Rocky Mountain Tracking

By Greg Bartlett

Recovering stolen automobiles has long been a problem for law enforcement departments. Car thieves have become experts at obscuring the identity of a given vehicle, making it nearly impossible to identify the car with certainty if it has been in the thief’s possession for any length of time. But when owners equip their cars with GPS vehicle tracking, police have much better odds of recovering not only the stolen vehicle, but many times the car thief as well.

GPS Vehicle Tracking & Thieves

A GPS vehicle tracking unit can be easily concealed inside your car. Current models are small enough to be placed discreetly, unlike older units which were bulky and easily detected. If someone steals your car, you simply log on to your computer and you can see immediately where the car is, which direction its traveling, and how fast it’s going. This information allows the police to find and identify the car quickly, even if the thief has already removed identifying characteristics such as the license plate and VIN number.

GPS vehicle tracking has proved to be so successful in stopping car theft that many departments have begun using “bait cars” to attract would-be thieves in an effort to stop car theft rings. The decoy cars are chosen based on their potential to attract the attention of a typical car thief and sometimes have valuables in plain sight. Once the thief takes the bait, the police can nab him immediately. Many of the cars are also equipped with technology that allows them to be turned off remotely, so that once police have the car in sight, they can kill the engine, making the arrest easier. Audio and video surveillance is typically used as well, which has provided invaluable insight into the actions and intentions of suspects.

Law enforcement departments have reported great success with the GPS vehicle tracking programs and have begun using the devices to monitor high theft areas and large events such as car shows or motorcycle rallies where theft is more common. The devices have saved departments significantly in terms of resources and manpower, allowing them to accomplish more and to increase effectiveness even on a tight budget.

Car owners who equip their vehicles with GPS tracking have taken the single most effective step in keep their cars safe. While locks and alarms can sometimes prove to be deterrents, experienced thieves know how to get around them. GPS tracking puts you as the owner in control of your car and gives you peace of mind that your valuable assets are protected.

By Greg Bartlett

Have you ever needed to stop by at a store for just a minute?  You know the item you need is on the shelf right by the door, and it’ll take you thirty seconds to run in there and check out.  Surely it’s not worth it to park what feels like a quarter mile away.  Or maybe all you need to do is pick up your kid, and you just need to go in the doors and catch his attention.  Circling the parking lot looking for a spot just isn’t appealing - it’ll only take a second to go inside, so it won’t hurt to leave the car running while you dash in?  Surely nothing will happen.

GPS Tracking & Auto Theft

Maybe, but maybe not.  It’s possible that some enterprising individual will seize the day - and your car, along with any valuables inside.  One man in Kansas recently had exactly that happen, but he was able to recover his vehicle through the use of GPS tracking.  If your car is stolen, whether from the curb or from a parking space, a GPS unit can help police track your vehicle, capture the thief, and recover your car.

Leaving your car running at the curb may not be the best way to avoid car theft, but a car can be stolen from a parking spot, too.  It could even be stolen from your driveway.  No matter where your car starts, the important thing for you is finding out where it goes.  A GPS tracking device will be able to tell you were your vehicle is in real time, including its speed and any stops it makes.

Once a car is stolen, recovery rates are not high.  The FBI Uniform Crime Report claims that only about 57% of stolen cars are recovered.  With GPS tracking, however, recovery rates can jump to 90%.  Since the tracking units are often small and can be easily hidden, thieves do not have the time to locate the device and get rid of it so that they can hide the car completely - at least, they don’t have time since the police and the owner will be tracking the car’s current location and the thieves won’t be able to just park somewhere and hunt for the device.

Wherever you leave your car, it’s important that it’ll be there when you get back.  Locks and alarm systems will help, but they can’t always protect your vehicle.  GPS tracking is a valuable aid to help you find and recover your car should it be stolen.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

Auto theft recovery efforts are aided by the use of GPS Tracking systems across the world.  Even in the UK, recovery efforts in 2009 surpassed £12 million.  We are talking about big dollars here in the United States as well.

GPS Tracking & Auto Theft

But, beyond big conglomerate numbers a GPS Tracking device can save you money.  Here’s how:

Lower Insurance Rates

Did you know that many insurance companies provide a discount on your monthly premiums if you have a GPS Tracking device installed and in operation on your vehicle?  It’s true and it makes sense because it lowers their risk and increases the chances of you getting your car back sooner if it becomes stolen.

These days, no one knows how much risk they are at and the best thing to do is to be ready for anything.  GPS Tracking provides you with a measure of security and peace of mind that you might not otherwise have.  Burying your head in the sand and pretending that you are not at risk is no longer an option.

Better Maintenance Monitoring

Everyone can watch their odometer and see when it is time to take their vehicle in for maintenance but, what about the terrain over which you drive your car or truck?  Simple monitoring of miles driven does not take that into consideration.  Watching your driving routes on a PC screen with your GPS Tracking unit will help in this effort.  Being mindful of the terrain and other elements in which you drive helps you better gauge the frequency of your maintenance intervals.

Watching Vehicle Usage

Do others in your family drive your vehicle?  If so, you can monitor their location, destination and speed.  This helps you curb destructive driving practices and enforces rules that you set forth about the use of your car or truck.  This is great for parents of teenage drivers.  It also provides a measure of security when teens venture out on their own.

You need to be ever vigilant in making sure that your vehicles can last as long as possible.  Economic conditions demand that cars are kept longer than they used to be.  Using the above three methods will help you in this effort.

Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking devices to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

More is better when it comes to protecting your vehicle from the potential threat of theft.  Some reasons for seeking more protection include the frustration of going through the event, possibility of losing personal property at the same time, and the gnashing process of having to get another vehicle, financing, etc.

GPS Vehicle Tracking & Theft

How does extra protection sound now?  GPS vehicle tracking provides you with extra layers of security that will help you avoid some of the bad fallout from a theft incident.  Here’s how:

Tracking Your Vehicle

If your vehicle is stolen and you have a GPS vehicle tracking device installed, you will be able to track your car to within a few feet of its actual location.  If you have a device that sends out a constant signal, you can trace it in real-time through a website on your computer and relay the information on the location to the local police to aid in the recovery process.  Your vehicle can be recovered within hours rather than days, weeks, months, or maybe not at all.

Insurance Premiums Drop

Most insurance companies will give a deduction to those who use devices that help prevent the theft of their vehicles.  Using GPS vehicle tracking saves the insurance companies money and they return it to you in the form of lower premiums.  It is a ‘win-win’ situation for all parties.  Check this out with your insurance provider to see if they participate in this type of a program.

Community Deterrence Measures

Making the community aware of theft deterrent devices in vehicles helps make for a safer place to live.  It is likely that perpetrators will go elsewhere for easier targets.  It also sends the message that the community is serious about their crime fighting activities and it could have a spill-over affect on the rest of the area as well.

GPS vehicle tracking devices have already proven their worth many times over.  Even if your state does not encourage the purchase and use of these effective devices, you can rest assured that it is money well-spent.

Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking devices to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

By Greg Bartlett

Most people who buy GPS trackers for their property and assets will often consider the cost a bit of personal insurance. The technology can certainly help protect or recover items in case of loss or theft. Investment in a GPS tracker can seem small in comparison to the cost of losing a vehicle or other valuable property. Yet what if purchasing and installing GPS tracking technology could also save you money on your monthly insurance premiums?

GPS Tracking & Insurance

Fact is, it can. Insurance companies recognize GPS trackers as simple yet effective way of safeguarding all sorts of property, so they’re willing to make it worth your while to give them a little more peace of mind. To them, it’s all about statistics, and GPS trackers will lower the odds of costly property loss.

The benefits among auto insurance providers may vary. Liberty Mutual is one of the biggest discounters, offering up to 25% off regular comprehensive monthly premiums to GPS users. Other insurance companies like AAA, Progressive, and Geico offer up to 18%, 15%, and 10% off respectively. Some companies have different discounts or requirements in different states, so call your agent and ask what benefits apply to your situation. If you’re a company managing an entire fleet of vehicles, GPS tracking will certainly net you a higher gain than an individual vehicle policy. If you’re a parent stressing over your newly licensed teen, there’s likely some discounts to be had there, as well. A few years ago, AIG began a program offering a particularly high discount to teen drivers who were willing to be tracked by their parents. Again, be sure to check out these discounts if you’re not already familiar with them. Don’t doubt that there’s one out there for you-about a dozen states (note: pdf link) have passed laws requiring insurance companies to offer incentives to drivers who purchase anti-theft devices like GPS trackers.

GPS trackers can also save you money indirectly. Most insurance companies have low mileage discounts for infrequent drivers, so a data sheet generated by your car’s GPS tracker can be a quick and simple way to show how much you’ve travelled during any relevant period of time. On a similar note, if you itemize your tax deductions, a GPS tracker is a great way to prove your low mileage at the end of every year to the IRS.

Even without the benefit of lower monthly premiums, GPS trackers pay for themselves by providing security and peace of mind. And if they can save you a few extra bucks as well, what’s keeping you from picking one up?

By Greg Bartlett

Insurance-it’s on everyone’s mind these days as the health care debate remains in the media spotlight.  Health insurance is just one of many forms of insurance which most people have.

Insurance & the GPS Tracker

When did you last consider your other insurance and how much you are paying?  For example: car insurance.  Did you know that many car insurance companies offer discounts to vehicles equipped with anti-theft devices?  Some states even require auto insurance companies to offer discounts for anti-theft devices (Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas).  And just in case you don’t think your car will ever be stolen, consider some statistics.  According to the FBI, a car is stolen in America every 33 seconds.  Those living in urban areas are at an even greater risk for car theft.

Don’t be lulled into complacency because you have an older car.  The National Crime Insurance Crime Bureau reports the top ten most stolen cars in 2006 were models were 1995, 1991, 1989, 1997, 2005, 1994 (several different models from this year), and 1990.  If you happen to own a motorcycle, you are at an even greater risk.  In 2008 60,763 motorcycles were reported stolen.

And while car thefts have fallen slightly over the past year, it is in part due to the advances in technology in anti-theft devices.  One such device is a GPS tracker.  A GPS tracker has two components: the satellites that do the tracking and the receiver that is attached to the vehicle.  There are roughly 24 satellites that can determine the location (latitude and longitude) of the receiver (can be a person, in this case your vehicle).  This information is sent to a database that is accessible by internet or through mobile devices.

Active GPS tracking systems give real-time information about the location of the receiver, while passive tracking is more like a log of events that occurred.  If your vehicle equipped with this type of anti-theft device were to be stolen, you would be able to determine the exact location, which is why insurance companies often reward such preventative measures with discounts.  These discounts can start around 5% and go as high as 30%.

As previously mentioned, some states require companies to offer discounts, but many, many companies in other states also offer incentives and discounts to owners who equip their vehicles with anti-theft devices.  If you are paying too much for car insurance, consider the investment in a device that will offer you many benefits-one of which would be lowering your monthly insurance costs.

By Greg Bartlett

A car is left running, keys in the ignition, purse on the front seat, while the owner returns her shopping cart to the store. She doesn’t know that the man she just passed in the parking lot has been watching customers go in and out of the store, waiting for just the scenario she provided. By the time she turns around, the man is already pulling out onto the road with her car, her keys, her cell phone, and her purse. If you think this couldn’t happen to you, consider that over six billion dollars worth of stolen autos are reported each year.  GPS tracking can prevent you from becoming the next victim.

GPS & Auto Theft

But, you say, I don’t drive an expensive car. I drive an older model that’s not likely to be a target for theft. I lock my doors and I never leave the keys in the car. Statistics demonstrate that older, reliable cars such as the Accord, Camry, and Civic are among the most stolen cars in America and the vast majority of drivers take safety precautions. But thieves are still making off with billions of dollars in stolen vehicles each year. Recovery is difficult, because car thieves know how to remove identifying marks such as license plates and VIN numbers, making it almost impossible to identify a particular car accurately. But law enforcement officers say that cars with a GPS tracking device installed can be recovered much more easily. Because the device can give the exact location of the car, officers can locate your vehicle and apprehend the thief immediately, rather than spending time and manpower to track your car down and watch the suspect.

Many GPS tracking models are available as small magnetic units that can be attached inconspicuously to your vehicle. While the thief thinks he’s getting away with the goods, police can track him and begin recovery procedures just minutes after you’ve reported the theft.

While it’s true that you may never be the victim of auto theft, investing in GPS tracking for your vehicle is still a good idea. You can monitor fuel consumption and speed with the device as well, information which can be useful if you have a teen driver in your home or you just want to be more environmentally conscious.  And if you should ever discover that your car isn’t where it’s supposed to be, you’ll know that your GPS tracking device is on the job, working to protect you from serious financial loss.

So vehicle thefts are down but what about those of you who own vehicles that are specifically targeted by car thieves?  Do you feel comfortable with just your Original Equipment Manufactured theft deterrent system?  You shouldn’t because these professionals will steal your car if they get the opportunity.  They are trained at how to bypass theft deterrent systems, gain access to and drive away in your car.

Vehicle Theft & GPS

You don’t care because you have insurance, you say?  How do you like paying high premiums because your car is a high risk for theft?  Does your money matter to you that little?  Here’s a little secret:  you can save money on your insurance by purchasing a GPS Tracking device and having it installed into your vehicle.

But, before we go down that road, here are four ways that you can help to prevent vehicle theft or incur almost instant recovery should your car be stolen:

Active Deterrent

Lock your vehicle and take your keys with you every time you leave your car.  This means, if your vehicle is out of your sight, even for just a few seconds, do this action.

Audio Warning

Use an alarm system that activates your horn or a siren if your vehicle is tampered with.  These will usually scare off would-be thieves.  Even if not, they draw attention to the vehicle which can help, too.

Immobilization Device

Consider having a “kill switch” installed under the dashboard which disables the ignition and renders your vehicle a 4,000 pound rock.  This is important, because if thieves encounter this type of device, they will not waste time trying to determine why the vehicle will not start.  Instead, they will find an easier target.

GPS Tracking

Purchase a GPS Tracking device and have it installed in your car.  Obtaining one of these units will give you the ability to track your vehicle should it be stolen.  The thieves will not know about your device which will allow you to give location information to police who can then recover it within hours, not days, weeks, months or maybe never.

Finally, the savings on your insurance premiums can pay for one of these devices in just a few months.  There, you do not have any good reason to avoid adding a GPS Tracking device to your vehicle.

Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking devices to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

With many families struggling to make monthly payments, some used car dealers that finance their own sales have seen their losses increase in the last few years.  One of the ways they are fighting back is with the installation of GPS Tracking devices in each vehicle they sell.

Used Car Dealers and GPS Tracking

The popularity of the “buy here, pay here” dealers has gone up because they require little if any credit pre-qualification in order to drive off of the lot with a vehicle.  This leaves them vulnerable to those who stop making payments and then skip out or hide the vehicle.

GPS Tracking devices are the consummate answer to this problem.  Here’s how:

Location is King

If a customer falls behind on payments, it triggers a red flag in the business that there might be a problem.  Rather than letting it go, these dealers need to be proactive in finding out of there is a problem.  It might be something that can be resolved and get the customer back on their payment schedule.  But, it might be indicative that there is a long-term problem and that they are going to have to make a decision whether or not to re-possess the vehicle.

If the later is the case, location is all important, because if the customer refuses to comply, then they might be forced to obtain the vehicle without the compliance of the customer.  GPS Tracking devices like the Smart Tracker allow the dealer to locate the vehicle quickly and track it while it is moving if needed.

Low Cost Options

This GPS Tracking device is less than $200 which makes it easy to cost-justify.  And, with a Smart Tracker there are no monthly fees until the device is activated as needed.  You can even add an internal battery backup to the unit which can be done for just a few dollars.  It makes the decision to purchase easier than ever.

Control and Flexibility

The GPS Tracking Smart Tracker puts you in charge of your inventory of vehicles that are still being financed.  Once the finance period is over, you can offer a free oil change so that the device can be removed and used on another vehicle.

This means that you have full control and flexibility when it comes to making sure that your business is profitable.  And that is very important in the economy in which we find ourselves.

By Greg Bartlett

Have you ever had your vehicle stolen, or heard of a friend who lost their car? The prevalence of stolen cars in the United States has risen drastically throughout the last several years, and the thieves stealing the cars have become more and more capable of breaking into the cars and driving away regardless of the security device. Some security devices include alarms, ignition disabling devices, steering wheel locks, and other such items. Now, there is a new answer for any car owners that will help you to make sure you get your car back, no matter who takes it. A GPS anti theft device can be easily installed into your car and activated so that you will know where it is at any time of day.

Car Thieves and GPS Tracking

GPS tracking is a relatively new technology that has become more and more user-friendly. People can use this technology for a variety of things and its uses are still being expanded as the technology gets better. GPS tracking involves a GPS device, whether an anti theft device or a simple GPS in a car to tell you where you are going, a series of satellites, and a base computer.

The GPS device transmits its current location at certain intervals, depending on its programming, and this information is then relayed to the satellites. These satellites are placed strategically to pick up the tracking information throughout the world, regardless of the location. The information is then passed on to the base computer, where engineers record the information and pass it on to the necessary parties.

One use for the GPS anti theft device that has recently become more well-known is the Dewalt Mobilelock system. This is placed into certain machinery and its containers, so that owners can keep track of their tools on the work place or at home. This tracking device also includes information about vibrations, temperature, and other news about the environment. This information can help the owner know where the tool is, how the environment is affecting it, and how other people are treating the container it is in.

Whether you simply want an anti theft device for your new car, or whether you want one for your furniture, machinery, or some other valuable item that you have, there is something available for you. GPS tracking can help you keep vigilant record of where your important possessions are located.