The Garmin GTU10 is the best tracking device in the world.

Garmin GTU 10

There are lots of things to keep track of in today’s world – aging parents, children, company vehicles, pets and more. What if a technology existed that allowed tracking loved ones and other valued possessions with such pinpoint accuracy that they would never be lost? This revolutionary technology is available now in a device called the Garmin GTU10. 

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., recently announced the introduction of the Garmin GTU 10 GPS tracking device. This device uses satellites, in combination with the AT&T wireless network, to track objects and relay messages to a smartphone that can subsequently locate the device, along with whatever is attached to it. “The number of applications for this technology is only limited by the imagination,” said Rusty Squire, president of the Heart Rate Watch Company, a national online retailer. Squire continues, “You can track children or aging parents, and receive text alerts straight over the AT&T wireless network.” 

The actual Garmin GTU 10 device is a transmitter, so unlike GPS watches for fitness, like the Garmin Forerunner 610 that only works as a receiver, these devices send location coordinates up to a satellite. The satellites then send a signal to the AT&T wireless network which sends a text update to your smartphone. GPS mapping identifies the location of the device on your smartphone. The nice thing about the Garmin GTU 10 tracking device is the ability to set up perimeter boundaries that are polygons, rather than a radius. This polygon type of boundary is far more useful because blocks and neighborhoods are generally set up in a grid, meaning that this device can use streets and blocks as boundary lines. 

“For companies wishing to track vehicle fleets, baby boomers wishing to track aging parents, and young families wishing to keep a watchful eye on the children, this device has value,” says Squire. He continues, “Imagine being alerted when your child wanders off from a school field trip so that you can intervene before anything happens”. Managing life’s risks and challenges seems to be what the GTU 10 device does best. 

Small, Lightweight and Affordable Tracking Device

Thanks to the Garmin GTU 10, you can keep a watch on your loved ones, pets or valuables wirelessly. This cutting edge device allows you to pinpoint their location on a map, from your computer or a compatible Smartphone. The GTU 10 is small, lightweight and waterproof. Customize settings even let you know if the device has been turned off, and if it’s time to re-charge the Li-ion battery.

Operation

Connecting is as simple as logging in to your myGarmin account, just follow the simple steps and you can easily begin tracking! Worried about Fido wandering off? The Garmin GTU 10 allows setting up to 10 geofences (a virtual boundary) online so you can receive a text message or email alert when the device enters or exits a specified area. Each unit comes with a carrying case with carabiner clip and adhesive strip so it can attach easily to pet collars, backpack or vehicle. If you have more than one GTU 10 the Garmin software will let you track all of them on a single screen and give each one a custom name of up to 60 characters. The built in rechargeable Li-ion battery lasts up to 4 weeks for even more convenience.

More Features

With the GTU 10, there are no contracts, activation or early termination fees. Garmin provides the 1st year of Standard tracking service free, which includes access to the last 10 position updates. The Standard tracking service is then $49.99 per year after the first year. As an added convenience, download the free Garmin tracker app for your mobile device so you can compare your current location to that of the GTU 10. If you have a GPS unit with Garmin’s nuLink service you can automatically route to the GTU 10. With the Deluxe tracking plan for an additional $4.99 per month you can retrieve up to 7 days of location and tracking data and unlimited points per day set at your own custom interval. The GTU 10 provides an affordable solution for added piece of mind.

The really good news is that the renewal fee for subsequent years is only $49.99 or $4.99 per month for the deluxe tracking service plan. 

The GTU 10 GPS tracker is 3”x1.3”x.8” (7.6x3.3x2cm) and only weighs 1.7 oz. (48g) and it is waterproof. It comes with a pouch to attached it to a belt or dog collar and a carabiner clip. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery is included with this gps personal tracker with an estimated life of four weeks between charges. It will even notify you though the tracking service when the battery is low and needs to be recharged or when the device has been turned off. 

The Garmin GTU 10 personal GPS trackers use assisted GPS location technology and uses AT&T wireless network for data delivery. The location of the device can be monitored from Garmin’s website, with your pc, mobile apps as well as compatible Garmin nüLink devices (not included) that can automatically route to the GTU 10’s location with turn-by-turn directions. 

GTU 10 GPS tracker has two service programs available. The unit come with one year of Standard Tracking which provides access to 10 points of daily track history. The Standard Tracking package can be renewed at an annual rate of $49.99/year after the first year of complimentary service. If you would like a more detailed history, Garmin offers the Deluxe Tracking service plan ($4.99 per month) allowing you to access 7 days of tracking history. Each service plan includes the option to automatically renew upon expiration, and there are no early termination fees, no activation fees and no contracts. Not bad when you consider that most other trackers’ service plans range from $12 to $15 per month and many require contracts and activation fees. 

The Garmin GTU 10 GPS tracker allows you to create up to 10 geofences (virtual boundaries) for your device so that when the GTI 10 GPS trackerenters or exits a geofenced area, the Garmin tracking program can send an email or text message notificationup. It’s also easy to view a track history of where your GTU 10 has been. And because there are numerous ways to use GTU 10, it’s easy to customize battery settings for optimal performance.The uses for this device are limited only by your imagination. Because it is light weight and waterproof you can use the Garmin GTU 10 to track about anything or anyone. Some uses could be:

1.      Travelers: Locate luggage and belongings so nothing gets left behind or lost.

2.      Parents: Track your children on their way to school to make sure they arrive safely.

3.      Pet owners: The Garmin GTU 10 GPS tracker can be used as GPS pet trackers to receive notifications when your pet exits a geofence so you can go track it down. Or see where your paid “dog walker” took you pet for his walk.

4.      Runners: Let friends or family track your whereabouts on your daily run, or your progress on race day.

5.      Put it in your briefcase incase you forget it somewhere.

6.      Put it in your teenager’s car to track where they went.
And the list goes on. I’m sure that Garmin’s low cost service plan is going to have an sweeping affect on the industry to the benefit of the consumer.

HOW THE SERVICE PACKAGE WORKS

GTU 10 tracking capabilities are a result of combining AT&T's  wireless network with high-sensitivity GPS. GTU 10 has a suggested retail price of $199.99, whichnationwide includes a full year of standard tracking. Each day you can use up to 10 points of daily track history and your standard tracking can be renewed at an annual rate of $49.99 after the first year of complimentary service. 

For those who want a more detailed history, the Deluxe Tracking service plan ($4.99 per month) can access seven days of track history. Each service plan includes the option to automatically renew upon expiration and there are no early termination fees, no activation fees and no contracts. 

The Garmin GTU 10 GPS tracking device was awarded the Editor’s Choice Award by Popular Mechanics and is certainly well worth a look if you own a smartphone and need to track something important. Dick Tracy, the futuristic cartoon character of the 1960’s, would have wanted one of these things to go with his radio watch. While the present limitations are the AT&T network in the domestic United States, which covers most everywhere, we can envision Garmin moving to expand that network to one of more global scale in the years ahead.