Zoombak Universal GPS locator tracks down your other stuff

Zoombak is launching another package for its convenient little Zoombak GPS locator device, in addition to the existing Car and Pet versions. Zoombak Universal comes with a new universal carrying case designed to let you mount the device to just about anything else you'd care to track -- like a bike or a wayward child, for instance. It looks like it'll be retailing for the same $199 and require the same $9.99 monthly fee as its predecessors, but you will be able to pick this version up at major electronics retailers in May.

[crispy @ Apr 14th 2008 9:17AM]

The stalker in me rejoices over this.

[Acerguy @ Apr 14th 2008 9:28AM]

whats the range?
Battery life?
how close can it track something?
What do you need to track with it?
I am looking for something like this for my motorcycle but may end up just getting a Scorpio security system on top of lojack.

[Matt @ Apr 14th 2008 9:35AM]

But what happens when we lose our Zoombak?

[Kurian @ Apr 14th 2008 9:49AM]

You buy another Zoombak and program it with your old Zoombak's device ID.

[Flashpoint @ Apr 14th 2008 9:54AM]

Can you put a zoombak on your virginity?

i lost it.

[Luke @ Apr 14th 2008 10:25AM]

DEPLOY THE TUMBLE-WEED!

[telepheedian @ Apr 14th 2008 10:53AM]

Congratulations, you can now leave Engadget's comment section in pursuit of other endeavors.

[Rob @ Apr 14th 2008 10:02AM]

Wow, being a private detective gets easier and cheaper every day.

[Harkonian @ Apr 14th 2008 11:54AM]

I don't see how this is at all useful for private detectives. It's a GPS unit--it has to have an unobstructed view of the sky. So you can't just throw it in the glove compartment or trunk and have it work. For that matter, you couldn't even throw it in a purse and have it work reliably. So, I really don't get the point of these devices for tracking someone on the down low.

[Mikey @ Apr 14th 2008 3:51PM]

Then tell me how my built-in car NAV unit has it's antenna located inside the dash. Also, in their video, their GPS is stored in the trunk.

Both places not in plain view to the sky.

[Rob @ Apr 14th 2008 4:16PM]

Guess I'm not as dumb as I thought I was...

Wait...

[Saad Rabia @ Apr 14th 2008 10:03AM]

This is sweet, nyaha ha ha ha haaa. :)

[Flashpoint @ Apr 14th 2008 10:20AM]

Imagine tracking down your zoombak only to find a bloody collar and a flattened dog.

[JD @ Apr 14th 2008 10:34AM]

Imagine tracking down your zoombak-enabled pet, only to end up outside a Chinese restaurant ;)

[Aaron Basrai @ Apr 14th 2008 10:49AM]

its only 10 buxx a month for the first 6 months if you prepay. After that looks like it jumps to 15 buxx.

[crho85 @ Apr 14th 2008 10:50AM]

I tend to lose things all the time, even my zoombak uinit. So I plan to buy another zoombak to put on my zoombak so I can keep track of it at all times.

[a2liter @ Apr 14th 2008 10:53AM]

And the worst part is they use t-mobile as the cell provider. So you will be lucky to ever find the thing.

[Dan Davis @ Apr 14th 2008 10:54AM]

Cheating spouses: meet your new enemy!

[john612 @ Apr 14th 2008 11:09AM]

$15/month is a little expensive. It would be cheaper to use a boostphone w/ a service like loopt or mologogo.com.

[David Clawson @ Apr 14th 2008 11:41AM]

I'm pretty sure this would violate the TOS for the wireless plans, but I think SparkFun Electronics has a combination GPS/Cell board that's pretty small for ~$200. You'd have to add the battery and program it (I think with Python). Then, you go buy some prepaid phone, strip the SIM card, and use the SMS function to send out texts with the GPS coordinates when you want. No contract, just refill the account when it's dry...

[D @ Apr 14th 2008 1:51PM]

It seems to me that while this would be fine for your own car/pet, they're hard to keep a secret.

A friend of mine wanted to put one of the vehicle tracker types on her teenager's car to see if he was going places he shouldn't, but they only last ~5 days on one charge, or even less with a lot of location pings.

And even if you can wire it to a power supply somehow, you still need to take it out to download its history if you want a clear picture of where all it's been.

Don't get me wrong, it's a neat device, and the email/cell integration is top notch, but it's not exactly spy-movie quality. :-)

[Nelson @ Apr 14th 2008 11:04PM]

Yea, ok, lets see that bit*h leave me now, forever means forever!

[Dave @ Apr 15th 2008 9:11AM]

Babysteps. I'd guess that within 5-10 years every new car will have this built in.

[Anthony H. @ Apr 15th 2008 10:07PM]

So I like the whole Zoombak thing, but if the battery doesn't last that long it now has minimal uses , unless you use it for asset tracking or something like that but what a pain. But if it really cost $15. a month that battery better last longer than 5 days... And when I catch that dog after it ran away it's gonna cost me a lot more in Vet bills for having to chase him, so maybe it's better if I don't get a Zoombak right now....!
:- )



Anthony H.
http://www.TheWayToGPS.com