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GPS Tracking ... Any solution ?

2K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  stevet 
#1 · (Edited)
Ok... Looks like it is time for a thread like this.
Since my relatively recent investment into -what I beleive to be- one of the coolset PDA/GPS/Phone ever... the HTC TyTN II... I started to look at the possiblity of GPS tracking.

What I wanted to be able to do is fairly simple.
Push a "button" on my cool phone to allow my wife and other relatives/friends to follow the trip -she/they didnt wanted to be part of- on a computer map in real time in the most easiest way.

The GPS information sent by SMS/Email was not enought to fullfill such requirements. Such idea would need direct link between the PPC application running on my WM6 phone and the web via Wifi/GPRS/3G.
Benefiting of an -inexpensive- unlimited GPRS/3G phone subscription, phone bill is not my concern.

Then I came accross the following systems:
* 3dtracking: http://free.3dtracking.net/home.aspx
* trackthisout: http://www.trackthisout.com/TrackMe2.html#

Both system offer free tracking system.
You download their application, register an account and your on their map... real time... although the TrackThisOut free application is limited to 15min usage but it is much more than a simple real-time tracking.
3DTracking is really tracker oriented, being able to run in background, sending 1 signal out every minute (not faster but slower possible).

Few hours after checking TrackThisOut, I bought the licence... It has more features than I was planing to develop myself in the event of not being able to find anything like this.

Anyway, here is the start of the thread... lets hear what you guys have found and use right now.
 
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#4 ·
FWIW, For navigation, I now use CoPilot 7 from ALK on my PDA. It offers a 'live' tracking option as long as you have a data connection (as well as real-time traffic). I have yet to use this since I don't have a phone with my PDA. However, if you do have a GPS enabled smartphone with data service, it is another option worth considering..
 
#5 ·
another option

No personal experience with this, just info I got from another list...

Check out http://findmespot.com/.

It's Yet Another Thing To Carry (YATTC), but is specialized for the purpose of tracking, checkin, and emergency recovery. You choose when to send a checkin message, which your at home observers can then see online with a map view.

$300 for the first year (device + service), $150 each year after for service.

If you have it mounted conviently, just hit the checkin button every so often. So it does not really meet the expressed need of tracking per se.

More in line with your tracking needs, try checking out the Zoombak GPS Auto Tracker: http://www.zoombak.com/products/auto/

I've not looked into the pricing for the device or service on this, so no idea how it compares to what you just got.

I also saw some info about a new device recently introduced in Taiwan, but can't find more detail than what is in this article (I didn't look hard): http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2007/12/04/new-gps-tracker-from-holux/

Mirage...
 
#7 ·
No personal experience with this, just info I got from another list...

Check out http://findmespot.com/.

It's Yet Another Thing To Carry (YATTC), but is specialized for the purpose of tracking, checkin, and emergency recovery. You choose when to send a checkin message, which your at home observers can then see online with a map view.

$300 for the first year (device + service), $150 each year after for service.
That seems significantly better than the Verizon tracker I'm using now.

https://chaperone.vzw.com/login

My tracker is limited to cell phone coverage and it only provides one point on the map. So if you don't have coverage when the someone is checking you won't appear on the map, and the location is unknown.

The Findmespot appears to be keeping track of where you've been so even if you missed a check in there is a track of where you had been before coverage was lost. That seems better if you break the unit during your crash. You can't hit the 911 button, but at least the wife can tell the search party where you were when you stopped reporting.

I'm paying $9.95 per month, so this one is pretty competitive in price. Very interesting.
 
#6 ·
Just one more option is APRS Automatic Packet Reporting System.

Essentially, you would have to get your ham radio license. Then have a radio that's tied into a GPS unit. The cost after the initial outlay would be $0. You can get some more info from Motorcycle Amateur Radio Club MARC

Lastly there are some who have set up APRS systems on handheld transmitters only turning them on every once in a while which would give last location broadcast instead of putting out a constant signal with a permanate radio having to be installed on the bike.

I have even seen APRS overlays on google earth where you can find a specific HAM or HAMS from all over the world.
 
#11 ·
Here's a rig for this purpose that "tcmcgee" suggested to me:

Kenwood TH-D7A(G)
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Communications/Amateur_Radio/Portables/TH-D7A(G)
Hooked up with a-
Deluo GPS receiver:
http://www.deluogps.com/products.php?id=6

More info:
http://aprsworld.net/

And this, for using your new ham rig:
http://www.findu.com/

I seem to be a bit light in coverage in the northern sections of my home state, so I can't place enough confidence in going ham. The Spot GPS tracker will likely be my choice.
 
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