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By James Neely

One of the latest crazes in the consumer electronics market is the proliferation of GPS devices which are being placed into more and more vehicles.

What is it? The term GPS stands for Global Positioning System. Once only used by the military, this system now allows normal citizens to track devices that are equipped to communicate to a satellite and have that data retrieved in very useful and functional ways.

You especially see this in the devices that are manufactured by several companies that make them for the automobile after-market sector. As a dashboard mounted device, you can track to within a few feet, where you are located. Furthermore, you can get directions from these devices which will guide you to your destination via voice commands.

The other version of the GPS devices come in the form of a service that is offered by an automobile manufacturer called Onstar. This allows monitoring of your vehicle and gives the monitoring base a constant stream of information about your vehicle including when you have been in an accident and the ability to unlock your doors for you. Also, it can tell you when your vehicle needs service, too.

How does it work? The GPS device in a vehicle or other mobile object, communicates to a satellite in orbit which then sends data down to a central location from where it is accessed by subscription. This data has proven to be very valuable with many sectors of the economy such as delivery, asset tracking and the like.

How much does it cost? Standard dash mount GPS devices for navigation purposes in passenger vehicles cost less than $100. This is the most basic of device and provides on-demand directions and maps and the ability to save locations in order to provide consistency to the driver. From there, the consumer devices offer more elaborate options for obtaining data during driving. This pushes the cost into the hundreds of dollars for the unit, plus the subscriptions that are necessary to obtain the additional information services.

What will it do? With a GPS device you can get ‘turn-by-turn’ directions between two points on a map. Also, you will get a map so that you can see the route that is being suggested. Other devices that are more elaborate include points of interest on the map including restaurants, and other notable locations including speed traps and radar sites.

What are the benefits to me? Not only can GPS do all of the above, but with more sophisticated systems than this, you can also track assets with laser-like precision providing time and location data, as well as speed verification. All very useful for customer-driven businesses where performance is critical.

You can benefit from the many advantages of vehicle-based GPS devices whether you are a business or a common citizen. Take a look at the offerings and make this a part of your life today.

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By Greg Bartlett

Have you taken your holiday pictures? Can you remember exactly where you were when that photo was taken? You can? What about the next one? Looks quite similar doesn’t it? The headache of trying to remember the exact location of a holiday snap is amplified many times if you have to take photos for a living. Travel photography can be a stop-start affair because extensive notes need to be taken about where the pictures have been taken. GPS tracking can simplify the issues.

GPS tracking systems are very good at providing accurate information about location. They receive satellite data and as long as they can see the open sky, they can work out where they are on the planet. Orbiting satellites accurately transmit time-stamped packets of data every few seconds. The receiving devices can compute their own location using the information from four of these satellites. The satellite data consists of information in relation to the exact time and the position of the satellite in its orbit relative to the Earth.

Rosco is a well known photographer who is slowly building a name for himself as a travel photographer. His eye for detail and the superb images he produces are very highly valued. So he was thrilled when he landed a lucrative contract which involved a lot of travelling and taking shots at different locations. His work involved travelling to several European capitals and taking candid shots of the tourists in these different cities. But to his horror, Rosco came back with nothing! Well he came back with three cameras full of images but the airline lost the bag which had his notes!

Some well known firms are now producing cameras which incorporate a camera with a GPS tracking unit. The two do not need to be connected to each other in order to work. As long as the device can see the sky, then it records location data every few seconds. There is no need to stop and jot things down. Back at home, the images and the information can be downloaded directly to the computer.

Rosco survived his contract and went back to take more photos with the new camera. Now there was no more trouble with taking notes or with trying to decipher his own handwriting. And he got the most exciting photos when he did not have to worry and could take all sorts of shots at any time. Whew! Thanks to GPS tracking devices!

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By Greg Bartlett

Since the 1990s when GPS tracking technology first became available to the general public, people have found more ways that GPS tracking can be used every year. One of the most common uses of GPS technology is to incorporate it into GPS vehicle tracking systems. There are several different benefits of such systems.

1. GPS vehicle tracking systems provide an accurate location and speed check on vehicles being driven by employees of a company. These can also be used to track the amount of time employees spend at one location in the event that a customer complains that he is being billed for more time than was actually spent on the job.

These systems are also very useful to company dispatchers who can locate each mobile unit and route the nearest one to any calls that come in, whether for service calls or pick up of packages.

2. A second use of GPS vehicle tracking systems is providing an accurate location of the vehicle to police in the event of car theft. The signal from such systems can be received by any police cruiser with an internet connected computer on board, which is almost all these days. Police can follow the movements of the vehicle and arrest the thief in short order, often catching others at the same time if this is a professional chop shop operation. Recovery of the vehicle in an unharmed state occurs far more frequently when GPS vehicle recovery systems are involved.

3. GPS vehicle tracking systems are also very useful for parents of inexperienced teen drivers. These systems allow the parents to monitor the movements and whereabouts of their teens when away from home in the family car. They have proven useful in reducing accidents and moving violations because the parents can track speed data and call the teen with instructions to slow down before the police get involved or an accident occurs.

4. Finally, GPS vehicle tracking systems make it possible for a spouse who suspects that his/her mate is cheating to follow the movements of the vehicle and catch them in the act if the suspicions are founded. Spouses who prefer not to make a direct confrontation can provide information on the signal from the GPS device to a private investigator who can obtain any evidence of infidelity and turn it over for use in a divorce proceeding.

GPS vehicle tracking systems have proven very useful for a variety of commercial and personal applications when knowledge of where a vehicle is and how fast it is moving is necessary.

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By Harriette Halepis

A few years ago, the state of Florida implemented a law that could easily find and track paroled child sex offenders. This law stated that all child sex offenders on parole must wear a GPS tracking anklet at all times. Today, numerous other states are considering the same kind of tracking system for criminals.

While most paroled criminals are watched carefully by law enforcement, some of these offenders managed to break free from those watchful eyes. When this happens, it is often difficult to find and track these offenders once again. Ultimately, these criminals wind up wandering the streets unknown.

Not only is this a threat to public safety, but it is also an added expense for law enforcement agencies. Searching for an escaped criminal can be costly and timely, whereas adding a simple GPS tracking device to a worn anklet is an appealing option. Those states that are considering GPS tracking bracelets would do so for violent criminals, sex offenders, and other public security threats.

Most states are still weighing the costs and effectiveness of these tracking devices, though many state leaders are seriously considering this option. Arguments against purchasing GPS anklets state that these anklets can simply be cut off and disposed of. In addition, many believe that the costs of tracking criminals in this manner would be astronomical.

However, those in favour of the GPS tracking anklets counter-argue that these devices can be fashioned out of solid materials that are impossible to cut off or remove. These proponents also argue that tracking criminals in this manner is a lot more cost effective than sending bounty hunters after each escaped criminal.

The fact of the matter is that a covert GPS tracking system is effective. These systems work, they work well, and they are the best option when it comes to locating a criminal. Thanks to this advanced technology, criminals may not stand a chance at threatening society in the near future.

As you can see, there are two sides to this debate, though those in favour of mobile GPS tracking seem to be coming out on top. A world that is free of escaped criminals and sex offenders is a world that is a lot safer for children and adults alike. This debate will likely continue for many more years, but those states that have given the GPS system a trial run have come up with promising results. Florida has made the first step towards tracking criminals via GPS – will other states begin to follow suit?

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By Greg Bartlett

Laptops and computers are growing more powerful and increasing in speed every day. As they become more valuable they are more open to physical theft. This is because of two reasons. First all this technology tends to get smaller and smaller with each passing year. If you think back to the early years and how big and heavy that new laptop was and compare it to today’s versions. It was like a huge brick compared to the sleek laptops which you can now hold in the palm of your hand almost. Another reason is that these things are now more accessible. Everyone has one, can carry computers around with them. In their car, at cafes and restaurants and other public places, leaving them very open to theft!

GPS tracking systems can be of two kinds. There is the multinational system which receives information from satellites, and also the geopositional tracking which receives and transmits to computers on the ground. These can receive and track signals from several different receivers and transmitters. They can bypass the orbital satellite system because the main computer has the access to the satellites so the smaller computers do not have to.

Several companies now offer wireless tracking for laptop recovery. A GPS transmitter can be built into the hardware of a laptop. This cannot be disabled or removed easily. With this sort of protection in place, a stolen laptop will continue to transmit a signal to the receiving computer. It can be shielded temporarily by the thieves, but not forever. Once it is removed from its shielding and used, then its location will be transmitted immediately and it can be recovered.

With this technology, it will help to recover the almost one in every ten laptops which are stolen each year. Not only is it the physical theft that is of damaging consequences to the owners but all the fact of all the sensitive information that is usually found on most people’s laptops: passwords, personal information, family details and photos, emails etc. There is a lot of potentially very valuable information which could be used by the thieves themselves or sold on to make even more money in the international markets.

GSM GPS tracking of laptops and small computers is becoming increasingly more and more valuable and important as more of these devices are open to theft. Most large computer manufacturers now incorporate this technology into many of their new hardware.

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By Elizabeth M. Hachet

If you are worried for someone’s safety, you’re not alone. If you’re wondering what to do because you’re worried for someone’s safety, that’s excellent – take action!

There are many things you can do to keep yourself; your children and other loved ones safe. The obvious measures include not walking in the dark, keeping away from alleys, wear bright clothes if you must walk in the dark, and carry a cell phone.

Whether you are looking out for yourself or the safety of someone else, there are some safety measures you can implement for protection.

GPS cell phone tracking works well for these situations. They work well because they can help you or others keep track of exact whereabouts. The modern use of this technology enables you to keep track of people, young and old. It allows you to track any cell phone from the convenience of your home or office from any computer with internet access.

There are several applications in which GPS cell phone tracking can provide safety:

• Young children
• Elderly
• Teen driving
• Late night workers
• High risk teens
• Alzheimer’s patients
• College students

If one of the above applications applies to you, you could consider getting GPS cell phone tracking for safety and peace of mind. As long as it is used safely and properly, a GPS device is a huge help to anyone who is using it.

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By Greg Bartlett

We have all heard of GPS tracking devices being installed in vehicles and on heavy equipment to deter thefts and assist in recovery if the item is stolen. In today’s world, however, this technology may have found an entirely new use.

A Champaign, Illinois man with a diagnosis of tuberculosis has recently been ordered into isolation to prevent him spreading the disease while he is being treated. A GPS tracking device is being used to track his movements and he will be arrested for violating a court order if he travels anywhere outside his home.

Reading this story has brought to mind another question, could tracking devices be used to track prisoners who have been ordered into house arrest? The current system used with house arrest prisoners includes an electronic tether that alerts police in the event that the prisoner violates the house arrest order. The down side is that the electronic tether does not track the movements of the prisoner other than sounding this alarm.

If GPS tracking technology becomes the accepted norm for tracking prisoners on house arrest, the savings to the states could be astronomical. Prisoners might even be allowed to leave home and follow a direct route to their job and back home, an act which could significantly cut the costs the states incur for feeding and housing non violent prisoners.

This technology has already proven its value in the arena of tracking the movements of employees in company owned vehicles and allowing details, such as speed of travel, to be monitored. It has also proven invaluable in assisting the recovery of stolen vehicles and saving lives by making it possible to get emergency personnel to an accident scene in a timely manner.

If courts start imposing GPS tracking devices as a means to limit the movements of individuals to ensure the control of a communicable disease, it seems that the next logical step would be to utilize this technology to enforce house arrest on prisoners that have not been shown to have violent tendencies that would endanger the general public. Not having to house and feed these prisoners in state facilities would have many financial benefits for the states. Allowing the least violent of criminals to be able to continue to work in their chosen jobs with supervision and tracking their movements to and from would also reduce the need for states to provide assistance to the families of these prisoners in the form of welfare assistance.

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By Greg Bartlett

Police in Fall’s Church, Virginia used GPS tracking to follow the movements of a convicted rapist when he was paroled to their city and were able to catch him in the act of abducting another victim before he had time to do than touch her inappropriately, according to a Washington Post report dated January 28, 2009. When he went to trial for this crime, he was found guilty of attempted rape and sentenced to a mandatory life sentence under Virginia’s strict sex offender laws. The undercover police officers who were charged with tracking this man’s movements were haled as heroes for protecting the innocent victim and preventing her being injured.

This is one example of the benefit that the advent of GPS tracking technology has had in recent years. Tracking the movements of known felons is one of the best methods available to prevent repeat offenders from causing injury or death to innocent victims after being released from prison. Having officers assigned to follow these movements, even if they have to pass along the task of tracking as different officers patrol through the different neighborhoods, is a sure way to deter those who would consider committing a second offense if they thought they would get away with it and a way for police to capture the incorrigible repeat offenders before more innocent lives are shaken to their foundation.

Other proven benefits of tracking technology include recovery of stolen property including vehicles and heavy construction equipment before thieves have had time to strip these items down and catching the thieves before they can dispose of the property, keeping tabs on the movements of teenaged drivers who do not have a great deal of experience driving, and tracking the movements of spouses suspected of infidelity.

Many lives have been saved by having GPS tracking devices that were automatically activated in the event of an accident and able to notify emergency services personnel even though the driver may be unable to speak or dial a cell phone.

New benefits are being found all the time for using GPS tracking devices to keep track of vehicles and equipment and personal property that has some real value. Insurance companies and courts are recognizing the value of the technology and offering discounted rates on premiums and using the tech to protect the general public from known felons.

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By Greg Bartlett

Adultery is grounds for divorce in all fifty states and many countries. The injured party of cases of adultery is usually awarded a divorce on his/her terms because he/she is the one who has been wronged. In the past, adultery has been difficult to prove without an admission of guilt from the spouse or the other party. That is no longer the case thanks to the advent of GPS technology.

It is now possible for a spouse who suspects his/her partner of infidelity to plant a GPS spouse tracking device on their person or in their vehicle. The spouse may then track the movements of the one suspected of infidelity and may hire a private investigator to follow those movements and obtain evidence that can be used in court if the spouse is indeed unfaithful.

Under certain conditions, it is even possible to place tracking devices that will follow the movements of the one the spouse is suspected of being unfaithful with. This can assure one that proof will be obtained in cases of adultery even if the unfaithful spouse chooses to leave his/her vehicle and ride with the other party.

Private investigators are not bound by the same rules that govern police concerning the gathering of evidence and placement of such tracking devices. It is therefore quite likely in today’s world that an unfaithful spouse can expect to be caught if the other spouse ever begins to suspect infidelity. GPS tracking devices in vehicles, purses, or even built into a piece of jewelry can be activated by the suspicious spouse, making it very easy to track the movements of the one suspected of being unfaithful.

Even if a private investigator is not used to obtain evidence of infidelity, a spouse may use a tracking device to follow the movements of one suspected of infidelity. Being able to know where the other spouse is located at any given time makes catching him/her in the act easier if there is actually something to catch. It is also possible that tracking data may prove that the suspected spouse is actually innocent and truly does have a great deal to do that takes him/her away from home.

Adultery is one of the most common reasons for couples to divorce. The injured party usually has a distinct advantage in court in cases of infidelity. GPS spouse tracking of a suspected spouse makes obtaining proof of adultery much easier than it once would have been. Divorce and adultery are unfortunate. Do all that you can to be reconciled to your spouse.

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By Greg Bartlett

An untold number of crimes go unsolved around the world because stolen vehicles or equipment, kidnapped individuals, and other vital pieces of evidence disappear and are not found until it is too late. One new technology that holds the promise of making drastic reductions in these unsolved crimes is GPS tracking. GPS tracking technology is being hailed by police departments and law enforcement agencies around the world as one of the most effective new tools introduced.

Many newer vehicles come out of the factory with GPS tracking systems installed in hidden locations that make theft of these vehicles more of a risk for the thieves. Unfortunately, these systems don’t offer the vehicle owner the ability to track their own vehicle. For law enforcement, it can be a real nightmare because they have to rely on a 3rd party to tell them where the vehicle is after a lengthy verification process. Other vehicles have aftermarket GPS vehicle tracking systems installed. The after market systems give the vehicle owner or end user the ability to track instantly from any computer that has access to the internet. As soon as it is realized that the vehicle has been stolen, the end user can locate the stolen vehicle and, in many cases, the police can arrest the thief.

The same is true of stolen pieces of construction equipment. Police have a much easier time recovering stolen pieces of heavy equipment when GPS vehicle tracking devices are installed and activated at the first notice of the theft. Professional thieves are being caught now before they have a chance to remove identifying marks and numbers. Amateur thieves are being caught before they can cause serious damage to the equipment in many cases.

One surprising twist on GPS tracking systems is the ability to thwart kidnapping attempts by calling 911 on a cell phone or having a panic button type device secreted on the person that activates a GPS signal at the first sign of trouble. Some cell phones have GPS tracking devices built into them that are automatically activated anytime 911 is dialed. For that reason, police are able to track some cell phones and follow the movements of whoever has the phone until the situation is resolved. People who are normally considered to be at higher risk of being abducted, especially children, can have a GPS tracking device installed in unobtrusive ways including necklaces and jewelry that can be activated with a seemingly innocent motion that alerts authorities to trouble and allows for tracking of the location of the abducted individual.

Law enforcement agencies all over are pleased by the performance of GPS personal tracking and vehicle tracking systems in helping them solve crimes and recover property and individuals that might never be seen again if taken just a few years ago.

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