Rocky Mountain Tracking

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 Greg Bartlett

There are many different uses of GPS tracking in the world today. Almost anyone can purchase and use a GPS, although there are different types available, depending on your needs. There are basically two different types of GPS systems. The first type of GPS tracking is passive, while the other is active. Passive tracking occurs when the GPS unit itself records and keeps the data that it receives from the vehicle or person that it is tracking. This information can later be downloaded and processed onto a computer. The other type of tracking is active, which means that the information the GPS unit is receiving is continually passed along to a computer, which then records and analyzes the data.

GPS Tracking

An active GPS tracking unit can work in a variety of ways, although the most popular tends to be via satellite. This means that the unit is attached to an object and when it is turned on, it begins transmitting radio waves, which pass along to a series of satellites. These waves can determine a variety of things, such as the speed of the object, the location, the height or depth, the current status of the object, and many other factors. Each GPS unit is good for different things. The satellites receive this information, which they then pass along to a central computer system located somewhere in the world. Technicians that work with these computers then record the data and pass it along as needed.

GPS tracking is now used even to track people, although there are legal issues involved, depending upon whom you are trying to track. People can be tracked through their cell phones, their personal GPS unit, or even through their car. Electronics are a popular way to track someone down, while credit cards are a non-GPS way of finding who you want. One county in Texas has even begun a program that requires truant teenagers to carry a GPS for a specific number of weeks. Once these teens have been admitted to court, there is a stringent schedule they must follow in order to avoid going to jail. Other places have used GPS tracking for criminals, and some people are seeking to have more liberties while maintaining the perpetrator in custody. Whatever the case may be, GPS tracking continues to evolve and becomes better every day. Make sure you understand all about this new technology.

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.

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

This is not a story about how GPS Tracking cracked a ring of auto thieves, but rather, reaffirmation of how they could have helped.  From Indianapolis comes a story about five men who have been arrested in a multi-state fake title scam that found them stealing expensive cars and then working the system to get new Vehicle Identification Numbers and titles in order to hide the fact that the vehicles were stolen.  This activity caught the attention of both state and federal investigators but had been going on since 2007.

Car Thieves and GPS Tracking

The moral of the story is two-fold:  Stealing never pays and second, GPS Tracking could have helped find and crack this ring sooner rather than later.

OEM Tracking Fails?

How is it that some of the vehicles that were stolen by this group which were outfitted with OEM tracking devices failed to help recover the vehicles?  It could be that they were new and the devices were never activated.  Too bad, too, because this is an important instance in which they were sorely needed.  But, even better than that, GPS Tracking devices could have been added to these vehicles that sat on a car lot and provided instant location information from the first day they were stolen.

GPS Shines

Providing location, direction of travel and speed information helps owners of vehicles be able to give information to authorities should their car, truck or SUV become stolen.  And, police agencies would much rather locate stolen vehicles within days rather than have them become open and unsolved cases that sit in a file cabinet for months or years.

Look, protecting your vehicle is more important than ever to keep from having to go through a long protracted ordeal in trying to get your car back.  Or in finding that it has been stolen and is never found again.  Sure, the insurance company will pay for it after your deductible, but it still is a major headache.

You can take security and safety into your own hands with GPS Tracking devices.  No matter what you drive it can be outfitted with a unit and tracked to insure that you can recover it quickly should something happen.

Here’s to hoping that theft is only something that you read about, or hear on radio or television.  You can by making GPS Tracking a part of your life.

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

Some parts of the country are seeing a dramatic decline in auto thefts this season thanks to the use of GPS vehicle tracking. Auto thefts tend to increase during times of economic downtown and thieves target a broader range of vehicles since they are looking to unload cars to buyers who may not be able to pay top dollar for pricier models. This season, however, would-be car thieves may find an unexpected surprise waiting for them after they’ve nabbed their prize.

GPS Tracking Thwarts Theft

Police departments have increasingly turned to GPS vehicle tracking to help them with monitoring suspected criminal activity. Many departments now use “bait cars,” which are cars equipped with GPS vehicle tracking that are specifically chosen to attract car thieves. Officers place them at mall and shopping center parking lots and when the car is stolen, the GPS tracking device can lead officers directly to the thief. Some cars are also equipped with hidden audio and video recorders which capture the thieves in action.

So far, the idea has provided excellent results. One city reported a twenty-eight percent drop in auto theft this year as compared to last year. Some departments have also used the technology at car and motorcycle shows when thefts tend to escalate due to the large number of vehicles in town. The devices work by sending a signal from the transmitter inside the car to a police department computer. A single officer can monitor the locations of all the bait cars in the area, and as soon as a car is stolen, officers can be dispatched to the scene to stop the theft. Police can see not only the location of the car, but also its speed and direction of travel, allowing them to intercept the driver quickly and accurately.

Many police departments also report significant savings by using GPS vehicle tracking to monitor potential theft rather than using actual officers. Because the cars can be monitored remotely, fewer officers need to be out on surveillance and can instead be used in more critical positions, allowing the department to save money by not keeping officers on the clock for situations that turn out to be a false alarm.

GPS vehicle tracking gives officers the upper hand in the case of vehicle theft and allows them to be a step ahead of the thief. By utilizing the technology available, they can make sure more citizens enjoy their holiday with family and friends without becoming victims of auto theft.

By Greg Bartlett

Whether it’s a parent tracking down a mischievous teenage driver, or a group of law enforcement officers tracking down a criminal, car tracking can be extremely helpful in a variety of ways. It can track a moving car via satellite to within a few feet. It is able to determine every move a runaway criminal makes as soon as he makes it. If we had car tracking installed in our cars, it would simplify life, and solve many problems.

GPS & Car Tracking

Car tracking is an electronic device that is installed into a vehicle. The device can record the distance travelled, the speed travelled, the direction and locations travelled to, and certain trigger events such as turning the car on or off, or opening and closing doors.

There are two types of this technology. The first type is passive tracking. In this method of tracking, the electronic device is removed after the car is done travelling and it is able to determine where the car has been. The second type is active tracking, and this generally produces a live feed of the data via a cellular or satellite device.

Every parent with a teenager knows what it feels like to say goodbye to their child and watch him speed off. Some parents have relied on car tracking to monitor their children’s driving habits. Many teens feel like they have to drive more slowly now that their parents can view every move they make. It also is extremely helpful in making sure that their kids are in the right place. Knowing that their kids are where they say they will be provides a level of trust for the parents, and with this device some parents give teenagers more privileges. Teens like the idea too because it helps them show that they can be mature, and are capable of being trusted by their parents. GPS tracking is used to monitor the location of the vehicle, and cutting edge technology enables the device to record and store the desired data.

GPS technology is becoming increasingly more advanced each year. This new technology is helpful in chasing criminals when used by police officers, and in keeping teenage drivers safe on the roads. Whether it is the police tracking down a criminal, or a nervous parent checking up on a reckless teen, car tracking may be the solution that is capable of making our roads a safer place.

By Greg Bartlett

A few months ago, my brother-in-law’s car disappeared. It vanished in the middle of the night, right out of his apartment’s parking lot. He walked out in the morning to find an empty parking space and no way to get to work. Apparently, it is quite easy to break the lock with a good flathead screwdriver. The Honda Accords of that year are the second most stolen car in North Carolina. He thought that the car was gone for good. The cops were helpful. “Yeah, we won”t find it. It’s probably turned into parts by now. They just love those things. You just spent $200 on brand-new tires last week? Wow. They’re gonna love that.” The insurance company was equally encouraging by offering them a little sympathy and a car-theft plan for their next vehicle.

A few weeks later he had resigned himself to life without his car. But, he still had this obsession with checking out every beige Honda Accord that drove by. One day he went to a restaurant with a friend only two miles from his house. He told his friend about his obsession and then proceeded to check out yet another beige Honda sitting in the parking lot. It was his car.

GPS Tracking & Your Car

It’s nice to have stories with happy endings, but unfortunately, car thefts don’t usually end that way. The cops had a reason for saying what they did and owners usually do have an obsession for a couple of months or a year. And then they move on.

But recently, some other owners have had better luck finding their cars, but not by checking out the local fast food restaurants, but with car tracking devices. This new technology lets you find out where your car is whether the driver wants you to or not. So let’s imagine a different outcome: Say that last year I gave my brother-in-law a car tracking device for Christmas. He thinks I’m strange but installs it in his trunk anyway. Half-way through the year he’s calling me, thanking me for getting him his car back because I had enough foresight and knew a little bit about car tracking devices. About then, I’m feeling really good.

Oh well. I should have thought about it last year. But it’s not too late to get a car tracking device for all my relatives this year. My guess is that my brother-in-law would be really happy to have one about now.