What to look for in a device?

The term GPS usually conjures images of planning routes for car trips or finding destinations. Today GPS technology is being used for much much more than the average car trip.

What do they do?

GPS locator devices are now available to locate possessions and loved ones that are important to you. Personal GPS locator devices are especially useful to locate children and special needs adults who may be more susceptible to getting lost. With a GPS locator, a parent, guardian or caregiver is able to find their loved one one the go or from the internet.

How Big are GPS Locator Devices

The locators are usually small in size, however, some are smaller than others. Most of the locators on the market weigh a couple of ounces, however, you want to strive for less than 3 ounces. Personal GPS locator devices need to be durable and dependable. It is important to look for a device that is water-proof and dirt-proof.

What About Battery Life?

It is also very important to consider the battery life. Many devices on the market only last 24 hours per charge. Be sure that your device has a longer battery life and can work from 3-7 days on a single charge. The best devices will actually send a text message when they are running low on battery.

How do I use the System?

The best systems are built on web-based systems that allow you to change features of the devices and manage your account and alerts. When you use the backend, it should be easy to locate your device on a map. The best systems provide history for the device beyond 30 days and allow you to see history based on different time multiples. Advanced systems also allow you to manage the frequency of the “ping” as well as set zones and alerts.

What are Zones?

Parents and caretakers are able to set up personalized safety zones or virtual boundaries for the individual that they are monitoring. The safety zone usually ranges from 110 yards to half a mile. Again, the best systems will send a text message or email when the locator device travels outside the virtual boundary or into a boundary. A final thing to consider is coverage. Ensure that your device has the best coverage on the market.

The GPS locators use satellite and cellular technologies to keep track of individuals. The technology of the GPS locator is beneficial to help keep children and certain special needs individuals safe while still maintaining freedom. The GPS locator isn’t just for road trips anymore!