evaluated. This information is commonly used to increase efficiency and keep drivers accountable for their work. But it also can be used to prevent theft or locate a stolen vehicle.

The City of Melville uses GPS fleet tracking for asset management and employee safety. One of their security officers was patrolling a community suburb when he was attacked and his vehicle was stolen. The vehicle was equipped with a concealed GPS device, so the command center and police department coordinated efforts to track the vehicle and apprehend the thief. The thief showed his desperation as he rammed another vehicle in his attempt to get away and was tasered in order to be caught. He was arrested and later sentenced, and the vehicle was recovered.

Without the GPS fleet tracking unit on the car, the story may have ended quite differently. The security officer would not have received help so quickly because his location would not have been already known. The vehicle might have been sold whole or in parts and never recovered. A dangerous criminal might still be operating. If other cities and private companies want to protect their vehicles and their employees, they should follow Melville’s example and install GPS fleet tracking.

(Article written by Greg Bartlett for Rocky Mountain Tracking.)

The Reviews say RMT is the Best!

Recently, a website called Best-GPS-Tracking.com listed the top GPS tracking companies on the market today. While there is no shortage of GPS companies in the world, only a few of those companies made the top three list. Rocky Mountain Tracking was at the top of this list due to RMT’s dedication to its customers, excellent customer service, and products that are truly useful. In order, here are the top three tracking companies anywhere:

Rocky Mountain Tracking

1. RMT has been in business since 2003, and it has gained a positive reputation every since its inception. RMT offers a number of different GPS tracking products including the increasingly popular Tracking Key and Smart Tracker. Both of these products can be attached to any vehicle, and both of these products come without any monthly fees. Consumers simply pay a onetime fee to purchase these items. Another reason why RMT has earned a top spot is its innovative NavIQ software – a Rocky Mountain original. This software helps users track and locate vehicles in real time, and it has gained rave reviews by consumers. Rocky Mountain Tracking is based in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Land Air Sea

2. LAS is another top tracking company. This company, based in Woodstock Illinois, offers consumers a large number of GPS tracking products. LAS has been in business since 1993, and it continues to thrive today.

LoJack

3. LoJack: Even though LoJack isn’t a GPS tracking company (this company uses radio frequency instead of GPS technology), the company has gained a steady following. LoJack offers products that are similar to GPS tracking products. As Best-GPS-tracking.com pointed out, LoJack’s main downfall is that consumers must contact a third party operator prior to retrieving stolen goods – this is not the case with GPS tracking technology.

If you’re searching for a reliable GPS tracking company, look into one of the companies listed above. Rocky Mountain Tracking remains at the top of the aforementioned list for good reason: this company can be trusted with your most valuable possessions. Call an RMT sales person today to find out how affordable tracking any item truly is – you’ll be surprised at what you find!

No Warrant Required for GPS

Gps is becoming one of the more popular systems for crime prevention and recovery of stolen goods. Retail businesses, private citizens, and law enforcement agencies all use some form of gps tracking. Businesses like restaurants have installed security systems that use gps technology. These alarm systems are can also be installed in homes. Some gps security systems even have cameras built in. These real time gps trackers allow the owner to find the location of the thief and even view the speed at which he is traveling.

Some business owners or homeowners will also attach a gps vehicle tracking device to an item of value, so the item can be easily found if stolen. Usually gps devices are attached to cars, but they can also be used for other items of value. Owners will place a gps device in their vehicle that allows them to track or view the location of their car. Sometimes Internet is used to track and view information about vehicles or other items. Many cellular phones are also capable of receivng signals from gps tracking devices, so some prefer to track using their cell phones.

Business owners and private homeowners are not the only ones who use gps tracking devices. Law enforcement officers also use gps systems for crime prevention or for tracking criminals. Gps devices are often used to keep track of parolees, especially those considered high risk. Police use gps ankle bracelets to daily monitor the whereabouts of recently released prisoners. Sometimes police will use gps signals to make surprise visits to the parolee’s location. In other cases, law enforcement officers will use computers to view the location history of a person. For example, officers can see the time and date of every single location a parolee visited during a week, allowing them to check up on any suspicious activity.

Sometimes suspects are ordered by the court to wear a gps bracelet, ensuring that they won’t disappear during a trial. In some cases, police will secretly place attach a gps tracking device to a suspect’s car. It has provided valuable evidence in many criminal cases. Although gps trackingis not foolproof, they do provide more detailed tracking information than other systems. New laws have just been passed for use of gps by law enforcement. No warrant is required.

Less Parental Stress with GPS

It’s getting to be that time of year again, and as the beginning of another semester looms closer, parental anxiety seems to be rising. What does this semester have in store for our young people? Let’s face it, parents: when it comes to our children, no measure is too extreme to keep them safe. And while we certainly want our kids home as much as possible, the trek between campus and home can present dangers they will not face on the campus grounds. Thankfully, you can rest easy following the employment of GPS vehicle tracker.

All across the US, crime rates are rising. Just take a look at the news, and you can’t miss it. Angry Americans are exhibiting their inner rage on a daily basis, resulting in the injury and death of countless innocents. Every day, cars are broken into, young people compromised, and property stolen. Some people are tired of sitting back and watching all of this violence, and they are taking action to protect themselves and their families.

As a precautionary measure, many people are now using car tracking to ensure not only the protection of their vehicles, but also their college age children. In the event that a car is stolen or hijacked, the installed tracking system will keep track of the location of the vehicle at all times. As soon as the authorities realize that the car or the driver has been compromised they can pinpoint the location of the incident and dispatch police.

So what does car tracking have to do with your college student? Well, if you are concerned with a long commute when it comes to weekend or holiday visits, or if you simply want to keep track of your young person’s location as she travels back to school, you will be happy to know that you can actually monitor a car’s coordinates using GPS. No more worrying about your 20-year-old being abducted during a late-night gasoline stop. Gps vehicle tracking allows you to rest easy knowing that your loved ones are safe.

The start of the school semester does not have to create anxiety and stress. If you are concerned about your college student, simply install a gps vehicle tracking system in their car, and send them to school with confidence. Let GPS simplify your life and protect your family. For the low monetary investment, GPS is a wise choice for extra personal security for all ages.

Hot Tech Trend for 2010: GPS!

GPS technology is readily available in many forms today.  One of the most popular ways GPS technology is used by private citizens is on their cell phones as a limited type of tracking device.  Many GPS phone accessories are available, providing helpful and fun services; however, long term tracking solutions such as vehicle tracking applications should be covered by a dedicated tracking device.

For example, phones equipped with the correct tracking capabilities can find any restaurant in any location. If the cell phone user does not have a specific restaurant in mind, he can search for whatever kind of food he feels like. Many food and restaurant apps can find all restaurants within a certain food category. One unique food app even searches according to specific food dishes. This accessory will even bring up a photo of the dish (if the business owner has loaded this up for viewing).  The tracking device in the phone can guide you to this very restaurant with a great navigation app!

For shoppers, deal-finding phone apps are available. Some GPS apps help a shopper discover major sales in the city, while others give coupons for a certain area. Another shopping accessory is similar to a social network, allowing shoppers to notify other users of deals they discover. Foursquare and now Facebook Places are location based services that tell people where you are in the hopes of meeting up with your friends for lunch, or enjoy an outing with others who have common interests. They also usually include a privacy setting so the user does not have to be constantly visible to other users. Shopping and friends and GPS makes life just a little bit easier.

Another application designed for customers who like to bargain shop can find the best deal on an item. All the shopper has to do is take a picture of the item’s bar code with his phone, and the app will bring up a list of stores and websites that also carry the item. Detailed mapping software will direct you right to the door of the business – all thanks to GPS!

GPS phone apps can be used not only for recreation, but also for safety. Some tracking devices offer assistance in medical emergencies by guiding the user to the nearest emergency care. Some health and safety apps provide more specialized information by giving information for the user’s specific emergency or condition.  Many emergency apps have the capability to let others know of the user’s location, as well as being able to call 911 for assistance.  The immediate availability of emergency information or medical help with this type of app makes it very valuable.

These are only a few of the many available GPS cell phone applications. A huge variety of GPS phone accessories ensures that each customer’s wants and needs can be satisfied.  Keep in mind that these GPS capabilities are usually added as a convenience for the user and should not be used for long term GPS tracking situations.  Limitations such as battery life and data usage download costs are just two of the reasons why people do not use their cell phones for vehicle tracking purposes.  See the experts here at Rocky Mountain Tracking to discuss how you would like to use a tracking device – and we will recommend the perfect solution for your needs.  Hot tech trends like GPS will continue to be more involved in our day-to-day lives.  Let an experienced team of GPS advisers help you in your GPS decision – RMT!

(Did you know we have a contest going on right now at Rocky Mountain Tracking?  Yes! Win a GPS Tracking Key from RMT by just hitting the “like” button on our Facebook page and commenting on an article of your choice, or the giveaway post – or whatever you “like”! Thanks for reading our blog too – Experience a fabulous gps tracking device – don’t just read about it!  Track stuff!  Enter and good luck!)

Tractor with GPS saves Farmer $60,000

Farming is big business, and with big business comes expensive machinery. This notion is one that a Houston rancher, who remains nameless, knew all about when he equipped his $60,000 tractor with a GPS tracker. The expensive tractor was stolen from a Houston ranch in the middle of the night. Once the tractor was reported missing, police were able to locate the tractor using GPS technology.

Special Ranger Jimmy Belt of the Texas and South-western Cattle Raisers Association recovered the tractor, which had been placed on a Newport Golf Country Club fairway. While stealing a tractor is not something that you hear about every day, this type of theft is becoming commonplace in the Houston area. Belt told press that “farmers and ranchers need to remain cautious, use a GPS tracker.”

Belt has been unable to track down the person who stole the tractor, though the tractor was unharmed. Presumably, the tractor would have been sold to another farmer at a fraction of the original price. In the midst of a downtrodden economy, items such as expensive tractors are the latest targets for thieves. As Special Ranger Jimmy Belt stated, equipping big ticket items, such as tractors, with GPS trackers is one of the few ways to ensure that your property does not become targeted by a lurking thief.

GPS equipment can be easily installed on any vehicle (including tractors), and this technology is also cost effective. While you may not be able to afford losing a $60,000 tractor, you can afford the minimal cost of a GPS tracker. The next time you purchase an expensive piece of equipment, make sure that your purchase is backed up by a reliable GPS device!  The minimal cost is so worth it – don’t wait and discover this the hard way!

H2O and GPS Fight CRIME!

British Telecom (BT) has been facing the problem of copper theft for many months now. As the economy becomes worse, more and more thieves have started to target telecom companies (such as BT) in order to steal copper cables. By using GPS technology and teaming up with a company called SmartWater, BT aims to fight back at thieves.

SmartWater manufactures a clear liquid that resembles regular drinking water. Each liquid that the company manufactures is unique, and each bottle of SmartWater contains a specific “chemical code” that is registered to one user. If an object that has been dabbed with SmartWater is stolen, police can determine who the object belongs to by using an ultraviolet light. BT plans to use SmartWater technology in conjunction with GPS anti-theft devices in order to stop metal thieves.

Most telecom cables contain copper, which can be sold at a high price. Until this point, metal thieves have been able to easily steal cables costing companies such as BT millions of dollars. Not only is this type of theft costly for cable companies, but it also affects “…the millions of people who rely on access to phones and broadband… (Bernie Auguste, Head of BT Security).”  Using GPS technology, police can track a stolen object. Once the object has been located, SmartWater will allow police to positively identify an object’s owner.

GPS tracking technology can be used on its own, or it can be teamed up with other innovative technologies such as SmartWater. SmartWater is a relatively new technology that is available to both consumers and businesses. BT has unleashed its massive anti-theft plan on thieves all around Britain, and so far the results have been positive. As more and more thieves look for unique objects to steal, GPS technology has become invaluable to companies and individuals alike.

(Written by Harriette Halepis for Rocky Mountain Tracking. Source acquired via Fresh Business Thinking, August 20, 2010, England)

Automated Easy Access to Daily Mapping Reports from RMT

Busy, busy. The average person has 5 emails, a Facebook account, a Twitter login and password, cell phone lock protection codes and home alarm system passwords to maintain from memory. Rocky Mountain Tracking has recognized that our customers are logging in on a regular basis to our NavIQ Mapping Software portal at certain times of the day to check on work van routes, idle times, teenager trips – you name it. Can we help you with this task? As your day progresses and you are thinking about work – you have to stop what you are doing and remember logins and passwords to access our system. Life can be overwhelming at times.

How would you like us to automatically send these reports to you on a daily basis? This is a great way to free up some time knowing that your daily gps fleet tracking reports arrive in your emails and you don’t have to log in to check the status of your vehicles. You probably check your emails frequently throughout the day anyway.

Of course if you need to see something immediately on a map in an active state – you still need to log in to NavIQ and use the real time system software directly. But in some cases, the history or speeds traveled, start and stop times, addresses, etc. are all that you need. If you think there is something not quite right in the report – login to NavIQ and check it out. It is as simple as that.

Over time your trained eye knows what to look for and what stands out as something that does not quite look right based upon where an employee says they were the day before – or how long they were at a certain location. Again, then you would log in. But for the majority of the daily views you have – a quick scan of the gps tracking reports and you are good to go.

How can you participate in this new reporting service from Rocky Mountain Tracking? Just access the portal area to NavIQ and click on the graphic for these new services. Just $24.95 a year (or roughly 6 cents a day) we will drop a report for you into your email. Pick the reports you want to see every day and we will take care of the rest.

Automation – it’s very handy! We know you are busy running your business. Let us help you keep on track and check on our reports when it is convenient for you. One less thing to remember so your day flows just a little bit smoother. We like to make things easy for our customers – it’s just one more thing that sets us apart from other tracking companies – our commitment and attention to our clients. Questions? Give us a call at 1-888-242-0500 and we can assist!

NavIQ is RMT’s proprietory mapping software that has been tested over time and it is owned directly by Rocky Mountain Tracking. We make upgrades and changes to the software as necessary and we will never send you to a third party for assistance as it is our own tracking software. Invest with a company that takes pride of ownership seriously. We’ve got you covered! – RMT.

(We have a GIVEAWAY of a GPS Tracking Key taking place right now here on Facebook! Enter today and good luck!)

Who needs Bloodhounds? We have GPS Tracking!

Every day we watch the news and listen to morbid stories of murder, violence, and death. After 30 minutes of this verbal battery, you have to ask yourself, why is America – a land built on freedom and harmony – the location of such destruction? And while civilians may ponder this cosmic question, the sad truth is that the world is certainly not the place it used to be. However, every now and again, we hear a story that gives us hope – one that helps us remember that all is not lost…

On July 5, 2010 Idaho citizens finally heard some good news, when reports came out that Thomas Trevino, an accused killer, was tracked down by police somewhere in Colorado. How was he found so far away from his Twin Falls home, you may ask? Bloodhounds tracking his scent? Dapper Dan hair gel? (George Clooney’s downfall in “O Brother Where art Thou?)  Nope – technology is way beyond old school tactics.  The answer: the GPS tracking devices in his cell phone.

It is unlikely that Trevino knew about the GPS tracking capabilities within his phone, or he may have been more careful about turning it on. Thankfully, however, police were able to capitalize on the criminal’s ignorance and utilize GPS tracking devices to track down the general location of the accused killer. A resident of Colorado also assisted by giving more specifics on the Trevino’s location, but the cell phone coordinates brought officials extremely close to their target.

The benefits of GPS tracking devices are constantly becoming more significant and more popular. Today, GPS is used for everything from crime investigation to extreme sports, the common denominator being the convenience of universal tracking from global satellite systems. GPS trackers are now installed in most new cell phones. They can also be worn in the form of wrist or ankle bands. These are frequently used by athletes in events or worn by criminals for tracking purposes.

GPS tracking devices often find their ways into vehicles, as well, either for tracking cargo or simply for the purpose of keeping track of a valuable car. And the possibilities go on and on. The opportunities for using GPS tracking just keep on growing, and America is beginning to stand up and take notice.

Hope is a rare commodity in our world today. I think everyone would agree that we all could use a little more of it. GPS tracking gives us hope that we can protect the people that we love, and keep our communities safe and secure.

(Did you know we have a contest going on right now at Rocky Mountain Tracking?  Yes! Win a GPS Tracking Key from RMT by just hitting the “like” button on our Facebook page and commenting on an article of your choice, or the giveaway post – or whatever you “like”! Thanks for reading our blog too – Experience a fabulous gps tracking device – don’t just read about it!  Track stuff!  Enter and good luck!)

Can You Find my GPS GeoCache?

GPS tracking devices have a number of practical uses such as tracking stolen goods, monitoring teen drivers, recovering lost pets as well as the mundane work of getting you to your destination. But, GPS technology also is the key to a fun, economical recreational activity called geocaching. All that is needed is a GPS tracking device and a pen or pencil and you are ready to do some high tech treasure hunting. GPS tracking devices use the Global Positioning System to pinpoint the exact location of whatever they are attached to — suitcase, vehicle or person – and to record that position. The position is then displayed on a map and monitored via computer.

Geocaching has been around since about 2000 and was originally referred to as GPS stash hunt or gps stashing. Players locate hidden containers or caches and then post the location coordinates online. The playground is the world as the hidden “treasure” is located in many different countries. Upon arriving at the location specified by the passive tracking device, the player begins to look for some sort of container with a lid. When a cache is located, he or she signs the logbook inside the container. One rule of geocaching is that if you remove something from a container, you must replace it with something else.

In order to begin geocaching, go to www.geocaching.com and click on “Getting Started.” It will guide you through the simple steps to locate a treasure hunt in your area. Each cache has a name, a little background information, a clue or sometimes some simple arithmetic or a little deduction. Once you have discovered other people’s caches, you may decide that you would like to hide one yourself. Again, the geocaching website allows you to post coordinates online so that others can find it. You will enjoy reading your logbook to see who has been there.

Geocaching is a great family or individual activity with the bonus of discovering a treasure. Kids can learn about GPS tracking devices, get some exercise and fresh air, as well as experience the thrill of finding a cache. The locations are unlimited — underwater, high in a tree, accessible only by going far off the beaten path or by climbing a mountain. The pursuit of a cache serves as the focal point for a vacation for some with breathtaking surroundings adding to the adventure.

(Did you know we have a contest going on right now at Rocky Mountain Tracking? Yes! Win a GPS Tracking Key from RMT by just hitting the “like” button on our Facebook page and commenting on an article of your choice, or the giveaway post – or whatever you “like”! Thanks for reading our blog too – Experience a fabulous gps tracking device – don’t just read about it! Track stuff! Enter and good luck!)

Survey, Irrigation, and Crop Circles: The New GPS based Farmer

Using GPS tracking devices to run businesses more efficiently is not a new concept. These tracking systems have been used successfully for several years in many areas of industry from cutting down on vehicle abuse on company vehicles to insuring that expensive construction equipment doesn’t get stolen from a job site. And now these GPS trackers are being used in farming.

GPS tracking devices come in two forms: real time and passive trackers. Real time trackers might be the more expensive kind of tracking device, but they are extremely convenient and easy to use. Once the tracker is put in place, it sends out regular signals to satellites giving information on the trackers location, direction, and speed. The information that the tracking unit gathers can then be viewed on any computer with internet access. These trackers have to be removed from the item that they are tracking periodically for charging, but the batteries last longer than passive GPS tracking devices. Passive trackers are the less expensive kind of tracking device, but they are not as convenient to use. These trackers record the information instead of sending it to a satellite, which means that the tracking device has to be retrieved before the information can be viewed. Passive devices are also not helpful for protecting items from theft, because they cannot be located like a real time tracker could be.

Farmers in the United Kingdom are now using these GPS tracking devices to keep their crops properly watered. Irrigation and drainage have always been a problem for farmers. If plants are not getting too little water, they seem to be getting too much. Finding the right balance can be difficult, but it is crucial to getting a good crop, so it is very important that the farm’s drainage system is well designed.

Before farmers thought to use GPS trackers to help design their irrigation and drainage systems, they spent days trying to map out the best water system. Now, GPS tracking devices allow them to survey the land more quickly and accurately, so they can design the water system in a matter of hours. Using GPS will also save the farmer money, because the quicker it takes to plan a water system, the less money the system will cost a farmer. Farmers will also be able to use in the extensive amount of information that the GPS tracker can provide to make any future changes or additions to the water system as easily as designing the initial water system.

Thanks to GPS technology, farmers can now have irrigation and drainage systems that fit the exact needs of their farm without the hassle that it formerly took to plan them. They can maximize their crop yield with minimal manual mistakes.

(Editor’s note:  Now if we can just figure out if the use of gps tracking has increased the number of crop circle designs in recent years – or are aliens involved? My bet would be on GPS – no surprise there.  Farmers can get pretty creative with these new agricultural tools!)

Prevent & Protect with GPS!

If you’ve ever had a car stolen you know the stress, hassle, and heartbreak that it can cause. Not only does car theft put your family out of a vehicle, but it means tons of paperwork, phone calls from police, and days of waiting and wondering about the next step. In short: car theft wreaks havoc. The good news is that US car theft rates are on the mend, largely due to the improvement of GPS tracking technology to include anti theft devices.

Over the past 6 years, the rate of car theft in the US has steadily declined. In fact, the first 6 months of 2009 evidenced an astounding 18.7% decrease from 2008. Apparently, car thieves are getting the picture that the risk is not worth the potential gain. The question is, why?

Let’s face it. If you’re going to steal something, you want to do it in such a way that you won’t get caught. When it comes to stealing cars, criminals have to ask themselves: what are the chances that the police will catch me in the act? While ten years ago it may have been unlikely that a stolen car would be recovered, things are different today. These days, may people have anti theft devices installed in their vehicles.

If a car has an anti theft device equipped with GPS technology, the thief who steals it will likely not get far. The tracking system makes it easy for police to detect the location of the vehicle, thus enabling them to quickly recover it and arrest the culprit. The system works by utilizing satellites to pinpoint the coordinates of the installed tracker. Within minutes of connecting with the GPS system, anti theft devices thus provide the needed information for simple detection.

While some thieves are getting smarter about GPS technology, the truth remains that the rates of car theft are steadily declining. And along with this decline, the popularity of anti theft devices installed in vehicles is rapidly growing. Obviously, Americans are realizing that prevention is the key to protecting their property. And while this may seem like an extreme measure, it is making a huge difference in the amount of car thefts that occur each year.  One tiny gps device can protect your expensive car. Anti theft devices make it possible for you to protect your property and give you the peace of mind that accompanies confidence in your vehicle security.

GPS Functional Fashion Bracelet Finds Criminals

Every year, many crimes go unsolved and criminals are not brought to justice because the suspects successfully elude investigators. GPS tracking is reducing these mysteries by allowing police to track identified suspects. As the use of GPS tracking devices on criminals becomes a standard procedure, it is saving much frustration for victims and police alike.

Often, suspects that are waiting a hearing are fitted with GPS tracking devices in the form of a bracelet or anklet. These devices communicate with satellites to show the location of the wearers at all times. If a suspect goes missing or commits another crime, police and other investigators can use the information reported by the device to locate the person. GPS bracelets are commonly used for those with pending immigration hearings, as was the case with two Escondido men recently. These devices are meant to ensure that the suspects will show up for their hearings, but they serve in other investigations as well.

Two men in Escondido, California, have been arrested within a week of each other after police followed their GPS tracking devices. According to the Associated Press, last Thursday a girl called 911 as a man was breaking into her apartment. Neighbors recognized 22-year-old Jimmy Magadiaga when they chased him away from the home. Police found out that he was waiting a deportation hearing and had GPS tracking ankle bracelet. Within two hours, he was found and arrested. Police are now investigating the possibility that he also committed other burglaries in the area.

According to the North County Times, a teenage girl was raped after a man broke into her home. When her father arrived home from work, they reported the crime. The suspect was identified as the girl’s stepmother’s cousin. He was also wearing a GPS tracking bracelet due to an upcoming immigration hearing. Wenceslao Mendez was arrested the next day in the 1100 block of South Escondido Boulevard and charged with kidnapping, rape, and burglary.

If these men had not been wearing GPS tracking devices, they might never have been found. With GPS, police and customs officials were able to work together quickly to track and secure the suspects. As GPS tracking successes are known, government officials might be more apt to obtain more sophisticated devices that alert the police when criminals go beyond a pre-determined area.  As its use becomes more widespread, GPS tracking can be used to solve other crimes and perhaps even to prevent them. If your county or city is considering the use of GPS tracking it is because of the success in other districts – please support the measures to protect your community!

New GPS Satellites not “Lost in Space”

New satellites will soon be in orbit to increase the capabilities of current GPS tracking devices. The Air Force will be putting new satellites in orbit for both military and civilian tracking. GPS tracking devices don’t all just rely on satellites, some also use cellular towers. Passive tracking devices record the location, speed, and directional information on the tracking system itself, which is then retrieved for viewing on a computer. These devices are cheaper, but are not as convenient to use because they must be retrieved often if information is going to be analyzed. Also, if they are left too long, the device will run out of storage space and begin to write over old information that might not have been downloaded yet. Always get the particulars of your personal gps tracking device!

On the other hand, active (or real time) tracking devices send out signals to these satellites in orbit around the earth. The tracking information can then be viewed from any computer with internet access without the tracking device ever being retrieved. These devices, the kind used in vehicle tracking, will have to be retrieved periodically for charging unless they are hard wired into the car battery. A common gps application is to geo-fence a protective field around important assets and notify through alerts of any movements breached outside of this specific area. Perhaps this most closely resembles the “Danger, Will Robinson!” moment of the hit 60’s TV series “Lost in Space”.  Having a gps device protect your assets will feel like a robot is there to alert you of danger (i.e. theft) in progress! Amazing.

But why do we need new GPS satellites? There are several reasons that these satellites will be beneficial for the world of GPS tracking. As devices are getting smaller, it is important that satellites are updated to allow for very close and accurate location tracking. Some of these smaller systems, including the GPS trackers found in cell phones, struggle with accuracy and much of the information they gather is unusable because of that fact.

Better satellites in space will allow airplanes to use them as navigation instead of using systems on the earth, which can be difficult to use in bad weather situations. The strong signals of GPS tracking devices will allow airplanes to have more consistent navigational information in spite of the weather conditions surrounding the plane. These new satellites will also allow for even more consistency in GPS tracking and are designed to function for much longer than the present satellites operating today.

GPS technology will continue to expand into more areas of life.  Soon businesses and homes will not be complete without the assistance of these systems. Maybe impressive devices displayed in our favorite tv shows and movies like “Lost in Space”, “Star Trek”, “2001 A Space Odyssey” or ‘Star Wars” will start appearing as well. Things we thought were very impossible a decade ago (cell phones) are very common place now.  Celebrate and embrace new technologies and be prepared for what is next. You never know.

(Did you know we have a contest going on right now at Rocky Mountain Tracking?  Yes!  Win a GPS Tracking Key from RMT by just hitting the “like” button on our Facebook page and commenting on an article of your choice, or the giveaway post – or whatever you “like”! Thanks for reading our blog too – Experience a fabulous gps tracking device – don’t just read about it!  Track stuff!  Enter and good luck!)

GPS Navigation Eases Summer Traveling Stress

A gps, or global positioning system, is a great investment for those who like to be on the go for summer. In fact, many people have gps navigation units in their vehicles to help find their way in unfamiliar places. Having a gps navigation device can save many precious hours that would have been lost without gps as a guide. Gps navigation devices can also help in smaller ways, such as finding a good restaurant along the way, or the closest motel to spend the night. If a person has car trouble, a gps unit could also find the nearest auto mechanic. Also, gps units can help travelers discover interesting places to sightsee along the road. If a person is vacationing in the city, gps navigation devices can quickly guide him to whatever sightseeing place he would like to see. If a family member or friend has a sudden accident, gps navigation devices can also help in such emergencies for finding the closest hospital or emergency care center. Another unique capability of some gps devices is the ability for the user to send his location to a friend or family member. This function would be very useful for sightseers visiting different locations in the same city. With gps,they could easily stay connected. These benefits are some of the most important reasons why summer vacationers have gps navigation devices in their vehicles. Many people also use their gps navigation devices just to find new places in their own hometown. For example, if a family would like to eat at a new restaurant but are not sure how to get there, gps can find the way.

One thing gps owners should be careful of is leaving their gps units in an unlocked vehicle. Gps devices are a frequently stolen item now, with reports almost every week of a gps system being stolen. Just like cell phones, gps navigation devices are small and easy for thieves to grab. If a person wants to leave his gps device in his vehicle, he should make sure it is out of sight. If a person is passing by a vehicle and sees a gps device or other valuable item, it may be an incentive for him to break into the vehicle. Again, summer vacationers and other gps users should take their navigation devices with them on vacation to have a safe and fun summer.

(Article written by Greg Bartlett for Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc. See our new August 2010 contest and enter to WIN a TRACKING KEY from Rocky Mountain Tracking. Just “like” us on our Facebook page and comment on the giveaway! Enter now – it’s easy! Good Luck!)

Shorter Flights and Less Fuel: GPS Tracking as Co-Pilot

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently announced that the current radar system used by U.S. air controllers will soon be replaced by GPS tracking technology. The FAA awarded a GPS tracking contract to an engineering firm in 2007, and the firm is presently working on the “NextGen” technology to make huge improvements to the present system.

The FAA believes that the new GPS tracking system will be infinitely more effective than radar, since the current radar system frequently leaves pilots in the dark. The new GPS system will allow pilots to locate other planes, and it will also allow controllers to have a better idea of where planes are when flying. Currently, controllers are unable to gain a clear picture of a plane that is flying above an ocean unless that plane is 200 miles from shore.

David Melcher, ITT Senior Vice President, told press that “there are numerous benefits to go to a GPS-based system including savings of fuel, less carbon-dioxide emissions and better-controlled ascents and descents.” In addition, “the pilots will actually have better situation awareness in the cabin, and they’ll have more air traffic information and climate information.” These are welcome changes to pilots who are used to flying longer routes simply to remain on controller radar. Imagine the fuel savings alone in switching over to GPS!

The FAA hopes that the new GPS tracking technology will be set up by 2012, though the whole system will not be functional until 2020. In the future, planes will be able to fly shorter distances, closer together, and more accurately than ever before. In addition, the new system will likely save airlines a great deal of money when it comes to fuel costs. It is estimated that more than 1.4 billion gallons of fuel will be reserved due to the new GPS tracking system. Further, this new system will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 14 million tons. The new system will be 10 times more accurate than it is today. Isn’t it time we replaced our 70 year old radar technology with proven GPS tracking?

(Written for Rocky Mountain Tracking by Harriette Halepis – Source acquired via L.A. Times, August 5, 2010)