Kids GPS tracker watch, no SIM and worldwide??

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jamie777

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#151010 11-Aug-2014 09:10

Hi guys,

Later this year we're taking a trip to Europe with kids in tow. Call me a paranoid parent (the Mrs. does!) but I'm looking for a GPS tracker (preferably a watch or something wearable) where I can track where the kids are in case the worst happens.

I'm been looking online and there are a number of options, but I'm looking for one that hopefully doesn't require a subscription and definitely one that does need a SIM card/data connection.

Has anyone out there in geekzone ever done anything like this before?

Thanks!

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#1106184 11-Aug-2014 09:15

We use these at work for our staff that "go bush" :)

http://au.findmespot.com/en/

XPD / Gavin

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shk292

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#1106199 11-Aug-2014 09:28

Interesting question but I'm wondering how you envisage positional data getting back to you without any SIM or data subscription?

Anything involving satellite data connection would presumably be expensive

I would have thought a locally (Europe) purchased cheap smartphone with 'find my friends' or similar app running would be the answer. European data roaming is very cheap if you select the right provider, and you could put a screen lock on the phone to stop the kids turning off the app or running the battery flat playing angry birds...

nakedmolerat

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#1106200 11-Aug-2014 09:32

xpd: We use these at work for our staff that "go bush" :)
http://au.findmespot.com/en/

Wow this is good. All done via GPS satellite right?

Dynamic

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#1106209 11-Aug-2014 09:40

Just because you are paranoid does not mean they really aren't out to get you! :oP

Losing kids in the mall gives me the <censored by gz>, let alone in a foreign country even if English is commonly spoken.

Heaps of options on aliexpress or Amazon and similar sites.

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#1106214 11-Aug-2014 09:43

AFAIK its all GPS based, no other charges except for a yearly subscription fee I believe ($100USD a year ?) , Ive never actually used the thing or support it directly myself.

But the health and safety guys go nuts if someone goes somewhere remote without one, so they must work ;)

XPD / Gavin

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wellygary

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#1106220 11-Aug-2014 09:57

nakedmolerat:
xpd: We use these at work for our staff that "go bush" :)
http://au.findmespot.com/en/

Wow this is good. All done via GPS satellite right?

Nope, GPS is solely oneway,
Spot is a subsiduary of Globalstar and hence use the Globalstar (LEO) satellite network for their upstream communications,

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afe66

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#1106230 11-Aug-2014 10:12

Locate app on a cheap Android phone ?
Has the advantage that you can ring them too ?
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#1106231 11-Aug-2014 10:13

I think what he was getting at, was that no phone provider is necessary :)

XPD / Gavin

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afe66

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#1106256 11-Aug-2014 10:49

I thought as much but the title of the OP says no SIM but then text says " definitely one that does need a SIM card/data connection."

;-)

Though, for cost and ease would a cheap phone , local SIM be easier ?
It will update i real time and also use local wifi access point to localise rather than just gps which wont work inside, which it its a family holiday to Europe would include a fair amount of indoor events.
And worse case the child gets lost, isnt being able to ring them and say "Stay where you are I'm coming to get you

The not needing a SIM is a significant complicating factor.
How about a dodgy car tracker from china, still needs a sim car but you will only be paying SMS rates and only need to spend money

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jamie777

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#1106259 11-Aug-2014 10:57

Thanks for all your responses guys. I've sent an email to the NZ importer of SPOT so will see how it works.

It doesn't look like I'll get around the SIM card (and to be honest I put that in there to minimise to cost, and hoping that there were ways around this now).

OK, so if the SIM cards back on the table and I get European prepaid cards any suggestions on wearable devices? The cheap android phone is an OK idea, but logistically a bit difficult to ensure a 2 and 3 year old carries it around and doesn't lose it! - and then the dad forgetting to put it in their pockets, keep it charged etc.

:)

jamie777

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#1106263 11-Aug-2014 10:59

Oh, and in the initial post there's a typo (definitely does NOT need SIM). Must be something wrong with my keyboard ;)

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afe66

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#1106274 11-Aug-2014 11:23

Put the phone in the child's pocket then a safety pin to close the pocket.

Get a wall usb charger with two ports and connect overnight to recharge.

Realistically though, if you have two parents and two kids its manageable as one parent can get hold both kids and the other the luggage.

Get one/two of those collapsable urban push chairs as the children will get tired easily and they can sleep in them whilst the adults can continue to explore.
while its an extra cost it will help you explore a ot more if the kids can sleep. Check with airline as many dont charge for push chairs.

(Also good for hanging things on.)

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xpd

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#1106277 11-Aug-2014 11:28

Or a Wifi leash....

http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=/ID=20334/SID=576869642/productdetails.html

XPD / Gavin

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#1106280 11-Aug-2014 11:29

I suspect the sat option would far outweigh the cost of a local SIM or roaming with a NZ SIM in a GPS Tracker device only capable of sending/receiving TXT messages with GPS coordinates that can be pasted into Google Maps or similar.

A smartphone in the kids pocket would have rubbish battery life. I would lean toward a dedicated device with several days worth of standby battery.

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#1106281 11-Aug-2014 11:30

xpd: Or a Wifi leash....

http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=/ID=20334/SID=576869642/productdetails.html

Nice option!

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