Android Phone GPS tracker, for others to know where I am?

[jeltz]

SWMBO sometimes gets concerned if I'm out longer than she expected, especially on a night ride, so it would be nice for her to be able to check a website to see where I am in real time, and then she can check back in a few minutes to be able to see that I'm still moving and not "lying in a ditch somewhere" etc. I've nothing to hide BTW

Does anyone do something similar, I have Endomondo which I think might do it and I've read that there is an app called instamapper but if anyone has experience of these or similar then I would be very interested.

FYI I've an android phone LG Optimus One with "unlimited" (1gb fair usage PCM) data which should be ample.

 

[2Loose]

Instamapper looks like the jobby, although I'd worry about battery life as my phone is lucky to last 5hours with gps enabled, less if I use it for anything else!

 

[jugglingphil]

Endomondo does allow your "friends" to track your workouts, it even allows for pep-talks (although I turn that off!).

 

[rockyraccoon]

Lookout it is basically a mobile security app but because it also allows you to track your phone online if lost/stole.

 

[Jim_Noir]

I thought I posted on this this morn! Anyway latitude on google maps will do the trick... it's already on your phone too

 

[ColinJ]

Hmm ... So what happens if you end up somewhere where your phone can't get a signal, is SWMBO going to start freaking out because she thinks you ARE dead in a ditch somewhere?

What if you are not moving because you have a puncture? Is SWMBO going to have the emergency services out only for them to find you standing at the side of the road with a tube in your hand?

Or will you have to phone up and say "Don't worry, I'm just stationary because I'm fixing the bike!" or maybe even "I'm just peeing behind a hedge!"

I think the idea of someone needing to constantly monitor someone else's whereabouts is a bit worrying. I'd rather talk it through and put her mind at rest. Most people don't worry to that extent.

 

[ufkacbln]

Hmm ... So what happens if you end up somewhere where your phone can't get a signal, is SWMBO going to start freaking out because she thinks you ARE dead in a ditch somewhere?

What if you are not moving because you have a puncture? Is SWMBO going to have the emergency services out only for them to find you standing at the side of the road with a tube in your hand?

Or will you have to phone up and say "Don't worry, I'm just stationary because I'm fixing the bike!" or maybe even "I'm just peeing behind a hedge!"

I think the idea of someone needing to constantly monitor someone else's whereabouts is a bit worrying. I'd rather talk it through and put her mind at rest. Most people don't worry to that extent.

It's simply reassurance.... I use Latitude as my wife likes to know how I progress, however she is fully aware that it sometimes will be inaccurate or slow to update

 

[jeltz]

Indeed it wouldn't be a continual monitoring but maybe if she's thinking I hope he's OK the ability to check would indeed be a reassurance. If she had any concern then she can ring the mobile, which has only one occasional dead spot on my usual routes.

Thanks for the replies

 

[Pisquee]

You could get a separate tracker - look on Ebay for a TK102 - you would need another mobile account/SIM to run it.

It you go this way, or I think, even with your phone, you can use GPS Trace

 

[Stephenite]

I would consider your wife's apparent concern with suspicion, Jeltz.

One way to catch her out would be to attach your phone to a bus or dustbin wagon (using one of the above tracking apps), thus allowing you to observe your wife and her antics whilst she thinks you are in the back of beyond on a bicycle.

Not suggesting anything, of course. But one can never be too careful.

Alternatively, you could tell her not to worry as you will look after yourself and not take any risks. And you were alright last time weren't you?

 

[Globalti]

It's popular in South Africa because people worry about hijacking and kidnap.

 

[jeltz]

I would consider your wife's apparent concern with suspicion, Jeltz.

One way to catch her out would be to attach your phone to a bus or dustbin wagon (using one of the above tracking apps), thus allowing you to observe your wife and her antics whilst she thinks you are in the back of beyond on a bicycle.

Not suggesting anything, of course. But one can never be too careful.

Alternatively, you could tell her not to worry as you will look after yourself and not take any risks. And you were alright last time weren't you?

Actually it is more a case that I went out at about 8:30 one evening and was enjoying myself so much that I didn't come back until 11:20 and apparently after about 10:30 she started to wonder where I'd gotten to. I had the whole I was about to phone the hospitals bit, and I suggested that maybe phoning my mobile would have been better

 

[Grizzly]

Try "ReliRescue" there is a windows version but not 100% sure about Android