Child Tracking Device Review
Ranked #773 in Parenting & Kids, #23,817 overall
Child Tracking Using GPS, Cell Phones and Radio Frequency
It is entirely up to you. The truth is that there are bad things that can happen.
Whether these incidents are intentional or accidental, your child is more important than getting into a debate about right or wrong. It's really better that you know where they are and that they are safe at all times.
This is a review of different types of child tracking devices based on customer feedback on various websites. I have not based the inclusions simply on Amazon ratings, but looking at other non-biased sites.
I have tried to provide the products that rated on the upper and middle categories of rating rather than the lower end. For that reason I have intentionally left out products with bad reviews either concerning the product or customer service. In my opinion, why waste your time? The internet is full of people gushing about products only because they want you to buy them, regardless of quality.
Hopefully, this will help some people make a faster decision rather than having to plow through the endless sites promoting these products.
Which One Is Best For You?
Explanation of GPS and Radio Frequency Tracking Devices
This is navigation using satellites and receiving devices which are able to compute positions on the surface of the Earth.
For the purposes of GPS for children this involves the tracking device being placed with the child/teen/in a vehicle.
Tracking is then performed using the internet or phone systems.
There is a monthly fee involved for various plans.
Radio Frequency Identification: "RFID" systems.
The base unit is for the parent/caregiver. The child wears a bracelet, watch, etc. which is set within a frequency range of the base unit.
There are no monthly fees, just a one time payment.
Audio/Visual Alarm: The child is in control of this system, which usually is a tamper-proof watch or bracelet. If they feel they are in danger, they can draw attention to the situation by setting off loud audio/visual alarms.
No monthly fees, one time payment.
Child Locators - Starting With The Toddlers
These are the least expensive of the groups of child trackers
Giggle Bug Child Locator
Giggle Bug-Child Locator, Child Tracker-ALL COLORS!
For ages 18 months to 6 yrs. Cost approx. $15.
This simple device consists of a brightly colored ladybug which attaches by a clip to the child's clothing. The parent has the handheld activator which can be attached to a key ring. When the child needs to be located, a button on the activator causes the ladybug to sound out a 90 decibel beep until de-activated.
Features:
- The unit is tamper proof and will emit the loud beep if it is dislodged from the child.
- Works up to 100ft indoors and 150ft outdoors.
- Works on replaceable 3V coin cell batteries
- The ladybug's eyes also blink for added visibility.
- Colors: Red, yellow or pink
A recent (Jan.2009) review of customers on Amazon of this child tracking device provides very different opinions on the reliability of this product. Those not in favor said the product is either not loud enough or does not work properly. Those in favor of the item are glad they have it for the peace of mind it provided.
My input after reading the customer comments: The negative comments don't really inspire much confidence, considering we're talking about a child's safety. This looks like it will be fine if you are not in a noisy store. The comments about the unreliability of the product are disturbing. As one of the customers stated, I may consider a higher priced product which is more reliable. However, please remember that this product worked fine for some. You can check out the comments for yourself here.
MOMMY I'M HERE CHILD LOCATOR
Cost: Approx. $15 on Amazon
Features:
- Works up to 150ft
- Water resistant
- Low battery indicator
- Long life batteries included
- Available in pink or brown
This child locator is in the form of a teddy bear which clips to the child's shoe or belt. The transmitter may be attached to a key ring. When you need to locate the child a high decibel beep will sound from the bear.
Reviews of this child tracking device on Amazon and elsewhere go from glowing and only down to acceptable, nothing negative that I could find. I did find one blog that described their child being able to pull the bear off and leave it in a pool of water. I suppose you have to place the bear where an inquisitive child would not be tempted to play with it (it is a bear after all!), maybe on the back of the clothing where it is out of view. By the way, the bear that ended up in the pool of water still worked after being retrieved, so that would be a positive ending to the story.
Child Locator BLUE With NEW Alert Feature
Since some people were under the impression that this product provided a warning alarm, the makers have provided an updated version with a security alert which warns you when your child is outside of the safety zone for approx $30 on Amazon.
My input: Considering the lack of negative customer comments, I would give this product a go.
Audio and Visual Alarms For Child Safety
Bringing attention to potential danger...
AMBERWATCH
Priced between $24 - $29.99 on Amazon.
This is not a child locator but falls within the class of child protection and may be added as an extra precaution for concerned parents.
This watch was founded in 2002 in an effort to bring the need for better protection of children to the forefront nationwide.
It is basically a security system activated by the child. If a child senses they are in trouble or in a potentially life-threatening situation, they can use this watch to set off both an audio and visual display which will draw attention to their immediate surroundings.
Upon activating the two red buttons on the watch the AmberWatch alert goes off, emitting a 115 decibel sound and flashing bright LEDs. The sound can be heard up to 100 yards away. It is also tamper-proof and will go off if someone tries to remove it.
The reviews from Amazon customers seem to rate based on the various types of watch.
However, they are mostly positive. See the reviews for yourself
Digital Wireless Child Tracker Wrist Watch
Levana CT1000 Digital Wireless Child Tracker Wrist Watch and Kid Finder/Locator
Specifics:
* Locating your child
With your child wearing the watch, you can track them with the receiver. When you press the find button, your child's watch beeps and LEDs on the receiver point in the direction of your child.
* You will be alerted if your child moves out of range
The receiver will beep when your child walks a certain distance from you. You can set the range (16-32ft, 26-65ft, 49-98ft) to ensure that you will always be alerted if they are too far away.
* The system is expandable
Your can purchase 3 additional watches to monitor a total of 4 children. Be alerted when any of them travel out of range (Watch model: CT1001)
* Tells you how close your child is
The receiver beeps faster and the LEDs blink faster when your child is close, and they slow down when your child is far.
* Watch is rechargeable for everyday use
Convenient charger base and rechargable lithium battery for watch.
Customer reviews on Amazon: So far only one person has rated this product, and gave it 5 out of 5 stars. It appears this is the only rating so far for this product.
Protect Your Older Children Using GPS and Wireless
More advanced methods of child or teen tracking
IONKIDS CHILD MONITORING SYSTEM
Retail Price is between $219 - 310.00 (depending on how many bracelets you need).
Currently you can buy the starter kit on Amazon
for $229 or used from $149.This is a product suitable for children under 12 years old.
Basically this child tracking device consists of a base unit and a bracelet. You can have up to 4 bracelets per base unit.
It works through point to point wireless communication, therefore no monthly charges are attached for GPS/internet satellite use.
The adjustable range is up to 350ft outdoors and 200ft indoors.
The bracelets are tamper-proof with an alarm which notifies the base unit if the bracelet becomes dislodged from the child.
Customer Reviews online are mixed. On one site (won't mention the name) there were 6 glowing reviews, one after another and all posted on the same day. Hmmm...
Maybe it had something to do with the fact they were also selling this product.
Anyway, looking at some other sites I found some more realistic comments. One recent review had quite a few negative things to say, for example, the wrist strap on the "watch" the child wears is too big for a small child and not long enough for an older (maybe special needs) child. However, he went on to say that this product works fine at home but not in crowded shopping malls. He concluded that it was an OK product and may be useful for some, but only at a lower price.
My 2c: After reading all of the reviews, I would suggest this product is probably fine and will provide peace of mind, but to try to get it at a lower price online, possibly on Amazon or eBay as a used item.
Comments in favor:
* People like the adjustable range
* Product is easy to use
* Tamper-proof feature is a plus
* Base unit is easy to carry in pocket or purse
The negative aspects:
* Range is good if you only use this tracking device at home, using it in a public place does not seem to work as the child would easily be out of range in no time.
* Bracelet can only be opened by a key, which may present a problem
* Not waterproof for swimming, only splashproof
* LED is can be hard to read, poorly lit.
Using GPS and Phone Systems
Wherifone G560 GPS Locator Phone
(Blue)
Priced around $118+ on Amazon
This is obviously for the older child, from age 14 upwards.
This small phone has a 2-way voice calling system, plus GPS location technology. The enhanced technology of this GPS tracking device even works in areas which are lightly obstructed, e.g. dense foliage, cars or wood-frame buildings.
This personal tracking device can be used both on the internet or from any phone to pick up its location within a few feet in roughly one minute.
Features:
* SOS Emergency button
* 5 programmable buttons
* Location services
* Earpiece jack
* GSM SIM Card for phone number memory
* Size is 3.15in x 1.57in x 0.71in and weighs only 2.4 ounces
* Comes in blue, gray, purple, black or pink
Services provided:
* Through internet - location found in approx. one minute
* Gives street, ariel map with date and time stamp
* Provides location history
Reviews of the Wherifone end up on the whole as being average. Some people rave about them and some really were not impressed.
Here are the more common praises and complaints:
Pros:
- Easy to set up with user friendly controls
- Respectable audio quality
Cons:
- GPS locator not always accurate
- On the small side, difficult to use buttons, could be lost easily
GPS Personal Tracking
Ideal For Parents Who Want To See If Their Teenagers Are Speeding Or Employers W
OK. This is where things tend to get sticky in regards to your teen driver. This is purely a personal choice for parents and definitely is an issue you may have to hack out with the kid, but the bottom line is, this is all about safety. If only for one reason, i.e., it is always better to know where your teen driver is and obeying the law, then it is better to be safe than sorry.
Specifics:
* Price: $180+ new on Amazon (less if used)
* Logs data, including speed, every second
* Very affordable with no ongoing monthly fees
* Runs on just 2 AAA batteries
* 16 channel GPS Receiver
* Accuracy of 2.5 meters
Customer reviews on the whole were above average. The only beefs with this one were that the batteries didn't last too long and had to be recharged almost every day.
Amber Alert Devices
AMBER Alert Child ID Kit
Multiple Children up to 5
My 2c: Hopefully, you will never need this, but it may provide essential help in a crisis. I don't really see anything wrong with having this product, regardless of reviews.
Hold information on 1-5 Children
Features
No software install, easy-to-use, update and carry with you.
* Holds information needed by police in an emergency.
* Works securely from any Windows compatible computer. Password protected and encrypted.
* Hold digital images, online activities, medical information and information on relatives, friends, teachers, babysitters and more.
Product Description
Convenient and secure way to manage your children's vital information. Carry this Child ID Kit with you at all times and update it as your child grows. If your child is missing, lost or abducted hand this device over to police with the password. Simple and Easy.
Well, the recommendations on this device are as follows: "Rated a 4 out of 5 as the Editor's Choice by gpsmagazine.com in their new "The Ultimate GPS Child Tracking Buyer's Guide" and recently reviewed in MSNBC.com's article "A Good Find: GPS to locate the kids", so I guess that stands for something.
The only reason I'm including this particular form of child tracking device without a review on this site is because I feel it is necessary to to have some kind of help in situations where parents may end up feeling helpless.
Hopefully as time goes by there will be customer reviews to post on this product, which will be good sign that more people are buying these devices and providing feedback for other parents.
Child Safety Links
- Free Online Safety
- ParetoLogic's PGsurfer puts the power in your hands to create a safe environment for your children to explore online.
You set the parameters and the user-friendly, sophisticated PGsurfer does the rest! ParetoLogic offers this product to you free of charge as our contribution to making the Internet a safer place for kids.
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More Child Safety from Amazon
Be informed and pick up some deals to protect your little ones
Child Safety Awareness from Cafe Press
Family ID, Safety Sample Button
Price: $4.73 
GPS Kid Track Women's Cap Sleeve T-Shirt
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ID Your Child Tote Bag
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Reader Feedback
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TheWebDesignTeam Aug 5, 2011 @ 3:04 am | delete
- Gosh - I didn't know there were so many child ttracker devices on the market for this important part of the security market! I'm in the UK and got one of the Mommy I'm Here devices form www.mommyimhere.co.uk which has proved invaluable this summer already. I really like the watch one though. Well done for the Lens - very informative.
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Kidz4chowiechowz
Jun 2, 2011 @ 9:17 pm | delete
- Wow! Wonderful information. Much time and care has gone into your lens. I would love to provide your link on my website on child safety and missing children. Please let me know if you are interested. I too have a passion for child safety. Feel free to email me on my website.
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cachestream
May 16, 2011 @ 10:44 am | delete
- Kid Internet Safety It's exceptionally important that parents pay attention to the online world as well as the offline world. Kids are connected to the Internet earlier & earlier these days; And there is a huge danger in this from the perspective of the kid being safe on the Internet. Parents learn what it takes to get up to speed - practical advice, tips and tools available at the Kid Internet Safety [dot] Com
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morach2009
Sep 23, 2010 @ 1:19 am | delete
- Vehicle GPS tracking Ireland is a system which can be used to improve the security of a car for an individual. For companies the technology has many useful applications such as saving money on fuel and improved customer service.
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ggmama
Mar 3, 2009 @ 4:22 pm | delete
- If you want to find our more info on the Amber Alert GPS child locator there are some other reviews out there.
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