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AR15.COM
8/24/2013 2:21:52 PM EDT
My mother in law recently suffered a stroke and is starting to have an onset of either dementia or Alzheimer's disease.  My wife and I are trying let her stay independent for as long as we can, but we would like to know if she drives away from her house and where her car is at any given time.  We have the Life360 app on her I-phone, but she has started forgetting that as well.  The doctor says she is still able to drive at this point and recommends that she continue to do that for the near future.  In the meantime, I've read on here where people have had portable gps trackers installed or put in cars and we're thinking that may be a good idea.  It would be nice if it linked up to an I-phone app to alert us when she leaves her house.  What are some good options that don't have a monthly subscription?
8/24/2013 2:24:59 PM EDT
[#1]
They are pretty much all going to have a monthly subscription, because they have to access a cell network for you to be able to see where the are.

Battery life is another concern.  Use one that can be wired into the cars electrical system.
8/24/2013 2:26:49 PM EDT
[#2]
I work in this field and unless you're LE or .gov, you'll be hard pressed to find service that doesn't come with a monthly fee. Probably gonna pay up front for the device as well.

That being said, I'd think that $20-ish a month would still be a worthy investment.
8/24/2013 2:27:12 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
They are pretty much all going to have a monthly subscription, because they have to access a cell network for you to be able to see where the are.

Battery life is another concern.  Use one that can be wired into the cars electrical system.
View Quote

Do any have cords that could plug into the cigarette lighter?
8/24/2013 2:32:11 PM EDT
[#4]
Some civilian models might. Hell, you might even find one that plugs into the OBD2 port.

However, most (that I know of) are hardwired or "slap n tracks".
8/24/2013 2:34:47 PM EDT
[#5]
There are units that are self contained and plug into the OBD port under the dash for power.  This is by far the easiest to install and use.

Uplink.com has info on these.

None of these types of devices have free service as they all use cellular communications.
8/24/2013 2:36:21 PM EDT
[#6]
Someone here on awhile back rigged up one using a cell phone that he added to his plan for cheap and hid it behind the dash of his teenager's car.
8/24/2013 2:37:15 PM EDT
[#7]
Look for one that uses your current carrier. That way, you can add a line and use the sim for the GPS.
8/24/2013 2:45:23 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
Some one here on awhile back rigged up one using a cell phone that he added to his plan for cheap and hid it behind the dash of his teenager's car.
View Quote


This is probably the cheapest.  Just hardwire a cellphone behind the dash and you are GTG.  No more forgetting to take it with her.
8/24/2013 2:49:22 PM EDT
[#9]
This brings up a question that I have. Has anyone here installed GPS on a motorcycle in case of thieves?

What do you use?
8/24/2013 3:38:59 PM EDT
[#10]
Is she on Aricept?



If not, she needs to get on it right away.



It helps with memory and is proven to delay the onset of Alzheimer's and slow its progression.