The Edge of I-Hacked

Written by CodedChaos 

Quoted from Trackstick.com.

“The Trackstick is a tiny GPS recorder intended as a low cost alternative to real time tracking devices. Tracksticks are GPS data loggers capable of continuously recording their own location histories for extended periods of time. It is the perfect solution for companies and individuals looking for a way to track, record and validate the location of anything that moves. As with all of Telespial Systems products, the Trackstick integrates seamlessly into Google Earth for unrivaled mapping and use worldwide.”

I recently received a Trackstick from Telespial Systems. When I opened it, I found a black plastic stick, and a mini-cd with “Software & Installation CD” printed on it. Here’s some general info about the Trackstick, this list was formed mostly by me, based on my experience with this device, and specifications from their website.

Specifications
3 modes of operation: Full power, low power, and off.
Runs on two AAA batteries.
Software compatible with Google earth and Google maps.
Easy to use, low maintenance.
Horizontal Accuracy: 15 meters
Vertical Accuracy: 22 meters
Max. # of satellites: 12
Dimensions: 4.10″ X 1.20″ X 0.87″
Weight: 1.5 oz.
Capacity: 1.0 Mb (4000 records with Date, Time, Longitude, Latitude, Speed, Direction, Altitude and other information.)
Connectivity: USB 1.1/2.0

Battery life
24 hours (full power)
5-7 days (low power)

Overview of Functionality
The modes idea I liked, full power for accurate, closer interval tracking, and low power for longer trips, with no extra batteries. However one thing that is interesting, is the “off” mode, it’s still on in the off mode. I don’t mean that it still tracks while “off” instead it generates a solid high frequency tone (similar to the ring tone adults can’t hear). It produces this sound at all times, all modes. Now, I realize that producing this tone, where it’s so quiet you have to hold the trackstick to your ear to here it won’t consume much power, but it still isn’t truly off.

The software that the trackstick comes with is great. It will download the recorded entries from the trackstick, give you a battery level reading for the trackstick, memory information, and customization options for the trackstick. By customization, I mean that you can define intervals for recording, and it’s sensitivity to movement.

When you download entries from the trackstick, you can choose to export the entires to Google earth, but it also gives you a link for each entry that will take you to that location with Google maps.

So now that we’ve talked specifications, let’s talk usefulness.

Practicality of Use
The trackstick has only one real use, tracking an object by recording its location onto its memory, from which you download the entries later.

So what could the average person use it for? Tracking yourself for fun to see where you went or to make it easy to retrace your steps when you loose something? I suppose that could be a use of it, if you can accurately find exact coordinates by looking at the earth, or your carpet. Another use would be tracking others, which is illegal without their knowledge (sorry sexual predators), but what about parents, for their teens? This is probably the best non-business use for the trackstick. However, you would have to either leave the trackstick in their car constantly and check the batteries every few days, or you’d have to figure out a way to stall for 10 minutes while the trackstick syncs to a satellite and you put it in their car. Another flaw to this plan, if you’re trying to track them secretly, is that it can’t just be thrown into the trunk, it has to see the sky. Which means dashboard, or on top of the car, and if you choose on top, what happens when it rains?

Another flaw to the secret teen tracking idea, is that tone that the trackstick transmits. The parent may not hear it, but the teen sure will. If you put it in the car, they hear it before they start the car, and right after they stop the car (because once the car is on, their music is so loud it covers over the tone). And if you put it outside the car, they can hear it before they get in their car, and see the little LED blinking. Of course, you could remove the LED, but then, how would you know what mode the trackstick is in? You wouldn’t even know if it was on or “off”.

So the best use would definitely be commercial tracking, where it doesn’t matter if they know the trackstick is there or not because they’ll get fired if they remove it.

Rating
So as far as ratings I would give the trackstick a 7/10 in commercial use, and a 5/10 in personal tracking (teen tracking).

Additional photos