Winners: WorldTracker GPRS & Amber Alert GPS
According to the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC), 836,131 persons were reported missing in 2006. About 80% of those were juveniles (persons under 18 years of age), the overwhelming majority of which were girls. While most missing persons return home safely, that statistic shows that 2,290 times per day, parents or primary care givers felt the disappearance was serious enough to warrant calling law enforcement. Even more troubling, the number of missing persons reported to law enforcement has increased almost 500% in the past 20 years.
What if, instead of sitting at home in a terrified panic that harm has come to your child, you could instantly locate him or her on a map, pinpointing their exact whereabouts? That's the promise behind a new wave of GPS and RF (Radio Frequency) tracking devices aimed at helping parents keep electronic tabs on their children. I've spent the last few months testing a number of these products at length, sorting out the good from the bad.
The bottom line? Hollywood-style GPS tracking still eludes us, but there are some good products available that will indeed help parents keep track of AWOL kids. There's also some duds out there that either underperformed or simply don't work at all. Read on for the full review, including which products I recommend, and which ones you should avoid.
Continue reading "The Ultimate GPS Child Tracking Buyer's Guide" »
Hi Fletch
Great website. Great content as always.
Question for you: I'm no tech guru but I find it amazing that a gps chip isn't around that can fit a standard child's watch. All these tracking devices you review, while a step in the right direction, are bulky and don't seem to last long on a single charge. Am I way off on this? With all the tech advances, it just seems a simple chip that might run off a watch battery or something is not possible to track our chilren.
You're right Rob - you'd think by now a GPS could fit on the head of a pin and run for days on a single charge. Unfortunately, that level of technology still appears to elude us.
What I found during my testing is that battery life and GPS signal performance are inversely related. Devices that last for days at a time aren't powerful enough to get GPS signals indoors, seriously limiting the usefulness of the tracker (especially for kids).
Some devices, like Zoombak for example, use SiRF's StarIII receiver, but have the power turned down so low that signal performance is compromised.
Hopefully the day isn't too far away that GPS tracking devices will be small enough, sensitive enough, and have battery life long enough to take GPS tracking from a niche market to the masses.
I'd expect to see more and more cell phones with GPS tracking features, too.
"I'm no tech guru but I find it amazing that a gps chip isn't around that can fit a standard child's watch. All these tracking devices you review, while a step in the right direction, are bulky and don't seem to last long on a single charge. Am I way off on this? With all the tech advances, it just seems a simple chip that might run off a watch battery or something is not possible to track our chilren. "
The problem is NOT the GPS receiver guys, is the GPRS or WiFi transceiver that cause the needed space.
Look at Dash PND, it's huge, look at the new Magellan Maestro 4350 = GPRS it's huge. The reciever can last 12-24 hours or longer depending on the pings (location notification) you are requesting.
You can already track with cell phones that are GPS enable and this power consumption would not be a big issue in the near future.
There was a company that sold child tracking watch named Wherify, but it did not take off as it could have due to poor marketing stadigy.
http://www.wherify.com/wherifone/safety.html
So is not the GPS receiver as much as the transceiver.
Look at the new Garmin GPS watch forerunner 401 but it can not track you and let your location be known to others.
http://www.autonav2000.com/mall/anProdDetail.asp?ProdID=758
hi fletch
My main concern is if my children get abducted. The first thing someone may look for is a phone or tracking device that looks like a phone. We need something that doesn't look like a tracking device.
Hello, I would like to know if any of these have world wide coverage. We travel quite a bit and I really need a device for my youngest. I especially need coverage for a trip to Syria in the next six months.
Thank you.
Erin - yes, I believe the WorldTracker GPRS has worldwide coverage. It's available from BrickHouseSecurity, among others.
I live in a foreign country, is there any effective tracking or GPS device that does not require having to pay a monthly service fee. This device should be a able to work both indoors and outdoors. Probably a device that works off a cell phone or blue tooth technology. Thanks for your help.
Do you know if the Loc8tor plus is the same thing as the Brickhouse Child Locator Device (http://www.brickhouse-childsafety.com/locator.html). It looks visually the same, but the Brickhouse device claims visual as well as audio direction.
Thanks.
Dan - yes, Brickhouse Security's Child Locater Device is the same device as the Loc8tor.
Dear Sir
We live in Denmark Scandinavia. Do you know if any of the devices which you recommend work here? This device should be a able to work both indoors and outdoors. Probably a device that works off a cell phone or blue tooth technology. Thank you in advance
RE: RF based people tracker
Have you look into Avalanche Beacon such as Pieps DSP ?
Hi, I was wondering if you received any answer to your question. We will be visiting China soon and my 6 yr old daughter is Asian. Thanks.
Hi, I was wondering if you received any answer to your question. We will be visiting China soon and my 6 yr old daughter is Asian. Thanks.
The WorldTracker GPRS has an international option at check-out that I believe should work in China. Brickhouse Security (they sell the WorldTracker GPRS) can confirm if you call them.
I was wondering, I am moving to China and I was wondering if there is any tracking device service that reaches all the way to there?
Thanks for a great review !!
Great review, thank you!
I'm leaning towards the WorldTracker but buying it for 3 kids could get expensive. Can you please tell me how long is the battery life of the Amber Alert model? What is the mile range? How bulky is it compared to the WorldTRacker? I have a 4 year old that attends a school 45 minutes away, and rides the school bus home. She has a toddler cell phone that she uses to call for help but I'm concerned that someone may snatch that away. One time her school bus stalled somewhere in the boonies in the hot Louisiana heat and she was able to call me to go get her. Fortunately I knew the bus route, but if had been an abduction or another parent bringing her home, then it could have been an issue. But if the WorldTracker is the way to go, I'll spring the money for her. Most of her life strangers come up to tell her how pretty she is, even waiting outside stores or restaurants to greet her or offering to buy her things (in NYC, Philly, NJ, MIA doesn't matter where). My New Yorker husband does the stare downs but with him being deployed for over a year ... I think you see my point.
So.. any additional info or breakdown would be greatly appreciated! Thank you
I know it hasn't even been a year, but I'm wondering if any new -- and possibly better -- products may have become available since you last reviewed child tracking devices. I need a bracelet that can be placed on a two year-old child that will notify me if it is ever tampered with. My wife and I just discovered that our live-in nanny has been handing our kid off to relatives and spending time with her boyfriend during the day. We desperately want a solution.
hello i wanted to know if you could review the brickhouse security system it looks like loc8tor but just want to know if theres a difference also can you tell me the alert modes for the loc8ter i saw its says near far etc but do you know the feet there set to like 20ft 50 ft etc? thanks
Yes - the Loc8tor system I reviewed is in fact the same as the "Brickhouse Child Locator". You can adjust the distance alert to suit your needs.
As I mention in the review, this device may be suitable for finding a misplaced set of car keys at home, but it's decidedly NOT up to the task of locating a child. I don't recommend buying this unit.
I spoke to the folks that make the Ionkids tracker and I suspect they will not be around much longer. They sold all of their devices and didn't have enough orders to order more from china. They were sold out of everything as well as all of their resellers including Brickhouse. I even tried Ebay.
I need a device I can lock on the child because she is a high needs autistic 7 year old escape artist that enjoys being nude when on an adventure. Child protective services will remover her from the home if she continues to escape. This is now what we want for this beautiful person.
We need to come up with a strap that she cannot remove as well as a waterproof device. Any help would be appreciated.
Dave
My need is the same as yours. My autistic-adhd-4-yr-old boy is also an escape artist. We are in desperate need of a tracking device that fits our particular needs. Should you know of any please let me know. aida.cuevas@prw.net
Great review, many thanks to the author! It would be great if this review could be updated on annual basis. I'm sure new products are being developed each year as this is a HUGE business opportunity - this is a world-wide market with millions of potential customers. Please keep up your great work with updates to your reviews. THANK YOU.
Thanks for the website and reviews. With my 5 year old son getting becoming more independant and more then willing to wander off by himself....I was wondering if any new non-GPS child tracking system have come out that has been improved upon in the recent year that works best indoors.
It seems that any of the non-GPS tracking systems don't really work that well indoors....I'm hoping that the technology can be improved in time.
I just recently took another look at indoor child locators, and I'm afraid they still don't work. I'll be publishing an updated 2010 child tracker guide soon, but the short answer is indoor RF tracking doesn't work well enough to recommend.
The Alzheimer's Association has within the past month come out with a location tracking device for people with dementia who wander.
The association's Comfort Zone service was released in November and is powered by Omnilink tracking services . It is touted to be the first comprehensive location management system designed specifically for Alzheimer's patients.
Is this device better than other location tracking devices available for children, employees, etc?
Could you help me decide which device is best for a wandering adult?
I would like to keep abreast as to all of the most recent technology relating to child tracking and associated applications? I would also like to learn about opportunities for marketing and selling these types of devices. I have two children, 4 yrs old and 4 months old and would prefer an implanted (removable) device or other application that would not be readily detectable. It is troubling to think about these types of scenarios, but I would rather understand how to incorporate this type intelligence now rather than when I am in a panic.
Thanks SS
When I found out I was expecting(after 7 years of trying to conceive) - my first question to my Ob-gyn was. " Is there micro chip we can implant in her arm?". He thought I was insane and laughed at me. But since that time the real need to be proactive in protecting our children has been increasingly obvious. If they can GPS my phone - there must be viable tracking options. Beacon devices are large and easily recognized/discarded by predators. If we can tag a dog - surely our children deserve a similar level of security. Not to trample on constitutional rights- remove it when they come of age. Much like birth control implants. Remember Elizabeth Smarf.
**
Google Maps on mobile phones now have a 'share my location' option. If the phone on the child has a GPS - how is this different than any of the GPS/GSM options presented here - which also cost quite a bit of money in monthly fees....
Great reviews here very informative.
Just wondering why www.globaltrackinggroup.com has not been reviewed here. THey seem to be pretty big and not a new company. Anyone have any comments on them?
I am looking for a device specifically for impaired adults who could wander.
I am thinking fo the zoomback but also looking at the Amber Alert GPS.
thanks
I have a four month old child, and my thought is when I do have to put her in daycare. I know that everyone has procedures as far as who can pick them up and such, and I plan on putting her in a smaller day care so she wouldn't get lost in the shuffle. But she's 4 months old, and not large enough to carry a cell phone, or a tracking device. And besides that, you can only find the location of the device so if your child is abducted, they may have dropped the back-pack or cell phone they were carrying. We need to come up with some type of device that can be worn, such as a piece of jewelry or even something that can be attached to their clothing in an inconspicious place. We can put microchips in pets that have identifying information on them. Why not a microchip that also has GPS locating ability in something that cannot be removed or is very inconspicious!!
I have the Spark Nano from Brickhouse Security. It is about the
size of a Zippo lighter. I put the GPS in my baby's car seat
when he has supervised visits with his father. I did this, because I have great fear that he will take off with our child.
I have an order of protection against my baby's father. We are now going through a divorce/custody battle. He discovered the
GPS and had a fit. I am to be notified when he, the baby, and
the supervisor(his mother) leave with the child. There is an
incident when they didn't notify me. I am praying that the Judge will let me use the GPS driving record in court. It would've defeated the purpose of advising the supervisor of the GPS system, so they were not aware of it until recently. I would
appreciate any feedback. I don't know if anyone is or has been in a situation like this.
The Spark Nano is wonderful.
Fletch, I am like a couple of your other readers in that I have a 6yr. old son who has autism. He loves to wander and has done so a couple of times from the house, but now as of last week from school. I too need something that can't be removed and at least water resistant. At this point, even though I can't afford it, money is the issue. I need a device that has real-time monitoring and would best meet my families needs as well as the school. I'm on information overlaod with all of the different claims that these companies make. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Ericka in Sacramento
Ericka and whomever could possibly help please!
Did you find anything that suits your needs? I am in exactly the same situation. My son, who has autism, has been wandering while in school and they would like something that would sound an alarm if he got too far away from them. I am overwelmed with what is out there and it seems that all of the reviews that I have found so far contradict each other or, like this great synopsis here, indicates there are no good ones for inside.
Thanks so much in advance!
Pam in Michigan
I agree that the device needs to be smaller and able to be placed in an incospicuous place on the child. In a watch would be acceptable, but ideally it needs to be smaller. There's no price you can put on the safety of your child, but these prices are riduculously high! And what if you have multiple kids? No discount? Come on! People aren't going to spend over $2,000 per year, especially in a bad economy. Hopefully other companies will realize this and put downward pressure on the prices. It shouldn't be that difficult.
I agree with the other commenters on the need for a tiny tranceiver chip. We really want to make sure our nanny and son are where she says they are. I'm sure she would just leave the GPS tracker at home if she saw it in his diaper bag. We need a way to keep a hidden item on the child. Hopefully the industry will advance and we can get products to actually help us protect our children.
People need to understand that tracking devices are active -that means they have to keep sending signals at regular intervals. This requires battery power. It is not a matter of putting something like a dog tag ID chip in a watch -these are passive devices-that is they do not need to send signals and hence do not need much battery power. Sending a signal to a cell tower takes relatively considerable power therefore a relatively large battery will always be required for the foreseeable future.
Bronco - M.S. engineer.
I recently bought the Insignia Little Buddy from Best Buys and thought it would compare well to these other reviews. It is not exact location technology, as it will show the location within 40 yards or so, so it definately will not work in malls in in building or other such things. But if a child is kidnapped or lost, or taken and the police are in the search a 40 yard search area is pretty darn good, as opposed to none. It costs $99.00 and has several reports on line, email messaging with perimeter alerts, low battery alerts, and standard reporting. It's about the size of a BIC lighter and the battery lasts about 7 to 8 days, depending on the type of reports you want.
My father will be hiking, driving, etc. in remote mountainous, wooded areas of Pennsylvania that do NOT have cell phone reception (yes, it's true). He'll be on an amateur photo expedition with only one other person, hiking in large amounts of new fallen snow.
Any quick answers of what I can send him off with so I have a clue where to look for him if he doesn't check in as scheduled? I don't have much time for research because he leaves in a few days (the next big snow for the optimal photos...sigh).
Thank you! Thanks (to all) for the helpful info on this site!!!
Has anyone used the LOK8U NUM8 yet? I'm curious whether it's worth the expense of $180 for the GPS watch & then $10/month to monitor via computer or $18 to monitor via cell phone/computer. Monitoring cost seems kind of steep!
Does it work? Inside & out? How accurate is it?
Should I just opt for a GPS phone as part of our family cell phone service? Not the convenience of a watch, but we could stick it in his pocket or backpack?
Thanks!
I'm currently in the process of reviewing the LOK8U NUM8, and I don't recommend it. I'll be posting the full review soon, but the short version is that the device simply does not work well, and I cannot recommend it.
How about the GPS cell phone idea? A phone like the "LG Migo VX1000 Verizon GPS Child Locator Cell Phone" could be purchased online through a 3rd party vendor for about $50 & then you pay about $10/month for the extra line on a Family Plan with Verizon Wireless + $10/month for the locator service (total $20/month).
This is frustrating... there's a genuine market for this & no one is coming up with a good solution at a good price! Sounds like it's time to go in to business for myself & make millions!
BTW, Fletch... I've got a stupid question to ask (because everyone can hide their identity on the web)... how 'independent' are you? How closely are you tied to the manufacturers you review? Appreciate your insights, but just want to make sure we're all getting good, unbiased advice here!
I don't receive any money or other products from any GPS manufacturer. All reviewed products are returned once the review is complete.
Appreciate the objectivity!
What's your thought on the GPS cell phone?
Also, when are you planning on coming out with your review? We're in the process of reviewing the options & would like to select a solution soon... and we'd love to have your insights!
Thanks!
My father and his team have been researching this idea for about ten years...We are currently at a standstill situation and are looking for better solutions for location tracking devices. Is there a better solution than bluetooth or RF design to send and recieve signals from a gps satellite receiver and transmitter that can fit into a micro chip? We have a chip that can be added to watches clothes etc but are currently looking at alternitives to bluetooth or rf design does anyone have a solution.
Many thanks
Dan
HI, I hope you can help...I am looking for a child locator system that is waterproof; a watch type device that the child cant take off; you can set the boundaries; the unit that the child wears actually beeps/makes noise to help locate the child and maybe ward off child abductors....Is there anytthing out there like this?
HI, I hope you can help...I am looking for a child locator system that is waterproof; a watch type device that the child cant take off; you can set the boundaries; the unit that the child wears actually beeps/makes noise to help locate the child and maybe ward off child abductors....Is there anytthing out there like this?
HI, I hope you can help...I am looking for a child locator system that is waterproof; a watch type device that the child cant take off; you can set the boundaries; the unit that the child wears actually beeps/makes noise to help locate the child and maybe ward off child abductors....Is there anytthing out there like this?
Tons of smart phone app help let you locate your children. Google Latitude works for many applicaiton. Personally I like GuardianWare BlackBerry as it can alert me when my children leave or reach a place.
Thanks for this article! As a parent, it's exactly what I was looking for.
when will the update to this article come out? Can't believe there is no cost effective option to track kids that wander by now. Don't need the expensive ones. justone that has a battery life for a day or less when we go out with the kids on a day trip or to the mall. i am sure many parents want that.
I am like everyone here trying to look out for the safety of our children.Why cant there be a tracker sold without a monthly charge with a sim card that you call when you need to, check on the child.I am not looking to watch their every move but if they are going out and about to school or the city.Then I can call the sim and it relays the info back.I understand a business needs to make money,so charge a little bit more for a pay as you go system.
Best Buy's Little Buddy (made by Insignia) lets you select a plan that only charges when you request a location from it. So if you don't use it at all, the monthly cost is zero. Works pretty well too.
Buyer beware with the child locator. I purchased it to help track my son with autism. He bolts and wanders. The child locator works much better outdoors and is absolutely lousy indoors (tested in numerous indoor locations with a variety of indoor materials). It really is not useful. On top of that disappointment, the company charged my credit card twice for the product and has refused to refund the error for seven months now! What a disappointment. What a scam. :-(
which child locator are you referring to???
Very useful information, thank you
There are 2 new devices on the market: spark nano 2.0 and garmin GTU 10. Any information about these 2? GTU 10's monthly plan is significantly less expensive than nano, but there are reviews of poor battery life; there are yet no reports on the battery life on nano 2.0. Please advise. Thanks!!!