Ping GPS Tracker is really small, last several months on a charge, and works with GPS, Bluetooth, and Cellular (GSM/EDGE or HSPA/UMTS) connectivity. It helps you track kids, pets, bags, keys, bicycles, cars or anything that may be lost or stolen using your iOS or Android smartphone.
Ping GPS tracker specifications:
- Connectivity
- HSPA/GSM module + embedded 3G module
- Bluetooth Low Energy module
- GPS + GLONASS module
- Sensor – 3-axis accelerometer
- Misc – Inset tactile button for check-in & SOS, LED activity indicator
- Battery – 300 mAh custom lithium ion battery good for about 3 months
- Dimensions – 34 x 34 x 12 mm (PMMA silicone & elastomer materials)
- Weight – About 30 grams
- Waterproof – Up to 10 meters
You’d use GPS + cellular connectivity when you are far from the tracked asset, and Bluetooth to locate it when it’s close. A button allows for your kid to send a signal (short press) when they’ve reached destination, or an SOS message (long press) in case of issue.
The app will list all your tracked assets with estimated remaining battery life, you can click on the one you want to check out, and it should show on the map a short time later. One feature that appears to be missing is geofencing, which can be useful if a kid or an older person, for example suffering of Alzheimer, go beyond the limit you defined on the map. The project is popular so maybe they’ll add it if people request it.
Ping GPS tracker has recently been launched on Indiegogo, and the project has raised over $300,000 so far. A $99 pledge should get you the tracker with a clip attachment, a charging cable, and one year free service with Cellular connectivity included for the US, Canada, and Mexico. If you want coverage outside of North America, you’ll need to add $10 extra at activation time for coverage in 157 countries for one year. After the first year, you’ll need to spend $3 per month to pay for cellular connectivity. Shipping is free to the US, but adds $20 to $30 to the rest of the world, and delivery is scheduled for July 2017.
There are also such tiny GPS trackers with SIM card support on Aliexpress for $30 and up, such as TKSTAR LK106, but the ones I found don’t work with an app, lack Bluetooth, and battery life is limited to 5 to 10 days.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Anyone has the details of the chip(s) used in this product? For GPS / GLONASS, GSM / EDGE, HSPA / UMTS
@JM
I guess your doubt must be about the battery life. It does seem to be on the high side considering the trackers on Aliexpress only last 5 to 10 days.
some of the trackers sold on Ali Express don’t actually have GPS or Glonass at all, they just use cell tower triangulation.
one was reviewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-gJOvrUl9o
Is there any tracker that has gps, edge but also HSPA/UMTS, accelerometer, lion charging module, battery voltage monitoring module, few digital inputs, hardware watchdog (for reliability) and open SDK, so own software could be written for it?
Preferably telit modules which can be programmed in python.
Tried to find such but no luck in cheap chineese variant.
@abc
That’s quite a long list of requirements… You may have to develop your own tracker, or use a development board and add the missing modules via USB.
PixiePro board might be worth a look: http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/01/16/pixiepro-board-combines-nxp-i-mx6q-processor-with-wifi-802-11ac-bluetooth-4-2-nfc-gps-and-a-3g-modem/
It has most of what you need, except possibly battery support (TBC).