Levana CT1000 Digital Wireless Child Tracker Wrist Watch and Kid Finder/Locator Review

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(More customer reviews)First of all, I'm a bit of a gadget geek and work in the IT industry, so I think I'm a pretty good judge of quality when it comes to electronics.
We recently moved into what most would call a great neighborhood. One downside to our new house is that it doesn't have a fenced back yard for our kids to play in. One day our 2 1/2 yr. old son managed to get out of the house and wandered down to the street corner one house down - he likes to go for walks. Jinny thought he was out helping me in the garage. I thought he was inside. Some 'nice' neighbors brought him back (thanks!) then proceeded to call the cops and report us for child neglect (Thanks for nothing!!!) Whatever happened to watching out for neighbors???? They obviously don't have small kids. The police were very understanding and assured us they were only following up on the call and not going to arrest us. Kudos to the police for doing a great job.
So, now my wife is terrified to let the kids out of her sight. We bought this device as a backup, not the primary way to keep track of the kids, until we can get a fence installed.
After convincing him it was a nice watch to wear, we proceeded to test it.
Inside the house it picked up the signal and indicated direction like it's advertised. When we went outside, as soon as our son walked more than 15 feet away, the receiver couldn't pick up the signal, and that was with clear unobstructed site. The device claims you can set an out of range warning signal for up to 98 ft. It doesn't even work for the shortest range setting.
If you decide to take your chances, there are also a couple of other minor issues to consider. The wrist band is too easy for kids to take off. Our son had it off in less than a minute the first time we put it on him. Second, this is more an annoyance, there's no way to disable the 'panic button' on the watch.
Don't waste your money! It's a great idea, but the device doesn't work! Hope this saves someone else some time and money.
Regards - Ken

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LOK8U NUM8-PINK Child Locator GPS Watch Review

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(More customer reviews)I experienced every single problem that others on this review board experienced, plus I am getting double charged the monthly fee because of the initial set up problems with the web site and registering 2 watches instead of just one. To summarize:
1. One of my watches did not start up at all (it just defaulted to 11pm and could not receive any directions).
2. I could not get the time correct on either watch once they both did get the signal (the software update fixed the non-functioning watch).
3. My cell phone triangulation put my kids in Mississippi (we live in Chicago). The software update fixed this problem.
4. Could never get a GPS signal, so accuracy was only 1000 meters-1400 meters. Had to "train" the watches by leaving them outside on 2 min live track. Took several days, so be patient.
5. Shipped without wall chargers (so I have to use my computer to charge them).
6. Could not get second watch registered and then got double charged on it once I finally did (for consecutive months).
I have called customer service at least 8 times, talked to 4 different people (some helpful, some not), and slowly each problem is being addressed. I basically have to start over each time I call, but I am down to just problems 5 and 6 now. In the end it is (probably) worth the hassle for the peace of mind on field trips, play dates, etc. The watches are very large (my 3 year old will only wear it for about an hour), so I just put them in my kids' coat pockets for now. I looked at several locator devices before going with this one, and I think this is the best protection without spending loads of money on the device and monthly fees. Since the technology is so cutting edge, I am willing to cut them some slack and recommend the product, but I hope they learn from their mistakes. I am prety sure a majority of the operational problems are related to the difference in size between the UK and the US, but it seems like they are getting a handle on them.


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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 (Pink), Desktop Charger, Instruction Guide

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SPOT Personal Tracker Review

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(More customer reviews)Please ignore the comments about Globalstar service below, he has no clue about this product. Globalstar is having problems with its duplex service S-band amplifiers which only affects two-way traffic. I should know I have a Globalstar satellite phone. SPOT uses the L-Band uplink (simplex modem) which is used to track trucks etc. this network is running at full efficiency. I have this product and it works better than my expectations. About this product: it is not a personal locator beacon and if you wish to use this solely for emergencies, I would recommend another product. A true personal locator beacon because it works in all conditions and all-terrain (I also own one by ACR). SPOT needs to have an uninterrupted view to the satellite. In other words in heavy canopy this product does not work very well but in broken canopy or in the open this product works great (samething is true with my handheld GPS). I use this product to communicate with family and friends on my progress when backpacking, biking, or just out and about. I do use this product in heavy canopy areas and send a signal when I cross a road or powerline crossing. I still carry my personal locator beacon for real emergencies but this product helps in non-emergency situations. For more operational details you can download the manual at www.findmespot.com
My cell phone doesn't work when I'm away from cell towers or underwater while scuba diving nor in caves. Similarly SPOT will not work if it cannot contact the satellite. As with all communication devices, they all have limits and parameters that they operate in. You should know this before buying any product like this.

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Give your loved ones full peace of mind when you're on the mountain with the Spot Satellite Messenger. Whether you're just checking in, allowing others to track your progress, or calling for help, Spot gives you a vital line of communication with friends and family when you want it, and emergency assistance when and where you need it. Spot employs a GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, then sends its location to the recipient of your choice, complete with a link to Google Maps and a pre-programmed message. Unlike personal locator beacons, however, Spot does more than just call for help. The SpotChecking feature, for example, lets you notify your SpotTeam--the friends and family you've chosen as your contacts--and tell them all is well, notify them of your location, or save waypoints so you can review your route at a later date. You can also activate the SpotCasting feature to let friends and family follow your progress in real time (every 10 minutes). Anyone with access to your account information can log on and view your route, complete with virtual views provided by Google Maps. SpotCasting is a terrific feature for mountain climbers looking to celebrate their accomplishments with their loved ones.
The most important feature, however, is Spot's ability to call 911 in the event of a life-threatening or other critical emergency. Once activated, Spot will acquire your exact coordinates from the GPS network, and then send that location along with a distress message to a GEOS International Emergency Response Center every five minutes until cancelled. The Emergency Response Center will then notify the appropriate emergency responders based on your location and personal information. Responders may include local police, the highway patrol, the Coast Guard, an embassy or consulate, or other emergency response and search-and-rescue teams. Even if Spot can't acquire its location from the GPS network, it will still attempt to send a distress signal--without your exact location--to the Emergency Response Center, which will still notify your emergency contacts of the signal and continue to monitor the network for further messages.
Spot works around the world, including in virtually all of the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia, and portions of South America, Northern Africa, and Northeastern Asia. And provided you're in a good coverage area, Spot offers a 99 percent probability of sending a successful message within 20 minutes. As a result, Spot is ideal for anyone with a taste for outdoor adventures, including boaters, kayakers, sailboarders, archaeologists, skiers, climbers, pilots, business travelers, snowshoers, and just about anyone else.
Spot requires two AA lithium batteries, with a battery life of up to one year in standby mode, 14 days in SpotCasting mode, or 7 days in 911 mode. And thanks to the water-resistant housing (safe in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes), you needn't worry about using Spot in adverse conditions. Spot measures a compact 2.75 by 4.38 by 1.5 inches (W x H x D), weighs 7.37 ounces, and carries a one-year limited warranty.
Communication Functions:
Alert 9-1-1 dispatches emergency responders to an exact location
Ask for Help sends a request for help to friends and family with your location
Check In lets contacts know where you are and that you are okay
Track Progress sends and saves your location and allows others to track your progress using Google Maps

Battery Life:
Power ON, unused: Approximately 1 year
SPOT casting continuous tracking mode: Approximately 14 days
9-1-1 mode: Up to 7 consecutive days
HELP mode: up to 1900 messages
SPOT check OK up to 1900 messages

Specifications:
Weight: 7 ounces
Waterproof to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
Operating Temperature: -40ºF to +185ºF
Operating Altitude: -300 feet to +21,300 feet
Humidity and Salt Fog Rated

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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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: LOK8U NUM8-BLUE Child Locator GPS Watch

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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LOK8U NUM8-BLACK Child Locator GPS Watch Review

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(More customer reviews)
First the website is not Apple OS X friendly.
I ignored all the internet feedback about the product to my irritation. It arrived with lousy documentation, missing parts, and activation experience that represents the worst in customer service. The website has multiple points of failure, and no where is there a place to tell you why it isn't working, or what setting will fix it.

I registered on the website but just after entering all the information the site hung up with pop up that said that it was completing the registration please wait. Well the computer waited the whole night to not avail. I logged off and then I couldn't log in into the website because the log in would kick me out. I called 22 later and spoke with a customer service who said I need to wait the full twenty four hours until the email arrives. I called back after the 24 hours but now customer service just says call back during business hours. Its 3:00 pm, what is the new definition of business hours? No one is available on Saturdays for product support.
Sixty hours after registering the product still no account activation email.After being told to wait for the email for more than three days, I finally log in from a windows xp computer and things went smoother. I was told to re-register, when I went to to do so it told me the device was already registered. So I logged in again, suddenly I found that despite no email the service was running.
Initially the device was only able give me position within a radius of 1500 meters or an area of 2.72919533 square miles to search. Then I moved the watch to a open parking lot updated the location and waited. In about five minutes, the map updated with a position within three feet of where the watch was located.
I will edit my review after a week of use by my son.


Click Here to see more reviews about: LOK8U NUM8-BLACK Child Locator GPS Watch

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 (Black), Desktop Charger, Instruction Guide

Click here for more information about LOK8U NUM8-BLACK Child Locator GPS Watch

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