GPS World

Tag: pets

  • Tracker for Children, Pets Integrates u-blox GNSS, Cellular Technologies

    Tracker for Children, Pets Integrates u-blox GNSS, Cellular Technologies

    The Trax personal tracker for children and pets uses a u-blox receiver.
    The Trax personal tracker for children and pets uses a u-blox receiver.

    Swedish WTS (Wonder Technology Solutions) has launched Trax, a personal tracking device for children and pets. Based on a u-blox GNSS receiver module with integrated antenna and cellular module, the tiny tracker can be located anywhere, anytime via a free Android or iPhone mobile phone app.

    In addition to real time tracking, Trax provides flexible geofence alerts, and can monitor how fast your teenager is driving. It also works indoors, thanks to a proprietary dead-reckoning algorithm that delivers a position even when satellites are out of sight. Accurate down to 1.5 meters, the robust, water resistant device also provides an “augmented reality” mode that helps users locate their trackers using a smartphone’s built-in camera view.

    To achieve the smallest possible size, Trax uses a u-blox’ CAM-M8Q GNSS receiver module with a built-in antenna. CAM-M8Q (chip antenna module) provides both small size (9.6 x 14.0 x 1.95 mm) and multi-GNSS capability. It is based on a u-blox M8 chip and includes an integrated chip antenna plus SAW filter, LNA, TCXO, RTC crystal and passives. The surface-mount module is also extremely low in height making very thin customer designs possible.

    “Trax is the world’s smallest and most versatile personal tracking device available, packed with features designed to provide peace of mind to parents and pet owners almost anywhere in the world,” said Fredrik Danelius, Managing Director at WTS, “By combining the leading GNSS and cellular technologies from u blox, we have designed a tiny, reliable, low-cost device that protects our most valuable family members: children and pets.”

    Trax comes with an integrated SIM-card and two years of free data and roaming in 33 countries. It is charged via USB and typically lasts between two and four days on a full battery. For wireless connectivity, device integrates a u blox SARA-G3 GSM/GPRS module which is footprint compatible with the SARA-U2 UMTS/HSPA module for easy 2G to 3G upgrade.

    “Trax is an elegant and sophisticated example of our embedded GNSS and cellular modules combined to protect people’s loved ones,” said Pasi Alajoki, Area Sales Manager at u-blox, “It is an extremely important application of our mobile communications and global positioning technology where performance, size and power consumption play a critical role. We are proud WTS chose u-blox for Trax.”

  • eTrak Releases PetTrak Pet Locator

    eTrak Releases PetTrak Pet Locator

    eTrak pet tracker.
    eTrak pet tracker.

    eTrak has announced the release of its latest product, the PetTrak GPS+ tracking system. Now available for purchase online, PetTrak is a small, lightweight device used to track the location of most pets.

    PetTrak uses GPS+, eTrak’s patent-pending technology utilizing Wi-Fi, Cell ID, and GPS to deliver accurate location, indoors or out. Users will be able to utilize PetTrak to always know the location of their animal companions. PetTrak also allows users to set up specific safety circle zones, around designated areas where pets spend most of their time. If the pet leaves or enters this zone, the pet’s owner will be notified via text or email.

    “One of the best features of PetTrak is the safety circle, which enables pet owners to draw a boundary circle around the house, yard, or any place that provides a protective perimeter for a pet,” said John Harris, eTrak founder and CEO. “If a pet wanders off beyond the circle, PetTrak will send an email and text message to the owner’s cellphone and computer. Not only that, but it will even include a Google map with the pet’s location.”

    The PetTrak device can be attached to Simply attached to a pet’s collar. The animal can then be tracked in virtually any environment around the clock, from any smartphone, computer or tablet. With more than six million pets lost every year, PetTrak is designed to help owners rest assured knowing their furry friends are safe.

  • Garmin Updates Astro GPS Dog Tracking System with the DC 50 Collar

     

     

    Garmin International Inc. now offers the DC 50 – a new and improved GPS dog tracking collar that’s even more robust and reliable than previous models.

    “From more reliable satellite reception to a more rugged design, the new DC 50 gives sporting dog owners what they’ve been asking for,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “The new DC 50 has the features that will bring the benefits of GPS tracking to first-time users, and will convince existing Astro customers to upgrade.”

    The DC 50’s main housing sits below the dog’s neck while a low-profile, high-sensitivity GPS antenna is now positioned atop the dog’s neck, providing a clearer view of satellites.  In addition to tracking GPS satellites, the DC 50 can also utilize the GLONASS system. When using GLONASS satellites, acquisition time is (on average) approximately 20 percent faster than using GPS.  And when using both GPS and GLONASS together, the receiver has the ability to lock on to 24 more satellites than when using GPS alone. In practical terms, that means sporting dog owners will spend less time waiting for the collar to acquire satellites before the hunt, and the collar will better maintain its location even in heavy cover and deep canyons during the hunt.

    The Garmin Astro 320 GPS tracking device with two DC-50 collars.
    The Garmin Astro 320 GPS tracking device
    with two DC-50 collars.

    The newly redesigned 22.5-inch long VHF antenna is made of braided steel that’s built to take any punishment that hard-charging dogs can deliver.  Hunters can track their dogs up to nine miles in flat, unobstructed ground as often as every five seconds.  A shorter 18.5-inch antenna is also included.

    The battery life of the DC 50 has improved over previous generations, too.  At a five second update rate, the DC 50 will get approximately 26 hours of battery life when fully charged.  By slowing the update rate down to once every two minutes, the DC 50 collar can get up to 54 hours of use.   As a safety feature, the DC 50 also has a selectable Dog Rescue mode, which automatically switches the DC 50 to a two minute update rate when the battery is less than 25 percent charged – making it easier to recover a lost dog.

    For houndsmen, the DC 50 also features built-in Bark Detection, which alerts a hunter when their dog is barking frequently, even out of earshot.  Users can customize the Bark Detection feature to adjust the frequency of barking and the manner in which the user is notified (visual, tone, vibration, or a combination of each).

    The DC 50 features a standard one inch coated polyurethane collar strap that can be swapped out for a different color to easily distinguish between multiple dogs.  The collar transmitter is waterproof to 10 meters (33 feet).  Shipped alone, the DC 50 features a blue collar, and when purchased in conjunction with an Astro 320, the collar strap is orange.

    When paired with the Astro 320, the system can track up to ten dogs per receiver at once, and will indicate the dog’s distance, direction, and status (sitting, running, pointing, or treeing).  The Astro 320 features a full color, sunlight readable display with a pre-installed basemap.  In addition to the pre-installed basemap, the Astro can be loaded with optional 100k Topo or 24k Topo maps or photorealistic BirdsEye Satellite Imagery.  Many third-party specially-designed hunting maps are also available.

    The DC 50 is compatible with Astro 320 handhelds that are currently in service, but users must download a free software update to their handheld before pairing the new collar, by visiting www.garmin.com/webupdater.  The DC 50 is not compatible with the Astro 220 handheld or the Alpha Track and Train system.

    Purchased alone, the DC 50 has a minimum retail price of $229.99, and the DC 50 bundled with the Astro 320 system has an MRP of $599.99.