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The cost of satellite tracking comes down all the time, and it's now possible for operators to locate not just stolen vehicles but individual loads and even people: Armada GPS of Bromsgrove has launched a device called the Minitracker which combines GPS location with a GSM mobile phone module in a small, self-contained package. This means that it can report Its position every two minutes (to within a few metres) to a user equipped with a PC and a mapping program.
The Minitracker is little larger than a conventional mobile phone, so it can be concealed within a pallet of high-value goods; even if thieves unload a stolen vehicle, the system will still be active. The device has a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery which can remain active for up to 50 days without recharging—and which "phones home" to report when it has 30% of its life left. The Minitracker unit costs around £1,000, with a line rental cost of around 15 per month (plus call charges),
Armada also produces the Maverick, designed for locating and contacting personnel who are at risk—such as security guards. The unit combines GPS location with a GSM phone (restricted to calling only seven pre-set numbers), and a "panic button".
• Contact: Armada CPS on 01527 578844.