LOK8U NUM8-BLUE Child Locator GPS Watch Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this the first day it was available on Amazon. At first I was bummed that it didn't seem to lock onto a signal. I sent it back.
Then a little while later I was told there was a firmware update that fixed the initial issues. If you get your unit and you see horizontal black and white stripes (like a prison uniform) across the screen, don't fret: That's the watch updating before your eyes.
Apparently, this recent update fixes an issue with the watch locking onto a usable cell phone (GSM) signal and making proper use of it. Once it gets a good signal, it's able to partially locate the phone within a certain radius based on cell phone tower locations. That's good enough for a general knowledge of where you kid is.
But I was surprised to discover I was able to get an actual GPS signal from inside a car and in my home. There are limitations, of course. It located the watch in my 12th floor highrise office via cell phone signal (approximated) but not an actual GPS fix.
Also keep in mind that this isn't a James Bond movie watch. You will NOT get a blinking red dot on your computer screen moving across a map with every step your kid makes. The NUM8 is a "pinging" kind of locating device. It will report it's location if you ask it, whether by web portal or SMS (your cell phone), or if the strap is removed or ventures into/out of a defined geo fence.
There is a "live track" feature that sends data continuously say, if the strap becomes detached. Of course, this consumes battery power.
Once you understand the limitations of the technology, it's really quite a wonder. The smallest, kid friendly GPS/GSM device I know of. It really DOES look like a chunky, kids watch in the blue or pink.
However, my son is 4 years old and on the small side. He's only about 35 lbs and 3 feet tall, so the watch looks enormous on his teeny tiny wrists. It fits with the strap at the smallest setting. For this reason, it's impractical for him to wear it until he's a little older.
That said, I highly recommend this item if you're looking for a a tracking device for your child or special needs person.

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nu·m8 (pronounced new-mate) is the world's first and smallest GPS locator device specifically designed with children in mind. nu·m8is a watch that conceals GSM and GPS modules that enable you to locate your child, whenever you feel you need to know, via the internet or through your mobile phone (SMS/Text).



What's in the Box nu·m8 GPS Watch (Blue), Desktop Charger, Instruction Guide

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