4. Using GPS Snitch

Figure 18: Power and Arming Buttons

The Power and Arming buttons are located on the right side of device.

To begin using GPS Snitch, fully charge the unit (it takes about 5 hours to fully charge Snitch), then turn on the unit by pressing the power button once. The green power LED will begin to blink, indicating that the unit is powered on and locating a cellular network. When the LED turns solid green, Snitch has logged into the network.

Once powered on, the Alert button LED will blink as GPS satellites are location. 1 blink mean 1 satellite has been located; 5 blinks means 5 satellites have been located. This blinking pattern provides a crude method for determining signal strength. After a few minutes both LEDs will turn off to save battery power. Snitch calls this "LED sleep mode". You can turn the LEDs back on at any time by pressing the power button once. Pressing and holding the power button turns off Snitch.

GPS Snitch can be "armed" (set to alert if motion is detected) by pressing the Arming button on the device, or remotely via the website. Once "armed", GPS Snitch will send email and/or SMS text alerts to notify you that motion has been detected.

Note that GPS Snitch does NOT need to be armed for the tracking features to function. Arming is a separate feature that can be used to alert you if the device is moved (i.e. alert you when your vehicle moves).

After you've registered and powered on GPS Snitch, stash it in the glove compartment (or door, or anywhere else in your vehicle) and you're ready to start tracking.

Figure 19: Track this Device

To begin locating GPS Snitch, click on "Track this Device" from the homepage, shown above.

Figure 20: Tracking Page

The Tracking page, shown above, displays the map, battery life, GSM signal strength, power status, and armed/disarmed status. From here you can:

• Locate Snitch - clicking this icon initiates a single location request
• Arm Device - sets the GPS into "Armed" mode. If any vehicle motion is detected, GPS Snitch will send an alert to the pre-defined email or SMS address
• Continuous Tracking - Requests continuous location information from GPS Snitch
• Set up schedule - allows you to configure a tracking schedule and define the interval between location updates

What's the difference between Continuous Tracking and "Set up schedule"? Continuous Tracking asks Snitch to report its location in rapid succession, as quickly as the device is capable of. Under some circumstances this can mean 2 to 3 location requests per minute. Continuous Tracking can eat up your service plan "credits" in short order. So unless you've got a fugitive on the loose, setting a schedule is a more controllable solution, allowing you to specify how long you want to track and how many minutes apart the location requests should be.

Figure 21: Locating GPS Snitch

Clicking on "Locate Snitch" initiates a location request. Provided GPS Snitch is powered on, is receiving GPS signals, and is within cellular coverage. Within 30-60 seconds, depending on signal strength, GPS Snitch's current location appears on the Google Map, as shown above.

Figure 22: Advanced Tab

Clicking on the "Advanced" tab displays more details about GPS Snitch's current location, including exact latitude and longitude coordinates and altitude. The map controls are familiar to anyone who'se used Google Maps: you can pan and zoom, and toggle between Map, Satellite, and Hybrid views.

Figure 23: Arming and Disarming GPS Snitch

GPS Snitch can be Armed and Disarmed either via Blackline's website or by pressing the Arming button on the device itself. Once armed, GPS Snitch can send email and/or SMS text message alerts if motion is detected.

Figure 24: Creating a Tracking Schedule

A "Tracking Schedule" is different from "Continuous Tracking" in that it gives you the ability to specify the tracking start and end times as well as the location update interval. This allows you to be more economical with GPS Snitch, and not use up service credits as quickly as continuous tracking, which requests location updates non-stop from the device until disabled.

Noticeably missing from the schedule setup page is the ability to schedule a recurring tracking schedule. For example, you can't configure GPS Snitch to automatically send location updates every 30 minutes Friday and Saturday evenings.

Figure 25: Letting Others See Your Location

Blackline's website allows you to grant friends and/or family the ability to view the location of your GPS Snitch device. The invitees will need to create a free account on gps-snitch.com's website in order to view your device's location, and you'll need to send an invite to each person you want to grant permission.

Figure 26: Alert Message Configuration

Clicking on the Preferences tab and then on "Alert Message Configuration" brings up the list shown above. From here you can turn on or off various features and enable or disable alerts.

Figure 27: Remote Control

GPS Snitch can also be controlled via cell phone; virtually all functions can be performed by sending text messages to the device. Messages must come from a phone that has been established as an authorized phone (you can specify up to 2 phones).