subject: GPS trackers and how to speed up connection [print this page] Of the real time kid tracking software on the market there are three main types. The first is a kids GPS tracking watch. A kids GPS tracking watch attaches to the wrist of your child just like a normal watch. This can be a very good set-up for both parent and child. Watches, since they attach to the wrist, are less likely to get lost and this little bit of knowledge can help parents feel good about their significant investment. Watches are also easy to access in case of an emergency. All a child has to do is reach down and press their panic button and parents or authorities could be notified that the child is in need of assistance.
The only problem is that this idea of the ideal GPS tracking watch for kids has not been implemented yet. Sure, there have been several products that have tried, but none of them have reached the level that you would want from a watch. There are several reasons for this failure on the part of watch manufacturers. The first is that they have so much to cram into such a small amount of space. Not only do they need a GPS receiver to interact with the GPS satellites that broadcast the signals necessary to determine their location, but also they have to communicate that information across a cellular network so that someone other than the watch knows where it is in the world. I other words, manufacturers have to put a cell phone on the wrist of a child. That is hard work indeed, but how to speed satellites acquisition?
To be sure, there is still some time left for manufacturers to make such a product, and some are even promising to do so in the near future. The device will feature voice communication, like a phone, as well as a host of other important features like one button alarm modes and A-GPS capabilities.
The second type of real time kids tracker is the a GPS locator for kids. These standalone devices typically pack a very powerful GPS tracking system in a very small package. Designed to be easily concealable, these devices often have minuscule dimensions. On leading product even boasts 1.77" x 1.68" x .78" dimensions, making it one of the most compact trackers on the consumer market today. The key with these devices is concealability and accurate position data, both of which they delivery excellently.
GPS locators like Map My Tracks or InstaMapper for kids are also extremely simple to use. You don't need to be a technology guru to be able to make something like this work. All you have to do is purchase the device, turn it on, and get on the internet to see where it is. Depending on the model that you purchase, you can set up things called geofences which act as invisible boundaries for the device. Once the device crosses the boundary, which would signify that you child is moving outside of their normal movement parameters, then you would be notified via text message or email. This type of alert could be the difference between life and death for a child kidnapped by someone seeking to do them harm.
These devices, however, are far from perfect. The biggest flaws that child locators face is their relatively short battery life. Tracking with GPS burns a lot of power and these petite devices, with their cute dimensions and slight builds, simply don't have enough space to pack a big power punch. This generally means that a device that is fully charged will only last around an hour when it is constantly sending position data. If it is in stand-by mode it usually lasts longer, maybe a day or two to a week depending on the model.
The last type of GPS tracker for kids is a kids cell phone. This is simple a cell phone that is specifically designed with younger users in mind that also doubles as a GPS tracking device. A kids cell phone is going to forgo the typical number pad in favor of just a few buttons that can be used to speed dial some predetermined numbers. This will generally be both parents' cell phones, the home phone, and the work numbers of both parents. The means that the child is no more than a single button away from talking with their parents.
