Rocky Mountain Tracking

By Greg Bartlett

Do you remember how you kept teasing your kids when they were little that you needed to keep them on a leash? Well, GPS technology has created personal tracking that will keep you up-to-date with their movements at any moment. There are a variety of options available for personal tracking and it can be used for a number of reasons.

GPS & Children

Trackmykids.com has created miniature GPS devices that can be attached to backpacks, belts, or coats to monitor your child’s whereabouts. If you want to know the path that they traveled to school, where they are at the current moment, or even whether they stayed within the boundaries that you gave them, this technology might work for you. This site is one of many that offers child tracking, allowing you to have a logon and password so that you are the only one who has access to that information.

GPS tracking is a technology that has been developed recently in science. Although there are many types of GPS tracking, the basics behind it are the same. There must be some sort of device that is connected the object in question. When the device is activated, it begins recording data or transmitting signals to satellites that are strategically located. These satellites reflect the signals to a central computer that records and analyzes the information. Technicians can then make this information available to the public as needed.

A recent event in news has caused a public outcry in regards to the extent that personal tracking has gone. Several schools across the USA have given their students new computers to assist them with schoolwork. The downside, as many have found out, is that the webcam on those computers has been taking pictures and videos of the students working at the computers, or even of other people that are in the room. While this may not sound bad, these cameras have caught some very compromising situations on tape and several school board officials have been questioned regarding the integrity of such a project.

Personal tracking may be the answer to maintaining the security and privacy of your children, but make sure that you consider all the side effects. These items are easily attained and you can even carry one on yourself so that others know your location in case of an emergency. Check out what GPS tracking can do for you.

By Greg Bartlett

There are 5.3 million people in the United States affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.  A new case of Alzheimer’s is diagnosed every 70 seconds.  Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

GPS Tracking & Alzheimers

Alzheimer’s has many symptoms and several stages, but one of the most dangerous symptoms of the disease is “wandering” - the victim wanders away from home, leaving caregivers and family members in distress.  As some doctors point out, sometimes the patient may have deteriorated mentally before they deteriorate physically, leaving them in a condition to wander for many many miles and hours before they become exhausted.  Sometimes the patient is missed early, is located, and is easily led home.  Others leave home in all weathers and conditions never to be found again.

What makes this wandering tendency so dangerous is that the patient does not realize that they are lost or in trouble-they don’t stop to ask for help and simply become confused as to where they actually are.  They are almost always unable to find their way back home.  Sometimes the patient is found with serious injuries due to exposure.  In far too many cases, the victim is found dead.  Some states have “silver alerts,” similar to amber alerts (amber alerts notify a community when a child has been abducted).  The silver alert would notify the area when an older adult is missing.  There are similar things that people have developed to help with this problem, but when your patient is lost, time is of the essence in order to avert injury and possible tragedy.

Alzheimer’s patients in the stage of the disease where wandering becomes a danger must have constant surveillance, and it is nearly impossible for caregivers and family members to maintain a 24-hour vigilance over their loved one.  One way to help with this problem among Alzheimer’s sufferers and their families is to implement a GPS tracking device for the patient.  A GPS tracking device can help you keep a constant watch on the whereabouts of the wearer.  The satellites are able to ascertain the longitude and latitude of the person wearing the receiver, and the information downloads constantly from satellites to the internet or to a mobile device.

If your loved one wanders off, you will be able to instantly track their location and reach them before it is too late.  Investing in a GPS tracking device for your loved one with Alzheimer’s is a small price to pay for their safety and your peace of mind.

By Greg Bartlett

Are you a loner?  A child?  A young woman living alone?  A senior citizen?  An outdoorsy camping type?  Then you might need to consider your personal safety and GPS tracking.  Being out and about in the city, or alone in the woods, or anywhere for that matter, has always carried certain risks (even back to the days of highwaymen and bandits, cutthroats and robbers).

Personal Safety & GPS

However, we do have an advantage over our ancestors from the Dark Ages-and that is technology.  We all know how GPS can help you find your way and give directions, but a GPS tracking device can keep track of you wherever you go.  If you are wearing a GPS tracker and get lost in a storm, crash your car, or are abducted, the tracker will let emergency personnel know your exact location.  “So what do you think my cell phone is for?” you may ask.

Cell phones can easily run out of coverage or battery, while a GPS tracker has a battery than can last from 10 to 30 days, depending on which kind you buy.  The FBI reports that during 2008, 778,161 missing persons were entered into the NCIC database.  Another source cites the number of Americans reported missing daily at 2,300.  The news is also full of horror stories of people gone missing-campers trekking off happily into the woods to never be seen alive again; college girls out for a run are mysteriously abducted; children are snatched from their neighborhoods.

You can’t help but wonder if things would have turned out differently if the victims had been wearing a GPS tracking device for their personal safety.  While these are definitely statistics on the morbid side, what about your personal safety during travel?  A dangerous storm, your tire blows, your cell phone dies, you are stranded.  A GPS tracking device can help keep you safe by registering data about your location (via satellite) and downloading to an internet source.  Active GPS tracking systems are considered to be “real-time.”  Passive GPS tracking systems are more of a record of what happened-where the vehicle or person went, how long they were there, etc.

Some GPS even notifies a phone or email if unauthorized movement, tampering, or other suspicious activities occur.  If you are concerned about your personal safety or the personal safety of a child, elderly relative, or any loved one, consider making the investment in a GPS tracking device.  It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

By Greg Bartlett

Many people are interested in technology as it progresses, but few seem to actually understand the workings behind the technology and how it applies to daily life. GPS tracking is one of these areas that few understand, but many would like to use. The most common use of a GPS is a device that is located within a vehicle to give directions to a specific place. While this is a good example, GPS tracking is slightly different. A GPS within a car will tell you where you are a currently located. A GPS tracking device will let you know where other individuals are located.

GPS Tracking

A GPS is fairly simple to understand. Basically, you begin with a small object that contains the actual GPS. You can attach this object to the underside or inside of a car, or you can give it to someone. Once the device is turned on, it will emit radio waves to a set of satellites that are located in outer spaces. These satellites then reflect the waves back to a central computer that will then record and process the information that is given. These GPS systems can be used to track the speed, distance, location, height, or depth of an object, as well as many other variables. The choices depend simply upon the GPS unit available and its capabilities.

GPS tracking can be used for many things and on many things. It can be used to track spouses, children, criminals, famous individuals, or a vehicle. It can also be used on a phone, a computer, a car, a briefcase, or a number of other items, depending on your ingenuity. GPS tracking is still new enough that its boundaries are endless. Some businesses even keep their expensive machinery, such as bulldozers and helicopters in check with GPS systems.

GPS tracking is still relatively new and will continue to go through many upgrades before the year is over. Still, it is exciting to see where this new technology is taking the world and how it continues to evolve as scientists understand more and more about how it works. The devices have continued to grow smaller, while the capacity of the machine has grown astronomically. Take some time to see if a GPS device could help make your life easier, so that you know where your important friends, valuable belongings, or priceless family are at all times.

By Greg Bartlett

More and more people recognize the benefit of using GPS tracking technology for safety purposes. As the devices become more common, law enforcement officials have tended to rely on them for help in the performance of their duties as well. Whether they’re following a suspected drug dealer, keeping an eye on a prison parolee, or catching a bank robber, police officers have found that GPS tracking devices can make their jobs more efficient and more precise as they seek to keep citizens and their property safe.

Domestic Violence & GPS Tracking

Perhaps no one understands the importance of personal safety better than victims of domestic violence. While police departments do everything they can to enforce restraining orders and protect victims, there are times when traditional methods don’t work. That’s why the state of Kentucky is considering the possibility of using GPS tracking to monitor the movements of people who have been accused of domestic violence. Known as Amanda’s bill in memory of a domestic violence victim, the legislation would allow law enforcement officials to keep an eye on the movements of the accused at all times, and to be alerted immediately should they violate a restraining order.

Each domestic violence perpetrator would be required to wear an ankle bracelet containing a GPS transmitter. The transmitter would send signals at specified intervals to a computer, from which a single police officer could monitor the movements of many people at one time. A perimeter alert system would cause an alert to be sent to the law enforcement department immediately should the perimeter be crossed. Opponents of this type of monitoring system assert that such measures invade a person’s privacy; however, its advocates argue that no information is gathered that could not be observed by anyone in the public arena. The GPS tracking device simply allows law enforcement departments that are already spread thin to save some manpower while still accomplishing the goal of keeping victims safe.

People who have never witnessed domestic violence have a hard time understanding how terrifying it can be to feel unsafe in your own home. Even after a restraining order is in place, victims still feel a need to watch their backs at all times, making it difficult to truly relax. By implementing GPS tracking technology into the current system, law enforcement departments could offer a greater sense of security to the vulnerable, while sending a clear message to those who might consider a restraining order violation.

By Greg Bartlett

Your oldest daughter is at her choir practice, your son is at work, and your younger daughter wants to go to a friend’s house. It seems like each day is so filled with activities that you almost need to hire someone just to keep track of where everyone is and what they’re doing.

Well, maybe you don’t need to hire someone, but you can get something to help keep track of your active family. If you, your spouse, and your children have GPS devices, you’ll be able to find out where any member of your family is at any time. You can set up safe zones, and if one of your children wanders outside of those zones, the GPS device will alert you at once. Whenever your child arrives at a particular location, perhaps work, school, choir practice, or a friend’s house, you will receive an alert so that you know your child arrived safely.

GPS & Children

GPS devices can be a benefit to the child, too. Since parents can locate their children instantly by checking with the GPS monitoring unit, they won’t feel the need to call their children constantly and find out where they are and what they are doing. Furthermore, the kids can find out where their parents are, too, if they are don’t pick them up on time or don’t answer their phone.

One family uses GPS devices to monitor family members 24/7 without being invasive of the other family members’ activities. They use them to keep track of each other throughout the day, including finding out what a child studying abroad is doing and where a family member is if he or she doesn’t answer the phone.

If your child has special needs, a GPS device can be especially important to help you monitor your child and be aware of his or her activities. For small children who tend to wander off, GPS monitoring may be a necessity. For instance, if your toddler tends to disappear in the mall, your GPS unit will notify you if your child gets too far away from you and will start beeping so you can find your child quickly.

Your family members are actively involved in their own pursuits, and GPS devices will permit you to not restrict anyone’s freedom while you also stay involved and ensure that your children arrive safely at their various activities.

By Greg Bartlett

GPS tracking has become an integral part of many businesses as well as an important aid for individual consumers. You have probably seen instances of GPS use in the news as the devices are becoming more frequently used among law enforcement departments. Criminals on parole commonly wear GPS bracelets to help make sure they don’t violate their restrictions, while suspected criminals are sometimes placed under GPS surveillance. Perhaps you understand how the technology can be helpful for law enforcement and for large businesses as they seek to keep track of many different people and vehicles at once, but you’re uncertain as to how GPS tracking could benefit you personally in your daily life.

GPS Tracking for Consumers

One of the primary ways individuals can benefit from GPS tracking is by taking advantage of its personal safety assistance. Whether you’re concerned about your child’s safety during school hours, your elderly parent who lives on his own, or your spouse’s safety as he goes biking or hiking in remote areas, monitoring their movements with GPS technology can give you peace of mind and provide you with the information you need to reassure yourself about their safety at any time. If a problem should come up, many GPS tracking models come equipped with an alert button that can be pressed, sending you an instant text message or email.

If you drive a car or truck, you can use the information GPS tracking provides to protect your car from theft, keep an eye on the driving habits of your teenager, and even to save fuel. Recovery rates for stolen vehicles equipped with GPS tracking devices are much higher than the average rates because police can use the location information to go directly to your vehicle and apprehend the thief. Teens who drive on their own demonstrate greater responsibility when they know they are being monitored, and you can even see how much fuel they use, what routes they take, and how long they leave the car idling. All of this information can help you teach your teen how to find the most direct route to their destination and to reduce fuel consumption by maintaining good driving habits such as going the speed limit and not allowing the car to idle for long periods of time.

No matter what your situation, GPS tracking can give you the information you need to maintain peace of mind about the safety of your family and your assets. It’s an investment you’ll never regret.

By Greg Bartlett

You smell that hint of chestnut in the air? Or does the smell of cinnamon seem a bit stronger in the malls recently? Or have you perhaps noticed the rather gratuitous amounts of holly and red ribbon strung every which way? It’s officially the holiday season, and Americans everywhere are preparing to spend the coldest weeks with loved ones under the light of a well-strung tree. Technology is becoming an increasingly integral part of our celebrations, as multi-function smart-phones and big box gadgets become part of our wish lists. Yet as GPS trackers become a hot-ticket item, how exactly can they play a role in everyone’s favorite time of year?

Track That Package!

Security is of course just as relevant in this time as any other. Not everyone shares the holiday spirit. Packages will especially need GPS trackers during this season to ensure safe delivery of gifts. Religious institutions have found it useful to install GPS trackers in their larger public decorations, as vandalism of Christmas and Hanukkah paraphernalia continues to be a problem. To keep a few teens from walking off with your wise men or menorah, perhaps a little investment in security would help. GPS trackers allow law enforcement to recover stolen items safely and quickly. Of course, your children are even more precious, and if you’ll be attending a great deal of public events like parades and fairs this season, consider giving them a small and inexpensive GPS tracker for a little extra peace of mind. Technology doesn’t replace good parenting, but it can certainly help it along.

And if your kids are young (or happily innocent) enough to wait up for the big red guy this year, be sure to take advantage of NORAD’s Santa GPS tracker. Apparently his sled is outfitted with a state of the art tracking device, and the North American missile defense group maintains a website which every year on Christmas Eve shows the real-time progress of St. Nick. You can watch him make his way around the world to every household not on the naughty list. We would mention here how much this event demonstrates the amazing durability and efficiency of GPS trackers, but we’ll refrain.

However, we will note that one of the best places to put a GPS tracker this season is under the tree. Whether your loved one is safety minded or just a high-tech hobbyist, the uses for a personal GPS tracking device are many.

By Greg Bartlett

My dad likes hunting, and my family is very “outdoorsy.” We’ve been on hikes, camping trips, and so on ever since I can remember. Since there are seven people in my family, we’ve never really had to worry about someone hiking alone, but for those people who don’t hike, camp, or hunt with family or friends, being alone could be a serious safety hazard.

GPS Tracking & Outdoors

For instance, a while back a hiker fell on a trail, broke a leg, and couldn’t get to civilization, which was a few miles away. He had a cell phone, but the mountains around him blocked his reception. For many people in his situation, death from injuries or exposure would occur soon if help didn’t arrive quickly. Even if family or friends realize the hiker is missing and call park rangers to assist with a search, finding him is unlikely without knowing the hiker’s exact location.

However, this hiker’s story had a happy ending. In addition to his cell phone, he was carrying a GPS tracking device. His family was able to find his exact location, and before long rescuers found him alive and, other than his leg, healthy.

Yesterday another man went through a similar experience. While hunting in Vermont, he became lost and had to spend the night in the woods. He called his friend, and his friend was able to help park officials to use the information from the GPS tracking device he had in order to find him by late morning. Naturally, the hunter was cold, tired, and hungry, but he was safe.

For those who want to hike, especially in dangerous or isolated areas, bringing along a companion can make the difference between life and death. For those who can’t bring someone, a cell phone is helpful, but the battery could die or the reception could be blocked. A GPS tracking device gives an added level of safety, whether or not you’re hiking, hunting, or camping with someone else. It keeps track of your exact location, where you’ve been, and your speed, and, in the event of an emergency, could save your life. If your GPS tracking device has a panic button, when you press it immediately it will send an alert to family, friends, or emergency personnel, making them instantly aware that you need help and giving them your exact location so that they can actually help you in time.

By Greg Bartlett

There’s something especially satisfying about taking a long run or walk through nature, especially when you need to clear your mind or focus on a particular issue. People who place a high priority on physical fitness are nearly unanimous in their agreement that working out at the gym can’t compare to getting your workout in the fresh air. But sometimes being on your own in the middle of nowhere without a cell phone signal can be cause for concern. A single misstep can lead to a sprained ankle, leaving you incapacitated with no way to contact friends or family. Walkers tend to be targeted for robbery as well, especially those who don’t dress out in exercise clothes. Equipping yourself with a GPS tracking device for personal safety provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones when you’re out enjoying the fresh air.

Exercise Safely - Take GPS Along!

Today’s GPS tracking device can do more than provide your location to concerned friends or family members. Many models come equipped with alert buttons that you can press if you’re in trouble, sending an email or text message to let someone know you need help. Fitness aficionados with a techie bent will enjoy the GPS devices created especially for exercisers. These devices, often taking the form of a wristwatch, can also keep track of heart rate, distance covered, calories burned, steps, and exercise intensity. Some can log these statistics over time, allowing you to view your progress and keep track of where you are in relation to your fitness goals.

Runners and walkers who dress in workout clothes often avoid robbery situations because would-be thieves don’t expect them to carry their wallets on them while their exercising. People who walk for enjoyment in regular clothing, however, are sometimes not so fortunate. News stations often report stories of older people being targeted for robberies while they’re out walking. If you’re equipped with a GPS tracking device, you can immediately notify someone that you’re in trouble by pressing the alert button. If you’re injured or you don’t come home when expected, your family can immediately find you and bring help.

Outdoor exercise breathes life into many people who otherwise spend their time commuting between home and office. By equipping themselves with a GPS tracking device, lovers of the outdoors can commune with nature without leaving themselves unprotected in the event of injury or other unforeseen circumstances. GPS tracking gives you and your family the peace of mind you need in order to truly find inner calm during your outdoor excursions.