This could be interesting.........

[ZetaNine]

I wonder how many privacy lawsuits or even stalker related trials this little gadget will be the catalyst for....






Zoombak uses advanced GPS technology to let you know when your loved ones have safely arrived at their destination. Install Zoombak in your vehicle or keep it portable for use in all your vehicles. Either way, Zoombak provides your car's real-time location, 24/7, on demand, anyplace within their nationwide coverage area. But it also does so much more.

Zoombak is great for monitoring teen drivers, seniors or other family members you worry about behind the wheel, and for recovering your vehicle if it is stolen. And, by giving your real-time location updates on demand, Zoombak minimizes the need to place cell phone calls to your loved ones while they're driving. Best of all, Zoombak automatically sends a text message and/or e-mail to you when your car arrives at a pre-set safety zone, giving you peace of mind.

[wrongwayric]

Don't see that big of a deal being made about it. Most cell phones now have GPS tracking on them. Also quite a few of the newer cars come with GPS built right into them.

I can see the potential for creating mischief with it though. Like most things now days, if someone can abuse it, they probably will.

[SD67]

Unless of course your friendly neighbourhood stalker or possessive psychopathic ex attached one to your car and tracked your every move

[ZetaNine]

Unless of course your friendly neighbourhood stalker or possessive psychopathic ex attached one to your car and tracked your every move

SD67 gets it!

a stalker out to do harm isn't going to shove his cell phone in his victims purse....

[moot]

Looks like it's begging to be miniaturized even more.

[AWMac]

Needs a miniture spy camera as well.

 

[culero]

SD67, check the power supply specs.

[CAP1]

these types of things have been around for a couple years not. if i had a kid, i can guarantee you that there'd be one in what ever car he was driving..without his knowledge that is. they're very useful in my opinion

[33Vortex]

If you want to know where a person is, this information can be taken from a cell phone easily. How do you think this device is working in the first place? It's just a matter of public use applications vs government use applications.

[Fulmar]

these types of things have been around for a couple years not. if i had a kid, i can guarantee you that there'd be one in what ever car he was driving..without his knowledge that is. they're very useful in my opinion

Don't trust your kid that much?  Or purely a safety thing?

[SD67]

    

     Product Features
          o Install or keep portable
          o Personalized safety zones
          o Prompt location alerts and location history
          o Small and lightweight (2.5 oz.)
          o Water resistant
          o Long-life battery (up to 5 days on standby or up to 150 location requests before recharging)
    *
      Service Features
    *
      Unlimited On-Demand Locates

      An on-demand locate helps you to find the current location of your car containing the Zoombak Advanced GPS Car & Family Locator.

      There are 3 easy ways to conduct an on-demand location request of your Zoombak Advanced GPS Car & Family Locator.
         1. Log on to Zoombak.com
         2. Send a text message via mobile phone (coming soon)
         3. Contact customer care for live location support

      There are 3 easy ways to conduct an on-demand location request of your Zoombak Advanced GPS Car & Family Locator.
         1.
            Zoombak.com

            Find your car quickly and easily by logging on to Zoombak.com.
                o Log on and click "Find Now."
                o See your car's real-time location displayed on a map, along with the closest street address.
                o View your car's location in detail. Using our detailed map, you can easily zoom in and out or scroll in any direction.
         2.
            Mobile Phone (coming soon)

            Stay connected with Zoombak when you�re on the go.
                o Use your mobile phone to request the real-time location of your Zoombak locator.
                o Send a text message to �ZMBAK� or �96225� with the name of your locator and your PIN number.
                o Receive a prompt location alert via text message containing the nearest cross streets, along with the city and state information.
         3.
            24/7 Live Customer Care

            Speak to a live customer care representative who will assist you with your location request.
                o Contact Zoombak live customer care toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-866-951-0101.
                o Receive friendly, knowledgeable support and our staff will help you find your car.
    *
      Personalized Safety Zones

      A safety zone is a personalized virtual boundary around a location that you�ve chosen. When your car enters or leaves an active safety zone, you can be alerted via email and/or text message (your choice.) You can create up to 10 safety zones, 5 of which can be active simultaneously at any given time. Safety zones can be quickly and easily turned on and off via Zoombak.com.

      Safety zones can be quickly set up on Zoombak.com in 4 easy steps:
         1. Name your safety zone and enter an address or use the current location of your Zoombak Locator to create your virtual boundary.
         2. Select a boundary radius from as small as 110 yards to as large as 880 yards or a 1/2 mile.
         3. Create a schedule for when you would like your safety zone to be active. For example, Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
         4. Select how and when you wish to be notified. For example, you can be notified via text message and email when your car enters and leaves the safety zone.

      When your car enters or leaves your safety zone:
          o You can receive a text message and/or email notifying you of the date and time of activity.
          o The Zoombak Car & Family Locator automatically keeps track of your car�s location while the device remains active.
    *
      Continuous Tracking

      Zoombak's continuous tracking feature provides you with an automatic update of your car�s location every 5 minutes for up to 1 hour. Your car�s location, with time and date, will be shown on a map on Zoombak.com.

      Upon activating this feature, Zoombak will:
          o Determine your car�s real-time location.
          o Display its location on a map.
          o Provide location updates every 5 minutes. After 1 hour, you can easily extend continuous tracking for an additional hour
    *
      Location History

      Zoombak�s location history allows you to see where your car has traveled for the past hour, day or week. Your location history will be available for your review on Zoombak.com for up to 7 days.

      Location history is recorded:
          o Anytime your car leaves one of your pre-set, activated safety zones.
          o If you have conducted an on-demand location request.
          o If you have activated continuous tracking.

      The location history of your car will be displayed on a map, along with the date and time for each location. You will then have the ability to zoom in and out or scroll in any direction on the map.
    *
      Device Alerts

      As part of your service, you can opt-in to have Zoombak notify you via email and/or text message (your choice) when your Zoombak Locator has been powered off or has a low battery. You can add multiple email addresses and mobile phone numbers to receive device alerts.

      With "Power OFF" alerts, you can opt-in to be notified promptly when your device has been turned off along with the current or last known location information.

      With low battery alerts, you can opt-in to be notified when your device battery is at 25% capacity. If your Zoombak locator powers off due to a low battery, you can receive a second alert advising you that your Zoombak locator has been powered off, along with the last known location of the device.
    *
      24/7 Live Customer Care

      Zoombak customer care representatives are available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling toll-free 1-866-951-0101. A live representative can assist with locating your car or answering any other questions you may have about your Zoombak Advanced GPS Car & Family Locator and account.
    *
      A-GPS Technology

      Zoombak uses Assisted GPS technology (A-GPS). A-GPS uses both satellite and cellular technologies to help more precisely and reliably determine the location of your Zoombak Locator.


Your Zoombak Locator comes complete with:

    * Zoombak Advanced GPS Car & Family Locator device
    * AC Wall Charger
    * Portable Car Charger
    * Installation Kit
    *
          o 12 Volt DC Charger for charging your device when installed in your vehicle
          o Installation Bracket which holds your device securely in place when mounted in your vehicle
    * User Guide
    * 30-Day Risk Free Guarantee
      (in original packaging and condition with receipt)
    * One-year Manufacturers Warranty

Zoombak Specifications
Feature   Specification
Size   2.87" x 1.69" x .0.82" (L x W x H)
Weight   2.5 Ounces
Housing   Water Resistant
Battery Life*   Standby - Up to 120 hours or 5 days
Active Locator Use - Up to 150 location requests

You can sign up for low battery alerts and Zoombak will send you an email and text message to alert you when your Zoombak locator needs to be recharged. You will receive your first low battery alert when your device battery is at 25% capacity. If your Zoombak locator power's off due to a low battery, you will receive a second alert advising you that your Zoombak locator has been powered off, along with the last known location of your car.

* Battery life depends on several factors including temperature, network, signal strength and locator service features used. Location requests include the following Zoombak Locator service features:

    * On-Demand / Find Now requests from your mobile phone
    * Active Safety Zones and Continuous Tracking mode
    * Low battery Alerts: When your Zoombak locator indicates low battery (blinking amber LED), recharge your battery as defined in the Zoombak Locator User Guide.

That looks like it can be readily stowed in behind a bumper of most cars. The "Safety Zone" feature can let you know when it's safe to change the battery, or if the entire unit needs to be removed to be charged, it can quite easily be swapped out for a second unit, which would probably be a safer option anyway. A talented installer would be able to quickly and easily adapt the car charger to splice directly into the car's power system anyway. Remember for some psychopathic exes and truly dedicated stalkers cost is not a factor

[33Vortex]

Remember for some psychopathic exes and truly dedicated stalkers cost is not a factor

 

[JB88]

 

[CAP1]

Don't trust your kid that much?  Or purely a safety thing?

more than anything a safety thing. also, knowing the influence other kids can have on a teenager, athough i'd have done my best to teach him or her well........but then that still comes back to safety.


<<S>>

[lazs2]

I like it a lot for the anti theft part.   I wish the battery life was longer tho.. it needs to be in a place that is hard to find but easy to get to in order to recharge it.

What does it and the service cost?  It would seem that insurance companies would give you a discount if you had it.   lojack was the one I was looking at but it costs a fortune.

lazs