Free GPS tracking

I may have mentioned this in the past, but it bears a reminder.

For those who carry cell phones with GPS functionality there is a free service that will track your location and provide public web access.  Apps are available for Blackberry, Android, and iOS.  Installation is trivial.  Search for "InstaMapper" on Apple App Store and the Android Market.  The app is named "GPS Tracker" but searching on that gets a lot of hits.

http://www.instamapper.com/

There are two modes.  First you create an account with username and password, setup your device, and this provides you access to your most recent track, up to 1000 GPS pings.  You can set the ping interval from 1 sec to minutes.  There is another mode in which you supply others with a URL which contains a 19 digit key which simply displays your last location.  You cannot browse InstaMapper for others' locations, and substituting digits in my key never hit another, so your data is fairly secure. 

So, if you share your account information someone could find your last location and how you got there.  If you just share the simple URL your last location is available.

I have it installed on my Casio G'Zone (water/dust proof) Android phone for kayaking and flying. 

Is there a name fore this app, or is it just Free GPS tracking?

Good question!  I added how to find the app and the name in the original post.

Sounds like a good way to  the kids.

Sounds like a good way to  the kids.

Not sure if being the legal guardian of your own kids will skirt this rule in the Acceptance Terms Of Use contract or not?

General terms

    We do not allow covert tracking. You may not use our service to track a person without his or her consent, or track an object without the permission of its owner.

If the kids ever figure out that you are on to them, I guess you could say that Santa Claus is helping locate children that are obviously lying to their parents about their whereabouts.   

Just installed it, and it is pretty easy to setup and use. 

I did note after the fact that it says it uses significant Data usage and suggest you have an unlimited plan, which I don't or even can get anymore through Verizon.

However, I can easily turn it on and off, and tweak the amount of times it sends an update to the tracker.  I figure, when I'm fishing I can have it set to send out every 1/2 hour (1800 sec) to get a reasonable stab on where I am. 

I too have the Casio Commando G-Zone, that is waterproof and will have it tethered to my PFD in the ocean as an added safety locating device to go with the Standard Horizon HX851 VHF radio. 

Wifey won't bother me with trivial phone chatter when I'm fishing, so I give her a courtesy call to let her know I am off the water for the day. With this app my wife can watch my progress/route on the water, and if I'm not off the water in a given time, she can try contacting me to see if the fishing is really hot, or I'm having issues.   

My Verizon data plan is unlimited.

My Verizon data plan is unlimited.

They quit offering it in my area in the past year, and before I went with a smart(ass) phone. 
Your option may be nuked if you ever cancel your current plan, switch providers, and and try to get a new plan started with Verizon again.

Well that's pretty sh*tty

Well that's pretty sh*tty

Lee talk to squidgirl about the plans. she's been working for their CSR/Help Desk phone center and has it down pretty pat. she might be able to help you avoid losing your unlimited status. .

Sounds like a good way to  the kids.

Not sure if being the legal guardian of your own kids will skirt this rule in the Acceptance Terms Of Use contract or not?

General terms

    We do not allow covert tracking. You may not use our service to track a person without his or her consent, or track an object without the permission of its owner.

If the kids ever figure out that you are on to them, I guess you could say that Santa Claus is helping locate children that are obviously lying to their parents about their whereabouts.   

I read the statement, "or track an object without the permission of its owner," as "You can track an object you own".  As the parent, you probably own the phone, so track away .  Besides, as the legal guardian, you are just giving consent for a minor. 

Wifey won't bother me with trivial phone chatter when I'm fishing...

Are you kidding!?!?!

Nothing spurs a bite like a call from the wife! She usually only calls about once a trip and its scary how consistent it work's.

(probably not anymore since I said it out loud)    

Wifey won't bother me with trivial phone chatter when I'm fishing...

Are you kidding!?!?!

Nothing spurs a bite like a call from the wife! She usually only calls about once a trip and its scary how consistent it work's.

(probably not anymore since I said it out loud)

I'm not about to hand over my man card for using my wife's unfashionable calls as the only reason I'd catch a fish.  I may as well end the call with..  "Okay Pookie Poo, I'll get milk, bread and your favorite ice cream on my way home.