Real Time GPS/GSM Tracking with Accuracy of 10-20 Metres

LIvankaRohann on 07/01/2015 - 12:47
Last edited 07/01/2015 - 13:46 by 1 other user

• Please let me know if I have posted this in the wrong place.

Hi all,

I am trying to find out what are the best GPS/GSM trackers for finding someone within a large building (shopping centre for example). It would be used to locate my mother if we got separated while in a place we don't know very well.

I like to take her out to see shows every now and then and the first time we went to the Opera House about a year ago, we were separated for maybe 30 seconds and then I couldn't find her. She called me from her mobile semi-hysterical with no idea where she was (the elevator was supposed to take her up two floors, then she was supposed to go right and wait at the theatre entrance while I collected the tickets. Instead she forgot to press the button, the elevator went down, and then she wandered around a little bit before calling me.)

Since neither of us knew any landmarks I went to an employee and started relaying what my mum saw, but given how upset she was it was hard to pinpoint, ultimately the lady guessed which floor she was on by the hallway mum had walked down from the elevator.

I'm really not interested in repeating this scenario, even if it only lasted 15 minutes. And since mum is only going to get older I want to have something she can carry when we go out so if we get separated, I can find her. For the record my mother doesn't have dementia she is just rather dithery, high-strung and easily panicked.

I don't think a tracker that just tells you the location on GoogleMaps would be useful I want a minimum 10-20 metre location to go by. My mum refuses to have a smartphone because they freak her out, but if there is a good App that meets my requirements I'll just get a cheap one and use it solely for that purpose.

Any recommendations or advice would be appreciated.

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  scrimshaw on 07/01/2015 - 13:26

  +1

  GPS won't work in an indoor area. If you are lost in a shopping centre, the best way to locate a person would be to contact the centre receptionist and have them broadcast an announcement. And if you are lost outdoors, call each other and agree to meet at a distinguisable landmark.

  For outdoors a smartphone is the best way to go — if your mother is freaked out by a smartphone then you should perhaps get a Lumia device as they are very easy and straightforward to use.

  A modern smartphone GPS is accurate down to ~8 meters and at worse 30 meters according to this article. Accuracy is not a concern with modern phones nowadays — however, GPS requires a direct line of sight to the sky to 'see' GPS satellites and this applies to any GPS device. That's why a GPS tracker shouldn't be relied on when you are indoors.

  they were Nokia 'Dumbphones' that came with GPS functionality such as the Nokia 6110 Navigator series but these are of course very old, but you can buy them second hand. Do note that these older phones do not support GLONASS (the GPS system run by Russian aerospace division) and will only have access to the American owned GPS. You will typically want a phone that supports both systems.

  And if you are still interested in a personal tracking device, Jaycar sells one.
  http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=LA9013

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    adamren on 07/01/2015 - 13:43

    Info desks for some reason don't do that anymore. Not sure why, probably just being snobs, or people abused it. And morons made prank calls.

    If they still allow it then I must be lucky as from the last 20 years of being in shops, the last time I heard one was more than 10 years ago. I guess it's due to cell phones. But still, kids wander off. Perhaps stranger danger and pedos have scared them straight.

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  adamren on 07/01/2015 - 13:35

  Well phones aren't accurate enough for this, but is a possible bottom of shortlist option. Use FindMyPhone type apps. Glympse. Location sharing apps.

  I think the cost benefit isn't enough. Just don't get lost, go together. Take maps and check locations in advance.

  Now that I think about it, a Bluetooth beacon tag on her could be a possibility, but others can point out if they go to 100m plus, but I think most of these are only 3m to 30m at most. You'd have to use a higher powered one.

  But anyway she knows how to use a phone, so just call and calm her down and trace her steps back and you'll meet her near the elevator or any other unique spot in a shopping centre like a shop that is only one of them like a Coles or Woolies. Or info desk (but the big gigantic ones have several now). Only thing is what do you do when the battery goes flat? Just have a procedure of meeting in a set place as backup in the event you can't call phones etc.

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  adamren on 07/01/2015 - 13:46

  Could always put a leash on her, no only kidding. I've seen older couples on holiday trips that have photos of each others faces on the back and front of their shirts but I doubt that'd take off here for casual shopping.

  The last time I was separated from someone in shops, I remembered what they were wearing and stood above with a good vantage point of high traffic area and spotted them soon enough.

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  Davo1111 on 07/01/2015 - 14:49

  I've worked with high quality GPS trackers with mm accuracy. Simply they need LOS to either a base station, or to satellites. Neither of which you have inside a shopping centre.

  Just get her a simple phone, or organise a meetup point if you get seperated (i.e. outside coles) - it's better to meet up outside a large store that is a single level to avoid confusion.

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  XeSSiV on 07/01/2015 - 14:51

  It's going to cost a little bit for a quality product but a quick Google has netted me the following:
  https://www.edisse.com/products - In AU/Syd
  http://www.dpl-surveillance-equipment.com/1000066086.html
  http://www.trackyour.co.uk/index.php/track-who/track-your-el…
  http://www.banggood.com/GX666-MMS-Video-Taking-Locator-for-T…

  Probably worth looking into in the order I've put them.
  Best of luck :)

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  tomleonhart on 07/01/2015 - 15:51

  replace "my mum" with "my wife"

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  Adz81 on 07/01/2015 - 17:08

  Something like this?

  http://www.wireless1.com.au/kensington-proximo-tag-bluetooth…

  Or this?

  http://theprotag.com/#!protag-elite/c6so

  Full disclosure, I've not used any of these and have nil idea of their effectiveness, just what came up from a Google search.

  Best of luck.

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  IvankaRohann on 08/01/2015 - 12:55

  Thanks to everyone who responded, I didn't realise GPS / GSM was so limited indoors. But those bluetooth trackers look promising.

  Thanks again.