Gizmodo: locator

SPOT GPS Tracking Device Is Perfect for Remote Climbers and Jealous Girlfriends

Kit Eaton — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:05:42 EST

Walt Mossberg has had a look at the SPOT satellite messenger, a GPS gadget aimed at adventurers and thrill seekers. Not only does it call in the emergency services if you're stuck and there's no cellphone tower for miles, but it also sends out position updates to keep friends back home updated on your expedition. It locates you via GPS, and transmits data by satellite to a control center, which routes messages on for you, and its three buttons couldn't be simpler—"OK/Check," "Help" and the one you'll hopefully never click, "911." More juice below.

Waterproof, floating, alititude-proof to 21,000 feet and freeze-proof to -40 degrees Fahrenheit, its bright orange case is about the same size as a BlackBerry, and it's powered by two lithium AA batteries.

Its simplicity rests on an annual service charge and front-end website: through this you can send an unlimited number of GPS position updates to a list of buddies for $100 a year, though you have to pre-arrange the messages since all SPOT itself has is those three controls. If you do need to call in assistance, it prioritizes that alert and repeats the message until its battery is dry (about seven days). But since there's no way for a message to get back to you, it might be a long, hard wait.

SPOT will cost you $170 for the unit, and $100 a year for the support, with an optional $50 automated 10-minute position update service. [Findmespot via Allthingsd]

GPS Text Message Device Acts Like an Emergency Beacon

Jason Chen — Wed, 23 May 2007 21:20:16 EDT

Did you know that when dialing 911 from your cellphone, the police can't pinpoint your location exactly? And that if you're dialing from a rural area, it becomes even worse—up to a five-mile radius? That's why this Freedom GPS text message unit is useful.

By programming in five numbers beforehand, you can activate the Freedom unit to send out your exact GPS location by SMS. This way your family members know exactly where you are when you get lost or stranded, which makes their "officer, I had no idea where to look for them, I swear!" excuse not hold up in court. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Globalsources via Slashgear via Crunchgear]

Pulse Barryvox Avalanche Transceiver: For Those Avalanche Moments

www.gizmodo.com — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 04:49:57 EDT

Mammut's Pulse Barryvox Avalanche Transceiver looks like an invaluable gadget for skiers and climbers everywhere. It acts as a signal beacon in the event of you being caught in an avalanche, enabling the rescue team to locate you and dig you out quickly. They will be able to check on your health, as the PDA-sized gadget contains an accelerometer that can check on your breathing and radio the results to your rescuers.

The Pulse Barryvox also has a search status to help you find people caught up in an avalanche. Its simple LCD screen, visible from all angles and in direct sunlight, can pinpoint the missing person's exact whereabouts, telling you how far they are from you and in which direction. Just don't buy it and then leave it in the room of your skiing lodge. – Ad Dugdale

Product Page [Mammut via Oh!Gizmo]

Sprint Launches Locator Service

Travis Hudson — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 17:00:09 EDT

Listen up, kids. Your life just got a little worse. A new service from Sprint Nextel allows parents to pinpoint your location on their cellphones or on the computer. There is even a feature that will send the parents a text message when you arrive at a specific destination. This service is available for $9.99 a month for up to four handsets.

Sprint Family Locator, new LBS service [MobileTracker]