Device offers way to track family and pets

SALT LAKE CITY — Keeping track of kids or pets can sometimes be a challenge, but technology has now made it a little easier.

The company famous for its vehicle navigation systems has developed a portable tracking unit that can help families keep track of each other or help businesses monitor their property.

The GTU 10 GPS locator is a small, lightweight waterproof device that can be attached to a backpack, pet collar, vehicle or equipment, allowing users to track their whereabouts using a web-based Garmin Tracker service that works with smart phones, tablets, computers and compatible Garmin devices.

The unit operates across AT&T's national broadband coverage area. Weighing less than 2 ounces, the 3-inch-long device with no moving parts has an approximately two-week battery life that can be recharged in about two hours, said AT&T spokeswoman Laura Sears.

While on the go, users can download the Garmin Tracker application from their mobile device to see the location of GTU 10 and where it is relative to their current location.

Owners can set up to 10 geofences — virtual boundaries such as a home, backyard, school or other specified area — for the device so that when it enters or exits a designated area, Garmin can send an email or text message notification to the user or authorized family members or friends. Once users register the unit, the tracking service is enabled, Sears said.

Each unit sells for about $200, which would include the first year of standard service.

With the standard service — costing $50 annually — customers can track the history of where the device has been, allowing the user to view the last 10 known locations of the device. For an additional $5 monthly fee, the premium service allows users to view up to seven days of tracking history.

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