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GPS-Based Vehicle Tracking

by Jeffrey Pusan
President of Corporate Defense Strategies, Inc.
web: http://www.corporatedef
As an installer of GPS-based vehicle tracking systems
The OnStar systems generally work quite well for safety related telematic
These factory installed systems are also lifesavers (literally) in the
That being said, the OnStar system is an excellent safety feature and
However, for those of us in the security business OnStar is definitely
There is only one button to call the monitoring center and it is often
Secondly, when the button is activated a recording is heard through
Other issues that prevent OnStar from being used for executive protection
As Tony Scotti put it, "it's a safety product...not a security
There are several products on the market that comprise the same components;
A properly installed, GPS-based security-type of vehicle tracking system
Panic buttons and switches are mounted throughout the cabin of the vehicle
A back-up battery allows the system to operate even if the car battery
However, the most important component is the central station that monitors
On command from the police, a signal can be sent to the car from the
The vehicle can also be locked or unlocked remotely by the central station.
Some of the systems allow you the option of tracking the vehicle on
Most systems will allow the central station to repeatedly blow the horn
The systems for tracking vehicles have become even more useful since
In summation, if you want to greatly increase your safety on the road
However, for those concerned with anti-kidnapping, anti-hijacking, and
For more information please contact us at our office at 201-573-4900 ense.com
I am often asked, "What is the difference between your system and the OnStar type of systems that are sold as options on new vehicles?"
applications. For example, if your air bag inflates it automatically calls the monitoring center to advise them that the driver may have been involved in a collision. You can also call OnStar to request driving directions, or to have them send a tow truck out to your location if you are stranded. And because the system is GPS-based, the monitoring center knows your exact location....even if you don't have the foggiest idea where you are.
event of a medical emergency, as they know just where to send the ambulance. How often are we in areas that we frequently travel through, and we don't know the name of the street or the nearest intersection? Having a cellular telephone and calling 911 does little good if you can't tell the operator your exact location (although GPS-based cellular telephones from Nokia and others will be available for sale very soon).
well worth its price. Bear in mind that there is a monthly monitoring charge (like a burglar alarm system) in addition to the sticker price of this option for your new car.
not a security device, nor was it ever intended to be used in that way.
found on the rear view mirror or in some other location in plain sight. In the event of a carjacking or kidnapping there is no way to discreetly press the button marked "OnStar".
the car's stereo speakers, announcing that the system is calling the monitoring center.
include, external (and obvious) mounting of the GPS and cellular antennas, and a concierge type of monitoring service that will make restaurant reservations, but their operators are not trained to detect hostage situations.
product".
GPS system, cellular (or pager) communication, and around the clock monitoring, but are designed for security purposes. Let me explain the difference.
uses a GPS antennae and communications antennae that are completely covert and concealed inside of the vehicle, making the system impervious to tampering.
and the trunk, allowing for activation from virtually anywhere in the car. If an executive is forced into the trunk, they can activate a panic button inside of the trunk, summoning help before it is too late. The exact location of each panic button, foot switch, or seat installed pressure sensor is customized to the preferences of the owner or driver.
is dead.
the vehicle. When a panic switch is activated a signal is sent via nationwide celluar service to the central station. A concealed microphone in the car triggers one-way audio monitoring to take place, allowing the central station to silently listen in to the car for sounds of duress. If the panic button was inadvertently pressed, the central station calls the car and depending upon the security protocol that you specify, will ask the driver for their password. If any password other than the correct one is used, the monitoring center will dispatch the police to intercept the vehicle.
central station to "kill the engine". The engine can not be restarted, nor will the car run until the central station sends another signal to re-enable the engine. This prevents the need for high speed chases that often lead to serious injury.
This comes in handy at 35,000 feet when you realize that you left the car unlocked in the airport parking lot.
your personal computer, for example when you are simply trying to find the location of your car driven by your seventeen year old son.
to assist in the location of a vehicle that may be hidden in a garage.
the Federal government changed the mandatory error factor for GPS systems from plus or minus five hundred (500) feet to plus or minus fifty (50) feet, about three years ago.
by all means order your new Mercedes, BMW, or General Motors cars with the GPS tracking option. General Motors has On Star (a division of Westinghouse) and Mercedes has Tele-Aid. Lexus calls their system Lexus link.
executive protection, you want to specify the covert installation of a security designed GPS tracking device. The cost of a custom installed, fully functional system is around five thousand ($5,000.00), but as a life saving device that can avert tragedy or even death, it is well worth the price.
or by email at cds@webspan.net.