If you have a fancy car with integrated OnStar service, good for you, but if not, there are different ways to make your vehicle trackable. One of which is the Seeker that BlackLine GPS introduced on Thursday. Seeker is a GPS-based vehicle recovery and tracking device that a car tech savvy person can install without professional help.
Slightly larger than the size of a car remote key, once installed and armed, the device continuously monitors its automatically configured GPS security perimeter. If an unauthorized individual moves the vehicle outside the security perimeter, it instantly notifies the owner via SMS or e-mail and alerts the BlackLine Recovery Service, triggering a recovery process. During this process BlackLine works in conjunction with the local authorities to recover your vehicle and bring the thief to justice.
Even when there's no incident, an owner can also track the location of the vehicle in real time via his mobile phone or BlackLine's Web site, which is a selling point for me. It's hard to believe, but I've more than once forgotten where I had parked my car.
The device comes with a key fob for the owner to carry with him. The key fob allows the Seeker to automatically arm/disarm its security function. When the user approaches Seeker's preestablished perimeter, it automatically disarms. When the user leaves the perimeter, Seeker automatically configures a GPS security perimeter and enters its armed security mode.
Seeker requires only a two-wire power connection and is compatible with both 12VDC and 24VDC power systems. It can even report the car's battery level to the owner via e-mail and text message to a mobile phone. If Seeker's power supply is disconnected, it automatically switches to to its internal rechargeable two-day battery backup system while notifying the user of the issue.
On top of that, the device also features BlackLine's sharing technology that allows users to share their locations with one another. This comes in handy when you travel in a group of multiple vehicles.
Seeker will be available early next year with a price of about $350. You will also need a plan for the tracking service that costs $20 per month or $200 per year.