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 Greg Bartlett

Insecurity is the silent killer of all relationships.  It sneaks in and causes you to question your partner’s faithfulness.  It steals your trust in that person and leaves you with nothing but doubts.  There is a way to get rid of insecurity in a relationship.  GPS tracking is a discreet way to track the whereabouts of your significant other without their suspecting a thing.  You can find out where they go on a regular basis-along with other various details about their travel.  Partner or spouse tracking can give you the confidence of knowing exactly where your loved one is at all times; it brings back the trust and gives you peace of mind.

GPS Tracking & Spouses

You probably know that GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and it is a means of tracking something or someone.  It uses information received from satellites to record or send information.  Typically a GPS tracking unit is one of two types:  a data logger or a data pusher.  A data logger is a portable and discreet unit that is typically used in spouse tracking to locate a vehicle.  It is hidden on the vehicle, and it records all of the vehicle’s activity.  This activity would include route of travel, speed of travel, and any stops made.  Another type of GPS tracking unit is the data pusher.  A GPS unit is placed on the vehicle, and, instead of recording the data, it would periodically send, or “push” the data to a computer where it can be analyzed.  These are often used in spouse tracking as a means of surveillance.

One man who knows all too well the need for spouse tracking is Daniel Gomez, the lead detective of Gomez Detective Agency and former Dallas police officer.  His ample load of casework can be seen on TV on the show “Cheaters.”  He is to infidelity what a detective is to homicide.  One of the most common surveillance tools he uses is GPS tracking. Daniel Gomez frequently installs GPS tracking devices on the vehicles of his client’s choosing to help him gain important information about the chosen person’s travel habits and current whereabouts.  This information will either prove the existence of an affair or give the peace of mind that the suspected spouse was innocent.  Either way, if you or someone you know has nagging doubts about a spouse’s faithfulness, spouse tracking with GPS is just what you need.

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 Greg Bartlett

Most people think that tracking devices are just an infringement on their personal rights. While this may sometimes be true, it is more commonly used to protect and help people. Some of the more common uses for car tracking devices are to track teenagers and spouses while they travel. There are more accidents occurring every day than ever before and teens are often charged with negligent driving due to peer pressure and a lack of driving skills. Whether your teen fits these criteria, or whether he is a safe driver, car tracking may be the answer to protecting your child, or even other family members as they travel.

Family & GPS Car Tracking

GPS tracking is a relatively new technology that has come out on the market. There are several sorts of tracking devices that offer a variety of solutions to any problem. The basic device is usually small and can be easily hidden, but varies according to each individual need. Once the device is activated, it begins recording data or transmitting it to a series of satellites, that then relay the information to a central receiving computer. This computer is monitored by groups of technicians that can then pass on the time, location, and speed of the GPS monitor.

Google is currently monitoring a streetcar that is located in the city of Berlin. This experiment offers the world an opportunity to see GPS tracking at its finest. The European Commission is pushing for much higher standards on tracking units and is trying to make pinpoint tracking a possibility. GPS tracking continues to evolve and will continue to have an influence on the world as its endless opportunities are explored. The plan is to eventually create units that can give more compact directions with fewer possibilities of getting their owners lost or delayed. The United States has even begun a smart car program in the city of Austin that will allow Americans to experience the possibilities of GPS car tracking.

Regardless of the options available, GPS tracking has and will continue to improve over time. With GPS units becoming smaller, the data received has continued to grow and expand. Car tracking is becoming a commonplace event, whether legally or illegally. Help your teenager or spouse drive safely on the road no matter what circumstances they face. Find out how GPS tracking can help you and your family as you continue into the future.

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

Many people may wonder why some businesses find it necessary to install tracking devices in their vehicles. While it may seem like an unnecessary precaution to install vehicle tracking, some companies have found that fleet tracking has allowed them to better serve their customers, as well as save on fuel consumption. A company in the United Kingdom began tracing the effects of their tracking systems and found that some businesses saved up to 15% of their annual fuel costs. These savings have allowed them to quickly pay off and profit from the purchase of the vehicle tracking devices. Also, once an individual knows that they are being tracked in their car, they are much more likely to be conscious of their speed, time spent idling, and wasted gas mileage.

What is Vehicle Tracking?

GPS tracking can work in a variety of ways. Basically, the system starts with a tracker, or object which is placed onto or into a vehicle. This tracker can be passive or active, which will be explained later. Once the unit is activated, it begins transmitting signals. Currently, there are two different places where these signals can be passed along to. One option is to use the cell phone towers and pass along the signals to them, which will then pass it along to a central computer. The other option is to use a series of satellites in outer space. The information from the satellites is also passed to the central computers, where it is recorded and analyzed.

As stated before, there are two types of GPS vehicle tracking. Passive tracking involves an internal recording device in the GPS unit, which then downloads the information onto a computer when connected. The other type of tracking is active tracking, when the signals from the GPS are continually transmitted. While passive tracking is usually cheaper, the active GPS will keep you continually alerted as to your vehicle’s whereabouts.

A new GPS vehicle tracking company has started in the Philippines, with updates maps of the country, and up-to-date information on the unit at all times. Perspective Mobil Tracker claims to be able to keep you knowledgeable of all aspects of your vehicle - the speed it is traveling, whether its doors are opened or closed, how far it has traveled, and other facts. Tracking vehicles is a very new concept, but one that continues to flourish and that may be right for you.

By Harriette Halepis

WBZ Boston, Lowell, Massachusetts, January 29, 2010 - The state of Lowell, Massachusetts, recently proposed that all Lowell police cars be fitted with GPS trackers. Other states that have outfitted state-owned vehicles with GPS trackers have managed to increase productivity and emergency response time. However, the Lowell police force is not allowing the installation of GPS trackers without a fight.

Tracking Police Cars

Due to planned protests, the annual awards ceremony that is usually held in the Lowell memorial Auditorium had to be cancelled.  Those who are a part of the Lowell force feel that the installation of GPS trackers would be a violation of personal rights, though City Manager Bernard Lynch doesn’t quite see the situation in this manner.

Instead, Lynch argues that the city “…wants to make sure that…police officers are doing what they’re supposed to be doing… (WBZ)“ While this may sound paranoid to some, the fact of the matter is that many other states through the nation have found that city employees spend a lot more time tending to non-work related tasks then they do to work related tasks.

Further, tax payers don’t see anything wrong with ensuring that police officers are actually working for that tax money. As one resident put it “it’s tax dollars at work. You see a cruiser sitting on the side of the road, at least back at dispatch, they know where they are (WBZ).” This resident isn’t the only one, many people within the Lowell area wonder whether or not police officers are spending their time wisely.

As for those members of the Lowell police force, a press release that was sent to the Lowell Sun states that “the chief has proclaimed his lack of trust in our members by proposing the GPS system (WBZ).” At this time, no further comments have been made by force representatives. Thus, the proposal has not yet been implemented, though both state officials and city taxpayers would like to see the proposal set into motion.

GPS trackers installed in police cars across the nation would not only ensure that police officers are respecting state time, but they would also ensure that stolen police vehicles are returned in a timely manner. Also, back up crews would likely be able to reach officers in distress faster with the help of a GPS tracker.

By Greg Bartlett

Teen drivers, the bane of every parent.  Most parents are or at least should be concerned when their teenager borrows the car for an evening out.  Car accidents are, after all, the leading cause of death for U.S. teenagers.  But what can parents do in order to permit their teens to still be free to do their activities while not endangering themselves or passengers?  After all, isn’t one of the benefits of your teen getting a driver’s license that the teenager no longer has to depend on you to drive him or her everywhere?

There are steps parents can take to help reduce the likelihood of accidents, such as driver’s ed, curfews so the teens don’t drive during dangerous times, and reminding the teens of safety issues.  The “little” things like wearing a seat belt or speeding can make a huge difference in a teen’s life.

But even despite your precautions, what happens if your son decides to take some of his friends out for pizza, and the peer pressure makes your son want to show off rather than follow your instructions?  Just a little bit of speeding, and your son and his friends might end up in the hospital, or even the morgue.  Or what if your daughter decides to sneak out after curfew?  How will you know to stop her until it’s too late?

Teenage Drivers & GPS

GPS tracking is one option parents can use to help ensure the safety of their teenage drivers.  When a car is equipped with a GPS tracking unit, the unit will monitor the car’s activities.  Parents can get a report of their teen’s driving activities so that they know how fast the teen has been driving or if the teen has been out after curfew.  While this won’t stop teens from unsafe driving, it can alert parents to problem areas that need to be addressed.  Better yet, some GPS tracking units will even alert the parent via a text message, email, or phone call the instant the car exceeds a certain speed or is driven during restricted hours, allowing you to stop the problematic behavior immediately and hopefully prevent an accident.

Driving is an important part of your teens’ lives, and of course you want to give them the freedom to drive themselves around - so long as they’re safe.  If you add GPS tracking to your other precautions, such as education and curfews, you can help ensure that your teens are not another accident statistic.