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TrackStick Mini GPS Tracking System | 
| Brand: Trackstick
Category: CE
Buy New: $289.00
as of 9/10/2010 13:27 CDT details
New (9) from $289.00
Seller: Ace Photo Digital
Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 36223
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 4.3 x 2 x 1.3
UPC: 000309505619
EAN: 0000309505619
ASIN: B002LLL69K
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | 360° GPS antenna (no need to face the sky) | | • | Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery | | • | Vibration detector for long battery life | | • | Receiver frequency of 1575.42 MHz | | • | -160 dBm GPS receiver |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Introducing the brand new Trackstick Mini. It's the smallest GPS tracker in its class and has a new and improved GPS receiver with up to seven times more sensitivity than any other Trackstick model.
The detachable weatherproof and shock
resistant case, magnetic mount, and a small 3 1/2" figure make the Trackstick Mini ideal for covert deployment and use in harsh conditions. Like all Trackstick devices, Trackstick Mini works anywhere on the planet. Its traveled locations can be shown as a clear red line traced
on satellite photos and 3D terrain using the latest mapping technologies from GoogleTM Earth, MicrosoftTM Live, MapQuestTM and other internet based mapping programs.
The Trackstick Mini continuously records its exact route, stop times, speed, direction, altitude, and other valuable information, which can be quickly downloaded and viewed on your computer. The integrated temperature recorder ensures that all aspects of its environment are being monitored. A vibration detector, combined with proprietary low-power GPS technology makes Trackstick Mini the longest running GPS tracker on the market.
Best of all, changing batteries is no longer required. The Trackstick Mini runs on a built-in lithium-ion battery that can be recharged in about an hour through your computer's USB port. No monthly fees are required and Trackstick Manager, the most advanced tracking and geo-photo tagging software on the market, is provided freely.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 6
 Works like it says it does June 25, 2010
Louis Secki
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This product works as advertised. Easy to use and easy to download the data. Works well with google earth.
 Only works when recording at default rate June 3, 2010
Kerf216 (New Jersey)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I could not have been more disappointed with this product. The Trackstick mini can record 16,000 data points. I'm taking a week-long trip, so I set the unit to record 1 point per minute; default is 12 points per minute which wouldn't make it for a week before the memory filled up. As a test I took it on a 12 mile canoe trip. When I looked at the data, all the points it recorded were for the exact same location. It looked like I was in the exact same place the whole time. The trackstick was in my front pocket while in a canoe - no problem seeing GPS satellites in those conditions. I contacted trackstick support and this is what they told me: "Changing the record interval is not recommended since it will yield results exactly as you describe."
I amazed for such an expensive device ($290), they can't get simple feature like this to work. I'm going to return it.
 My review is very positive. May 6, 2010
Tracking My Car
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Telespial Systems makes some big claims in advertising for its Trackstick Mini, a passive tracking device that was introduced to the market last year. Among them, the southern California company boasts that the compact GPS unit has seven times better sensitivity than any of its other tracking systems and that it's the longest-running vehicle tracker on the market.
In fact, the Trackstick Mini represents a complete overhaul over Telespial's three other passive devices - the Trackstick II, the Trackstick Pro and the Super Trackstick. Set beside its predecessor, the Super Trackstick, this new device is certainly different in size, shape and color.
1. Passive GPS Technology Overview:
Those new to GPS tracking technology quickly learn that there are two types of GPS vehicle tracking devices: passive and active. Both acquire GPS signal in the same manner. The difference is in how that data is handled and viewed/read.
All GPS systems are receivers. They capture signals from satellites and calculate the unit's location with a mathematical formula called triangulation.
If the user wants to see that location information immediately (real time), a method must be used to transmit it "live" to a computer server. A modem and cellular data technology are usually the solution. This system involves additional monthly fees.
Passive vehicle tracking systems have no additional fees, because the location data is stored in the device's internal memory. The user later retrieves the device and downloads the data onto a PC for viewing.
Most consumers initially prefer a real-time solution. But the monthly fees - and often an annual contract - could be financially burdensome. Passive devices work equally well and are cost-effective. They also can store significantly more data than real-time units.
2. Manufacturer Claims and Model Specs:
Two important qualities in GPS tracking devices are always debated: power and signal acquisition. Usually, to get a consistently good signal, GPS devices need a clear shot at the sky. That is the case with GPS navigation devices.
Passive devices like the Trackstick Mini must prove themselves worthy in less-than-ideal conditions. Covert installation is sometimes necessary. The Telespial pitchman addresses this on the company website. The Trackstick Mini has a 360° internal antenna, so, the company says; it doesn't need to have its face to the sky.
The Trackstick Mini operates on an internal lithiumion battery that is recharged through a computer's USB port. The thin design of the unit and the black color are appropriate for covert placement. As an added layer of environmental protection, the Trackstick Mini includes a soft rubber sleeve that surrounds the recording device. The magnetic clip permits quick mounting on metal components. Another improvement includes a significant gain in sensitivity as identified by the manufacturer. The Trackstick Mini is supported by Trackstick Manager software. The same is being used on the company's other passive models.
Features:
* 5-second sampling rate
* Motion sensor/vibration detector
* On/off switch
* Builtin USB port
* Magnetic mounting surface
New features include:
* Sleek, waterresistant housing
* Soft rubber boot surrounding the enclosure as added protection from the elements
* Significant gain in sensitivity (Seven times, according to the manufacturer's website)
* Lithiumion rechargeable battery
3. The Test
The Trackstick Mini was fully charged and then placed deep under the driver's seat of an ordinary four-door sedan. Our test involved moving it every two days to a new location in the vehicle until the unit ran out of power, all the while checking for proper signal acquisition.
The Telespial Trackstick Mini uses the same LED, located on the lower right corner of the device, for battery and GPS status. The flashing GPS status is also an indication of each recorded position. There is no way to identify the battery status of the Trackstick Mini when not plugged into a PC. The LED will flash green once every 5 seconds when locked onto a GPS signal. When the battery expires, the unit simply shuts down.
The test car was driven about 40 miles per day, for about two hours daily of wheels-in-motion recording time. After two days, the device was moved to the next position in the cycle. In every placement position, the Trackstick Mini light indicated that it had a good, continuous GPS lock. That meant it was performing well in not-the-best-of circumstances.
Eleven days after the test started, the Trackstick Mini stopped tracking due to a lack of power.
Bottom line, the Trackstick Mini worked great!
Amazing GPS Tracker. Works great May 6, 2010
Booklover2354 (Berkeley, Ca)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
Caught my wife in the act with this product. Now I am happy to be single again. Recommend it to anyone looking to end a bad marriage quickly!
Great Product, Easy to use May 6, 2010
Albert K. (Memphis, TN)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Great product. Loved the customer service. Easy to use with lots of great features.
I just made a road trip through the entire west coast with one of these little things, and it did all I needed it to do. Recorded where I was, and where I'd like to go back. It was almost too easy. No complicated buttons, levers, adjustments, or anything like that, just a single switch to turn it on, and off I went. I found a place that sells magnetic mounts for Trackstick, and so along it rode on the hood of my car, through all speeds and weather, climates and temperature. Everytime I checked the signal it was still recording, and from what I can see in Google Earth, always pretty accurately. There's a long, bright red, snaking line from Seattle to LA, and I can even zoom in to see the gas stations and rest areas I stopped at!
Oh, and the best part. The software for it will do that new geotagging thing with your pictures. All you do is sync Trackstick's internal clock with your camera's, and every time you take a photo it will show up in the map on the Trackstick route exactly where it was taken. I guess this is good for showing off to friends or saving your breath from explaining every detail to grandma, but I mostly use it as an organizational and visual preference to folders and tedious meta data. It's like a 3D Cover Flow for your trip. I even know someone who uses Trackstick in location scouting for movies.
I didn't think I'd use it for much more than keeping track of vacations, but Trackstick has come in handy a few other times. I was in Europe, going around Milan, and woke up one morning to find that I had lost my wallet. I knew where it was, just not how to get there or what the restaurant had been called. Uh huh. Since I had Trackstick with me, it was just a simple matter of looking up where I had been the night before and retracing my steps. All's well that ends well.
Now, I had heard about battery issues from some people, so like any other battery-reliable device, I stocked up on rechargeables just in case I had to juice up somewhere and couldn't get a hold of any. Luckily, they last about as long the instructions say they do, but even then, it's common sense to have some NimH recharageables if you plan on using this daily. I have some for my my Bluetooth mouse, Wii remotes, TV remotes, and the Trackstick, and never really have to worry about being short on power to circulate through all these devices in an inexpensive way.
When it comes down to it, this is an advanced product with simple features. It does what it's supposed to do, and even a little more if you know how to take advantage of the software. There's nothing like seeing a picture pop up on your screen, pointing to the top of the hill where it was taken in some foreign country or middle of nowhere, and then following the Trackstick path to reminisce about the rest of your trip.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 6
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