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Personal Tracking Device


Johan Nieuwenhuizen

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Posted

We have a 9 year old son that enjoys MTB and all the mountain tracks around Worcester.   I can't ride with him every time and would like to know what device is available to track him while he rides.   I cellphone will not work every time due to the mountains and bad coverage and we are scared to buy a GPS watch that can be stolen easily if he is confronted by someone.   I was thinking of a device that can be clipped on his rider gear, maybe with a SOS button in case of emergency.   Any people out there maybe with a solution or suggestion we can investigate? 

Posted

Hi Johan

 

Welcome...

 

Unfortunately as far as I understand it most devices will be reliant on a cell signal to be able to send their location to you.  Not even a gps watch will work as it doesnt have a sim card and in turn no way of sending out a signal/location.

 

Unless you are looking to spend mega bucks on some form a satellite communications device I think your only option will be a phone of sorts.

 

There are many apps that you are able to track with (posted many time before in this forum) and some even have the SOS functions of a button to push should something happen and it will send an alert with a location.  One such app even has an automated system, so if the device is stationery for more that a predetermined time an alarm will sound, if the user does not respond to the alarm then the SOS is sent. A nice function...

 

Probably not what you wanted to hear, but hope it helps. 

Posted

As Raydek says, a cell device is the most viable option with current technologies.

 

If that doesn't work, attached a big red helium balloon with a very long string to his seat post. The you can watch from afar.

Posted

Ok so a thought just popped into my head.. Was looking for a tracker for my dog the other day and I did come across one that didnt require a sim card, but it was pretty pricey ($100) and you need to pay a $17 monthly fee...

 

So they are out there, just costly...

Posted

Trackimo offers a GPS-based tracking via a SIM card for R1500. It is a basic rectangular unit meant for cases like yours. It also has a SOS button.  The battery life is very good (48h+).  The downside is the monthly fee you have to pay after the first 12 months of included subscription.

Posted
  On 1/19/2016 at 5:59 AM, Koei said:

Trackimo offers a GPS-based tracking via a SIM card for R1500. It is a basic rectangular unit meant for cases like yours. It also has a SOS button.  The battery life is very good (48h+).  The downside is the monthly fee you have to pay after the first 12 months of included subscription.

Call Singer Photographic. They are the distributors...

Posted

There are many options for GSM based tracking. The hardware can be bought for about R250 from China, and software solutions can be added to that. In my opinion, the netstar/ tracker offerings in this space have been a disaster due to their high pricing alone.

 

If you want total coverage, without relying on cellphone signal then there is one brilliant option. SPOT trackers are brilliant, and as of late last year we finally have satellite coverage on our dark corner of Africa

 

 

http://www.indigosat.co.za/spot-trace/

Posted

You can buy a GPS watch off eBay for about 40 dollars, like this:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Smart-Watch-GPS-Tracker-SOS-Alarm-Monitor-for-Kids-Baby-iOS-Android-WUS-/231793800199?var=&hash=item35f7fcb407:m:mCrG19cxTH_0p83qVlH-1Yw

 

I bought a similar one for my son as a novelty, which he wears to school. It works OK, not as great as it sounds in the features list. For the price, I am happy with it.

 

His version updates his GPS location in this Chinese website every ten minutes where you can log in. It does need cell phone coverage to work. They all do, but it is true GPS, accurate to within about 6 m.

 

I think 9 years is a bit young to ride alone, but I am not familiar with the area.

Posted
  On 1/19/2016 at 6:00 AM, GhostSixFour said:

Use phone with app called glympse. Allows you to monitor, but you will need to have coverage. Cheapest option though.

Free on BBM too. I've used Glympse for years, see exactly where someone is.

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