GPS Tracking my kid

aggie6600 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 12:52 PM

I was thinking about getting a bluetooth GPS reciever for my touch. I just don't want to wait any longer for the ROM update. When/if they enable the internal GPS this will leave me with a bluetooth GPS I won't really need for navigation. My question is, if I buy a bluetooth GPS that does not automotically turn off can I place it in my daughter's backpack and then use my phone to track her location? I was looking at the Holux 1200.

Aggie6600

**Success100** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 12:54 PM

not gonna work, plus bluetooth has a distance limitation. in a nutshell

htcuser · #3 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 12:55 PM

ya... bluetooth is about 24 yards distance. or 50 ft. i forget. Not powerful enough to keep connected to the Touch.

aggie6600 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 12:59 PM

I know bluetooth has a 10m ditance limitation. I was thinking more along the lines of being able to lock onto the "digital address" (don't know the correct term) of the GPS reciever. Similar to how taxis, police, bus fleet dispatchers can track their cars.

aggie6600 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 01:01 PM

I don't plan on being within bluetooth range. If I were that close I wouldn't need GPS. I could just look at her

**Success100** · #6 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 01:04 PM

yeah, but there systems are much more complex than just gps receivers, you talking tracking employees and vehicles versus a 20 dollar keychain gps receiver.

atoy74 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 01:05 PM

Won't work. What you're looking for requires a special service. Bluetooth GPS only receives GPS signals and transmits them to a BT device. What you need is something that will upload data to a service that you can periodically check.

atoy74 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 01:07 PM

The irony here is that Sprint already offers the exact service you're looking for.

https://sfl.sprintpcs.com/finder-spr...ily/signIn.htm

Unfortunately, our phones are not supported.

aggie6600 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atoy74

Won't work. What you're looking for requires a special service. Bluetooth GPS only receives GPS signals and transmits them to a BT device. What you need is something that will upload data to a service that you can periodically check.

That is kind of what I figured, but I was hoping there was a way to locate based on the ESN, MAC address what ever it is called for the GPS device.

**Success100** · #10 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 01:17 PM

i dont even know what type of address that gps units use, i dont believe the satelittes assign a address to every device that connects to them.

on a small scale like this, the gps chips are receivers only, only have extra hardware to transmit that signal over bluetooth. meaning that, the module has no way to broadcast anything UNLESS its over the intergrated bluetooth radio.

check out this link for a minimalists explanation of gps...

http://www.nasm.si.edu/gps/work.html