Spark Nano-GPS Tracking Device

[Dodger]

Lightning GPS announced today that it would release the tiny “Spark Nano” GPS Tracker to the general public. Venturing into the consumer sector is a radical move for Lightning GPS, a company well known as the main provider of covert GPS Tracking to Police Departments, the Military, and DHS.Lightning GPS claims the rights to the “smallest GPS tracking device available to the public”. Roughly the size of a 9V battery, the Spark Nano is good for 5 days of continuous tracking on its rechargeable battery, and is water-resistant enabling it to be placed in exposed areas such as underneath a vehicle.

The new web-based tracking system designed for the Spark Nano is so easy-to-use, that Lightning GPS launched a Free Live Demo that requires no training at all to get started.Of course, you'll need to take the "Nano" notion with a big grain of salt. Its size means you can easily install the Spark Nano on the object that needs tracking; you can clip it on a person's belt or put it inside your kids' backpack to keep tab of their whereabouts. The Spark Nano also features a panic button that the wearer can use to alert people if he or she is in danger. The alert would show exactly where the person wearing the tracking device was located.

For people at home, the Spark Nano can be tracked in real time via a Web site, either with a computer or via a smartphone. It can also be set to periodically send e-mails and text messages indicating the location of the tracked object.

The Spark Nano has a built-in rechargeable battery that can power the device for five continuous days with a full charge. It sports "Safety Zone" Technology that alerts you when the tracked object arrives at a target or exits a predefined area.

Spark Nano Features:

• Smallest GPS Tracking Device Available to the public
  
  
• Panic Button For Sending Emergency Alerts
  
  
• Waterproof and Extremely Durable
  
  
• 5 Days of Continuous Tracking w/ Internal Rechargeable Battery
  
  
• Automatic E-mail / Cell Phone Alerts
  
  
• “Safety Zone” Technology Can Alert You Upon Entry Or Exit Of A Defined Area
  
  
• Track From Your Cell Phone or The Web

The new GPS tracking device is available now and costs $299.95. It also requires a service plan that starts at another $45 a month.

[Dodger]

Roughly the size of a 9V battery, the Spark Nano claims to bring military-grade GPS tracking to the consumer market; it also has a panic button, in case of emergencies. The tiny, rugged, waterproof GPS tracker can be used to track whoever you want.There’s also speed alert monitoring, useful if you’re tracking a teenager or employee driving and the Spark Nano takes approximately 40 seconds to get a GPS fix when powered on.

An internal rechargeable battery is good for up to five days of continuous tracking, and the casing is waterproof and “extremely durable”. Meanwhile the monitoring software allows you to set up automatic zone alerts - which send out emails and SMS messages when particular locations are entered or left - and can be accessed from a full browser or mobile device.

With its “nano” size and friendly look & feel, the Spark Nano GPS Tracker has a strong appeal with everyone from parents to Professional Investigators who desire stealth tracking.The Spark Nano takes about 40 seconds to acquire a GPS fix from a cold start, and it features a personal alarm combined with text messaging and email for personal safety. It also allows parents, for example, to set up geographic boundaries or geofences so they’ll be alerted by text or email if their child ventures out (or back in) to a predefined region.

[Namchan]

It appears to be transmitting its data to LIghtning GPS's web site via the cellular phone network (GPRS and GSM). You have to pay an activation fee to allow this. Then there is also a fee for accessing the data/web site. It's kind of cool, but seems expensive unless you have a real need for it. And it's being limited to areas with cellular phone coverage makes it useless for the backwoods.

[Flux]

The price is a huge stumbling block -- more the $45/month service fee than the original purchase price. I can understand it will cost something to tie into a cellular network, but that's way more than a basic phone plan would cost.