I love DIY projects, though it always seems as though I never have enough time to sit down and do them. When you finish this next project you will have your own GSM GPS tracking device. I’m pretty sure that most people out there haven’t built one of those before.

This project isn’t for the novice as it requires a good amount of skill to complete. In the end you’ll have a device that will receive SMS messages that will return a set of GPS positions.

The project isn’t cheap either, it will set you back around $280. The most expensive part is the GM862-PS module that will run you $183. If you just happen to have one of those lying around, then it’ll be a fairly cheap project for you.

Source: Slashgear

Click Here To Shop For GPS at Vanns.com!

A new use of GPS is to protect your car or wireless device from being ripped off.

A handheld system out of New Zealand operates using both GPS and GSM and can be programmed to send an alert when it is moving without your permission. The device is the TrimTrac GPS Locator, and it works in conjunction with Web-based software from the manufacturer Mr. Hawk.

You can program it to send you an SMS alert once it is in motion. Presumably, this is a signal that someone has stolen your vehicle. The device is made with the auto owner in mind, but it can also work to protect and track other devices, such as laptops.

It is small enough to hide in the glove box or under a seat, so would-be thieves don’t even know that you are tracking them. With a little ingenuity, you can also attach it to your laptop or other mobile device as a deterrent to “borrowing.”

Source: Mobile Magazine

The Lowrance iFinder GPS is an affordable GPS navigator that includes all the features you need to get around. Due to its portability, it is a good choice for hikers, cyclists, and road trippers. It’s so simple, just plot a route via the easy-to-use keypad, and the iFinder Go follows the path precisely, with intuitive navigating that keeps you from veering off course.

The navigator is so reliable that its 16 parallel channel GPS and WAAS receiver is accurate to within several meters, making it a great fit for scavenger hunts as well as hikes. Each trip is completely customizable, with the ability to create new routes, waypoints, trails, and more. You can also easily recalculate your trip route should you get distracted and lose your way, and thanks to the 32 MB of built-in memory, you can save and retrace up to 100 of your favorite plot trails, with up to 10,000 points in each path.

The device holds more than just previous routes, however. It also comes preloaded with a background map of the continental U.S. and Hawaii, with such features as coastal nav aids, wrecks, and obstructions. In addition, the device supports up to 1,000 waypoints, 1,000 event markers, and 100 routes. Users with a zest for detail will appreciate the 40 map zoom ranges (from 0.02 to 4,000 miles) and the 42 graphic icons used to mark special spots.

To top it off, the iFinder Go’s bright yellow housing is waterproof, so you can use it in the rain or safely store it in your pack when rafting. Additional features include a 2-inch white LED backlit screen with 200 x 140 resolution, internal backup memory for storing your GPS data and settings, and a wrist-strap accessory. The pocket-sized unit measures 2.12 by 5.15 by 1.24 inches (W by H by D) and runs for up to 48 hours on two AA batteries (not included). It also includes a one-year warranty.

iFinder GPS Go Waterproof 16 iFinder GPS Go Waterproof 16, Now you can enjoy the biggest, easy-to-use, 16-channel compact GPS handheld performance — with built-in mapping detail — for the smallest price ever

An American company is set to produce mobile phones for dogs.
The PetsCell has been designed by Cameron Robb of PetsMobility in Arizona to help owners track their dogs if they ever go missing.

The product will be available next March and the company is in talks with a Glasgow-based firm over licensing and distributing the canine phones.

The PetsCell will spell an end for lost dog posters. The bone-shaped handset, which fits into a collar, is equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking which locates the dog to within a five-metre area, advanced mapping technology and three call buttons.

Robbie Dick of PetsMobility said: “The response to PetsCell has been tremendous. We are in the process of talking to a company in Glasgow about the licensing and distribution of PetsCell. People can log on to our website for updates on when they can get one in the UK.

“It is a very rugged device, it’s waterproof and will support a wireless camera which could help in search and rescue operations. Or, it could serve as the equivalent of a nanny cam when you send your dog to doggie daycare.”

The PetsCell will be available for purchase in late March next year and will retail for $300 (£171). The PetsCell has three buttons, two are “call owner” buttons, which will allow anyone who finds a dog to phone its owner’s home or mobile. It also has an emergency call centre button too. The phone cannot take incoming calls which haven’t been preset by the owner.

Source: By Rachelle Money - sundayherald