International GPS tracking question

First post from a long time lurker...

A colleague's daughter is traveling to India and he asked me about GPS tracking devices. I described PLBs as last resort cries for help, looked at SPOT's website and saw no coverage in India, and browsed some cell phone tracking websites. The cell phone tracking sites I found appear to only work in USA.

Can anybody recommend what a person should carry when traveling to India for emergency communication?

We're thinking she should buy an international GPS enabled cell phone when she gets to India.

Is a GPS cell phone good enough?

Any inexpensive GPS tracking devices worth carrying?

Thanks.

Tim

Welcome to the fire, newguy! I can't help you with the GPS/cell phone stuff but I might have a few other tips for international travel.
1. Let the American consulate know she will be there. At the bottom of that page is a link to registar online with the US consulate in India.

2. Get all her immunizations.

3. Always keep Imodium AD or other anti-diarreha medicine on hand.

4. Keep an upbeat, cheerful attitude.

-Blast

As far as I know, the lack of coverage in India is not caused by lack of GPS signal. It is caused by lack of GlobalStar communication satellite (the system SPOT uses vs. the “global” Iridium satellite communication network).


Again, I doubt that this is due to GPS coverage problems. I’d venture to guess that it is simply due to cell phone protocol differences and coverage.

The GPS system uses 24 satellites that orbit pretty evenly around the whole planet and does provide almost full planetary coverage (except near the north and south poles).


That would probably be the best bet, at least as far as I can think of.

hi, and welcome.

you didn't mention how long the travel will be.

if it's a short trip, you might consider renting a satellite phone. not that expensive to rent - but you do pay $1.75/min for outgoing calls. free incoming.

these folks have info here:

http://www.bestglide.com/iridium_satellite_phone_info.htm

and there are other rental providers.

good luck.

Hi onetime,

A GPS cell phone should be good enough as India generally has very good GSM network coverage in most towns and cities. 3G networks are being introduced in some major cities. Rural areas might be a bit patchy. If cost is not a issue then the Thuraya SG-2520 might be useful as it is a combined GSM/GPS/SAT Phone.

http://www.satphone.co.uk/networks/thuraya/handsetsnew.shtml

A rental Iridium Sat phone is a good idea but can generate unwanted attention when in use because of the rather large antenna.

You might find http://www.india-cellular.com/ useful for info on the current cell phone coverage situation in India.