Rocky Mountain Tracking

By Greg Bartlett

For many people, vehicles are their livelihood.  Perhaps you own a car dealership.  Your cars are your “babies,” and you don’t want them out of your sight for long.  Perhaps you have a work truck that carries equipment that is vital to your career-such as construction, plumbing, or landscaping equipment.  Or perhaps you have a have a taste for expensive cars like Porsches, Ferraris, or Lamborghinis, and you want to keep a very close eye on them.  In any of these cases, vehicle tracking devices can give you the security and peace of mind that you need.

Vehicle Tracking Uses

At one time, vehicle tracking systems were a luxury.  Now, however, they are a necessity.  Vehicle tracking systems are GPS (Global Positioning Systems) that operate by receiving reliable positioning and navigational information and transmitting it to anyone with a receiver.  The receiver’s owner can put the receiver anywhere he chooses to track things that are important to him-such as a vehicle.  So, for example, let’s say that the owner of the GPS is also the owner of a car dealership.  He could place a vehicle tracking device on a car that is on his dealership lot.  When someone takes one of his cars out for a test drive, he can use the GPS to track that car.  The vehicle tracking device sends information to the owner’s computer, and he can monitor its location, speed, stops, and route of travel.  No car is ever really out of his sight.

Vehicle tracking devices also come in very handy in protecting your car, even if you don’t own a dealership.  On Friday, March 5, 2010, it was reported on a local Canadian news channel that a man’s work truck was recovered on the same day it was stolen because his boss had, unbeknownst to him, installed a vehicle tracking device just ten days earlier.  When the truck’s owner went out to get in his truck for his day of work, he discovered it missing.  He contacted his boss, and together they were able to use the computer to locate the truck.  Because of this tracking device, the truck’s owner, his boss, and the police all arrived to the stolen truck at the same time.  The truck was returned to the owner, and he was able to resume his day’s work without missing a beat-all thanks to the vehicle tracking device.

By Greg Bartlett

Alzheimer’s disease is a serious threat, with approximately 5.3 million Alzheimer’s patients in the US.  As the 7^th leading cause of death in the US, family members are no doubt concerned any time they discover that a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

GPS Tracking & Alzheimer's

Besides memory loss, impaired judgment, and personality changes, one of the most serious threats for Alzheimer’s patients is wandering.  The Alzheimer’s patient may get lost in his or her own neighborhood, becoming confused and disoriented no matter how many times he or she has been there before.  For every 10 people with Alzheimer’s, 6 will wander and 7 will wander repeatedly.  If the patient is not found within 24 hours, he or she will likely be injured or even die.

In Canada, two people have died within the past few months because of Alzheimer’s.  In the more recent instance, an 80-year-old woman went outside at night, apparently thinking she would get groceries, and ended up dying of hyperthermia.

GPS tracking devices can help save the life of your loved ones.  Many of these devices are small and can be put around the Alzheimer’s patient’s wrist or neck, or even in pieces of their clothing, such as their shoes.  The GPS tracking device will then monitor the individual, alerting you, a caregiver, or even a hospital and the police if the Alzheimer’s patient leaves predetermined boundaries or travels during certain hours.  If your grandmother, for instance, leaves your house during the middle of the night, you’ll find out immediately and can retrieve her before she, too, dies of hyperthermia.

With the ability to monitor the Alzheimer’s patient’s location in real time, a GPS tracking device can increase your loved one’s safety and your peace of mind.  Furthermore, it can even save money.  Search and rescue efforts by individuals and by the government can cost billions of dollars each year.  With GPS devices, the search time can be drastically reduced while the effectiveness is increased - after all, it’s hard to get much faster or more accurate than locating the individual in real time.

Family members whose loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s are already going through enough while watching their family member slowly die.  They don’t need the added worry of the Alzheimer’s patient wandering off and possibly dying.  With a GPS tracking device, that concern can be removed, leaving the family free to enjoy the time left with their loved one.

By Greg Bartlett

With the advent of the internet, e-mail, Google, facebook, and countless other “connecting” devices, our world is becoming more and more “globilized.”  Globalization is the term used to define how the world has become integrated through new technologies and trade.

GPS & Shipping Containers

One result of globalization is companies sending employees overseas for various reasons.  For example, companies such as Michelin, Ernst and Young, L’Oreal, and many, many others send their employees overseas to live in foreign countries while executing business deals for the company or setting up international branches and offices.

Religious organizations send missionaries abroad to live among the people and spread their religious faith.  Other people simply choose to make their home in a foreign country because they enjoy the culture, people, and experiences of living abroad.  Occasionally a student will decide to study at a university in another country for a broadening educational experience.

Whatever the circumstances, an international move can be a source of pressure.  Packing a container of your household goods to be shipped overseas is no small task!  The last thing anyone wants to hear, after facing an overseas move, is that their container was lost or damaged.  One way to prevent losing your container (or at least knowing exactly where it was when it was damaged!) is to use GPS tracking devices to insure that you are always aware of the location of your property.  GPS satellites (there are approximately 24 satellites in space) track the latitude and longitude of the person or item wearing the receiver.

This information downloads constantly to the internet or a mobile device.  There are both active and passive GPS tracking devices.  Active devices download information as it occurs while passive devices are more of a record of what has happened.  If you have invested in a GPS tracking device, if and when ever have a question about the location of your container or goods, the information is right at your fingertips.  Occasionally, containers and goods shipped overseas can be docked at the wrong location and charges may accrue if they are not picked up within a certain amount of time.

When you arrive at your new foreign home, you don’t want to wonder where your belongings are located.  If you are using a GPS device, you will never have to worry about losing your goods once they arrive at your overseas destination.

By Greg Bartlett

With 26.6 million people diagnosed with Alzheimers, far too many families understand the risk and concerns that go along with caring for a victim of this disease. Alzheimer patients will often wander away from their family and/or caretakers without giving any information about where they went.

GPS Tracking & Alzheimer's

Since the invention of GPS tracking, it has been used in several ways. Police can track criminals on parole, parents can track their young teenage drivers, and suspicious spouses can monitor their possibly unfaithful mate. Recently, several states have discussed widening its uses and implementing GPS devices into their Silver Alert Programs.

The tendency of Alzheimer victims to wander has given rise to Silver Alerts. Similar to Amber Alert, Silver Alerts allow caretakers and family to broadcast, over the television, radio, or other media, information about a missing Alzheimer sufferer. GPS tracking can make finding someone in these dangerous and too often heartbreaking situations easier. Families can put a GPS device into the shoe or some other piece of clothing of a loved one. Alerts will be sent to family members phone or computer if the loved one passes a certain line. Also, GPS tracking devices can help families avoid situations like that of 77 year old William Young, found dead in a river after wandering from his house several days earlier. One can only wonder how Young’s situation and other like it might have ended differently were Young outfitted with a GPS device.

GPS devices have already been useful in similar situations. In fact, due to the success of GPS tracking in such circumstances, Indianapolis is discussing making these devices mandatory for Alzheimer victims. Discussion continues on this possible piece of legislation. Many groups feel the move is unnecessary, others feel it will save lives. However, both sides agree that an optional GPS program, at least, will greatly decrease the chances of more missing or dead Alzheimers victims and their grieving families. Regardless of whether a law is passed, all families dealing with an Alzheimer Disease situation need to consider GPS tracking.

Many families and caretakers may wonder if the price of a GPS tracking device is worth the investment. However, with prices always falling and the safety of a loved one in question, these devices are worth the investment. Those with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer Disease should start looking into the devices immediately.

By Greg Bartlett

Difficult economic times place everyone in a situation of having to watch their spending more closely, protect their assets more carefully, and make sacrifices in day to day living. Small business owners must work even harder to make sales and make sure customers don’t default on payments. One industry that has been particularly hard hit is the auto sales industry. Fewer people are buying cars, and more are unable to make payments after losing a job or seeing a pay decrease at work. If you own a Buy Here, Pay Here car lot and you’re worried about losing your stock if a customer defaults, then you may want to consider purchasing a GPS tracking device for the cars you sell.

Buy Here Pay Here & GPS

GPS tracking is becoming more and more versatile all the time. One option now available that can benefit independent car lot owners is a smart tracking device. When you purchase the device, you can add it to the cars in your lot while leaving the tracking capabilities deactivated. When a customer leases or finances the vehicle, the tracking device stays with the car. Many car dealerships already offer customers a free oil change or service package at the end of the lease or finance agreement, so when they bring the car in for service, you can remove the tracking device at the same time. The benefit of the smart tracker is that you can activate it only when you need it, pay for just one day of use, and avoid monthly service fees. If, for instance, a customer defaults on his loan and fails to return the vehicle, you can activate your GPS tracking device in order to find the car immediately.

Not only will the smart GPS tracking device protect you from customers who default on their agreements, but you’ll also be protected against stolen vehicles. While vehicle theft overall has decreased over the past five years, still, the cost in stolen vehicles during 2008 was $6.4 billion. By taking the initiative to install a GPS tracking device in the cars for sale on your lot, you can protect yourself from significant losses. No one can afford to lose even one car to auto theft when the average cost of a stolen vehicle is over $6,000.

Your business stands between you and unemployment. Don’t let auto theft be the deciding factor in whether your business survives or fails. GPS tracking can give you the advantages you need to make sure you not only make it through the economic crisis, but that your business continues to thrive.

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 Greg Bartlett

GPS tracking is a completely new world of exploration. Although new discoveries are being made every day, there are always new types of changes that can be ventured into. GPS technology can be used to track almost any type of object, as long as it moves, to almost any type of environment that it goes to. Wildlife environmentalists use it to track birds and fish, businesses use it for vehicles and packages, and people use it to track their spouses and children. Anything that you esteem to be of value can be tracked using a satellite tracking device, and almost anyone that is interested can use them.

Satellite & Tracking

GPS technology is an intricate network of three simple objects. First, you need a small box or satellite tracking device. This device is the moveable piece that can be placed on any object of interest. Next, you need a series of satellites that are strategically located in outer space. These satellites receive the waves that are transmitted from the satellite tracking device and pass them on to a central computer system. The satellites are useful to not only pinpoint the location of an object, but also to tell how fast the object is moving, where the object has stopped, and even the height or depth of an object. There are a large number of variables, depending on the tracking device used. Finally, the central computers record the information received from the satellites and pass it on to the necessary places.

Many people don’t take the time to think how a satellite tracking device could benefit them, but there are a number of ways. The most popular way currently is to tell you which direction you need to go in order to get to the location you desire. This is the form of tracking device that most people recognize as a GPS and that is best understood by most people. These GPS devices can range from very simple to very complex, depending on the functions and price of the machine. These have been used to find people that are lost, to help police know the speed and location of an escaping vehicle, or even to figure out crime scenes when an individual is in an absurd location. GPS tracking devices are very useful and may be quite beneficial to you specifically. Check to see what options might fit your personality best.

By Greg Bartlett

Is there someone in your family who struggles with mental capabilities? Perhaps you have an aging parent who suffers with Alzheimer’s disease, or you know someone whose forgetfulness has reached the point of becoming dangerous. If so, you may not realize that a GPS tracking device can provide you with the help you need to keep them safe and prevent them from becoming lost.

GPS Tracking & Mental Health

Most Alzheimer patients will wander away from home and become lost at least once during the course of the disease. You can prepare yourself ahead of time and save yourself a great deal of panic by equipping your loved one with a GPS tracking device. The transmitter can be clipped on to a belt, purse, or pocket. There are even some companies that are working on creating special shoes containing a GPS device built into the soles especially for Alzheimer patients. Since these patients can generally retain their ability to dress themselves well into the advanced stages of the disease, a built-in GPS device could keep them safe even when they no longer carry a purse or like having things clipped to their clothing.

Once you’ve placed the transmitter in a place where your loved one can’t or won’t leave it behind, you’ll have the ability to monitor his or her whereabouts at any time. If you arrive at your elderly mother’s house to find the door open and the house empty, you can log on to your computer, check the GPS log and immediately know where to find her.

We all like to think that other people will be as understanding with the mentally disabled as we ourselves would be with our own parents, but the truth is that many people become frustrated or irritable with someone who can’t remember how to get home or how they got to a certain location in the first place. With a GPS tracking device, you’ll never have to worry about your loved one’s safety again. You can know immediately whether they are down the street at the neighbor’s house or whether they’ve wandered into a dangerous area.

It’s painful to watch a dear family member development Alzheimer’s disease. The gradual loss of memory regarding family, friends, and familiar things and places can open new doors of heartache for those closest to the patient. While no one can erase that sense of loss, your GPS tracking device can take some of the worry off your hands by giving you the knowledge you need to keep your loved ones safe, no matter what life brings.

By Greg Bartlett

Banks often use traditional ways of catching bank robbers, such as dye packs, fingerprints, and security cameras, but some banks are also turning to a new option to help protect the money stored in the bank. GPS tracking devices have gotten small enough that banks can store them with the money where they bank robbers can’t find them quickly and thus end up taking them along, enabling police to find out where the money – and the robber – is located.

GPS Tracking and Bank Robberies

GPS devices can be set up so that they will automatically send alerts to police should they be moved, helping to ensure that police are aware the instant a robbery is committed, perhaps even getting the police to the bank before the robbers leave or at least get very far. Then the devices continue to track the robbers, leading police to the precise location of the money. GPS tracking devices are exact enough they can even direct police to the right car in a parking lot full of cars.

In a suburb of Chicago last week, three men robbed a bank and got away with around $9,000. However, they also got away with two GPS tracking devices, which alerted police to a robbery the moment they were moved from the drawer. Police were able to pursue the robbers almost immediately, capturing one within ten minutes and, after tracing them to the house they’d fled, the police arrested the other two robbers about an hour after the robbery and also recovered the money.

In another instance, police followed a GPS device after a bank robbery to a house, and continued to follow the GPS signal to a hiding place inside a wall. The money was recovered a few hours after the robbery.

While banks are probably the most common users of GPS devices to track money, the devices can also be used for other purposes. For instance, last year a GPS tracking device was used when a man was kidnapped and held for ransom. The device was placed with the money and the FBI was able to trace it and free the man.

Tracking money isn’t impossible, and GPS tracking devices make it possible to find out exactly where money is at any time. With some devices, it is even possible to alert police the moment the money is moved, decreasing response time and helping to ensure that police come almost immediately and find the thief and money quickly.