Verdict: Like Having Your Own Personal Spy Satellite

The WorldTracker GPRS is a portable, Assisted-GPS tracking device capable of sending real-time position reports every 15 seconds. The battery operated device sells for around $650, works indoors and out, operates on the the GSM network, sports a high-performance SiRF StarIII receiver, is water resistant, and can alert if you if the device moves into or out of a pre-defined area.

Is the WorldTracker GPRS the ultimate child/teen/adult/vehicle tracking device and worth the hefty price tag? Read on.

1. Features

• Self contained device fits in the palm of your hand. No external antenna needed, just turn it on.
• Location information is reported using a direct GPRS data connection.
• Mapping for the entire world using the latest cutting edge 3D maps from Google and Microsoft.
• Real-time location reports every 15 seconds.
• Geofence feature sends alert if the target moves from pre-defined area.
• GPS assist function using GSM network, boosting location sensitivity when GPS signal is temporarily lost.
• Durable, lightweight, water-resistant housing.
• Enhanced sensitivity for indoor and outdoor reporting.
• Tri-band GSM 850/1800/1900 MHz for worldwide coverage.
• Can be hooked up to 12 volt DC for permanent hardwire connection

2. Specifications

GPS Receiver	Sirf StarIII 20-channel receiver
GPS Sensitivity	-159db
Antenna	Internal GSM antenna and active GPS patch antenna
GSM Transceiver Frequency	Tri-band 850/1800/1900 MHz
Battery Type	Standard: 1100mA, Optional: 1800mA
Battery Life	22 hours when sending 1 report every 60 seconds.
Size	64.66mm(L) x 43.19mm(W) x 22.81mm (H)
Weight	85g
Operating Temperature	-5 ~ +60 degreed celsius

3. What's in the Box

Figure 1: WorldTracker GPRS with AC Adapter

The WorldTracker GPRS includes the following items in the box:

• WorldTracker GPS unit
• Cellular SIM Card
• AC Adapter

Figure 2: WorldTracker GPS

The WorldTracker GPS measures 64.66mm(L) x 43.19mm(W) x 22.81mm (H) and fits easily in a coat pocket, purse, backpack, etc.

Figure 3: WorldTracker GPRS, Front

The front of the WorldTracker GPRS has two LEDs, used to indicate power and reception status.

When the WorldTracker is charged, the power LED displays light green. When the WorldTracker is charging, the power LED displays solid green.

Figure 4: WorldTracker GPRS, Left Side

The WorldTracker GPRS is about 2.5-inches long and just under an inch thick.

Figure 5: WorldTracker GPRS, Right Side

There are only two physical controls on the WorldTracker GPRS, both of which are located on the right side of the unit: a power switch and SOS button.

When pushed and held down for 2 seconds, the SOS button will cause the unit to send 20 location reports,2 minutes apart. These location reports will display on your map page with an SOS alert message.

The SOS button can also be configured to send a pre-defined email or SMS message. The button can also be configured to setup an instant geofence around your current location. For example, you could set a geofence around your parked car, and leave the WorldTracker in the glove compartment to receive an automatic alert if the vehicle moves.

Figure 6: WorldTracker GPRS, Bottom

The AC adapter connects to the underside of the unit. Unfortunately the WorldTracker GPRS uses a proprietary connector, so replacing the AC adapter isn't as simple as a trip to your local Radio Shack.

The company claims the WorldTracker GPRS' case is "water resistant", but given the exposed power connector, I wouldn't want to test the water resistance too thoroughly.

Figure 7: WorldTracker GPRS, Back

Figure 8: WorldTracker GPRS Battery Compartment

The battery compartment is opened by applying pressure and sliding the door away from the unit.

Figure 9: WorldTracker GPRS Battery and SIM Card

Removing the battery reveals the SIM card slot. WorldTracker operates on T-Mobile's network, and requires a valid SIM card in order to send location reports every 15 seconds.

4. Optional Vehicle Mount with Extended Battery

Figure 10: Optional Magnetic Vehicle Mount + Extended Battery

If you'll be using the WorldTracker GPRS to keep tabs on a vehicle, you'll likely want to purchase the $250 optional magnetic vehicle mount.

Figure 11: Optional Magnetic Vehicle Mount, Side

The optional vehicle mount is basically a customized Pelican Micro Case that has been fitted with an extended battery, motion sensor, and a powerful magnet that can be attached to the underside of a car or trunk lid. The case is waterproof, dustproof, and has an automatic purge valve.

Figure 12: Optional Magnetic Vehicle Mount, Bottom

The vehicle mount uses a powerful magnet to secure the mount to the car.

Figure 13: Optional Magnetic Vehicle Mount, Opened

Inside the vehicle mount is an extended battery pack and motion sensing switch.

Figure 14: Optional Magnetic Vehicle Mount, Assembled

By removing the standard battery from the WorldTracker GPRS, and connecting the motion sensor between the GPS and the extended battery pack, the vehicle mount is able to achieve between 30 and 90 days of battery life per full charge.

5. Using the WorldTracker GPRS

Figure 15: Bird's Eye Map Report

WorldTracker GPRS has some of the best location reporting I've ever seen. Leveraging both Google Earth and Microsoft's Virtual Earth, the web-based location report provides 5 different ways to view the WorldTracker GPRS' location, including Bird's Eye, shown above.

Reports are accessed via TrackingTheWorld.com (IE6 or higher is required). Maps can be viewed in 2D, 3D, Road view, Aerial view, Hybrid (Road & Aerial), or Bird's Eye. The map can be zoomed in or out, and panned by dragging the mouse around or using the pan/zoom control in the upper-left corner of the screen.

The page also displays a calendar that allows users to choose a different day's reports, and a GeoFence button for drawing a Geofence on the map.

Figure 16: Bird's Eye Map Report

The Bird's Eye map view, shown above, combined with the accuracy of the WorldTracker GPRS makes it easy to pinpoint the device's location on the map.

Figure 17: Viewing Breadcrumb Trails

Breadcrumb can be turned on or off by checking or unchecking the BreadCrumbs checkbox on the reporting webpage. When checked, the breadcrumbs visually display the path the WorldTracker GPRS has taken.

Figure 18: Viewing Breadcrumb Details

Each point along a breadcrumb trail can be clicked, displaying the exact street address, speed of travel, heading, date and time.

Figure 19: Microsoft Virtual Earth's Hybrid View

The Hybrid view is a 2D map that combines aerial photos with street names..

Figure 20: Microsoft Virtual Earth's 2D View

The 2D is less visually stunning than the Bird's Eye view, but provides a clearer view of the breadcrumb trail.

Figure 20: Setting a Geofence

A Geofence is a virtual boundary on the map that will trigger an alert if crossed. Geofence boundaries can be drawn on the map, and the email you want the alert sent to can be input on the same page. It is possible to configure multiple Geofences in as many locations as you want. You can also configure a Geofence in an area the vehicle is not currently in, and be notified when the vehicle enters that area. For example, you could configure an alert to let you know when your child successfully arrives on his/her college campus.

Figure 21: Viewing Monthly Driving Reports

WorldTracker GPRS keeps track of the speed as well as location, so the device knows the difference between a vehicle trip and walking around on foot. Time spent in a vehicle can be viewed as a monthly report that shows distance, drive time, idle time, starting and ending addresses.

Figure 22: Viewing Daily Driving Reports

Daily driving reports offer more granularity than the monthly report, showing the entire day's activity, including time spent parked, mileage driven, and addresses visited.

6. Pros

• Extremely accurate (uses SiRF's StarIII 20-channel receiver + Assisted GPS)
• Works inside buildings, movie theaters, basements -- anywhere T-Mobile has cellular coverage
• Easy to use setup and use the web portal
• Location reports can be viewed from any web browser with Internet access
• Microsoft Virtual Earth and Google Earth provide visually stunning location reports
• PDA/Smartphone optimized webpage available for viewing location reports
• Device sends location data every 15 seconds
• Powerful vehicle-related reporting, by month, day, hour
• Relatively small size
• Self-contained, requires no installation
• Optional vehicle tracking case provides 30-90 days battery life

7. Cons

• Short battery life (about 8 to 10 hours per charge using the included battery. About twice that for the optional extended battery)
• Expensive
• Requires costly monthly service plan ($69 per month)
• Proprietary power adapter
• Internet access required to lookup the device's location (no call center or other way to get location information)
• No battery life indicator
• Fewer alerting options than some competing devices (no way to alert multiple people, or configure escalation lists)

8. Conclusion

The WorldTracker GPRS is one of the most accurate tracking devices I've ever tested. The unit uses the same high-performance GPS receiver found in many automotive GPS models, SiRF's 20-channel StarIII receiver. Accurate to within about 15 feet, the WorldTracker GPRS uses Assisted-GPS, or AGPS to report its location every 15 seconds.

Location reports are accessed via a webpage, and position information is spectacularly displayed using Google's or Microsoft's 3D maps. Date, time, speed, heading, and street address information is displayed on the map, and breadcrumb trails show the path the WorldTracker has taken. Customers can choose to view the device's location either on a Google map, Microsoft's Virtual Earth, or a special webpage that's optimized for viewing on a PDA or smartphone (such as a Blackberry).

An on-screen calendar makes it easy to view historical tracking data by clicking on the desired date (any dates with tracking data available are clickable). Various driving-specific reports are only available, including daily and monthly mileage, time spent driving, and maximum speed reached for each trip.

WorldTracker's use of SiRF's high performance GPS receiver, Assisted-GPS for enhanced positioning indoors where GPS signals cannot penetrate, and Microsoft's Virtual Earth and/or Google Earth is a powerful combination that left me awestruck at the devices accuracy, ease of use, and reporting capabilities.

Geofences, or virtual boundaries, can be drawn on the map and WorldTracker will alert you via email if the virtual boundary is crossed. For example, you could leave the WorldTracker in a parked car and setup a Geofence to automatically send an alert if the vehicle moves. Or you might setup a Geofence around your home address and receive notification when the WorldTracker enters or leaves that address.

The WorldTracker GPRS' achilles heal is its short battery life. Trading battery life for GPS performance, my WorldTracker GPRS only got about 8 hours of use per full charge, seriously limiting the practical uses for the device. A slightly thicker battery pack can be purchased for about $200 that doubles the battery life, but even then you won't get a full 24-hours of use between charges. Those looking to use WorldTracker GPRS for vehicle tracking will want to consider the $250 optional magnetic vehicle mount that leverages a motion sensor and larger battery pack to achieve between 30 and 90 days of battery life (after 5 minutes of inactivity, the case's motion sensor automatically shuts down the GPS, saving battery life).

WorldTracker GPRS is also expensive. The device itself sells online for around $650, and carries a monthly service fee of $69 per month (plus a one-time setup fee of $89.95). That's about $830 per year -- money well spent if you have a serious need to track something, but might be prohibitively expensive for casual users.

If you can live with the relatively short battery life, and can handle the price tag, the WorldTracker GPRS is a durable, lightweight, water-resistant, Assisted-GPS tracking device that works spectacularly well both indoors and out.

WorldTracker GPRS is manufactured by TrackingTheWorld (trackingtheworld.com) and available for purchase at various retail and online stores.