GPS Tracking Device

by Greg Bartlett

Golf—what could be better than spending your afternoon on the course?  Well, if you didn’t have a golf cart, you might be in for some inconvenience.  Golf carts can be stolen just as easily as any other vehicle, and many golf courses and country clubs experience stolen equipment.  Some estimate the costs due to vandalism of this nature at approximately $8 million a year.

One survey indicated that 48% of operators reported unauthorized use of golf carts; 42% reported the carts being driven in off-limit properties; 21% reported theft of golf carts; and 27% had pulled golf carts out of lakes or creeks.  This kind of vandalism and theft results high extremely high losses for country clubs and golf courses.  One of the best ways to prevent vandalism and theft of golf carts and similar equipment vehicles is the installation of a GPS tracking device.

Tracking devices, along with capabilities such as geo-fencing, can reduce the possibilities of vandalism and theft.  Geo-fencing allows you to set the boundaries for your vehicle and you are notified immediately if the vehicle passes across the limits that you set.  Tracking devices let you know exactly where your vehicle is at any given time.

This information is possible due to the GPS satellite system of approximately 24 satellites that orbit outer space.  These satellites correspond in groups (usually of three, sometimes two) to determine the position of the vehicle or individual on earth wearing the receiver.  The information can be downloaded from the internet or to your mobile device.  This information is real time (active tracking system) or can be reviewed as a history (passive tracking system).  Many active tracking systems are capable of uploading fresh information every 5 seconds—or less.

If you need proof that GPS tracking can work, look no farther than last week’s news.   On May 12, 2010, Dale Brunt’s golf cart was stolen from his business in the Monroe area.  Fortunately, Dale had taken the precaution of equipping his cart with a Smart Tracker (purchased from Rocky Mountain Tracking) and was able to notify police on the location of the cart.  By the time the cart had been recovered, the police had also discovered that the thieves were also involved in growing marijuana and had other stolen items in their possession.  Dale’s GPS tracking device was a winner for both himself and law enforcement who were able to stop other criminal activity.

If you own equipment vehicles such as golf carts, or are responsible for ensuring the safety of golf course or country club property, consider the investment in a GPS system—it could save your company literally thousands of dollars.