CBS 5 – KPHO

A man whose home was burglarized helps lead to arrest thanks to personal GPS tracking of his valuables.

It is not uncommon to hear news stories that involve using global positioning systems (GPS) tracking devices for catching criminals, whether it is a pharmacy nabbing a pill snatcher, local sheriff catching a stolen trailer thief, or a clever realtor tracking down stolen house for sale signs. Now, a resident of Arizona proves GPS tracking devices can be used on smaller items to help lead to an arrest should it get stolen.

Allen Crosby of Phoenix, Arizona was recently burglarized. The would-be thief made off with more than $10,000 worth of valuables, including electronics and jewelry, from his home.

Luckily for him, he thought ahead by protecting his valuables with a micro personal GPS tracking unit. These are tiny, hardly noticeable to those not looking for it, and can track the location of the item it was placed on. Read the rest of this entry »

Summer is the perfect time for enjoying the great outdoors and warm weather by going on a long hike or biking trip. However, it can also be dangerous if you are not prepared. One of the best tools to bring with you on your trip is a GPS tracking device, as it helps you find out where you are and where you are going, has a 911 emergency call button, and provides a wide range of features for safety.

Benefits of Using GPS Trackers

While mapping and navigation is definitely a big bonus to having a GPS tracking device with you during outdoor excursions, it isn’t the only way you benefit from this technology. GPS tracking devices are very durable, which means they can withstand your hiking, biking, or camping trip. They are also often waterproof, so are great for any type of weather conditions.

A good quality GPS system has a battery life of at least15 hours or more, but always bring extra batteries. The coverage of the newest tracking devices are excellent, no longer limited to only a cell phone’s coverage. They also have extra features like a barometer, altimeter, and features for geocaching.

Of course there is also the advanced mapping features that help you figure out your location in case you get lost or need to get emergency help. Take for example this lost Mt. Hood hiker that was lost, but then found after posting his GPS coordinates on Facebook. Read the rest of this entry »

Parents of autistic children may have better peace of mind soon with GPS monitoring of their child’s whereabouts. As we previously reported, approximately half of children with autism wander off.

In Utah, a project is underway to potentially provide GPS tracking devices to the parents of vulnerable autistic children. Government funding will need to be needed and it is only intended for parents that choose to use the system. Parents in need will work with local law enforcement agencies to apply for the funding from the The Byrne Grant Program.

Children and adults with autism have a tendency to wander off. People with autism, as well as those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, are prone to wandering and can often go much further than they originally intended. It causes panic and anxiety once they realize they don’t know where they are, and that turns into an even more dangerous situation.

In a lot of these cases, the child is found unharmed, but in others, it has been fatal. With the case of a boy named Steven, it took authorities 16 hours to find him after he had wandered off. They believe if Steven’s parents had been monitoring him with a personal GPS tracking device, he would have been found much sooner. Read the rest of this entry »

The chief inventor and designer of GPS technology has passed away in his New Hampshire home.

The passing of Roger Easton, one of the primary developers of GPS technology, has affected people all over the world. Easton and his team paved to the way toward advanced navigation for civilians and military, highly advanced GPS tracking, and even improving the safety of children and adults with disabilities, all thanks to global positioning systems (GPS).

Easton passed in his home in Hanover, New Hampshire on May 8th. The announcement was released by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington where Easton was an employee for 37 years and worked on much of the GPS advancements from. Read the rest of this entry »

Golfers are being tracked with GPS units to determine ways for improving their game.

Fleet vehicles, endangered animals, and personal belongings have all been tracked with GPS tracking technology, and now golfers are going to have their movements tracked. As part of a three-month project by the U.S. Golf Association, golfers are going to be carrying around a small GPS tracker to help improve their game.

The trackers will be equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology that tracks their playing habits and movements throughout their game. The end goal is to improve their game by encouraging them to play faster and get from hole to hole in a more expedient fashion.

The U.S. Golf Association (USGA) is concerned with how long it takes some golfers to get through a traditional game. They are hoping to speed up the playing experience. As of now, the average is 22 minutes for each round and a minimum four-hour game. Read the rest of this entry »